Product information
INFO
Got this rubber on a black Friday sale for around 23 euros. I bought it for my backhand but ended up using it on my forehand until I got a new forehand rubber.
Characteristics
I got the red one which has a matte finish, not sure how the black one is though. Non tacky but very grippy surface. Mantra H is a 47.5 degree rubber so it's very similar when it comes to hardness to most standard high end rubbers like MX-P, Fastarc G1 and Rasanter R47.
Feeling
First impressions of this rubber was amazing. It felt alive in every stroke. This rubber probably has one of the best feelings out of the package. Shots where you would engage the sponge would give a nice crack sound and a powerful shot. I had previously played with about 3 month old rubbers and changed one side to the mantra H, during the training sessions I felt that I couldn’t miss when using the mantra. If you compare it to Tenergy 05, Tenergy feels more like a trampoline with higher potential whereas Mantra feels alive in a sense that it feels like you're using its full potential in most strokes, which is nice.
Topspin strokes
Loop : This is where the rubber shines. When looping against a block you almost always engage the sponge and you’ll get the nice crack sound. It has a medium throw angle but the arc on the ball ensures that it’ll stay on the table.
Counter : Counter looping is great as well. The rubber is just the right hardness for me because I don't have to overwork my stroke and lose control but the rubber also isn't too soft where I won't hit through the sponge to where it bottoms out.
Open ups : The grippy topsheet is great for biting the ball and lifting the backspin. Spinny open ups are great but as I said earlier, the rubber works best when you engage the sponge which gives you confidence in looping backspin with more force.
Close to table
Backspin short/long : It’s a bouncy rubber so it can be hard to make a short return if u dont put any backspin on the ball. This goes for most european rubbers.
Flick : Grippy topsheet + medium throw angle results in great flicks. Ii I compare it to Tenergy 05 I’d say the Tenergy 05 is better because it has a bit higher throw angle and a bit better spin.
Overall Thoughts
Without a doubt it’s an amazing rubber that anyone could play with. It’s for the active player for sure. I’d say this rubber suits all ranges, close-mid-far away from the table. It has a lot of gears which allows for anyone to use it.. Make sure you hit the ball at its highest point and the rubber will do the rest for you.
Improvements
The only downside I see for this rubber is the durability. The first month is awesome but after that you really feel that the rubber has lost its fuel.
