Nittaku Hurricane Pro III Turbo Blue

Rubber description:

The Nittaku Hurricane Pro III Turbo Blue is a high-performance table tennis rubber that expertly blends a Chinese top sheet with a Japanese sponge, catering primarily to intermediate and advanced players. Renowned for its exceptional spin capabilities, with a spin rating of 15, it provides players with a significant edge during serves and looping exchanges. However, the rubber demands solid technique and timing due to its hardness and tackiness, with a noticeable tackiness rating of 8.5. As a result, while it can generate extraordinary spin, it may not suit those who are new to the game.

Weighing in at a medium-to-heavy level, this rubber has a weight rating of 8.4, which contributes to its overall feel and power during play. The notable hardness of its sponge, rated at 9.4, equips it with a unique capacity to deliver powerful strokes, but also requires players to exert full body strength to harness its full potential. This rubber’s durability is rated at a respectable 7.9, allowing it to withstand consistent play, while ensuring it doesn’t sacrifice performance over time.

For players seeking alternatives, the Nittaku Hurricane Pro III Turbo Blue might be compared with softer rubbers like Tenergy 05 or other variants of the Hurricane series, such as the orange version. These alternatives may provide a more forgiving experience for players who prefer a blend of speed but with less weight and hardness. Overall, the Nittaku Hurricane Pro III Turbo Blue is a powerful choice for players skilled in generating spin and speed, offering rewarding playability for those who master its unique characteristics.

Recent Reviews

#1 — February 2023

I have this rubber on the forehand of my Nittaku Ludeak. I can’t find any negatives as long as good technique is used. I do miss drives easily if I hit it without paying attention to where I hit it, but I think that will happen with any rubber and is more a matter of technique. It’s very, very spinny and consistent when looping. The throw angle is a solid medium.

#2 — January 2022

Nittaku Fastarc G1 vs DHS Hurricane 3 Neo Provincial

Comparing the Nittaku Fastarc G1 and DHS Hurricane 3 Neo Provincial rubbers in a maximum thickness of 2.0 mm reveals several differences. These disparities also apply to non-Neo, National versions, and the 41-degree version of the Hurricane 3.

Key Differences:

Sponge Hardness: The Fastarc G1 has a significantly softer sponge than the Hurricane 3, even after a short break-in period.
Speed: The Fastarc G1 is noticeably faster than the Hurricane 3, including boosted versions.

Unsuitable for Forehand Use:

The softer sponge and increased speed make the Fastarc G1 unsuitable for power looping or finishing topspins, especially when paired with a hard blade. Hard strokes tend to compress the sponge and activate the blade’s wood, resulting in flatter hits instead of loops.

Excellent for Backhand Use:

However, the Fastarc G1 excels as a backhand rubber due to its high tackiness and spin. This allows for effective lifting of backspins and provides sufficient speed for active counter-spins. Additionally, it offers a solid block and the versatility to execute both tacky and spinless blocks.

Recommendation:

While not recommended for forehand use, the Nittaku Fastarc G1 is highly recommended for the backhand.

Additional Note:

The cut sheet of the Fastarc G1 weighs 53 grams when trimmed to the size of a typical Butterfly blade like the Viscaria. Conversely, various versions of the DHS Hurricane 3 weigh between 45 and 49 grams.

#3 — November 2021

Review:

This is a very hard, tacky rubber that generates extreme spin. It is best suited for players familiar with Chinese rubbers, as the technique required to loop the ball effectively involves brushing the ball to allow the tacky top-sheet to grip it.

The rubber is HEAVY, making it a good choice for players looking to add weight to their racket. I recently purchased another sheet (after using the first sheet for over a year) to pair with my new Nittaku Acoustic Carbon.

This rubber is most effective when used on the forehand, as it is not the fastest of rubbers. The power of the forehand is necessary to impart the speed and spin required for a powerful loop.