Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm

The verdict

Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is maneuverability: Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm scores 86 against 66 for Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 — a 20-point gap. They are effectively level on spin, stability, control, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm is $223 cheaper at $109.99.

• Maneuverability

  Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm leads by 20 points (86 vs 66).

• Swing weight

  Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 17 points (82 vs 65).

• Plow through

  Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 12 points (93 vs 81).

• Softness

  Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm leads by 8 points (80 vs 72).

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.

Which one should you buy?

Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm FAQ

Which is better, the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 or the Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm?

Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (87.4 vs 87.1), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — maneuverability — Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm leads by 20 points.

Which one is faster at the kitchen line?

Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm, at 107 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 Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm?

Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 scores 95 for power against 88 for Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm. 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?

Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm at 86 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 88 for the QuadFiber carbon layup with PermaGritNano face on Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm. In practice a 3-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.

Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?

Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm, with the higher forgiveness score (89 vs 88). Its 7.4 twist weight against 7.2 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.

Is the price difference worth it?

Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm costs $109.99, $223 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. Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm: 16 mm Generation 4 Turbo Foam (EPP) core with a QuadFiber carbon layup with PermaGritNano face.

Which is better for a two-handed backhand?

Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16, at 5.8 in of handle against 5.3 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?

Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 89 and sweet spot 90 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.

Which is lighter in the hand?

Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm at 7.9 oz against 8.25 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (107 vs 118) is what you feel mid-rally.

Is it worth upgrading from the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 to the Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm?

Only if you need what it actually adds. Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm leads on maneuverability by 20 points; everything else is within 17 points. At $332.99 vs $109.99, 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 1X TruFoam Power
• Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Hyperion Pro V 16
• Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Labs 008 Project 16

• Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm vs J2CR
• Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm vs Aura Pro Hybrid 16mm
• Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm vs Loco 16mm Standard
• Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm vs Tenon

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 Spartus Spitfire Standard/Widebody 16mm. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.