Stiga Optimum MP

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.

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.

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.

I bought it not long ago, and I really like it! So far, I’m very pleased. :)

It is very similar to Bryce, but it’s so cheap! It’s great for easy and fast finishing points. If you are an attacker, you will definitely like it for sure.

Nedavno sam je kupio, i dosad sam veoma zadovoljan sa gumom. Prošao sam veoma jeftino, a guma je veoma slična Brajsu koji sam imao pre godinu dana. Sve u svemu, odlična je za brze završnice, i preporučujem je svim ofanzivnim igračima!

Yes, this rubber offers great spin and great speed. I am using it for my backhand on a Xiom Michelangelo blade.

This rubber is well-suited for players who have excellent control, as this aspect tends to be its weakness. The topspin and flick shots produce a relatively low throw angle. However, when pushing with this rubber, it does not generate much spin at all. If not controlled properly, a push can result in a high return.

On the other hand, returning a heavy chop ball works well with this rubber.

This rubber is designed for a driver’s game. It offers fast play, average spin, and average control, but lacks gears. It can also serve as a power-looper’s forehand rubber. However, if your game relies heavily on spin and precision, this rubber may not be the best choice.

This rubber excels in quickly finishing points with powerful drives and is extremely responsive to tuning. I have tuned quite a number of rubbers, and this one is by far the bounciest; however, it can be uncontrollably so when played from close distance. I recommend not choosing the maximum thickness unless you are confident in your skills.

Overall, this rubber performs exceptionally well in its niche, warranting a ‘B’ rating. While it may not be as useful or versatile as the classic Magna or the new Boost series, it remains a good value, especially if you can purchase it at a discounted price.

This rubber feels very much like Bryce. I particularly like it for my forehand shots.

Wonderful rubber on a flexible offensive blade. I use it on the backhand of the Hurricane Hao in 1.8 mm thickness. I chose 1.8 mm for improved control during pushes and serve returns. On a flexible blade, the dwell time provided by the 1.8 mm thickness is sufficient for all offensive play. Although I could have opted for the 2.0 mm version, the control in pushes is nearly comparable to that of a Chinese rubber, which is a positive aspect.

The nano particles in the sponge appear to enhance the stability and firmness of the sponge, while still allowing it to feel soft enough for opening loops. After one session of play, I am pleasantly surprised. Although it does not provide a true glue effect, the rubber performs exceptionally well without the use of glue.