Guide to Xiom rubbers
As I have mentioned in my previous writings, I consider XIOM’s offerings to be the most suitable when it comes to rubbers. Within the brand, there are four rubber families worth considering: Vega, Omega IV, Omega V, and Omega VII.
In addition to their many positive attributes, these rubbers are highly durable and offer excellent value for money. The only minor issue lies with the Omega VII series, which is priced almost at the level of Tenergy. I would only recommend this series if the Omega V rubbers prove to be too slow.
Within the mentioned series, the manufacturer provides many alternatives. For instance, if one version is just slightly slower than what you prefer, you can opt for the variant with a 2.5-degree harder sponge without altering other characteristics of the rubber. For example, if you find the Omega V Pro slightly lacking in speed, you can choose the 2.5-degree harder Omega V Asia.
The values shown in the tables are numerical representations of information provided by the manufacturer, sourced officially and not based on my subjective judgment.
I chose not to present the Vega and Omega families in the same table, as the manufacturer does not provide data for comparing the “Trajectory Curve” characteristic.
The table columns should be interpreted as follows:
- Name: Rubber name.
- Sponge Hardness: the sponge hardness is measured in degrees according to the international ESN scale. For us, the main thing to understand is that the harder the sponge, the faster the rubber.
- Trajectory curve: the higher the number, the better the rubber "grips" the ball, enabling higher-arc spins. This is typically a characteristic of forgiving and easy-to-handle rubbers. Lower numbers result in flatter, more challenging attacks for the opponent, but they are also harder to use effectively.
- Catapult effect: this essentially refers to how much the rubber propels the ball. With a high number, fast and spinny shots can be executed with minimal motion and effort. On the other hand, rubbers with a low catapult effect make it easier to handle the opponent’s shots and keep the ball in play. This is particularly helpful in close to table play, where a less bouncy rubber provides more control. Xiom ranks the level of catapult effect based on the technology used: a value of 1 represents Phsi Elasto, 2 stands for Hyper Elasto, 3 indicates Dynamic Friction, and 4 corresponds to Elasto Futura.
- Comments: additional notes without aiming for completeness.
| Name | Sponge hardness | Trajectory curve | Catapult effect | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vega Europe DF | 37.5 | 7 | 3 | |
| Vega Elite | 40.0 | 5 | 2 | |
| Vega Europe | 42.5 | 8 | 2 | Used by myself for competition |
| Vega Asia DF | 42.5 | 2 | 3 | |
| Vega SPO | 42.5 | - | - | Short pimple |
| Vega Tour | 45.0 | 3 | 4 | |
| Vega Japan | 45.0 | 9 | 2 | |
| Vega Korea | 45.0 | ? | 2 | Curve unknown |
| Vega X | 47.5 | 10 | 4 | |
| Vega Asia | 47.5 | 6 | 2 | |
| Vega Pro | 47.5 | 11 | 2 | If you aren't familiar with XIOM rubbers, try this first |
| Vega Intro | 47.5 | 4 | 1 | Made for beginners |
| Vega LPO | 47.5 | - | - | Long pimple |
| Vega China | 54.0 | 1 | 2 |
| Name | Sponge hardness | Trajectory curve | Catapult effect | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omega IV Elite | 40.0 | 1 | 2 | |
| Omega IV Euro | 42.5 | 1 | 2 | |
| Omega VII Euro | 42.5 | 3 | 4 | |
| Omega V Euro | 45.0 | 2 | 3 | |
| Omega IV Pro | 47.5 | 1 | 2 | |
| Omega IV Asia | 47.5 | 1 | 2 | Used by myself for a year |
| Omega V Pro | 47.5 | 2 | 2 | |
| Omega V Tour | 47.5 | 2 | 3 | |
| Omega VII Pro | 47.5 | 3 | 4 | |
| Omega V Asia | 50.0 | 2 | 3 | |
| Omega VII Asia | 52.5 | 3 | 4 | |
| Omega VII Tour | 55.0 | 3 | 4 | Rubber of Hugo Calderano |
| Omega VII China Guang | 55.0 | 3 | 4 |
As I wrote in the free ebook, the first two rubbers worth trying are the Vega Europe and the Vega Pro. The Europe is very slow and highly controllable, while the Pro is a slightly faster version. If the Pro also feels sluggish, I recommend purchasing the Omega V Pro and trying to adapt to its dynamics.
This article was written based on the manufacturer’s description, using the following websites:
English 
Magyar 
One Response
Hello, ez egy válasz.