Selkirk Vanguard Control Air 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
- 74Power84
- 95Control90
- 86Spin89
- 80Forgiveness87
- 82Sweet spot87
- 84Stability84
- 72Maneuverability80
- 66Pop80
- 94Touch88
- 90Consistency88
- 74Swing weight68
- 78Twist weight82
- 44Launch angle55
- 82Plow through76
- 88Softness84
Selkirk Vanguard Control Air 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 Control Air Invikta | Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $200 | $99 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 83.6 | 85.8 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8 | 7.9 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 19.05 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 116 | 107 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.2 | 6.5 — better |
| 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 | Quadcarbon woven carbon fiber | Raw T700 carbon |
| Core material | X5 polypropylene honeycomb | Thermoformed polymer |
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.
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 pop: Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 scores 80 against 66 for Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta — a 14-point gap. They are effectively level on spin, consistency, stability, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 is $101 cheaper at $99.
Pop
Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 leads by 14 points (80 vs 66).
Launch angle
Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 leads by 11 points (55 vs 44).
Power
Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 leads by 10 points (84 vs 74).
Maneuverability
Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 leads by 8 points (80 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
Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16
Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 is a narrow pick at this level — forgiveness 87 vs 80, sweet spot 87 vs 82, twist weight 82 vs 78. Twist weight 6.5 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
- Twist weight
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 72, power 84 vs 74, forgiveness 87 vs 80. At 107 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Maneuverability
- Power
- 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 $101.
- Power
- Maneuverability
- Spin
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 $101.
- Forgiveness
- Twist weight
Which one should you buy?
Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta
Take Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta if you want touch (+6), swing weight (+6), plow through (+6). 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 →Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16
Take Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 if you want pop (+14), launch angle (+11), power (+10). 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 Control Air Invikta vs Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the Selkirk Vanguard Control Air 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 83.6), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — pop — Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 leads by 14 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16, at 107 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 Vanguard Control Air Invikta or the Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16?
- Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 measures 84 on power against 74 for Selkirk Vanguard Control Air 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 Control Air Invikta at 95 versus 90. 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?
- Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 scores 89 for spin off its Raw T700 carbon face, against 86 for the Quadcarbon woven carbon fiber face on Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta. In practice a 3-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16, with 6.5 twist weight against 6.2. 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, $101 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 Control Air Invikta: 19.05 mm X5 polypropylene honeycomb core with a Quadcarbon woven carbon fiber 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 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (107 vs 116) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Selkirk Vanguard Control Air 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 pop by 14 points; everything else is within 11 points. At $200 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 Control Air Invikta vs Pursuit MX 6.0
- Vanguard Control Air Invikta vs Luxx Control Air
- Vanguard Control Air Invikta vs Perseus CFS 16
- Vanguard Control Air Invikta vs Sapphire 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 Control Air 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.