Who should buy Selkirk Labs Project 006?

Singles players and baseline drivers with fast hands and no arm issues. Power 92 and plow-through 92 are near the top of the database, and you need the physicality to use them.

Only if you specifically need this power profile. It is not a versatile paddle — control 84 and touch 80 are mid-table, so you are paying flagship money for one dimension.

Is Project 006 good for doubles?

Poorly suited. Doubles is decided at the kitchen line, and maneuverability 65 puts you a step behind in exactly those exchanges.

Is the Selkirk Labs Project 006 good for beginners?

Not our first recommendation. Forgiveness sits at 80/100 and the paddle is tuned for advanced/pro play. A developing player is better served by something more forgiving and cheaper — see our beginner shortlist.

Is the Selkirk Labs Project 006 worth the price?

At $280 it sits in the 89th percentile of the database for cost and the 48th for IQ score. If those numbers do not line up for you, the Six Zero Quartz Control at $190 is the value alternative we point people to.

How does the Labs Project 006 compare to the GX2 Power Elongated?

They are close on DNA. The Labs Project 006 reads power 92 / control 84 / spin 87 against 93 / 83 / 86 for the GX2 Power Elongated, at $280 versus $250. Our full head-to-head breaks down every trait.

Is the 14 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 Selkirk Labs Project 006 approved for tournament play?

Sanctioned play requires the model to appear on USA Pickleball's official approved-equipment list. Selkirk submits its retail models for approval, but approval is per model and configuration, so check the current USAP list for the exact Labs Project 006 build before you enter a sanctioned event. We do not list approval status we have not verified.

Does the Labs Project 006 have good spin?

Spin scores 87/100 — the 36th percentile of our database (below the database average) — off a Raw carbon with Air Dynamic throat face. Spin is not this paddle's strength — several paddles in the same price band score meaningfully higher.

Is the Labs Project 006 head heavy?

Swing weight is 124 kg·cm² and twist weight 6.2. That is on the heavy side of the database — you get plow-through and stability, and pay for it in hand speed at the net. Static weight is 8.5 oz.

Does the Labs Project 006 benefit from lead tape?

It already swings at 124 kg·cm², so adding weight at 12 o'clock will make it sluggish. If you customise, keep it to a few grams at 3 and 9 o'clock for stability. Any added weight can affect tournament legality if it changes the paddle beyond the approved configuration.

What is the best overgrip for the Labs Project 006?

The stock handle is 5.75 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 Labs Project 006 with when it wears out?

Face wear shows up as lost spin long before the core dies. The straight replacement is another Labs Project 006; if you want to change something, the JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 adds control (96 vs 84).

Who is the Labs Project 006 best for?

Singles and drive-first doubles players. Skill levels we would put on it: advanced, pro. Handle length of 5.75 in supports a two-handed backhand.

What shape and size is the Labs Project 006?

elongated shape, 16.7 in long by 7.4 in wide, 14 mm Thermoformed polymer core, Raw carbon with Air Dynamic throat face, 8.5 oz. Released 2026.

Selkirk Labs Project 006 pickleball paddle, front face — elongated shape, Raw carbon with Air Dynamic throat hitting surface — Front · Hitting face and graphics3/7 verified views

Reference price$280MSRP $280

Check price on Amazon$291

Buy links are affiliate links: we earn a commission from qualifying purchases through Amazon Associates and brand-direct programs. Prices and availability are checked periodically and can change.

Selkirk

Selkirk Labs Project 006

84Specs recorded July 2026 · Singles and drive-first doubles players

Reviewed by Alex ZubarevPickleball player since 2021Jacksonville, FLUpdated August 2026Research-based review

The Selkirk Labs Project 006 is a 14 mm elongated pickleball paddle weighing 8.5 oz, with a Raw carbon with Air Dynamic throat face, listed around $280.

Selkirk's limited-run Labs build is unapologetically a power paddle. Plow-through and pop lead the field; touch play asks for a deliberate slower swing.

From Selkirk

React. Adapt. Win. With the Selkirk OMNI, you really can have it all. The Selkirk OMNI redefines an all-court paddle for the modern fast-paced game with power, control, spin, and durability.

Official Selkirk product page →

Cross-shopping? Most buyers weigh the Labs Project 006 against the Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated — see them side by side, or browse every Selkirk paddle.

