Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. 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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Quick answer
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 wins this matchup for most players: it takes power, spin and forgiveness on Paddle DNA against the Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta, which costs $200.
Power
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
95 vs 74
Spin
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
91 vs 86
Control
Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta
95 vs 84
Forgiveness
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
88 vs 80
Hand speed
Too close to call
116 vs 118 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta
$200 at IQ 83.6 vs $332.99 at IQ 87.1
Overall pick: Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 · $332.99 · IQ 87.1
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 95Power74
- 84Control95
- 91Spin86
- 88Forgiveness80
- 89Sweet spot82
- 92Stability84
- 66Maneuverability72
- 90Pop66
- 80Touch94
- 85Consistency90
- 82Swing weight74
- 92Twist weight78
- 58Launch angle44
- 93Plow through82
- 72Softness88
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta specs
Every 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 Control Air Invikta |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $332.99 | $200 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 87.1 — better | 83.6 |
| Weight(oz) | 8.25 | 8 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 19.05 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 118 | 116 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 7.2 — better | 6.2 |
| 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 | Quadcarbon woven carbon fiber |
| Core material | BoomCore PureFoam with EVA Power Ring | X5 polypropylene honeycomb |
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 verdict
The highest power score 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 Control Air Invikta verdict
The softest premium elongated paddle in the database. The thick Quadcarbon build absorbs pace so completely that resets from mid-court land in the kitchen almost by default.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is pop: Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 scores 90 against 66 for Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta — a 24-point gap. Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta is $132.99 cheaper at $200.
Pop
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 24 points (90 vs 66).
Power
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 21 points (95 vs 74).
Softness
Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta leads by 16 points (88 vs 72).
Touch
Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta leads by 14 points (94 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 the clearer pick at this level — twist weight 92 vs 78, forgiveness 88 vs 80, sweet spot 89 vs 82. Twist weight 7.2 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (83.6 vs 84.2 on the weighted index). Take Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta and keep the $132.99.
- Control
- Touch
- Maneuverability
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 74, plow through 93 vs 82, spin 91 vs 86. Swing weight 118 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Power
- Plow through
- Spin
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta
Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta is a narrow pick at this level — softness 88 vs 72. Its 19.05 mm X5 polypropylene honeycomb core at 8 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 (+24), power (+21), twist weight (+14). 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 Control Air Invikta
Take Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta if you want softness (+16), touch (+14), control (+11). Its swing weight of 116 kg·cm² and 19.05 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta review →Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta FAQ
- Which is better, the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 or the Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (87.1 vs 83.6), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — pop — Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 24 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta, at 116 kg·cm² swing weight against 118 for Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16. 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 Control Air Invikta?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 scores 95 for power against 74 for Selkirk Vanguard Control Air 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 Control Air Invikta at 95 versus 84. Its 19.05 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 86 for the Quadcarbon woven carbon fiber face on Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta. In practice a 5-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16, with the higher forgiveness score (88 vs 80). Its 7.2 twist weight against 6.2 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta costs $200, $132.99 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 Control Air Invikta: 19.05 mm X5 polypropylene honeycomb core with a Quadcarbon woven carbon fiber 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 Vanguard Control Air Invikta rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta at 8 oz against 8.25 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (116 vs 118) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Selkirk Vanguard Control Air 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 24 points; everything else is within 21 points. At $332.99 vs $200, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
Related comparisons
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Also worth comparing
Head-to-heads that share DNA with this matchup — useful if you're still deciding between shapes, cores or price tiers.
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- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs 1X TruFoam Power
- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Hyperion Pro V 16
- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Labs 008 Project 16
- Vanguard Control Air Invikta vs LUXX Control Air Invikta
- Vanguard Control Air Invikta vs Tempest Pro C 16
- Vanguard Control Air Invikta vs Pursuit MX 6.0
- Vanguard Control Air Invikta vs Pursuit Pro EX 16
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Guides featuring these paddles
Still deciding? These buying guides put Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 and Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 and Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.