Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 vs Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 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
- 71Power74
- 94Control95
- 90Spin86
- 82Forgiveness80
- 81Sweet spot82
- 84Stability84
- 97Maneuverability72
- 70Pop66
- 92Touch94
- 87Consistency90
- 47Swing weight74
- 77Twist weight78
- 46Launch angle44
- 59Plow through82
- 90Softness88
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 vs Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta 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 Widebody 16 | Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $333 | $200 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 84.1 — better | 83.6 |
| Weight(oz) | 8.2 | 8 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 19.05 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 98 | 116 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.5 — better | 6.2 |
| Shape | standard | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 15.95 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 8 | 7.375 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.6 | 5.25 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Multistrata T700 Carbon | Quadcarbon woven carbon fiber |
| Core material | BoomCore™ | X5 polypropylene honeycomb |
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 Vanguard Control Air Invikta verdict
The softest premium elongated paddle we measure. The thick Quadcarbon build absorbs pace so completely that resets from mid-court land in the kitchen almost by default.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is swing weight: Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta scores 74 against 47 for Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 — a 27-point gap. They are effectively level on power, consistency, forgiveness, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta is $133 cheaper at $200.
Swing weight
Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta leads by 27 points (74 vs 47).
Maneuverability
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 leads by 25 points (97 vs 72).
Plow through
Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta leads by 23 points (82 vs 59).
Spin
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 leads by 4 points (90 vs 86).
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 (83 vs 83.5 on the weighted index). Take Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta and keep the $133.
- Consistency
- Sweet spot
- Twist weight
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 is a narrow pick at this level — maneuverability 97 vs 72, spin 90 vs 86, forgiveness 82 vs 80. At 98 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Maneuverability
- Spin
- Forgiveness
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (82.6 vs 83.5 on the weighted index). Take Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta and keep the $133.
- Plow through
- Power
- Touch
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (85.5 vs 84 on the weighted index). Take Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta and keep the $133.
- Softness
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16
Take Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 if you want maneuverability (+25), spin (+4), pop (+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 Vanguard Control Air Invikta
Take Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta if you want swing weight (+27), plow through (+23). Its swing weight of 116 kg·cm² and 19.05 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta review →Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 vs Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta FAQ
- Which is better, the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 or the Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (84.1 vs 83.6), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — swing weight — Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta leads by 27 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16, at 98 kg·cm² swing weight against 116 for Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta. 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 Vanguard Control Air Invikta?
- Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta measures 74 on power against 71 for Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16. That comes from a 19.05 mm X5 polypropylene honeycomb core swinging at 116 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta at 95 versus 94. Its 19.05 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 86 for the Quadcarbon woven carbon fiber face on Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta. In practice a 4-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16, with 6.5 twist weight against 6.2. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 carries the higher forgiveness score (82) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta costs $200, $133 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 Vanguard Control Air Invikta: 19.05 mm X5 polypropylene honeycomb core with a Quadcarbon woven carbon fiber face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16, at 5.6 in of handle against 5.25 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 Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 82 and sweet spot 81 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta at 8 oz against 8.2 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (116 vs 98) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta to the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta leads on swing weight by 27 points; everything else is within 25 points. At $333 vs $200, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
This matchup is a hand speed vs plow through decision
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Read the full reviews: Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 and Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.