Core: 14 mm
Weight: 8.5 oz
Swing wt: 124
Twist wt: 6.2
Shape: elongated
Surface: Raw carbon with Air Dynamic throat
Grip: 5.75 in
Released: 2026

Pros

Highest plow-through score from Selkirk
Long 5.75 in handle
Lifetime warranty coverage

Cons

Heavy swing weight
Limited release availability

Paddle DNA Verdict

Last updated: August 2026

Derived from our published scoring model and sourced paddle specifications.

Should you buy the Labs Project 006?

The Selkirk Labs Project 006 scores 83.7/100 on our IQ index, built from all 15 Paddle DNA traits. Its signature is plow through (92/100, 96th percentile of the database — elite — top-tier), backed by pop at 90 and power at 92. The 14 mm Thermoformed polymer core and Raw carbon with Air Dynamic throat face at 8.5 oz make it a pace-first paddle: you win points by ending them.

Where it gives ground is maneuverability (65) and touch (80). With a 124 kg·cm² swing weight and a 5.75 in handle it suits advanced/pro players, two-handed backhands, baseline drives and counterpunching. Skip it if your weakest phase is speed-ups at the net; this is your first paddle and you have not settled on a shape.

Closest paddles by DNA: Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated ($250), JOOLA Hyperion Pro V 16 ($300), JOOLA Hyperion CFS 16 ($220). If budget matters, the Six Zero Double Black Diamond Control lands within 4 IQ points for $110 less. Overall: a mid-pack pick overall — buy it for the specific trait it wins on, not as a category leader.

Best for: advanced/pro players, two-handed backhands, baseline drives and counterpunching
Playing style: pace-first — you win points by ending them
Avoid if: your weakest phase is speed-ups at the net; this is your first paddle and you have not settled on a shape

In depth

Selkirk Labs Project 006 — the long answer

Project 006 is the most extreme power build Selkirk Labs has published: power 92, plow-through 92 and a 124 swing weight, the heaviest in the database. At $280 it is a specialist instrument and it makes no attempt to be anything else.

The sections below are analysis of published specifications and Paddle DNA™ values, not a play-test write-up. Where we have hit with a paddle, those notes appear separately and are attributed.

124 kg·cm² is the top of the table

No paddle in the database swings heavier. That mass in a 16.7 in frame produces plow-through 92 and stability 89 — hard drives simply do not move this face. The cost is stated plainly by maneuverability 65, the lowest figure here. In a hands battle you will lose exchanges you would win with a lighter paddle, and no technique adjustment closes that gap.

Softness 74 and what it means for your arm

A thermoformed 14 mm core measures softness 74 — firm, and the lowest of these thirteen paddles. Combined with the 124 swing weight, this is the least arm-friendly configuration in the lineup. Players with any history of elbow or shoulder trouble should treat that pairing as disqualifying rather than as a minor consideration.

The 5.75 in handle is the longest published

At 5.75 in this is the most handle length available, which makes it genuinely comfortable for two-handed backhands where 5.5 in paddles feel cramped. The Air Dynamic throat is Selkirk's attempt to claw back some swing speed by reducing drag. It helps at the margin; it does not change the fact that maneuverability measures 65.

Community consensus

What other players say about the Selkirk Labs Project 006

Verbatim excerpts from public discussion and independent reviews, plus the themes they add up to. These are other people's opinions, not ours, and every quote links back to where it was written.

No sourced community excerpts are published for this paddle yet. We only quote text we can link back to.

Who should buy the Labs Project 006?

Former tennis players and two-handed backhands
Singles players and drivers who end points with pace
Counterpunchers who want plow-through against pace

Brand-new beginners still finding a contact point
Anyone not ready to spend $200+ before knowing their shape preference
Players whose weakest phase is speed-ups and quick exchanges

AI paddle match

If you like the Labs Project 006, you'll probably like…

Each pick is the database's best answer to one specific question, ranked by how far it moves the needle versus the Labs Project 006.

Most compared with the Labs Project 006

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

More comparisons in this bracket

Other head-to-heads shoppers read alongside the Labs Project 006.

