Is the Boomstik Widebody a power paddle?

No, despite the name. Power 71 and pop 70 are bottom-quartile. It measures as one of the strongest control and hand-speed paddles in the database.

Only for a dedicated soft-game player who also needs kitchen speed. If control alone is the goal, paddles at half the price reach control 91 and give up little else.

How does it differ from the Boomstik Elongated 16?

The widebody trades reach and plow-through for maneuverability 97 and a more forgiving face. The elongated build is the one to pick if you want the extra length.

Is the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 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 Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 worth the price?

At $333 it sits in the 100th percentile of the database for cost and the 54th for IQ score. If those numbers do not line up for you, the Honolulu J2CR at $230 is the value alternative we point people to.

How does the Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 compare to the Labs Project 007 Epic 14?

They are close on DNA. The Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 reads power 71 / control 94 / spin 90 against 77 / 89 / 90 for the Labs Project 007 Epic 14, at $333 versus $130. 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 Project Boomstik Widebody 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 Project Boomstik Widebody 16 build before you enter a sanctioned event. We do not list approval status we have not verified.

Does the Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 have good spin?

Spin scores 90/100 — the 56th percentile of our database (around the database average) — off a Multistrata T700 Carbon face. Spin is not this paddle's strength — several paddles in the same price band score meaningfully higher.

Is the Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 head heavy?

Swing weight is 98 kg·cm² and twist weight 6.5. That is light and fast through the swing path, which favours hands battles over plow-through. Static weight is 8.2 oz.

Does the Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 benefit from lead tape?

Yes — at 98 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 Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16?

The stock handle is 5.6 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 Boomstik Widebody 16 with when it wears out?

Face wear shows up as lost spin long before the core dies. The straight replacement is another Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16; if you want to change something, look at a higher-control build and the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 adds power (95 vs 71).

Who is the Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 best for?

Power players who miss the center too often. Skill levels we would put on it: intermediate, advanced, pro. Handle length of 5.6 in supports a two-handed backhand.

What shape and size is the Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16?

standard shape, 15.95 in long by 8 in wide, 16 mm BoomCore™ core, Multistrata T700 Carbon face, 8.2 oz. Released 2026.

Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 pickleball paddle, front face — standard shape, Multistrata T700 Carbon hitting surface — Front · Hitting face and graphics3/7 verified views

Reference price$333MSRP $333

Check price on Amazon$346

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.

Most forgiving power paddle

Selkirk

Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16

84Specs recorded August 2026 · Power players who miss the center too often

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

The Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 is a 16 mm standard pickleball paddle weighing 8.2 oz, with a Multistrata T700 Carbon face, listed around $333.

The widebody Boomstik keeps BoomCore's power but spreads it across a 15.95 x 8.0 in face, which is the most forgiving version of Selkirk's flagship platform.

From Selkirk

The Selkirk LABS Project Boomstik® pickleball paddle features Selkirk’s cutting-edge Moment of Inertia (MOI) Tuning System, which means your paddle is precisely weighted for improved balance and performance. It boasts a larger and more forgiving sweet spot, delivering explosive power and relentless durability without the sacrifice of core quality.

Official Selkirk product page →

Cross-shopping? Most buyers weigh the Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 against the Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 — see them side by side, or browse every Selkirk paddle.

Core: 16 mm
Weight: 8.2 oz
Swing wt: 98
Twist wt: 6.5
Shape: standard
Surface: Multistrata T700 Carbon
Grip: 5.6 in
Released: 2026

Pros

Huge sweet spot for a power paddle
Multistrata T700 face holds grit
5.6 in handle fits two-handed backhands

Cons

Highest price in the database
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 Boomstik Widebody 16?

The Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 scores 84.1/100 on our IQ index, built from all 15 Paddle DNA traits. Its signature is maneuverability (97/100, 98th percentile of the database — elite — top-tier), backed by control at 94 and touch at 92. The 16 mm BoomCore™ core and Multistrata T700 Carbon face at 8.2 oz make it a placement-first paddle: you win points by out-positioning people.

