Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner)

In depth

Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) — the long answer

Project Roadrunner posts the highest spin figure in the database (95) using exposed aramid fibre rather than a coating. Because the texture is the material, it does not wear smooth the way sprayed grit does.

Who should buy the Series Four (Project Roadrunner)?

Series Four (Project Roadrunner) head-to-head comparisons

The matchups people actually cross-shop, each with a full 15-trait breakdown.

• Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs CRBN-3X Power SeriesCross-shopped at the same price
• Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs Infinity Ruby 16Premium step up
• Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs CRBN-1XPremium step up
• Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs Mach 1 Forza 16Cross-shopped at the same price
• Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs Pegasus Gen 3Cross-shopped at the same price
• Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs RubyCross-shopped at the same price

DNA match — paddles within 5% of the Series Four (Project Roadrunner)

Our similarity engine ranks the whole database by average DNA deviation. Tighten or widen the band to see how far you have to travel to save money or gain a trait.

Paddle DNA™ match

Match tolerance

±3%±5%±8%±12%

Only show cheaper paddles

Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner)

IQ 85.6 · $175

8 paddles within 5% of the Series Four (Project Roadrunner)

Ranked by DNA deviation

1. #1Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16$99 (-76) · 16 mm · hybridDNA match97.7%86
   -6 spin+5 forgiveness-4 maneuverability+4 softness

   Saves $76 versus the Series Four (Project Roadrunner) · +5 forgiveness · -6 spin · Higher IQ score (85.8 vs 85.6)

   CompareFull DNA
2. #2Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control$100 (-75) · 16 mm · elongatedDNA match97.7%84
   -6 spin-6 maneuverability-5 power-4 pop

   Saves $75 versus the Series Four (Project Roadrunner) · -6 spin

   CompareFull DNA
3. #3Vatic Pro V7 Hybrid$99 (-76) · 16 mm · hybridDNA match97.4%83
   -6 spin-6 maneuverability-5 touch-4 consistency

   Saves $76 versus the Series Four (Project Roadrunner) · -6 spin

   CompareFull DNA
4. #4Six Zero Ruby$160 (-15) · 16 mm · hybridDNA match97.2%84
   -8 maneuverability-7 spin-6 softness-4 touch

   Saves $15 versus the Series Four (Project Roadrunner) · -8 maneuverability

   CompareFull DNA
5. #5Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14$200 (+25) · 14 mm · standardDNA match96.8%86
   -11 spin+6 forgiveness+6 softness+5 sweet spot

   +6 forgiveness · -11 spin · Higher IQ score (86.3 vs 85.6)

   CompareFull DNA
6. #6Volair Mach 1 Forza 16$170 (-5) · 16 mm · hybridDNA match96.6%85
   -9 maneuverability-8 spin+8 swing weight+4 forgiveness

   +8 swing weight · -9 maneuverability

   CompareFull DNA
7. #7JOOLA Magnus 3S 16$230 (+55) · 16 mm · standardDNA match96.5%88
   +7 forgiveness+7 sweet spot+6 twist weight+5 stability

   +7 forgiveness · -4 maneuverability · Higher IQ score (87.6 vs 85.6)

   CompareFull DNA
8. #8ONIX Evoke Premier$180 (+5) · 16 mm · standardDNA match96.5%82
   -17 spin-8 maneuverability-6 touch-6 consistency

   -17 spin

   CompareFull DNA

Best alternatives to the Series Four (Project Roadrunner)

Each pick beats the Series Four (Project Roadrunner) on one specific thing — price, power, control or forgiveness.

• Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs V-Sol Pro 16
• Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
• Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs Perseus Pro V 16
• Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs Quartz Control

Series Four (Project Roadrunner) — frequently asked questions

Does the exposed Kevlar wear out?

It abrades far more slowly than coated textures because the grit is the weave, not a layer over it. Court scrapes still damage any edgeless paddle.

Is it a control or power paddle?

Neither extreme. Control 88 and power 85 with an elongated shape make it an all-court spin paddle.

Edgeless — is that a durability problem?

Only if you scrape the paddle on the court. Edgeless builds add face area and swing speed but have no sacrificial bumper.

Is the Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) good for beginners?

Not our first recommendation. Forgiveness sits at 82/100 and the paddle is tuned for intermediate/advanced/pro play. A developing player is better served by something more forgiving and cheaper — see our beginner shortlist.

Is the Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) worth the price?

At $175 it sits in the 37th percentile of the database for cost and the 57th for IQ score. If those numbers do not line up for you, the Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 at $99 is the value alternative we point people to.

How does the Series Four (Project Roadrunner) compare to the V-Sol Pro 16?

They are close on DNA. The Series Four (Project Roadrunner) reads power 85 / control 88 / spin 95 against 84 / 90 / 89 for the V-Sol Pro 16, at $175 versus $99. Our full head-to-head breaks down every trait.

Is the 15 mm better than the 16 mm version?

A 14 mm core returns energy faster, so drives and speed-ups come off harder with less effort. The 16 mm build gives up some of that pop for dwell time and softer hands. Pick 14 mm for pace, 16 mm for touch.

Is the Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) approved for tournament play?

Sanctioned play requires the model to appear on USA Pickleball's official approved-equipment list. Proton submits its retail models for approval, but approval is per model and configuration, so check the current USAP list for the exact Series Four (Project Roadrunner) build before you enter a sanctioned event. We do not list approval status we have not verified.

Does the Series Four (Project Roadrunner) have good spin?

Spin measures 95/100 — the 98th percentile of our database — off a Aerospace bi-directional carbon with exposed aramid weave face. That is top-tier: enough bite for heavy topspin drives and rolls.

Is the Series Four (Project Roadrunner) head heavy?

Swing weight is 110 kg·cm² and twist weight 6.3. That is light and fast through the swing path, which favours hands battles over plow-through. Static weight is 7.9 oz.

Does the Series Four (Project Roadrunner) benefit from lead tape?

Yes — at 110 kg·cm² there is room to add. Tape at 3 and 9 o'clock raises twist weight and stability with the smallest hit to hand speed; tape at 12 adds power and plow-through but slows the paddle noticeably. Any added weight can affect tournament legality if it changes the paddle beyond the approved configuration.

What is the best overgrip for the Series Four (Project Roadrunner)?

The stock handle is 5.375 in long with a 4.25 in circumference. A thin tacky overgrip adds roughly 1/16 in of circumference and a few grams above the balance point — the cheapest way to fine-tune fit. If your hand is larger than the 4.25 in stock size, build up with an under-wrap first rather than stacking overgrips.

What should I replace the Series Four (Project Roadrunner) with when it wears out?

Face wear shows up as lost spin long before the core dies. The straight replacement is another Series Four (Project Roadrunner); if you want to change something, the JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 adds control (96 vs 88) and the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 adds power (95 vs 85).

Who is the Series Four (Project Roadrunner) best for?

Spin-first players who wear faces out. Skill levels we would put on it: intermediate, advanced, pro. Handle length of 5.375 in supports a two-handed backhand.

What shape and size is the Series Four (Project Roadrunner)?

elongated shape, 16.5 in long by 7.375 in wide, 15 mm Nomex and polypropylene hybrid honeycomb core, Aerospace bi-directional carbon with exposed aramid weave face, 7.9 oz. Released 2026.