Stiga Calibra Tour H

The rubber is non-tacky yet grippy, allowing the player to generate a lot of spin with thick contact and light spin with light contact. It is slow when using light contact, but fast when utilizing thick contact, leaving little room for a middle ground.

One downside is its excessive bounciness, which results in minimal dwell time, making it difficult to control on hard carbon blades. However, it is easier to use on softer, flexible all-wood blades. I currently use it on my backhand, paired with a Stiga Maplewood NCT V, and it provides the extra power I need.

For someone who dislikes bouncy rubbers, this one feels just okay. Short, soft touches are straightforward. This is my first experience with a non-Chinese rubber in my backhand, and I found I didn’t need to make any adjustments. The medium-low throw angle is beneficial for countering.

However, I must spin every ball, as hitting flat leads to an abrupt loss of control due to the sponge’s reaction. Therefore, this rubber may not be suitable for flat hitters or beginners. The absence of middle gears remains a limitation to consider.

This rubber has a lot to offer, although it does not provide significant grip. However, the structure of the pimples allows for effective loops and topspins with good rotation. Its lack of tackiness makes it quite insensitive to spin, which simplifies reception when making flicks with the backhand.

Typically, I use Tenergy 05, but I decided to try this rubber since it was on offer. The angle of the shots is medium, occasionally reaching medium high, depending on the strength of the loop or topspin. However, when executing flat strokes, if you don’t measure well, the ball is likely to end up in the net.

Blocking with this rubber is impressive, both in passive and surprise situations. For counterattacks, I really enjoy it, as it sends the ball out with decent rotation and good speed. While it doesn’t compare to Tenergy or Evolution, it still provides a satisfying experience.

In terms of services, the performance is average, but this largely depends on the user’s technique. I found I preferred this rubber for my forehand rather than my backhand. When I compare it to Tenergy 05, the two are not at all alike. However, considering the price, I can’t find much to criticize. I’m now curious to see how it performs after a month of use.

The throw angle of this rubber is low, and I am not accustomed to it yet.