Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Vatic Pro Atlas 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
- 95Power78
- 84Control88
- 91Spin86
- 88Forgiveness90
- 89Sweet spot90
- 92Stability84
- 66Maneuverability82
- 90Pop74
- 80Touch86
- 85Consistency88
- 82Swing weight66
- 92Twist weight80
- 58Launch angle48
- 93Plow through74
- 72Softness82
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Vatic Pro Atlas 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 | Vatic Pro Atlas 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $332.99 | $110 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 87.1 — better | 84.8 |
| Weight(oz) | 8.25 | 7.9 |
| 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 | widebody |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 15.9 |
| Face width(in) | 7.45 | 8.1 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.8 | 5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.125 |
| Surface | Multistrata T700 carbon with InfiniGrit | Raw T700 carbon |
| Core material | BoomCore PureFoam with EVA Power Ring | 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.
Vatic Pro Atlas 16 verdict
The most forgiving paddle Vatic has shipped and still under $120. Sweet spot 90 and forgiveness 90 in an 8.1 in widebody is the profile most improving players actually need.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is plow through: Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 scores 93 against 74 for Vatic Pro Atlas 16 — a 19-point gap. They are effectively level on consistency, forgiveness, sweet spot, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Vatic Pro Atlas 16 is $222.99 cheaper at $110.
Plow through
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 19 points (93 vs 74).
Power
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 17 points (95 vs 78).
Maneuverability
Vatic Pro Atlas 16 leads by 16 points (82 vs 66).
Pop
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 16 points (90 vs 74).
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
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (88.7 vs 87.1 on the weighted index). Take Vatic Pro Atlas 16 and keep the $222.99.
- Twist weight
- Stability
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (83.6 vs 85.3 on the weighted index). Take Vatic Pro Atlas 16 and keep the $222.99.
- Maneuverability
- 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 — power 95 vs 78, plow through 93 vs 74, 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
Vatic Pro Atlas 16
Vatic Pro Atlas 16 is a narrow pick at this level — softness 82 vs 72, forgiveness 90 vs 88. Its 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb core at 7.9 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
Take Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 if you want plow through (+19), power (+17), pop (+16). 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 →Vatic Pro Atlas 16
Take Vatic Pro Atlas 16 if you want maneuverability (+16), softness (+10), touch (+6). Its swing weight of 106 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Vatic Pro Atlas 16 review →Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Vatic Pro Atlas 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 or the Vatic Pro Atlas 16?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (87.1 vs 84.8), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — plow through — Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 19 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Vatic Pro Atlas 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 Vatic Pro Atlas 16?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 measures 95 on power against 78 for Vatic Pro Atlas 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?
- Vatic Pro Atlas 16 at 88 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 86 for the Raw T700 carbon face on Vatic Pro Atlas 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 6.7. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and Vatic Pro Atlas 16 carries the higher forgiveness score (90) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Vatic Pro Atlas 16 costs $110, $222.99 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. Vatic Pro Atlas 16: 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb core with a Raw 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 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?
- Vatic Pro Atlas 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 90 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 unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Vatic Pro Atlas 16 at 7.9 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 Vatic Pro Atlas 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 plow through by 19 points; everything else is within 17 points. At $332.99 vs $110, 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
- Atlas 16 vs Radius CGS 16
- Atlas 16 vs Crush Control 16
- Atlas 16 vs Double Black Diamond Control V2
- Atlas 16 vs Sapphire 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 Vatic Pro Atlas 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.