Where it gives ground is power (71) and plow through (59). With a 98 kg·cm² swing weight and a 5.6 in handle it suits intermediate/advanced/pro players, two-handed backhands, hands battles at the kitchen. Skip it if this is your first paddle and you have not settled on a shape; you rely on raw put-away pace.

Closest paddles by DNA: Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14 ($130), JOOLA Scorpeus 14 ($100), ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight ($200). If budget matters, the Six Zero Quartz Control lands within 4 IQ points for $143 less. Overall: a mid-pack pick overall — buy it for the specific trait it wins on, not as a category leader.

Best for: intermediate/advanced/pro players, two-handed backhands, hands battles at the kitchen
Playing style: placement-first — you win points by out-positioning people
Avoid if: this is your first paddle and you have not settled on a shape; you rely on raw put-away pace

In depth

Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 — the long answer

Despite the name, the Boomstik Widebody 16 is a control paddle: power 71 and pop 70 are near the bottom of the database, while control 94, touch 92 and maneuverability 97 sit near the top. At $333 it is the most expensive paddle here.

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.

The name and the numbers disagree

Power 71 and pop 70 are among the lowest figures in the database. This is a soft-game paddle. Control 94 and softness 90 come from a 16 mm BoomCore with a 46 launch angle — long dwell, flat exit, ball dies short on resets. Buyers expecting the power the name implies will be disappointed; buyers wanting a fast control paddle will find one of the best.

Maneuverability 97 in a widebody is the achievement

A 98 kg·cm² swing weight in a 15.95 x 8.0 in body produces maneuverability 97 while keeping twist weight 6.5 and stability 84. Width supplies the stability that low mass would normally forfeit. That combination — near-top hand speed with above-average forgiveness — is the specific thing this paddle does that almost nothing else in the database matches.

Justifying $333

You are paying for the Multistrata T700 face and the mass distribution, not for any single headline number. Consistency 87 and control 94 are excellent, but several $150 paddles reach control 91. The honest case for the price is the maneuverability-plus-stability pairing; the honest case against it is that power 71 caps what you can do with the paddle.

Community consensus

What other players say about the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16

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 Boomstik Widebody 16?

Former tennis players and two-handed backhands
Soft-game specialists who reset and dink their way through rallies
Topspin-heavy players rolling and dipping every ball
Players who live in hands battles at the kitchen line

Brand-new beginners still finding a contact point
Anyone not ready to spend $200+ before knowing their shape preference
Power-first players who win points on raw put-away pace

AI paddle match

If you like the Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16, 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 Boomstik Widebody 16.

Most compared with the Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16

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 Boomstik Widebody 16.

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

Power71

Control94

Spin90

Forgiveness82

Sweet spot81

Stability84

Maneuverability97

Pop70

Touch92

Consistency87

Swing weight47

Twist weight77

Launch angle46

Plow through59

Softness90

DNA match — paddles within 5% of the Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 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

Match tolerance

Only show cheaper paddles

Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16

IQ 84.1 · $333

6 paddles within 5% of the Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16

Ranked by DNA deviation

#1Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 14$130 (-203) · 14 mm · standardDNA match96%82
+6 power-6 sweet spot+6 pop-5 control
Saves $203 versus the Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 · +6 power · -6 sweet spot
Compare Full DNA
#2JOOLA Scorpeus 14$100 (-233) · 14 mm · standardDNA match95.9%81
-7 stability-7 plow through+6 pop-6 twist weight
Saves $233 versus the Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 · +6 pop · -7 stability
Compare Full DNA
#3ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight$200 (-133) · 14 mm · standardDNA match95.5%84
+14 launch angle+7 sweet spot+6 forgiveness-6 stability
Saves $133 versus the Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 · +14 launch angle · -6 stability
Compare Full DNA
#4Engage Pursuit Pro1 6.0 Hybrid$110 (-223) · 15.2 mm · hybridDNA match95.5%81
-12 twist weight-9 stability+8 swing weight-6 consistency
Saves $223 versus the Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 · +8 swing weight · -12 twist weight
Compare Full DNA
#5Ronbus R1 Pulsar$120 (-213) · 16 mm · elongatedDNA match95.1%84
+15 swing weight-13 maneuverability+13 plow through+7 power
Saves $213 versus the Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 · +15 swing weight · -13 maneuverability
Compare Full DNA
#6Babolat BALLR+ 16$120 (-213) · 16 mm · hybridDNA match95.1%81
-12 twist weight-11 maneuverability+11 swing weight+11 plow through
Saves $213 versus the Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 · +11 swing weight · -12 twist weight
Compare Full DNA

