Stiga Optimum MP
Rubber description:
This is a tensor rubber designed for offensive play, characterized by its focus on speed and rapid finishing. It is frequently compared to high-performance classic rubbers, offering a similar playing feel but prioritizing flat-hit mechanics and aggressive driving over technical spin variations.
Performance Characteristics
- Speed and Power: The rubber is engineered for speed, making it highly effective for smashes, flat drives, and quick point endings. It features a responsive, bouncy nature that allows for significant power, particularly when the player initiates active, aggressive strokes.
- Spin and Dwell: While capable of producing loops, its primary strength lies in power-looping rather than heavy brush looping. Players may find the spin output to be average compared to modern specialized spin rubbers. The dwell time is sufficient for opening loops, especially when paired with a flexible blade, providing a medium throw angle.
- Control and Handling: The rubber requires a high level of technical proficiency. Control in the short game, particularly on pushes, can be challenging; it is sensitive to incoming spin and requires precise technique to avoid high, floating returns. The sponge provides a firm, stable feel during contact, but players may find it lacks the “gears” found in more well-rounded, modern-generation rubbers.
Usage Recommendations
- Best For: Offensive players who rely on speed, flat hitting, and aggressive drives to finish points quickly. It is well-suited for close-to-the-table play, though it retains decent performance if the player chooses to back off the table to continue an exchange.
- Setup: It performs well on a variety of offensive blades, though thinner sponges (1.8mm) are often preferred by those seeking slightly more control in the short game. Users should be aware that the edges of the rubber may be prone to chipping with frequent use.
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Recent Reviews
#1 — May 2012
This rubber is very fast, but it lacks spin capabilities and offers poor control. Overall, while it excels in speed, its other attributes may not meet the needs of all players.
#2 — February 2012
I’m in my mid-30s and have just taken up the sport again after not playing since my teens. I have this rubber on both my forehand (FH) and backhand (BH) on a Banda Gemini (Off-) penhold blade with maximum thickness. I picked up this combination as a package deal for half-price, not really knowing what would work after such a long hiatus.
After playing with it for a few months, I’ve concluded that I prefer it as a forehand rubber. It offers plenty of speed and good spin; however, I struggle somewhat with control on the backhand. This is likely more due to my skill level than the rubber itself. I probably should have started off with something softer, especially since reverse penhold backhand (RPB) takes some time to get used to.
I’d say this rubber is better suited for driving, though looping isn’t bad either, as long as you really commit to the shots—especially when backing off the table. It has a medium throw and average weight. I’m not sure about its durability just yet, but I’ve noticed no change in performance during two months of heavy use, other than that it seems to “chip” easily at the edges.
I have now also picked up a Stiga Hybrid Wood blade with DHS/Xiom rubbers, so I will probably update this review once I’ve conducted enough testing for a proper comparison.
#3 — January 2012
I really like the max thickness in my forehand. It provides lots of control and great spin in drives, loops, and power loops when I’m close to the table. The speed for smashes is also good. However, it’s not quite like the new speed-glue infused rubbers.
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