Stiga Calibra Tour S

Rubber description:

The Stiga Calibra Tour S is a high-performance table tennis rubber designed for players who prioritize speed, spin, and control in their game. With an overall rating of 8.3, this rubber strikes a perfect balance between these key attributes. It features a speed rating of 140, making it ideal for dynamic and aggressive play, enabling players to execute powerful shots with ease. In terms of spin, it scores an impressive 127, allowing for precise and devastating rotation on the ball. Despite its emphasis on speed and spin, the Calibra Tour S also maintains a commendable control rating of 86, ensuring that players can maintain consistency and accuracy even during fast-paced rallies.

The rubber's tackiness level is rated at 0.4, indicating a moderate grip that facilitates spin generation while still offering enough control to prevent mishits. With a weight of 2.5 grams, it provides a solid and stable feel on the racket. The sponge hardness of 2.7 contributes to its excellent combination of speed and control, allowing players to execute a wide range of techniques effectively.

One of the standout features of the Calibra Tour S is its exceptional gear range of 7, indicating its versatility in adapting to different playing styles and situations. Its throw angle of 3.2 degrees provides a mid-to-high trajectory, enabling players to create effective loops and topspin shots. Additionally, the consistency rating of 7.5 ensures that players can rely on the rubber to perform consistently, even during intense and prolonged matches. While its durability rating is slightly lower at 5.6, players can still expect a reasonable lifespan from the Calibra Tour S.

Overall, the Stiga Calibra Tour S is a top-tier table tennis rubber that caters to the needs of advanced and professional players who seek a perfect balance of speed, spin, and control. Its tensor technology further enhances its performance, providing excellent responsiveness and energy return. With positive reviews from players who appreciate its versatility and high-quality construction, the Calibra Tour S is a formidable choice for those seeking the ultimate edge in their game.

Recent Reviews

#1 — August 2022

This rubber is quite peculiar. After some time of use, it lost its grip and acquired a noticeable amount of bounce. It can launch the ball with just a light stroke; however, it generates almost no spin when struck hard.

It behaves similarly to a tensor rubber, but with fewer gears. I use it on my backhand with an 8-ply ALL blade. Overall, it encourages a very straightforward playing style: hit and push, hit and push.

#2 — December 2021

Produced monstrous amounts of spin with serves and topspin attacks. It also provided good control; however, after three months of usage, the performance felt flat.

#3 — June 2015

I used the 1.9mm rubber on both the forehand and backhand of my allround blade.

Unfortunately, I found it challenging to generate good topspin with shorter forehand movements. Additionally, I often made contact with the wood during more direct hits, which detracted from my overall playing experience.

At around 39g, this rubber is a decent middle-of-the-road option; however, I do not find it to be exceptional. I am certain that players with advanced technique can utilize it effectively, but since my technique isn’t as refined, I personally would prefer a rubber that offers more spin from short-move interactions, particularly for topspin and sidespin blocks.

I purchased this rubber at a lower price than the Xiom Vega Europe, but I overall prefer the Vega. It provides more spin from shorter strokes, has a higher throw angle, and performs equally well in other aspects.