Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta vs Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 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
- 82Power84
- 90Control90
- 82Spin89
- 84Forgiveness87
- 84Sweet spot87
- 88Stability84
- 70Maneuverability80
- 76Pop80
- 90Touch88
- 90Consistency88
- 78Swing weight68
- 84Twist weight82
- 48Launch angle55
- 86Plow through76
- 84Softness84
Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta vs Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 specs
Every measured spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta | Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $180 | $99 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 84.7 | 85.8 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8.4 | 7.9 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 19.8 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 120 | 107 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| Shape | elongated | hybrid |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16.3 |
| Face width(in) | 7.375 | 7.6 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.25 | 5.3 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | FiberFlex fiberglass | Raw T700 carbon |
| Core material | X5 polypropylene honeycomb | Thermoformed polymer |
Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta verdict
Selkirk's long-running Invikta shape in the softer Vanguard 2.0 build. Touch 90 and consistency 90 with 86 plow-through make it a drive-and-reset paddle for patient players.
Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 verdict
The $99 paddle that keeps embarrassing $200 ones. The V-Sol Pro will not out-drive the foam flagships, but on control, spin and consistency it is genuinely competitive.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is maneuverability: Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 scores 80 against 70 for Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta — a 10-point gap. They are effectively level on forgiveness, sweet spot, power, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 is $81 cheaper at $99.
Maneuverability
Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 leads by 10 points (80 vs 70).
Swing weight
Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta leads by 10 points (78 vs 68).
Plow through
Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta leads by 10 points (86 vs 76).
Spin
Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 leads by 7 points (89 vs 82).
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 (86 vs 86.2 on the weighted index). Take Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 and keep the $81.
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16
Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 is a narrow pick at this level — maneuverability 80 vs 70, spin 89 vs 82, forgiveness 87 vs 84. At 107 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 (83.5 vs 84.6 on the weighted index). Take Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 and keep the $81.
- Spin
- Maneuverability
- Power
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (84 vs 84.5 on the weighted index). Take Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 and keep the $81.
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta
Take Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta if you want swing weight (+10), plow through (+10), stability (+4). Its swing weight of 120 kg·cm² and 19.8 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta review →Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16
Take Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 if you want maneuverability (+10), spin (+7), launch angle (+7). Its swing weight of 107 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 review →Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta vs Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta or the Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16?
- Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (85.8 vs 84.7), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — maneuverability — Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 leads by 10 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16, at 107 kg·cm² swing weight against 120 for Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta or the Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16?
- Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 measures 84 on power against 82 for Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta. That comes from a 16 mm Thermoformed polymer core swinging at 107 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta at 90 versus 90. Its 19.8 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?
- Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 scores 89 for spin off its Raw T700 carbon face, against 82 for the FiberFlex fiberglass face on Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta. In practice a 7-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta, with 6.5 twist weight against 6.5. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 carries the higher forgiveness score (87) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 costs $99, $81 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 Vanguard 2.0 Invikta: 19.8 mm X5 polypropylene honeycomb core with a FiberFlex fiberglass face. Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16: 16 mm Thermoformed polymer core with a Raw T700 carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16, at 5.3 in of handle against 5.25 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 87 and sweet spot 87 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 at 7.9 oz against 8.4 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (107 vs 120) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta to the Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 leads on maneuverability by 10 points; everything else is within 10 points. At $180 vs $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.
- Vanguard 2.0 Invikta vs Model E Max V3
- Vanguard 2.0 Invikta vs Nova R1
- Vanguard 2.0 Invikta vs Pursuit MX 6.0
- Vanguard 2.0 Invikta vs Perseus Pro IV 16
- V-Sol Pro 16 vs Bantam ALW-C 14
- V-Sol Pro 16 vs SLK Halo XL Control
- V-Sol Pro 16 vs Magnus 3S 16
- V-Sol Pro 16 vs Series Four (Project Roadrunner)
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Read the full reviews: Selkirk Vanguard 2.0 Invikta and Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.