Browse all paddle comparisons →

Paddle DNA™ — all 15 traits

Every trait normalised 0-100 against the full database, so these numbers mean the same thing on any paddle page. How we score →

Key attributes

Power92

Control84

Spin87

Forgiveness80

Sweet spot82

Stability89

Maneuverability65

Pop90

Touch80

Consistency83

Swing weight86

Twist weight82

Launch angle63

Plow through92

Softness74

DNA match — paddles within 5% of the Labs Project 006

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

Only show cheaper paddles

Selkirk Labs Project 006

IQ 83.7 · $280

8 paddles within 5% of the Labs Project 006

Ranked by DNA deviation

#1Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated$250 (-30) · 14 mm · elongatedDNA match97.9%83
-6 softness+5 maneuverability-4 swing weight-3 launch angle
Saves $30 versus the Labs Project 006 · +5 maneuverability · -6 softness
Compare Full DNA
#2JOOLA Hyperion Pro V 16$300 (+20) · 16 mm · elongatedDNA match97.3%86
+5 twist weight-5 launch angle+4 control+4 touch
+5 twist weight · -5 launch angle · Higher IQ score (86.1 vs 83.7)
Compare Full DNA
#3JOOLA Hyperion CFS 16$220 (-60) · 16 mm · elongatedDNA match96.9%82
-7 stability-6 forgiveness-6 sweet spot-5 launch angle
Saves $60 versus the Labs Project 006 · -7 stability
Compare Full DNA
#4Bread & Butter Loco 16mm Elongated$180 (-100) · 16 mm · elongatedDNA match96.9%81
-10 twist weight+10 softness-7 stability-4 forgiveness
Saves $100 versus the Labs Project 006 · +10 softness · -10 twist weight
Compare Full DNA
#5Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16$332.99 (+52.99000000000001) · 16 mm · elongatedDNA match96.7%87
+10 twist weight+8 forgiveness+7 sweet spot-5 launch angle
+10 twist weight · -5 launch angle · Higher IQ score (87.1 vs 83.7)
Compare Full DNA
#6RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2$249.99 (-30.00999999999999) · 16 mm · elongatedDNA match96.7%86
+7 spin+7 maneuverability-6 swing weight+4 forgiveness
Saves $30.00999999999999 versus the Labs Project 006 · +7 spin · -6 swing weight · Higher IQ score (86.3 vs 83.7)
Compare Full DNA
#7Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16$280 · 16 mm · elongatedDNA match96.5%85
+7 maneuverability+6 forgiveness+6 sweet spot-6 swing weight
+7 maneuverability · -6 swing weight · Higher IQ score (85.2 vs 83.7)
Compare Full DNA
#811SIX24 Pegasus Gen 3$190 (-90) · 16 mm · hybridDNA match96.3%85
+9 softness+6 maneuverability-5 swing weight-5 plow through
Saves $90 versus the Labs Project 006 · +9 softness · -5 swing weight · Higher IQ score (85.1 vs 83.7)
Compare Full DNA

Best alternatives to the Labs Project 006

Each pick beats the Labs Project 006 on one specific thing — price, power, control or forgiveness.

Similar paddles to the Labs Project 006

Closest matches by player level, hand weight and price — the paddles most players cross-shop against the Selkirk Labs Project 006.

Same playing profile (within 8% DNA)

Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated14 mm · elongated · 8.4 oz · SW 123$25083

JOOLA Hyperion Pro V 1616 mm · elongated · 8.4 oz · SW 124$30086

JOOLA Hyperion CFS 1616 mm · elongated · 8.4 oz · SW 122$22082

Bread & Butter Loco 16mm Elongated16 mm · elongated · 8.3 oz · SW 118$18081

Weighing the brands against each other? Compare Selkirk vs Six Zero paddles.

Want a different matchup? Compare any two paddles or browse the full paddle database.

Ranked in

More from Selkirk

Idaho-built, lifetime-warranty manufacturer known for the Vanguard, Luxx and Halo families and unusually consistent quality control.

