Get Notified of New Equipment and Reviews
༼ つ ◕_◕ ༽つ No spam or other useless stuff. We plan to send out some newsletters from time to time with the latest reviews and project updates. Feel free to unsubscribe at any time.
The Donic Baracuda Big Slam is a remarkable table tennis rubber designed to cater to players looking for a balance between spin, control, and weight. This rubber features a unique blend of softness and spin friendliness, making it an appealing option for those who prefer a more controlled game while still wanting to produce significant topspin. The rubber does not utilize tensor technology, which may attract players who prefer traditional rubber characteristics.
In terms of tackiness, the Baracuda Big Slam falls into a moderate category, rated a 2/10. This suggests it offers decent grip on the ball, yet it’s not overly tacky, which works well for players who utilize brush strokes to impart spin. The rubber’s sponge hardness is rated at 2.5/5, contributing to a relatively soft feel that some players find beneficial for generating loop-driven shots. With a weight rating of 4.5/5, it is considered light, making it ideal for quick movements and rapid stroke execution during intense rallies.
While the durability of the Baracuda Big Slam is rated at 6.4/10, some players have reported issues with edge wear and an overall sense of softness leading to quicker degradation compared to other rubbers. Choosing alternatives like the original Donic Baracuda or other brands like Tibhar’s MX-P could provide a more robust solution that retains high spin capabilities while offering better durability. The overall ratings suggest that the Baracuda Big Slam, with its strengths in spin and control, provides a compelling option, particularly for backhand strokes and within an agile, spin-oriented playing style.
The rubber is too soft and slow for the new plastic balls. However, it is extremely spiny and performs well with brush-like strokes.
Unfortunately, the edges break really quickly, and overall, it is not very durable. Despite these drawbacks, I have never encountered spinnier rubber; I’ve tried hundreds of options.
Review of Donic Barracuda Big Slam Table Tennis Rubber
Facts: The red rubber features a sponge hardness of 38 degrees and comes in maximum thickness. Its packed weight is 95 grams, while the uncut weight is 65 grams. On my Cybershape blade, it weighed 46 grams.
After ordering a Xiom Omega 7 Pro in 2mm as the forehand rubber for my new Lemuria “Cybershape 6,” which has an inner layer of carbon wood, I discovered that this rubber was actually perfect for my backhand side.
I began searching for a rubber that was as light as possible while producing a lot of spin. As a result, I decided to try the Donic Barracuda Big Slam in 2mm. However, I found it to be a bit too slow in that thickness, so I ultimately purchased it in maximum thickness.
Interestingly, my experience with the Big Slam was quite different from that of the regular Barracuda. The standard Barracuda, which has a sponge hardness of 47.5 degrees, feels softer, while the Big Slam, with its 38 degrees, feels harder. I noticed that the speed difference between the two rubbers is minimal; however, the normal Barracuda generates significantly more spin than the Big Slam. It’s worth noting that the “normal” Barracuda is glued on a very hard ZLC blade with a Koto outer veneer, which may affect the performance comparison.
Conclusion: Like its predecessor, the Big Slam can sometimes take on a significant amount of spin, which can lead to a somewhat uncontrolled feel during passive play. However, if you can handle your opponent’s rotation, the rubber provides a safe and controlled experience. Additionally, it produces almost as much spin as its big brother!
Addendum: The Big Slam weighs (in maximum thickness) 6 grams less than its “big brother” with 2mm. Interestingly, my two Big Slam rubbers (one with 2mm and one in maximum thickness) weighed the same!
Strangely enough, this product has none of the qualities that its big brother, Baracuda, possesses. In fact, everything feels worse. It seems as though Donic rushed it to market when Baracuda gained a lot of attention.
While Baracuda still ranks among the top 10, I believe this product is not quite in the bottom 10, but it is certainly close.
༼ つ ◕_◕ ༽つ No spam or other useless stuff. We plan to send out some newsletters from time to time with the latest reviews and project updates. Feel free to unsubscribe at any time.