Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 vs Selkirk OMNI 16
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. Selkirk OMNI 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
- 71Power89
- 94Control92
- 90Spin88
- 82Forgiveness90
- 81Sweet spot91
- 84Stability90
- 97Maneuverability74
- 70Pop84
- 92Touch90
- 87Consistency91
- 47Swing weight76
- 77Twist weight89
- 46Launch angle54
- 59Plow through85
- 90Softness86
Specs
| $333 | Price | $280 |
|---|---|---|
| 16 mm | Core | 16 mm |
| 8.2 oz | Weight | 8.1 oz |
| 98 | Swing weight | 115 |
| 6.5 | Twist weight | 6.9 |
| standard | Shape | hybrid |
| Multistrata T700 Carbon | Surface | Raw carbon |
| 5.6 in | Handle | 5.5 in |
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 verdict
The widebody Boomstik keeps BoomCore's power but spreads it across a 15.95 x 8.0 in face, which is the most forgiving version of Selkirk's flagship platform.
Selkirk OMNI 16 verdict
Selkirk's answer to the foam era, and the most balanced paddle they have built. The OMNI refuses to specialize: power and control both sit in the top decile, which is rare and expensive.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is swing weight: Selkirk OMNI 16 scores 76 against 47 for Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 — a 29-point gap. They are effectively level on control, spin, touch, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Selkirk OMNI 16 is $53 cheaper at $280.
Swing weight
Selkirk OMNI 16 leads by 29 points (76 vs 47).
Plow through
Selkirk OMNI 16 leads by 26 points (85 vs 59).
Maneuverability
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 leads by 23 points (97 vs 74).
Power
Selkirk OMNI 16 leads by 18 points (89 vs 71).
Which one should you buy?
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16
Take Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 if you want maneuverability (+23), softness (+4). Its swing weight of 98 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 review →Selkirk OMNI 16
Take Selkirk OMNI 16 if you want swing weight (+29), plow through (+26), power (+18). Its swing weight of 115 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Selkirk OMNI 16 review →Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 vs Selkirk OMNI 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 or the Selkirk OMNI 16?
- Selkirk OMNI 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (88.7 vs 84.1), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — swing weight — Selkirk OMNI 16 leads by 29 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16, at 98 kg·cm² swing weight against 115 for Selkirk OMNI 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 Widebody 16 or the Selkirk OMNI 16?
- Selkirk OMNI 16 measures 89 on power against 71 for Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16. That comes from a 16 mm Full EVA foam core core swinging at 115 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 at 94 versus 92. 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 Widebody 16 scores 90 for spin off its Multistrata T700 Carbon face, against 88 for the Raw carbon face on Selkirk OMNI 16. In practice a 2-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Selkirk OMNI 16, with 6.9 twist weight against 6.5. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and Selkirk OMNI 16 carries the higher forgiveness score (90) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Selkirk OMNI 16 costs $280, $53 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 Widebody 16: 16 mm BoomCore™ core with a Multistrata T700 Carbon face. Selkirk OMNI 16: 16 mm Full EVA foam core core with a Raw carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16, at 5.6 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 Widebody 16 avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Selkirk OMNI 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 90 and sweet spot 91 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Selkirk OMNI 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Selkirk OMNI 16 at 8.1 oz against 8.2 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (115 vs 98) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 to the Selkirk OMNI 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Selkirk OMNI 16 leads on swing weight by 29 points; everything else is within 26 points. At $333 vs $280, 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 Widebody 16 vs Labs Project 007 Epic 14
- Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 vs Scorpeus 14
- Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 vs Kinetic Pro Flight
- Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 vs Pursuit Pro1 6.0 Hybrid
Top alternatives to both
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Read the full reviews: Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 and Selkirk OMNI 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.