The Tibhar Evolution MX-D has characteristics of both the MX-P and MX-S, being more similar to the latter. The MX-D has a relatively prominent catapult effect, which renders it a challenging rubber close to the table (pushes, flicks, off-the-bounce blocks, long serves), but a good rubber for mid-distance play (loop-drives, smashes, counter-drives). The MX-D is a demanding rubber that requires focus, good technique, and hand feeling.

Read the full TT11-syndicated review here.

The Donic Bluestorm Pro is a rather soft-feeling rubber that generates a very strong catapult effect on high-intensity shot types. In other words, it is a very non-linear rubber, which renders it challenging to play with, especially since it isn’t clear when the strong catapult is activated. It is beneficial to use soft hands to place the ball around the table. For these reasons, I consider the BP a rubber for advanced players only, and it is best suited for those who play a clean aggressive game from mid-distance with less emphasis on spin.

Read the full TT11-syndicated review here.

The 38-degree DHS Hurricane 8-80 is a more dynamic version of the regular H8, which in turn gives it more “H3-like” characteristics. However, the #80 sponge is firmer and less dynamic than the #50 sponge of Hurricane 3-50 . Thus, the H8-80 is still, fundamentally, a robust rubber that excels in the controlled looping, short, and serving game. I think the H8-80 will be an easier FH rubber to play with than H3 or H8 for intermediate-level players or players who are making the transition from European/Japanese FH rubbers. High-end players, on the other hand, will likely find that the H8-80 lacks the top-end and penetrating power of H8 and – especially – H3. The H8-80 might appeal to an even broader player base as a BH rubber, as this is where the #80 sponge’s more dynamic nature comes to it full right.

Read the full TT11-syndicated review here.

The Xiom Omega 7 Guang China is an interesting hybrid rubber. It is relatively slow on low to medium impact shots like pushes and warm-up drives, medium-fast (high OFF-/low OFF) on topspin shots from distance or against blocks, and very fast (high OFF) on high impact shots played with flat bat angles (blocks and smashes). It is faster than a traditional Hurricane 3 on active strokes, especially when flatter bat angles are used, but produces lower topspin levels and flatter trajectories when looping. This rubber caters to relatively high-level players who want to have Hurricane-like stability in the short game but better flat hitting characteristics, yet do not want to fully commit to a switch since the Hurricane-like rubbers are more physically demanding.

Read the full TT11-syndicated review here.

I evaluated four hard-sponged ESN rubbers, i.e., Yasaka Rakza Z Extra Hard, Donic BlueGrip C1, Donic BlueGrip C2, and Andro Rasanter R48.

Of the four rubbers evaluated in this test, the Rakza Z Extra Hard offers the most balanced set of playing properties. It works well close to the table (sufficient sponge compressibility for aggressive blocking, good serving characteristics) and from mid-distance (sufficiently fast to enable loop-to-loop rallies.

The Donic BlueGrip C1 is best suited for highly skilled players who operate close to the table with a direct, less spin-oriented game style that is peppered with a strong blocking and counter-drive game. I enjoyed the C1 and would recommend it to anyone who wants to move from Chinese-style FH rubbers to something that is a little less physically demanding.

The Donic BlueGrip C2 will cater to a broader group of players than the C1 as it is more forgiving and offers more flexibility in its use. Thus, the C2 is suitable for playing strategies both close to the table and mid-distance.

I would recommend the Rasanter R48 to intermediate level players who have a moderately fast arm pull, and who operate from mid-distance with an open game style without too much emphasis on spin. The crisp, almost speed-glue like feeling of the R48 on topspins render it a fun rubber to play with.

Read the full review here.

In this TT11 review, I evaluated the DHS Skyline 3 provincial blue sponge rubber. The Skyline 3 is a harder-feeling, tackier, more powerful, slightly lower-throwing, and more predictable rubber than Hurricane 3. It excels in power-looping, 5th ball attacks, flicking, and aggressive blocking while being slightly more difficult to handle in the pushing game than Hurricane 3. I love this rubber. Get all the details here.

