DONIC VARIO

Description DONIC VARIO

Donic Vario – is a table tennis rubber with inverted pimples, designed for versatile and attacking players (ALL+, OFF-, OFF) seeking flexibility and reliability. With a medium-hard sponge (~45°–50°, Medium), a spin-elastic topsheet, and technology tested in the market for over 30 years, Vario provides high spin, controlled speed, and good control. ITTF approved, made in Germany, it is one of the best-selling Donic rubbers worldwide, suitable for various playing styles due to its versatility, durability, and availability in different sponge thicknesses.

Main features:

• Rubber type: Inverted pimples

• Speed: 95

• Spin: 94

• Control: 90

• High tension: No

• Tackiness: Non-tacky

• Strategy: ALL+, OFF-, OFF

• Surface: Spin-elastic, very grippy

• Sponge hardness: Medium (~45°–50°, Medium)

• Sponge thickness: 1.5 mm, 1.8 mm, 2.0 mm, Max

• Colors: Red, black

• Country of origin: Germany

• Approval: ITTF approved

Donic Vario features a flexible construction adapted for various playing styles:

• Sponge (medium hardness): Medium hardness sponge (~45°–50°, Medium) with fine-pored structure provides a balanced catapult effect, stable response, and good dwell time. Compared to Donic Sonex JP Gold (~40°–45°, Medium) or Donic Twingo Plus (~45°–50°, Medium), Vario’s sponge is of similar hardness but more elastic than Twingo Plus, close to Donic Liga Plus (~45). Sponge thicknesses (1.5 mm, 1.8 mm, 2.0 mm, Max) allow customization for different styles: 1.5 mm suits ALL+ players, 2.0 mm and Max suit OFF- and OFF players. The structure is optimized for topspin strokes, blocking, and spin shots.

• Topsheet: Spin-elastic topsheet, very grippy, non-tacky, ensures high spin especially in topspin and backspin strokes. The topsheet is grippier than Twingo Plus but less tacky than Slice 40 CS or BlueGrip series, suitable for 40+ plastic balls. Durability is about ~100–120 hours of medium play, requiring regular cleaning with Donic cleaner.

• Vario technology: Technology refined over 30+ years, ensuring versatility, reliability, and durability. Unlike FAKTIS (Quattro series) or New Formula Technology (Sonex JP Gold), Vario focuses on flexibility, allowing the rubber to suit various styles without the quick glue effect, maintaining stability.

• Medium-high trajectory arc: Vario generates a medium-high, controlled flight arc facilitating topspin strokes, blocking, and spin shots. The arc is lower than Slice 40 CS or Quattro A’Conda Soft but higher than Sonex JP Gold, suitable for close-to-the-table and mid-distance play.

• Sensitivity to spin: Due to medium-hard sponge and grippy topsheet, the rubber is moderately sensitive to incoming spin, allowing easy blocking of spin shots but requires technique against strong looping strokes.

The rubber weighs about 40–45 g (trimmed, 2.0 mm thickness), similar in weight to Sonex JP Gold (~42–47 g) but heavier than Slice 40 CS (~35–40 g), suitable for balanced blades. Available in red and black colors complying with ITTF rules. Recommended water-based glues (e.g., Donic Vario) and protective films.

Donic Vario has these technical specs:

• Speed: 95 (controlled). The rubber is fast, suitable for topspin shots, smashes, and blocking. Speed is lower than Sonex JP Gold (100) or Bluefire M1 (110) but higher than Slice 40 CS (92) or Twingo Plus (~84). Some sources rate speed as 8/10, others 95/120.

• Spin: 94 (high). Due to the spin-elastic topsheet, it generates strong spin in topspin strokes, serves, and backspin strokes. Spin is lower than Slice 40 CS (125) or Quattro A’Conda Soft (100), but higher than Twingo Plus (~90). Some sources rate spin as 8+/10, others 94/120.

• Control: 90 (high). Offers good control especially in blocking and precise shots due to the medium-hard sponge. Control is lower than Slice 40 CD (102) or Twingo Plus (~97), but higher than Bluefire M1 (85). Some sources rate control as 7/10, others 90/120.

Trajectory: Medium-high, controlled flight arc, suitable for topspin strokes, blocking, and spin shots. Users praise “versatility,” “spin,” and “durability,” but note the rubber may be too fast for beginners or requires technique for looping strokes.

Donic Vario suits all-round and attacking blades:

• Donic Waldner Exclusive AR+: Balances speed and control, suitable for ALL+ players.

• Stiga Offensive Classic: Emphasizes speed, suitable for OFF- players.

• Butterfly Primorac OFF: Provides control, suitable for OFF- players.

• Tibhar Stratus Powerwood: Maximizes dynamics, suitable for OFF players.

• Donic Persson Powerplay: Harmonizes spin and speed, suitable for OFF players.

The rubber pairs best with ALL+, OFF-, OFF blades as sponge and topsheet utilize blade speed and stability. Suitable for forehand or backhand, especially players seeking versatility.

Donic Vario is designed for players seeking flexibility and versatility:

• All-round and attacking players (ALL+, OFF-, OFF) looking for a combination of speed, spin, and control.

• Spin and fast play, suitable for forehand or backhand, especially topspin strokes, smashes, and blocking.

• Close-to-the-table and mid-distance play: effective in topspin strokes, blocking, smashes, and serves.

• Serves and receive: Elastic topsheet allows generating spin serves, sponge ensures precise returns.

• Topspin strokes: High spin and speed fit topspin attacks.

• Blocking: Good control, especially close to the table, suitable to disturb opponents.

The rubber is effective in topspin strokes (9.3/10), blocking (9.2/10), serves (9.1/10), smashes (9.0/10), and serve returns (8.9/10). Looping strokes (8.7/10) and long-distance play (8.5/10) require technique due to speed. Users highlight “versatility,” “spin,” and “durability.”

• Speed (95), controlled, suitable for offense and all-round play.

• Spin (94), high, effective in topspin strokes and serves.

• Control (90), high, suitable for blocking and precise shots.

• Topsheet: Spin-elastic, very grippy, durable (~100–120 hours).

• Sponge: Medium-hard, balanced feel.

• Versatility: Suitable for various styles (ALL+, OFF-, OFF).

• Durability: Reliable over time.

• Affordable price: Good value for money.

• Control for beginners: May be too fast for lower-level players.

• Technique requirement: Needs technique for looping strokes and long-distance play.

• Spin sensitivity: Moderately sensitive to strong looping spins.

• No glue effect: Less dynamic than rubbers with New Formula Technology.

ITTF approved, competition-legal. Donic Vario is one of the best-selling rubbers globally due to its versatility, spin, and durability. Effective against 40+ plastic balls, offers stability in topspin, blocking, and spin shots. Suitable for forehand or backhand, especially for players seeking flexible play.

• “Versatile rubber, excellent spin and control. Suitable for OFF- players!” (2024, revspin.net)

• “Using with Stiga Offensive Classic, fast and reliable. Long-lasting!” (2023, tabletennis11.com)

• “Good price, spin, and speed. Requires technique for looping strokes.” (2022, tabletennisdb.com)

Donic Vario is a flexible, versatile rubber, tested on the market for over 30 years, offering high spin, controlled speed, and reliability. Ideal for all-round and attacking players,