Friendship/729 Highpoint

Rubber description:

Friendship 729 Highpoint is an outstanding table tennis rubber that offers a combination of speed, spin, and control. It features a tensor sponge, providing excellent responsiveness and elasticity. With a speed rating of 12, the 729 Highpoint enables players to generate powerful shots and execute fast-paced rallies. Its spin rating of 12 makes it exceptional for creating sharp angles and deceptive spins, allowing players to outmaneuver their opponents. The control rating of 12 ensures that players maintain a high level of precision and consistency in their shots, enabling them to execute delicate placements and counter-attacks effectively.

The 729 Highpoint's tackiness level of 2 provides sufficient grip for reliable ball control and spin generation. It has a weight of 5, which is considered average among table tennis rubbers, contributing to a balanced feel and comfortable handling. The sponge hardness, rated at 4.2, offers a good balance between speed and control, allowing players to adjust their playing style as needed. The rubber's gears rating of 6.5 indicates its versatility, enabling players to switch between attacking and defensive play seamlessly.

The throw angle of 1.7 allows players to maintain a low-to-medium ball trajectory, resulting in controlled loops and effective blocking shots. The consistency rating of 8 ensures that players can perform consistently at a high level, reducing the impact of mishits and maintaining a steady flow in their game. The durability of 5 indicates that the rubber has a moderate lifespan, requiring regular maintenance and replacement to preserve its optimal performance.

Overall, the Friendship 729 Highpoint is an exceptional choice for players seeking a versatile, high-performance table tennis rubber that excels in speed, spin, and control. Its tensor technology, combined with its well-balanced properties, caters to a wide range of playing styles and skill levels. Whether you're an intermediate player looking to elevate your game or an experienced player seeking an advantage in competitive matches, the 729 Highpoint is a formidable choice.

Recent Reviews

#1 — July 2016

While I would not recommend this rubber for modern play, I do have an old sheet that I glue for players who have trouble with their backhand, particularly those struggling with arching the ball and not understanding their stroke. This rubber resolves that issue and helps them learn how to brush over the ball effectively.

High Point features one of the lowest arcs I’ve tested and is rated highly on TableTennisDB. It is not particularly fast, and the feel in terms of hardness is medium to soft. I have actually played successfully with it on my forehand, and it produces some of the meanest low arc power loops.

This rubber is great for smashes and serve returns due to its low sensitivity to spin. It also assists with pushing, preventing the ball from popping up and leaving you vulnerable to counterattacks. The white sponge has a unique rubbery feel and responds well to two coats of lamp oil, though it still doesn’t improve speed anywhere near that of ESN rubbers.

I wish Friendship would produce more non-tacky alternatives because options like Battle 1, Aurora, Focus, and High Point are insufficient for a decent variety. Furthermore, they are all too soft or produce a very low throw. As for availability, I don’t think this rubber is for sale anywhere currently. The last time I saw it on eBay, the price was between 20 to 24 euros, which is quite pricey compared to what you can get from brands like Tibhar, Donic, Joola, and others.

#2 — June 2012

While this table tennis rubber is fast, it lacks the ability to generate significant spin. Overall, the performance is impressive in terms of speed, but players looking for enhanced spin may find it unsatisfactory.

#3 — October 2010

It has great control and is good for fast players. However, it is not suitable for serving and using pimples.