DHS Hurricane 8

Rubber description:

DHS Hurricane 8 is a high-performance table tennis rubber that has gained a reputation for its exceptional control, spin, and speed, making it a favorite among offensive players who prefer a traditional Chinese rubber. This rubber’s tackiness, rated at 8 out of 10, allows for excellent spin generation, particularly on serves and loops, providing an edge in competitive play. It features a medium-hard sponge hardness of 39 to 40 degrees, which is designed to enhance ball feel and responsiveness while accommodating a variety of playing styles.

The weight of DHS Hurricane 8 is perceived as relatively heavy, with a density that may surpass 55 grams, contributing to the overall control and stability it offers during play. Players frequently cite its durability, often noting that it holds up well even after extensive use over months—or in some cases, years—of play. Reports suggest that, while the tackiness may degrade slightly over time, making it less forgiving, the rubber still retains its qualities long after purchase.

For those exploring alternatives, the DHS Hurricane 3 Neo presents a comparable option, though many find that the Hurricane 8 is faster and provides better control, especially for players transitioning from tensor rubbers. Those accustomed to European or Japanese styles may need time to adapt, as the Hurricane 8’s unique characteristics require precise technique and footwork for optimal performance. Overall, the DHS Hurricane 8 stands out as a robust choice for serious loopers seeking to elevate their game with a spin-oriented approach.

Recent Reviews

#1 — December 2022

I started using H8 because I wanted to try something other than H3 or H3 Neo (commercial). This rubber is amazing compared to H3 and H3 Neo. While it’s not as powerful, it feels better in almost all other aspects.

I love H8’s speed, which enables longer rallies and fast plays. It’s also very durable. I played it for 1.5 years, and it was still tacky. However, when I tried to reglue the rubber on another blade, air bubbles started appearing on the top sheet. I realized it was time for that rubber but had a solid 1.5 years of gameplay (would’ve been more if I didn’t decide to switch blades).

Overall, I recommend H8 to players who want to try Chinese rubbers that are faster but less spiny. If you struggle with Hurricane 3 because it’s physically demanding, H8 is a good alternative. But it’s essential to note that it’s more challenging to outpower your opponent with H8 compared to H3.

#2 — August 2022

A very specific patch. Out of the box, it is much easier to play than the commercial version of the Hurricane 3. However, this does not make it suitable for under-equipped athletes. DHS tried to modernize the H3, but we are waiting for further developments.

#3 — June 2021

I’m reviewing Hurricane 8 hardness 40 (not 39). This is the perfect rubber for loopers. Compared to Hurricane 3 NEO 40deg, Hurricane 8 is 20% faster, more elastic, both in topsheet and sponge. It also has a lot more dwell time: the ball stays in the sponge twice as long, and then shoots off much more forward, not upwards like H3. All this while keeping all the important characteristics of Hurricane 3 (tacky, so it makes very spinny openings which will be blocked off the table).

But the additional dwell time makes it usable on carbon blades. It works great with Viscaria, unlike H3 NEO 40. The arc is much lower than H3: to be precise, higher than H2 but a bit lower than Tg2. This makes your opening loops spinny but also very low, making them very hard to block.

The strong points of the rubber are: low spinny openings; easy counterloops (keeps the ball low in counterloops, unlike H3N); decent speed (unlike H3N).

Be warned: though more elastic and faster than the NEO rubbers, H8 will still need booster to play at an advanced level. Interestingly, Johnson’s Baby Oil works even better than Haifu Seamoon: it makes the rubber faster (but also a bit softer) than seamoon. So I suggest using seamoon on fh and baby oil on bh.

On backhand, paired with Viscaria, this rubber allows you to counterloop instead of blocking. This is an amazing combination. It works great with both Viscaria and Pg5-x.

The Perfect rubber guys.