Soft vs Hard Rubbers – Which One Gives Better Blade Feeling?

[r0b3rt0]

Hi everyone,

I have a question about rubber hardness and blade feeling, and I’d love to hear your opinions.

I’ve been using soft rubbers like Tenergy 05 FX and Stiga Calibra LT Sound because I enjoy the sound and the soft touch they give me. However, I’m starting to wonder if I’m actually missing out on the true feeling of the blade by using soft rubbers.

Do harder rubbers like Tenergy 05 or Tenergy 19 provide better feedback and allow you to feel the blade more clearly?

I play an allround style and value control and touch a lot, but I also want to make sure I’m getting the best feedback from my equipment.

Any thoughts or personal experiences would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

 

[Lazer]

No,
harder rubbers = you have to hit harder to feel the rubber.

Che
L-zr

Edit: should be blade not rubber…

 

[lodro]

No,
harder rubbers = you have to hit harder to feel the rubber.

Che
L-zr

.......who wants to feel the rubber ? One wants to feel the ball.
The softer the rubber the less one can feel the ball.

 

[mamedium]

 

[r0b3rt0]

.......who wants to feel the rubber ? One wants to feel the ball.
The softer the rubber the less one can feel the ball.

Thanks. This confirms what I was thinking.

 

[BlotOnPaper]

Thanks. This confirms what I was thinking.

It's really a matter of preference. Some people fell softer rubbers better, some people fell hard rubbers better. i'm deffinetely on harder rubbers side, but only thing that would help you is just buy hard rubber and try it on your trusted blade

 

[Gozo Aruna]

Hard rubber because it does not dampen unlike soft rubber, hence the vibration is passed through the blade surface to the handle to your prioreceptors in your hand, hence the feelings aka the tingles.

 

[lodro]

but only thing that would help you is just buy hard rubber and try it on your trusted blade

Now that IS good advise

 

[Lazer]

.......who wants to feel the rubber ? One wants to feel the ball.
The softer the rubber the less one can feel the ball.

Haha, to feel the blade you need to hit through the rubber…

 

[Topspinslinger]

Depends on the person and blade, whenever I use a thick (6mm+) offensive 5 ply softer rubbers on backhand make me feel the ball better. While on 7 ply or inner carbon I like harder rubbers.

Forehand is easy. Hard hybrid rubbers are great, there is a reason a lot of people use it.
Some shots you just can't do with softer rubbers but we are talking about 'feeling'🤷🤷

 

[Egon]

The best blade feel can only be achieved with a rubber set that is compatible with the blade.

 

[lodro]

Haha, to feel the blade you need to hit through the rubber…

I really don't want to feel the blade or the rubber , it is the ball that I want to """ manipulate"""

 

[Metaxa]

It's really a matter of preference. Some people fell softer rubbers better, some people fell hard rubbers better. i'm deffinetely on harder rubbers side, but only thing that would help you is just buy hard rubber and try it on your trusted blade

Yes indeed. But it's a bit strange. I prefer soft rubbers, then I feel the ball better as it goes "deeper" into the rubber. With harder rubbers, the ball does not go as far into the rubber, jumps away faster and the feeling is gone with me.

 

[Tyce]

It depends on what feeling you're looking for.

Hard rubber transfers vibration better in general, giving your hands an indication of the impact.

Softer rubber will give you good feedback on how much you engage the sponge and topsheet, as well as let you know when you are bottoming out:
Light touch, you only feel rubber
Medium touch, you feel engagement, grab, stretch
Hard touch, you feel the blade.

 

[latej]

Do harder rubbers like Tenergy 05 or Tenergy 19 provide better feedback and allow you to feel the blade more clearly?

I play an allround style and value control and touch a lot, but I also want to make sure I’m getting the best feedback from my equipment.

Any thoughts or personal experiences would be greatly appreciated!

Feeling is good, but playing is more important ;-) Let me explain... If the rubber is too soft, then on harder shots (which for most people is more achievable on the FH), the rubber will "bottom-out", and the ball will go too low/straight, it will not make the arc you need, it will go out, or over net out. Harder rubber will give you "safety" in such shots. On the other hand, if the rubber is too hard, you can't easily grab the ball, especially on low-power shots, or simply because on the BH (for most people I'd say) you don't mostly play with such power, and softer rubber grabs it better, makes better spin, and is actually safer... Now what is too hard and too soft in both those situation is completely personal... And whole that is personal too, I know people who prefer softer rubbers, you'll not be able to convince them a bit harder would help ;-)

 

[Tyce]

Continuing my own train of thought:

I'd say a rubber is too soft if you get the grabby-type feedback on good and bad shots, and a medium power shot already shows signs of bottoming out.
At this point the rubber doesn't help to discern good shots from bad shots and it's severely limiting your power.

In contrast, a rubber is too hard if you can't feel it grabbing the ball on medium power shots. It will still give you the feedback of hitting the sweet spot (or not) but you're basically playing with the topsheet alone at this point.

BEWARE, IMPORTANT!
The blade is an important factor here! Rubbers can feel quite different on different blades. A harder blade can make softer rubber feel more bouncy, while a stiff construction behind a harder rubber can allow you to hit through the rubber easier. Just some examples to demonstrate how the blade is an important factor here.

 

[Lazer]

I really don't want to feel the blade or the rubber , it is the ball that I want to """ manipulate"""

I don’t a s—t what you want. The OP wanted to feel the blade…

 

[lodro]

I don’t a s—t what you want. The OP wanted to feel the blade…

I am not here to fulfill neither the OPs or your feelings 😂 😂

 

[Lazer]

I am not here to fulfill neither the OPs or your feelings 😂 😂

No it look like you are here to harass people…

 

[TTFrenzy]

I am not here to fulfill neither the OPs or your feelings 😂 😂

ur just an ignorant little kid. u must try harder to troll us.