Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta vs Vulcan V1100 16
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
Add a third paddle to this comparison →
Quick answer
Vulcan V1100 16 wins this matchup for most players: it takes power, spin, hand speed and value on Paddle DNA against the Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta, which costs $200.
Power
78 vs 74
Spin
90 vs 86
Control
Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta
95 vs 91
Forgiveness
Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta
80 vs 75
Hand speed
113 vs 116 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$70 at IQ 79.7 vs $200 at IQ 83.6
Overall pick: Vulcan V1100 16 · $70 · IQ 79.7
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 74Power78
- 95Control91
- 86Spin90
- 80Forgiveness75
- 82Sweet spot73
- 84Stability76
- 72Maneuverability73
- 66Pop70
- 94Touch92
- 90Consistency81
- 74Swing weight71
- 78Twist weight62
- 44Launch angle46
- 82Plow through82
- 88Softness90
Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta vs Vulcan V1100 16 specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta | Vulcan V1100 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $200 | $70 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 83.6 — better | 79.7 |
| Weight(oz) | 8 | 8.4 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 19.05 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 116 | 113 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.2 — better | 6 |
| Shape | elongated | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16.5 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.375 | 7.5 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.25 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.125 |
| Surface | Quadcarbon woven carbon fiber | T700 Raw Carbon Surface |
| Core material | X5 polypropylene honeycomb | Polypropylene Honeycomb |
Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta verdict
The softest premium elongated paddle in the database. The thick Quadcarbon build absorbs pace so completely that resets from mid-court land in the kitchen almost by default.
Vulcan V1100 16 verdict
A T700 raw-carbon elongated paddle that sells for about a quarter of its MSRP. On sourced specs it competes with paddles at triple the street price.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is twist weight: Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta scores 78 against 62 for Vulcan V1100 16 — a 16-point gap. They are effectively level on swing weight, touch, launch angle, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Vulcan V1100 16 is $130 cheaper at $70.
Twist weight
Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta leads by 16 points (78 vs 62).
Sweet spot
Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta leads by 9 points (82 vs 73).
Consistency
Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta leads by 9 points (90 vs 81).
Stability
Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta leads by 8 points (84 vs 76).
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 Vanguard Control Air Invikta
Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta is the clearer pick at this level — twist weight 78 vs 62, sweet spot 82 vs 73, consistency 90 vs 81. Twist weight 6.2 keeps the face steadier on off-centre contact.
- Twist weight
- Sweet spot
- Consistency
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (84.2 vs 83.2 on the weighted index). Take Vulcan V1100 16 and keep the $130.
- Consistency
- Control
- Forgiveness
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (83.5 vs 84.5 on the weighted index). Take Vulcan V1100 16 and keep the $130.
- Power
- Spin
- Maneuverability
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta
Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta is a narrow pick at this level — twist weight 78 vs 62, forgiveness 80 vs 75. Its 19.05 mm X5 polypropylene honeycomb core at 8 oz is the softer, lower-shock build of the two.
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta
Take Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta if you want twist weight (+16), sweet spot (+9), consistency (+9). 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 →Vulcan V1100 16
Take Vulcan V1100 16 if you want power (+4), spin (+4), pop (+4). Its swing weight of 113 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Vulcan V1100 16 review →Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta vs Vulcan V1100 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta or the Vulcan V1100 16?
- Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (83.6 vs 79.7), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — twist weight — Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta leads by 16 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Vulcan V1100 16, at 113 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 Vulcan V1100 16?
- Vulcan V1100 16 scores 78 for power against 74 for Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta. That comes from a 16 mm Polypropylene Honeycomb core swinging at 113 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta at 95 versus 91. 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?
- Vulcan V1100 16 scores 90 for spin off its T700 Raw Carbon Surface, 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 Vanguard Control Air Invikta, with the higher forgiveness score (80 vs 75). Its 6.2 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?
- Vulcan V1100 16 costs $70, $130 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. Vulcan V1100 16: 16 mm Polypropylene Honeycomb core with a T700 Raw Carbon Surface.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Vulcan V1100 16, at 5.5 in of handle against 5.25 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which Vulcan V1100 16 avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 80 and sweet spot 82 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Vulcan V1100 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta at 8 oz against 8.4 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (116 vs 113) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Vulcan V1100 16 to the Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta leads on twist weight by 16 points; everything else is within 9 points. At $200 vs $70, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
Related comparisons
The other matchups shoppers open in the same session as this one.
- Vanguard Control Air Invikta vs AMPED Pro Air Invikta
- V1100 16 vs Evoke Premier
- Vanguard Control Air Invikta vs Kinetic Pro Flight
- Vanguard Control Air Invikta vs Tempest Pro C 16
- Vanguard Control Air Invikta vs Pursuit MX 6.0
- Vanguard Control Air Invikta vs Quartz Control
- Vanguard Control Air Invikta vs Luxx Control Air
- Vanguard Control Air Invikta vs GX2 Integra XL
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 LUXX Control Air Invikta
- Vanguard Control Air Invikta vs Tempest Pro C 16
- Vanguard Control Air Invikta vs Pursuit MX 6.0
- Vanguard Control Air Invikta vs Pursuit Pro EX 16
- V1100 16 vs Signature 16
- V1100 16 vs Hyperion C2 CFS 16
- V1100 16 vs BALLR+ 16
- V1100 16 vs Omni Elongated 16
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 Vanguard Control Air Invikta and Vulcan V1100 16 in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: Selkirk Vanguard Control Air Invikta and Vulcan V1100 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.