Cheapest but decent first defence setup

[CyNyC]

I agree regarding MarkV sponge as too stiff.

In the next round of "spending money on TT stuff for my son" I'll ask here what kind of rubbers I can add to cart.
Specifications are: soft, easy, durable, cheap.
Get prepared

 

[Tyce]

Gewo mega flex control

 

[HerveMasson]

Any 5 plywood, double victas regular alpha 1.5mm or 1.8 and allround Def play you'll be.

 

[CyNyC]

Gewo mega flex control

Ok, thank you for the advice.
But generally speaking aside from models, for chop defence + few "attacking" topspin, low or high mm rubbers?

 

[Tyce]

Ok, thank you for the advice.
But generally speaking aside from models, for chop defence + few "attacking" topspin, low or high mm rubbers?

I would advise 1.5 or 1.3 to chop with, but if you want to be versatile and attack well, you might want to get slightly more.
Also I advised the specific model because of a club mate who does exactly what you describe. He chops both sides, until he gets a great opportunity to place an attack where the opponent isn't.

 

[ZFT]

You’ll need to try and get feedback from your son, though most likely it will involve some trial and error.

I’d avoid going too cheap or unknown no matter how highly recommended, as those options have little resale value.

Have a look around your local playing venue(s), see which of the following setups seem most popular/common, and buy both rubbers together in the same colour:

Rakza 7 / Rakza 7 Soft
Vega Pro / Vega Europe
Fastarc G1 / C1 (maybe S1, it’s so-so)
V>15 / V>11
Barracuda / Barracuda Big Slam
etc

Test both on the same blade and stick with the one your son prefers and sell off the other one.

For best resale value, try to stay close to 2.0mm. That said, I understand chopping may work better with something under 1.8mm. You’ll need to make an executive decision: save money by having better resale value or “hopefully” go for the more suitable playing experience. I know which way I would choose.

Finally, one awesome advantage of a defensive blade is the larger surface area, which makes it easy to trim down to the standard attacker’s headsize.

 

[CyNyC]

Hello ZFT, thanks for advice.

To be clear (as I read a bit misunderstanding), with my "spending money on TT stuff for my son", I just meant that next time I would spend money on new stuff for him (which happens evey 3 months), I will also buy the 2 defence rubbers; no hurry.

My son is doing his own development path, helped by the coach. I'm not interfering, we have different gear and 2 different budget (he 80% - me 20% as I have no hope, better spend on him )

For my defence setup I'm not thinking about reselling value, I just want to buy something "good" to have fun with and that will last long.
Guess I'll go with 1.8 FH and 1.5 BH.