Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Vatic Pro Prism Flash
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 edges it on the overall Paddle IQ score (87.1 vs 79.8), but the two split the scored categories — pick on the one trait you care about most.
Power
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
95 vs 71
Spin
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
91 vs 84
Control
Too close to call
86 vs 84
Forgiveness
Too close to call
88 vs 85
Hand speed
109 vs 118 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$74 at IQ 79.8 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
- 95Power71
- 84Control86
- 91Spin84
- 88Forgiveness85
- 89Sweet spot82
- 92Stability78
- 66Maneuverability83
- 90Pop72
- 80Touch80
- 85Consistency83
- 82Swing weight48
- 92Twist weight72
- 58Launch angle62
- 93Plow through60
- 72Softness84
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Vatic Pro Prism Flash 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 | Vatic Pro Prism Flash |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $332.99 | $74 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 87.1 — better | 79.8 |
| Weight(oz) | 8.25 | 8 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 118 | 109 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 7.2 — better | 6 |
| Shape | elongated | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16.3 |
| Face width(in) | 7.45 | 7.6 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.8 | 5.3 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.125 |
| Surface | Multistrata T700 carbon with InfiniGrit | Raw T700 carbon fiber |
| Core material | BoomCore PureFoam with EVA Power Ring | Polymer 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.
Vatic Pro Prism Flash verdict
Raw carbon spin numbers usually cost twice this much. The elongated shape is slightly less forgiving, so pick this only if you already make consistent contact.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is swing weight: Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 scores 82 against 48 for Vatic Pro Prism Flash — a 34-point gap. They are effectively level on forgiveness, control, consistency, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Vatic Pro Prism Flash is $258.99 cheaper at $74.
Swing weight
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 34 points (82 vs 48).
Plow through
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 33 points (93 vs 60).
Power
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 24 points (95 vs 71).
Twist weight
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 20 points (92 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.
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 72, stability 92 vs 78, sweet spot 89 vs 82. 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
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (83.6 vs 82 on the weighted index). Take Vatic Pro Prism Flash and keep the $258.99.
- Power
- Spin
- Forgiveness
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 is the clearer pick at this level — plow through 93 vs 60, power 95 vs 71, spin 91 vs 84. 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
Vatic Pro Prism Flash
Vatic Pro Prism Flash is a narrow pick at this level — softness 84 vs 72. Its 16 mm Polymer 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 swing weight (+34), plow through (+33), power (+24). 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 Prism Flash
Take Vatic Pro Prism Flash if you want maneuverability (+17), softness (+12), launch angle (+4). Its swing weight of 109 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Vatic Pro Prism Flash review →Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 vs Vatic Pro Prism Flash FAQ
- Which is better, the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 or the Vatic Pro Prism Flash?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (87.1 vs 79.8), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — swing weight — Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads by 34 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Vatic Pro Prism Flash, at 109 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 Prism Flash?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 scores 95 for power against 71 for Vatic Pro Prism Flash. 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 Prism Flash 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 84 for the Raw T700 carbon fiber face on Vatic Pro Prism Flash. In practice a 7-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16, with the higher forgiveness score (88 vs 85). Its 7.2 twist weight against 6 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Vatic Pro Prism Flash costs $74, $258.99 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 Prism Flash: 16 mm Polymer honeycomb core with a Raw T700 carbon fiber face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16, at 5.8 in of handle against 5.3 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?
- 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. Vatic Pro Prism Flash rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Vatic Pro Prism Flash at 8 oz against 8.25 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (109 vs 118) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Vatic Pro Prism Flash to the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 leads on swing weight by 34 points; everything else is within 33 points. At $332.99 vs $74, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
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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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- Prism Flash vs Signature Carbon STR
- Prism Flash vs Essentials 16
- Prism Flash vs SLK Evo Hybrid 2.0
- Prism Flash vs Kinetic Pro Flight
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 Vatic Pro Prism Flash in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 and Vatic Pro Prism Flash. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.