Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16
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
- 95Power90
- 84Control80
- 91Spin86
- 88Forgiveness84
- 89Sweet spot84
- 92Stability84
- 66Maneuverability76
- 90Pop88
- 80Touch74
- 85Consistency82
- 82Swing weight74
- 92Twist weight80
- 58Launch angle58
- 93Plow through84
- 72Softness62
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 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 | Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $332.99 | $180 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 87.1 — better | 82.6 |
| Weight(oz) | 8.25 | 8.1 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 118 | 113 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 7.2 — better | 6.6 |
| Shape | elongated | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.45 | 7.4 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.8 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Multistrata T700 carbon with InfiniGrit | Raw Toray T700 carbon |
| Core material | BoomCore PureFoam with EVA Power Ring | Thermoformed polypropylene with foam walls |
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.
Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 verdict
Six Zero finally built a power paddle. Pop 88 and power 90 at $180 undercut every flagship drive paddle in the database, and the DBD forgiveness DNA mostly survives the switch.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is twist weight: Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 scores 92 against 80 for Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 — a 12-point gap. They are effectively level on consistency, pop, launch angle, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 is $152.99 cheaper at $180.
Twist weight
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 12 points (92 vs 80).
Maneuverability
Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 leads by 10 points (76 vs 66).
Softness
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 10 points (72 vs 62).
Plow through
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 9 points (93 vs 84).
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 80, stability 92 vs 84, sweet spot 89 vs 84. Twist weight 7.2 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Stability
- Sweet spot
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 is a narrow pick at this level — spin 91 vs 86, touch 80 vs 74, control 84 vs 80. At 118 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Spin
- Touch
- Control
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 — plow through 93 vs 84, power 95 vs 90, spin 91 vs 86. Swing weight 118 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Plow through
- Power
- Spin
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 is the clearer pick at this level — softness 72 vs 62, twist weight 92 vs 80, forgiveness 88 vs 84. Its 16 mm BoomCore PureFoam with EVA Power Ring core at 8.25 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
Take Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 if you want twist weight (+12), softness (+10), plow through (+9). 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 →Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16
Take Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 if you want maneuverability (+10). Its swing weight of 113 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 review →Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 or the Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (87.1 vs 82.6), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — twist weight — Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 12 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16, at 113 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 Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 measures 95 on power against 90 for Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16. 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 Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 at 84 versus 80. Its 16 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 Raw Toray T700 carbon face on Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16. 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 7.2 twist weight against 6.6. 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?
- Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 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. Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16: 16 mm Thermoformed polypropylene with foam walls core with a Raw Toray T700 carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16, at 5.8 in of handle against 5.5 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?
- Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 at 8.1 oz against 8.25 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (113 vs 118) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16 to the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads on twist weight by 12 points; everything else is within 10 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
- Black Diamond Power 16 vs Vantage Power 16
- Black Diamond Power 16 vs AMPED Pro Air Invikta
- Black Diamond Power 16 vs Evoke Premier Pro
- Black Diamond Power 16 vs 2X Power Series
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 Six Zero Black Diamond Power 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.