Lesson Learned - I regret Boosting my Stiga DNA Dragon Grip

VictorMoraga said:

Oh my GOD 😪 😥
Hello everyone, I hope you're enjoying your Monday

My blade is the Stiga Cybershape, and I have on both sides the rubbers Stiga DNA Dragon Grip.
I decided to test the booster Haifu and Falco, 2 and 3 layers on both sides. My testing started 2~3 months ago.
They felt good during training sessions. I had some concerns with the grip and spin, but not a big deal.

Last Saturday, I decided to test them in a local tournament in South California "LATTA".
Long story SHORT, it was a HUGE mess 🤣

BEHAVIORS
- Sometimes, the rubbers didn't brush the ball and it just fell to the floor.
- My deadly serves were returned easily for even beginners. I think I put pretty decent amount of spin on those.
- My biggest weapons with topspin and sidespin were returned like nothing 😆
- Both rubbers on both paddles "Main" and "Backup" had cuts on the surface, for small contact with the table. FRAGILE after booster.

Note: The Club doesn't have A/C and it was HOT like Hell. Maybe it helped a bit to those behaviors.

KNOWLEDGE
I 'm aware of a lot or PROs boosting their ESN rubbers. Some of them, want just the fastest paddle. For me, a big risk to be blocked easily using just speed.
I know how to boost rubbers. Maybe this sticky rubber doesn't behave well.
My game style goes for SPIN 🙂

SUMMARY
I'm going to use rubbers WITHOUT booster, starting this week

Click to expand...

all sticky topsheets are very susceptible to low or high temperatures and humidity. throw angle increases, spin is lost. "nothing new under the sun."

VictorMoraga said:

Hey Michael, many players or Coaches suggested me to do that before.
To be honest, I don't want to waste time boosting rubbers.
But for me, the worst is that you can't boost in the same way or the same amount. That means playing with a different rubber every time.

For now, I will keep just my known stuff a stay away from BOOSTER. Let's see how it goes again.

Click to expand...

Hehe, I always think boosting is fun. It's kind of exciting to see how the rubber will turn out.

VictorMoraga said:

Oh my GOD 😪 😥
Hello everyone, I hope you're enjoying your Monday

My blade is the Stiga Cybershape, and I have on both sides the rubbers Stiga DNA Dragon Grip.
I decided to test the booster Haifu and Falco, 2 and 3 layers on both sides. My testing started 2~3 months ago.
They felt good during training sessions. I had some concerns with the grip and spin, but not a big deal.

Last Saturday, I decided to test them in a local tournament in South California "LATTA".
Long story SHORT, it was a HUGE mess 🤣

BEHAVIORS
- Sometimes, the rubbers didn't brush the ball and it just fell to the floor.
- My deadly serves were returned easily for even beginners. I think I put pretty decent amount of spin on those.
- My biggest weapons with topspin and sidespin were returned like nothing 😆
- Both rubbers on both paddles "Main" and "Backup" had cuts on the surface, for small contact with the table. FRAGILE after booster.

Note: The Club doesn't have A/C and it was HOT like Hell. Maybe it helped a bit to those behaviors.

KNOWLEDGE
I 'm aware of a lot or PROs boosting their ESN rubbers. Some of them, want just the fastest paddle. For me, a big risk to be blocked easily using just speed.
I know how to boost rubbers. Maybe this sticky rubber doesn't behave well.
My game style goes for SPIN 🙂

SUMMARY
I'm going to use rubbers WITHOUT booster, starting this week

Click to expand...

The heat, lack of A/C and associated humidity are the likeliest culprits for what you had observed. Nothing to do with the booster.

vvk1 said:

The heat, lack of A/C and associated humidity are the likeliest culprits for what you had observed. Nothing to do with the booster.

Click to expand...

my thoughts too

Try the same rubbers some where else and see.
that is the only way you can tell

VictorMoraga said:

A quick update,
I glued NEW rubbers yesterday "NO Booster"
And the spin and control are higher.
Less speed of course, but the control and spin are just amazing.
We can't have everything.
And with Booster the rubber turned way too fragile..
I will see how it goes in the next 2 local tournaments without Booster. 😊 🙌

Click to expand...

What did you do with the boosted rubber? Did you try playing it again in the non-humid gym as some people suggested?

Short_Pimple said:

Here are my 2 Cents at boosting ESN / Euro Rubbers:

They need a lot less booster than Chinese ones.

Most higher level players I know (like 2 and 3 league in Germany) boost one layer. And then mostly not with Dianchi, Seamon or Falcon. There is a really thin booster around in Germany which works great with ESN Rubbers.

But most Rubbers will be complety overboosted with more than 2 thin layers.

Click to expand...

What about for boosting ESN rubbers that are used and older?

VictorMoraga said:

Just one layer sounds reasonable.
Good advice.
I have 2 paddles to test tomorrow in a HOT and Humid Club.
1st Paddle > One layer of Booster on both rubbers
2nd Paddle > No Booster at all
Let's see 👌😊

Click to expand...

I actually didn't recall seeing how many layers you put on, and forgot to ask.
Now I see, did you put 5 layers on?

and yes, ESN rubbers, I wouldn't put more than 2 too.
The way those sponges absorb is not as good as DHS blue sponge for example. So too much would destroy it.
of course drying time and what not, also plays a role.

and I wish you stay hydrated in that HOT and Humid club