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Xiom Vega Hybrid Rubbers
https://imgur.com/1z6j4dX
Hardness: Europe = 45 degrees, Pro = 47.5 degrees, Asia = 50 degrees
Speed: Pro > Asia > Europe
Spin: Asia > Pro > Europe
Control: Europe > Pro > Asia
Weight: Europe = 70 grams, Pro = 73 grams, Asia = 74 grams (all uncut weights).
The Xiom Vega series have been the go-to rubbers for players since its conception in the late 2000’s. From the Vega Pro around 2008 or 2009 to the Vega X a few years ago to then the new Vega Hybrid versions of this series, the Vega series offers the best selection of rubbers specific for each need of a player. The selling point of these rubbers are that they are priced-mid range and that they offer better spin due to their semi-tacky surfaces.
I will discuss the rubbers and compare them one by one. The differences in weight, performance and their expected playstyle are the ones that I give emphases to distinguish them from each other. All Vega Hybrid rubbers have a slightly tacky topsheet. The topsheet of each variant have the same amount of tackiness. The tackiness of the Vega Hybrids is tacky enough to let a wax paper covering stick to its surface but not enough for non-sticky plastic coverings to adhere. I tried sticky a non-sticky plastic on it after playing a few hours but it is not a as tacky as the Vega China or Tau 2 rubbers. The tackiness of the surface produces tons of spin compared to the other older Vega series. I believe the upgrade of the tackiness of the topsheets are very much needed due to the newer ball. The older Vega rubbers such as the Vega Pro and Vega X rubbers needs an upgrade in spin production because of the ball material change and I believe that Xiom made a good decision to produce slightly tacky rubbers to address the need of extra spin nowadays.
In terms of spin generation, the Asia version having the hardest sponge has the highest potential spin among the 3 variants. The Europe version is the easiest to spin with since the softer sponge makes it easier to sink the ball into the topsheet and sponge. The Pro version is also spinny but does not bottom out easily compared to Europe version. The Asia version is well-suited for players who brush the ball a lot or who have been used to traditional Chinese rubbers who rely more on brush contact to loop the ball. These Vega Hybrid rubbers can be as spinny as the newer Chinese rubbers in the market.
In terms of speed, the Vega H Europe is easily the bounciest at first because the soft sponge reacts easily if you compress ball against the sponge. No wonder beginners and intermediate players love the Vega H Europe version because it is the easiest to spin with and also that they do not find it slow because of the reactive soft sponge (45 degrees hardness). The Vega H Pro is the bounciest in terms of speed. The Vega Europe has a ceiling on its speed due to its soft sponge while the Vega H Pro has a higher potential for speed. It is fast enough to be a forehand rubber for an advanced-level player but also the amount of spin exceeds that of an ordinary ESN rubber. The 47.5-degree sponge hardness offers enough hardness for attacking but at the same time maintains good control and ensures you can brush the ball thinly or with total compression of the sponge. The Vega H Asia on the other hand acts like a faster and modern Chinese rubber. The hard sponge of 50 degrees has a higher potential for speed if you can hit through the sponge deeply on stronger shots. I am quite biased with the Vega H Asia as both forehand and backhand rubbers. I usually use Chinese rubbers on both sides if I play matches and with the Hybrid Asia version, I only had minor adjustments with the speed because the rubber variant has really good control while not loosing too much spin if you transfer from a sticky Chinese rubber to this hybrid rubber that offers better spin and sponge engagement.
All in all, the Vega Hybrid rubbers are the best mid-range priced rubbers in terms of performance. The prices are comparable to lower priced ESN rubbers but offer more spin. Xiom has recognized the need for extra spin because of the needs of the players that do not want a very expensive rubber yet will offer high performance with today’s game.
https://imgur.com/1z6j4dX
Hardness: Europe = 45 degrees, Pro = 47.5 degrees, Asia = 50 degrees
Speed: Pro > Asia > Europe
Spin: Asia > Pro > Europe
Control: Europe > Pro > Asia
Weight: Europe = 70 grams, Pro = 73 grams, Asia = 74 grams (all uncut weights).
The Xiom Vega series have been the go-to rubbers for players since its conception in the late 2000’s. From the Vega Pro around 2008 or 2009 to the Vega X a few years ago to then the new Vega Hybrid versions of this series, the Vega series offers the best selection of rubbers specific for each need of a player. The selling point of these rubbers are that they are priced-mid range and that they offer better spin due to their semi-tacky surfaces.
I will discuss the rubbers and compare them one by one. The differences in weight, performance and their expected playstyle are the ones that I give emphases to distinguish them from each other. All Vega Hybrid rubbers have a slightly tacky topsheet. The topsheet of each variant have the same amount of tackiness. The tackiness of the Vega Hybrids is tacky enough to let a wax paper covering stick to its surface but not enough for non-sticky plastic coverings to adhere. I tried sticky a non-sticky plastic on it after playing a few hours but it is not a as tacky as the Vega China or Tau 2 rubbers. The tackiness of the surface produces tons of spin compared to the other older Vega series. I believe the upgrade of the tackiness of the topsheets are very much needed due to the newer ball. The older Vega rubbers such as the Vega Pro and Vega X rubbers needs an upgrade in spin production because of the ball material change and I believe that Xiom made a good decision to produce slightly tacky rubbers to address the need of extra spin nowadays.
In terms of spin generation, the Asia version having the hardest sponge has the highest potential spin among the 3 variants. The Europe version is the easiest to spin with since the softer sponge makes it easier to sink the ball into the topsheet and sponge. The Pro version is also spinny but does not bottom out easily compared to Europe version. The Asia version is well-suited for players who brush the ball a lot or who have been used to traditional Chinese rubbers who rely more on brush contact to loop the ball. These Vega Hybrid rubbers can be as spinny as the newer Chinese rubbers in the market.
In terms of speed, the Vega H Europe is easily the bounciest at first because the soft sponge reacts easily if you compress ball against the sponge. No wonder beginners and intermediate players love the Vega H Europe version because it is the easiest to spin with and also that they do not find it slow because of the reactive soft sponge (45 degrees hardness). The Vega H Pro is the bounciest in terms of speed. The Vega Europe has a ceiling on its speed due to its soft sponge while the Vega H Pro has a higher potential for speed. It is fast enough to be a forehand rubber for an advanced-level player but also the amount of spin exceeds that of an ordinary ESN rubber. The 47.5-degree sponge hardness offers enough hardness for attacking but at the same time maintains good control and ensures you can brush the ball thinly or with total compression of the sponge. The Vega H Asia on the other hand acts like a faster and modern Chinese rubber. The hard sponge of 50 degrees has a higher potential for speed if you can hit through the sponge deeply on stronger shots. I am quite biased with the Vega H Asia as both forehand and backhand rubbers. I usually use Chinese rubbers on both sides if I play matches and with the Hybrid Asia version, I only had minor adjustments with the speed because the rubber variant has really good control while not loosing too much spin if you transfer from a sticky Chinese rubber to this hybrid rubber that offers better spin and sponge engagement.
All in all, the Vega Hybrid rubbers are the best mid-range priced rubbers in terms of performance. The prices are comparable to lower priced ESN rubbers but offer more spin. Xiom has recognized the need for extra spin because of the needs of the players that do not want a very expensive rubber yet will offer high performance with today’s game.
