Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16

Who should buy the Labs 008 Project 16?

Most compared with the Labs 008 Project 16

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

• Labs 008 Project 16 vs Labs Project 006Same brand, more power
• Labs 008 Project 16 vs CRBN-5 TruFoam HybridCross-shopped at the same price
• Labs 008 Project 16 vs GX2 Power Elongated$30 cheaper
• Labs 008 Project 16 vs 1X TruFoam Power$50 cheaper
• Labs 008 Project 16 vs Hyperion CFS 16$60 cheaper
• Labs 008 Project 16 vs TruFoam Genesis XCross-shopped at the same price
• Labs 008 Project 16 vs TruFoam Genesis 3Cross-shopped at the same price
• Labs 008 Project 16 vs OMNI 16Same brand, more control
• Labs 008 Project 16 vs Agassi Pro 16$30 cheaper

DNA match — paddles within 5% of the Labs 008 Project 16

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

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Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16

IQ 85.2 · $280

8 paddles within 5% of the Labs 008 Project 16

Ranked by DNA deviation

1. #1CRBN 1X TruFoam Power$230 (-50) · 16 mm · widebodyDNA match98.4%86
   +4 spin+4 softness+2 forgiveness+2 sweet spot

   Saves $50 versus the Labs 008 Project 16 · +4 spin · Higher IQ score (85.9 vs 85.2)

   CompareFull DNA
2. #2CRBN-5 TruFoam Hybrid$270 (-10) · 14 mm · hybridDNA match98.3%87
   +4 spin+4 touch-4 swing weight+2 control

   +4 spin · -4 swing weight · Higher IQ score (86.9 vs 85.2)

   CompareFull DNA
3. #3Volair Mach 2 Forza 16$200 (-80) · 16 mm · elongatedDNA match98%85
   +4 maneuverability-4 swing weight-4 twist weight-2 power

   Saves $80 versus the Labs 008 Project 16 · +4 maneuverability · -4 swing weight

   CompareFull DNA
4. #411SIX24 Ultré Power 2$220 (-60) · 16 mm · hybridDNA match97.6%87
   +6 spin+6 softness+4 power+4 pop

   Saves $60 versus the Labs 008 Project 16 · +6 spin · Higher IQ score (87.3 vs 85.2)

   CompareFull DNA
5. #5RPM Pickleball Friction Pro Elongated V2$249.99 (-30.00999999999999) · 16 mm · elongatedDNA match97.6%86
   +8 spin+4 touch+4 softness+2 power

   Saves $30.00999999999999 versus the Labs 008 Project 16 · +8 spin · Higher IQ score (86.3 vs 85.2)

   CompareFull DNA
6. #6Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16$332.99 (+52.99000000000001) · 16 mm · elongatedDNA match97.4%87
   -6 maneuverability+5 power+5 spin+4 pop

   +5 power · -6 maneuverability · Higher IQ score (87.1 vs 85.2)

   CompareFull DNA
7. #7JOOLA Agassi Pro 16$250 (-30) · 16 mm · elongatedDNA match97.3%86
   +6 touch+4 spin+4 consistency-4 twist weight

   Saves $30 versus the Labs 008 Project 16 · +6 touch · -4 twist weight · Higher IQ score (85.6 vs 85.2)

   CompareFull DNA
8. #8Gearbox GX2 Power Elongated$250 (-30) · 14 mm · elongatedDNA match97.3%83
   -8 forgiveness-8 sweet spot-4 twist weight+3 power

   Saves $30 versus the Labs 008 Project 16 · -8 forgiveness

   CompareFull DNA

Best alternatives to the Labs 008 Project 16

Each pick beats the Labs 008 Project 16 on one specific thing — price, power, control or forgiveness.

• Labs 008 Project 16 vs Quartz Control
• Labs 008 Project 16 vs Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16
• Labs 008 Project 16 vs Perseus Pro V 16

Labs 008 Project 16 — frequently asked questions

Is the Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 good for beginners?

Not our first recommendation. Forgiveness sits at 86/100 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 008 Project 16 worth the price?

At $280 it sits in the 89th percentile of the database for cost and the 66th 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 008 Project 16 compare to the 1X TruFoam Power?

They are close on DNA. The Labs 008 Project 16 reads power 90 / control 84 / spin 86 against 90 / 84 / 90 for the 1X TruFoam Power, at $280 versus $230. Our full head-to-head breaks down every trait.

Is the 16 mm better than the 14 mm version?

A 16 mm core has longer dwell time, which is what produces softer resets and more repeatable placement. The 14 mm build trades that dwell for a faster, poppier response off the face. Control players take 16 mm; players who want the ball gone quickly take 14 mm.

Is the Selkirk Labs 008 Project 16 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 008 Project 16 build before you enter a sanctioned event. We do not list approval status we have not verified.

Does the Labs 008 Project 16 have good spin?

Spin scores 86/100 — the 27th percentile of our database (below the database average) — off a Raw carbon fiber face. Spin is not this paddle's strength — several paddles in the same price band score meaningfully higher.

Is the Labs 008 Project 16 head heavy?

Swing weight is 118 kg·cm² and twist weight 7. 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 8.4 oz.

Does the Labs 008 Project 16 benefit from lead tape?

It already swings at 118 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 008 Project 16?

The stock handle is 5.5 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 008 Project 16 with when it wears out?

Face wear shows up as lost spin long before the core dies. The straight replacement is another Labs 008 Project 16; if you want to change something, the JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 adds control (96 vs 84) and the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 adds power (95 vs 90).

Who is the Labs 008 Project 16 best for?

Bangers who want stability at pace. Skill levels we would put on it: advanced, pro. Handle length of 5.5 in supports a two-handed backhand.

What shape and size is the Labs 008 Project 16?

elongated shape, 16.5 in long by 7.4 in wide, 16 mm Foam-injected polymer core, Raw carbon fiber face, 8.4 oz. Released 2026.

Is the Labs 008 Project 16 good for two-handed backhands?

Yes — the 5.5 in handle gives your top hand a full grip rather than riding the throat.

Labs 008 Project 16 or OMNI 16?

Both are Selkirk. The Labs 008 Project 16 reads IQ 85.2 at $280; the OMNI 16 reads IQ 88.7 at $280. The clearest split is control (84 vs 92).

How does PickleballLookup score the Labs 008 Project 16?

The IQ score of 85.2 is a weighted composite of the 15 Paddle DNA traits, normalized across every paddle in the database so the number means the same thing on any page. Performance traits carry the most weight; descriptive traits like swing weight carry none. Full methodology is published.