I tested the new DHS Sharping 2 short/medium pip rubber for TT11. It is an interesting and somewhat strange rubber. It has a very hard sponge and a grippy topsheet. It is very solid on block and drives but requires a closed bat angle as the topsheet grip otherwise propels the ball in a high arc beyond the confines of the table. It took me some time to learn how to control my BH loops against backspin and the shots have quite of bit of wobble. For more details, read the full review here.

In this review for Tabletennis11.com from 2020, I reviewed four Nittaku rubbers, i.e., the Sieger PK50, Factive, and Hammond CR smooth rubbers, and the new Sonic AR short pips.

The Nittaku Sieger PK50 hybrid rubber retains desirable Hurricane-like qualities during looping and pushing, while offering improved smashing characteristics. The rubber will cater to players who want a livelier version of Hurricane-like rubbers or a tackier and more controllable version of typical European rubbers.

The Nittaku Factive is an easy rubber to play and learn strokes with. It is lightweight, spin-insensitive, moderately fast, controllable, and offers a crisp feeling. On the flip side, it only generates moderate spin levels, especially backspin.

The Nittaku Hammond CR is a step up from the Factive, both with respect to speed and spin. The Hammond CR does not reach the levels of market-leading rubbers like the Nittaku Fastarc G1, but it is an easier rubber to play with due to its lack of spin sensitivity.

The Nittaku Sonic AR is a short-pimpled rubber for the uncompromising attacker that seeks to finish the point off quickly. It is not a rubber for beginners as the catapult effect is quite violent on higher impact shots, which reduces control. Those who can tame this beast a rewarded with a rubber that excels in flat hits and flicks through backspin.

For all the details, read the review here.

In this review for Tabletennis11.com from 2020, I finally got a chance to try out the Hurricane 2 rubbers. So many people use Hurricane 3, but far fewer use Hurricane 2. Why is that?

The inexpensive DHS Hurricane 2 rubber is an excellent, albeit somewhat slow, control rubber. It shines in the looping, flicking, pushing, and service game, whereas its weaknesses lie with blocking, counter-looping, and smashing.

The DHS Hurricane 2 Neo is an interesting rubber. It lacks the stability on blocking and top-end power on looping and loop-drives that the H3 provides, which likely is the reason why top-players have been gravitating towards the H3-series instead. However, the H2N is an excellent high-spin rubber for the initial phases of any point, i.e., service, service returns be it flicks or pushes, and third-ball attack. In my opinion, the H2N is suitable for intermediate to advanced players operating close to the table and who value spin above all else.

For more details, read the full reviews HERE.

In 2019, I reviewed the Nittaku Hurricane 3 Pro Turbo Blue for Tabletennis11.com, which I dubbed a game-changing rubber.

The Nittaku Hurricane 3 Pro Turbo Blue is harder and more solid than a Hurricane 3 blue sponge rubber, offering advantages in the fast, close-to-the-table and counter looping game with minimal concessions on opening loops. The main drawback of the NHP3TB is its extreme weight. This is a FH rubber for high-level players who are able to swing through the ball with full commitment and excellent timing and technique.

Read the full review HERE.

Back in 2019, I reviewed the Andro Hexer Grip and Powergrip rubbers for Tabletennis11.com.

The Hexer Grip is a great FH rubber for intermediate level and/or young topspin-oriented players. More advanced players, using faster arm swing speeds, will likely find the sponge of the Hexer Grip to be a little bit too soft. In my opinion, the Hexer Grip has even greater applicability as an BH rubber, due to the prominent catapult effect, which imparts more speed and spin on shots played with medium arm speed.

The Hexer Powergrip is an exceptionally fun rubber to loop, power-loop, or counter-loop with. It is a rubber for intermediate to professional level players who want to win spectacular points by coupling high speed with superior control of ball placement. Respectable spin levels are generated on serves, serve returns, and opening loops. The harder sponge lends the Hexer Powergrip to be used as a FH rubber, but highly skilled players with fast arm speeds enjoying medium-low throwing rubbers, will be able to use the rubber in the BH as well.

Get all of the details HERE.