Labs Project 006 — frequently asked questions

Who should buy Selkirk Labs Project 006?: Singles players and baseline drivers with fast hands and no arm issues. Power 92 and plow-through 92 are near the top of the database, and you need the physicality to use them.
Is $280 justified?: Only if you specifically need this power profile. It is not a versatile paddle — control 84 and touch 80 are mid-table, so you are paying flagship money for one dimension.
Is Project 006 good for doubles?: Poorly suited. Doubles is decided at the kitchen line, and maneuverability 65 puts you a step behind in exactly those exchanges.
Is the Selkirk Labs Project 006 good for beginners?: Not our first recommendation. Forgiveness sits at 80/100 and the paddle is tuned for advanced/pro play. A developing player is better served by something more forgiving and cheaper — see our beginner shortlist.
Is the Selkirk Labs Project 006 worth the price?: At $280 it sits in the 89th percentile of the database for cost and the 48th for IQ score. If those numbers do not line up for you, the Six Zero Quartz Control at $190 is the value alternative we point people to.
How does the Labs Project 006 compare to the GX2 Power Elongated?: They are close on DNA. The Labs Project 006 reads power 92 / control 84 / spin 87 against 93 / 83 / 86 for the GX2 Power Elongated, at $280 versus $250. Our full head-to-head breaks down every trait.
Is the 14 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 Selkirk Labs Project 006 approved for tournament play?: Sanctioned play requires the model to appear on USA Pickleball's official approved-equipment list. Selkirk submits its retail models for approval, but approval is per model and configuration, so check the current USAP list for the exact Labs Project 006 build before you enter a sanctioned event. We do not list approval status we have not verified.
Does the Labs Project 006 have good spin?: Spin scores 87/100 — the 36th percentile of our database (below the database average) — off a Raw carbon with Air Dynamic throat face. Spin is not this paddle's strength — several paddles in the same price band score meaningfully higher.
Is the Labs Project 006 head heavy?: Swing weight is 124 kg·cm² and twist weight 6.2. That is on the heavy side of the database — you get plow-through and stability, and pay for it in hand speed at the net. Static weight is 8.5 oz.
Does the Labs Project 006 benefit from lead tape?: It already swings at 124 kg·cm², so adding weight at 12 o'clock will make it sluggish. If you customise, keep it to a few grams at 3 and 9 o'clock for stability. Any added weight can affect tournament legality if it changes the paddle beyond the approved configuration.
What is the best overgrip for the Labs Project 006?: The stock handle is 5.75 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 Labs Project 006 with when it wears out?: Face wear shows up as lost spin long before the core dies. The straight replacement is another Labs Project 006; if you want to change something, the JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 adds control (96 vs 84).
Who is the Labs Project 006 best for?: Singles and drive-first doubles players. Skill levels we would put on it: advanced, pro. Handle length of 5.75 in supports a two-handed backhand.
What shape and size is the Labs Project 006?: elongated shape, 16.7 in long by 7.4 in wide, 14 mm Thermoformed polymer core, Raw carbon with Air Dynamic throat face, 8.5 oz. Released 2026.

Labs Project 006 on video

PickleballLookup review — coming soon

Head-to-head comparison — coming soon

Manufacturer footage — coming soon

Evidence & sources — how we know this

Show

Every significant number on this page carries a source and a date. Where a figure comes from the manufacturer rather than our own measurement, we say so.

Price
$280
Amazon listing — checked August 10, 2026
Weight
8.5 oz
Manufacturer specification — recorded August 10, 2026
Core thickness
14 mm
Manufacturer specification — recorded August 10, 2026
Swing weight
124 kg·cm²
Independent measurement data, normalized to our scale
Twist weight
6.2 kg·cm²
Independent measurement data, normalized to our scale
Paddle DNA (15 traits)
IQ 83.7/100
Computed from the specs above by our published scoring model
USAP approval
Listed by the manufacturer as USA Pickleball approved
USA Pickleball equipment database — checked August 10, 2026
Alex's experience
Not personally tested
Analysis on this page is spec-derived, not play-tested

Spot an error? Send a correction — every fix is logged publicly. Full protocol on our methodology page.

Why trust this page?

We separate firsthand testing from research-based analysis. Specifications are sourced and dated, corrections are logged publicly, and affiliate relationships never affect Paddle IQ scores.

Reviewed by Alex Zubarev →Our methodology →Editorial policy →

Research-based review

Built from published specifications, independent measurements, manufacturer data and Paddle DNA™ analysis — not from personal play testing. We say so rather than implying court time we haven't put in. Editorial policy · Affiliate disclosure

Reviewed by

Alex Zubarev

Founder, PickleballLookup

Alex built the Paddle DNA™ database behind PickleballLookup — 15 normalized traits scored for every paddle in the catalog. Every page on this site is generated from that data and editorially reviewed before publication.

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Last updated August 2026 · How we score paddles