Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Six Zero Sapphire 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
- 95Power80
- 84Control93
- 91Spin91
- 88Forgiveness86
- 89Sweet spot88
- 92Stability84
- 66Maneuverability80
- 90Pop72
- 80Touch91
- 85Consistency88
- 82Swing weight64
- 92Twist weight82
- 58Launch angle48
- 93Plow through76
- 72Softness86
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Six Zero Sapphire 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 Sapphire 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $332.99 | $190 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 87.1 — better | 85.9 |
| Weight(oz) | 8.25 | 8.1 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 118 | 106 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 7.2 — better | 6.7 |
| Shape | elongated | standard |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16 |
| Face width(in) | 7.45 | 7.9 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.8 | 5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.125 |
| Surface | Multistrata T700 carbon with InfiniGrit | Toray T700 raw carbon |
| Core material | BoomCore PureFoam with EVA Power Ring | Gen 3 foam-injected polypropylene |
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 Sapphire 16 verdict
Six Zero's standard-shape Gen 3 build. It trades the Coral Pro's reach for a wider face, and the result is one of the most forgiving control paddles in the $200 bracket.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is pop: Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 scores 90 against 72 for Six Zero Sapphire 16 — a 18-point gap. They are effectively level on consistency, forgiveness, sweet spot, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Six Zero Sapphire 16 is $142.99 cheaper at $190.
Pop
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 18 points (90 vs 72).
Swing weight
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 18 points (82 vs 64).
Plow through
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 17 points (93 vs 76).
Power
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 15 points (95 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 82, stability 92 vs 84, forgiveness 88 vs 86. Twist weight 7.2 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Stability
- Forgiveness
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Six Zero Sapphire 16
Six Zero Sapphire 16 is a narrow pick at this level — maneuverability 80 vs 66, control 93 vs 84, touch 91 vs 80. At 106 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Maneuverability
- Control
- Touch
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (86.3 vs 85.1 on the weighted index). Take Six Zero Sapphire 16 and keep the $142.99.
- Power
- Plow through
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Six Zero Sapphire 16
Six Zero Sapphire 16 is the clearer pick at this level — softness 86 vs 72. Its 16 mm Gen 3 foam-injected polypropylene core at 8.1 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 (+18), swing weight (+18), plow through (+17). 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 Sapphire 16
Take Six Zero Sapphire 16 if you want maneuverability (+14), softness (+14), touch (+11). Its swing weight of 106 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Six Zero Sapphire 16 review →Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Six Zero Sapphire 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 or the Six Zero Sapphire 16?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (87.1 vs 85.9), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — pop — Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 18 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Six Zero Sapphire 16, at 106 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 Sapphire 16?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 measures 95 on power against 80 for Six Zero Sapphire 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?
- Six Zero Sapphire 16 at 93 versus 84. 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 91 for the Toray T700 raw carbon face on Six Zero Sapphire 16. In practice a 0-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 6.7. 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 Sapphire 16 costs $190, $142.99 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 Sapphire 16: 16 mm Gen 3 foam-injected polypropylene core with a Toray T700 raw carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16, at 5.8 in of handle against 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 Sapphire 16 at 8.1 oz against 8.25 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (106 vs 118) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Six Zero Sapphire 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 pop by 18 points; everything else is within 18 points. At $332.99 vs $190, 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 Friction Pro Elongated V2
- Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Labs Project 006
- Sapphire 16 vs Radius CGS 16
- Sapphire 16 vs V-Sol Pro 16
- Sapphire 16 vs R1 Pulsar
- Sapphire 16 vs Quartz Control
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 Sapphire 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.