Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 95Power82
- 84Control90
- 91Spin82
- 88Forgiveness84
- 89Sweet spot84
- 92Stability88
- 66Maneuverability70
- 90Pop76
- 80Touch90
- 85Consistency90
- 82Swing weight78
- 92Twist weight84
- 58Launch angle48
- 93Plow through86
- 72Softness84
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta specs
Every measured spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 | Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $332.99 | $180 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 87.1 — better | 84.7 |
| Weight(oz) | 8.25 | 8.4 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 19.8 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 118 | 120 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 7.2 — better | 6.5 |
| Shape | elongated | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.45 | 7.375 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.8 | 5.25 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Multistrata T700 carbon with InfiniGrit | FiberFlex fiberglass |
| Core material | BoomCore PureFoam with EVA Power Ring | X5 polypropylene honeycomb |
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 verdict
The highest measured power in the database, and the twist weight (7.2) to back it up. The MOI tuning system lets you dial the balance, but nothing turns a 118 swing weight into a fast-hands paddle.
Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta verdict
Selkirk's long-running Invikta shape in the softer Vanguard 2.0 build. Touch 90 and consistency 90 with 86 plow-through make it a drive-and-reset paddle for patient players.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is pop: Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 scores 90 against 76 for Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta — a 14-point gap. Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta is $152.99 cheaper at $180.
Pop
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 14 points (90 vs 76).
Power
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 13 points (95 vs 82).
Softness
Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta leads by 12 points (84 vs 72).
Touch
Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta leads by 10 points (90 vs 80).
Which one is right for your level?
Each call below re-weights the Paddle DNA traits that matter at that level, so the winner can differ from the overall pick.
Beginner
New to 3.0 — still building a consistent contact point
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 is a narrow pick at this level — twist weight 92 vs 84, sweet spot 89 vs 84, forgiveness 88 vs 84. Twist weight 7.2 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Sweet spot
- Forgiveness
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (83.6 vs 83.3 on the weighted index). Take Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta and keep the $152.99.
- Power
- Spin
- Forgiveness
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 is a narrow pick at this level — power 95 vs 82, spin 91 vs 82, plow through 93 vs 86. Swing weight 118 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Power
- Spin
- Plow through
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta
Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta is a narrow pick at this level — softness 84 vs 72. Its 19.8 mm X5 polypropylene honeycomb core at 8.4 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
Which one should you buy?
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
Take Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 if you want pop (+14), power (+13), launch angle (+10). Its swing weight of 118 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 review →Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta
Take Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta if you want softness (+12), touch (+10), control (+6). Its swing weight of 120 kg·cm² and 19.8 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta review →Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta FAQ
- Which is better, the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 or the Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (87.1 vs 84.7), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — pop — Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 14 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16, at 118 kg·cm² swing weight against 120 for Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 or the Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 measures 95 on power against 82 for Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta. That comes from a 16 mm BoomCore PureFoam with EVA Power Ring core swinging at 118 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta at 90 versus 84. Its 19.8 mm core holds the ball on the face slightly longer, which is what makes resets and dinks land shorter.
- Which paddle spins the ball more?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 scores 91 for spin off its Multistrata T700 carbon with InfiniGrit face, against 82 for the FiberFlex fiberglass face on Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta. In practice a 9-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16, with 7.2 twist weight against 6.5. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 carries the higher forgiveness score (88) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta costs $180, $152.99 less. Whether that gap is worth closing depends on whether you actually use the traits it trades away — check the head-to-head DNA bars above before paying up.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16: 16 mm BoomCore PureFoam with EVA Power Ring core with a Multistrata T700 carbon with InfiniGrit face. Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta: 19.8 mm X5 polypropylene honeycomb core with a FiberFlex fiberglass face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16, at 5.8 in of handle against 5.25 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 88 and sweet spot 89 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 at 8.25 oz against 8.4 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (118 vs 120) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta to the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads on pop by 14 points; everything else is within 13 points. At $332.99 vs $180, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
Also worth comparing
Head-to-heads that share DNA with this matchup — useful if you're still deciding between shapes, cores or price tiers.
- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Ultré Power 2
- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Hyperion Pro V 16
- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid
- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Friction Pro Elongated V2
- Vanguard 2.0 Invikta vs Model E Max V3
- Vanguard 2.0 Invikta vs Nova R1
- Vanguard 2.0 Invikta vs Pursuit MX 6.0
- Vanguard 2.0 Invikta vs Perseus Pro IV 16
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Read the full reviews: Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 and Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.