Best alternatives to the Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16

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

Similar paddles to the Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16

Closest matches by player level, hand weight and price — the paddles most players cross-shop against the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16.

Same playing profile (within 8% DNA)

Selkirk Labs Project 007 Epic 1414 mm · standard · 8.4 oz · SW 100$13082

JOOLA Scorpeus 1414 mm · standard · 7.8 oz · SW 96$10081

ProKennex Kinetic Pro Flight14 mm · standard · 7.5 oz · SW 103$20084

Engage Pursuit Pro1 6.0 Hybrid15.2 mm · hybrid · 8 oz · SW 103$11081

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 Boomstik Widebody 16 — frequently asked questions

Is the Boomstik Widebody a power paddle?: No, despite the name. Power 71 and pop 70 are bottom-quartile. It measures as one of the strongest control and hand-speed paddles in the database.
Is it worth $333?: Only for a dedicated soft-game player who also needs kitchen speed. If control alone is the goal, paddles at half the price reach control 91 and give up little else.
How does it differ from the Boomstik Elongated 16?: The widebody trades reach and plow-through for maneuverability 97 and a more forgiving face. The elongated build is the one to pick if you want the extra length.
Is the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 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 Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 worth the price?: At $333 it sits in the 100th percentile of the database for cost and the 54th for IQ score. If those numbers do not line up for you, the Honolulu J2CR at $230 is the value alternative we point people to.
How does the Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 compare to the Labs Project 007 Epic 14?: They are close on DNA. The Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 reads power 71 / control 94 / spin 90 against 77 / 89 / 90 for the Labs Project 007 Epic 14, at $333 versus $130. 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 Project Boomstik Widebody 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 Project Boomstik Widebody 16 build before you enter a sanctioned event. We do not list approval status we have not verified.
Does the Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 have good spin?: Spin scores 90/100 — the 56th percentile of our database (around the database average) — off a Multistrata T700 Carbon face. Spin is not this paddle's strength — several paddles in the same price band score meaningfully higher.
Is the Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 head heavy?: Swing weight is 98 kg·cm² and twist weight 6.5. That is light and fast through the swing path, which favours hands battles over plow-through. Static weight is 8.2 oz.
Does the Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 benefit from lead tape?: Yes — at 98 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 Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16?: The stock handle is 5.6 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 Boomstik Widebody 16 with when it wears out?: Face wear shows up as lost spin long before the core dies. The straight replacement is another Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16; if you want to change something, look at a higher-control build and the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 adds power (95 vs 71).
Who is the Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 best for?: Power players who miss the center too often. Skill levels we would put on it: intermediate, advanced, pro. Handle length of 5.6 in supports a two-handed backhand.
What shape and size is the Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16?: standard shape, 15.95 in long by 8 in wide, 16 mm BoomCore™ core, Multistrata T700 Carbon face, 8.2 oz. Released 2026.

Labs Project Boomstik Widebody 16 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
$333
Amazon listing — checked August 10, 2026
Weight
8.2 oz
Manufacturer specification — recorded August 10, 2026
Core thickness
16 mm
Manufacturer specification — recorded August 10, 2026
Swing weight
98 kg·cm²
Independent measurement data, normalized to our scale
Twist weight
6.5 kg·cm²
Independent measurement data, normalized to our scale
Paddle DNA (15 traits)
IQ 84.1/100
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