DONIC VARIO BIG SLAM

Donic Vario Big Slam – is a table tennis rubber with inverted pimples, designed for players who like to play with high spin and rotation, and for those transitioning from classic soft to medium-hard rubbers with DONIC FORMULA technology. With an ultra-soft sponge (~35°, Soft), spin-elastic topsheet, and Formula DONIC technology featuring built-in speed glue effect, Vario Big Slam ensures high control, excellent grip, and exceptional feel accompanied by a pleasant sound. ITTF approved, manufactured in Germany for the first time in the Vario series, this rubber suits all-round and offensive players (ALL, ALL+, OFF-) seeking versatility, durability, and spin characteristics.

Main features:

• Rubber type: Inverted pimples (inverted)

• Speed: 96

• Spin: 100

• Control: 99

• High tension: Yes (Formula DONIC, speed glue effect)

• Tacky: Non-tacky

• Strategy: ALL, ALL+, OFF-

• Surface: Spin-elastic, very grippy

• Sponge hardness: Ultra-soft (~35°, Soft)

• Sponge thickness: 1.8 mm, 2.0 mm, Max

• Colors: Red, black

• Country of origin: Germany

• Approvals: ITTF approved

Donic Vario Big Slam features a soft construction optimized for spin and control balance:

• Sponge (ultra-soft): Ultra-soft sponge (~35°, Soft) with fine-pored structure provides long dwell time, strong catapult effect, and excellent feel. Compared to Donic Vario (~45°–50°, Medium) or Donic Twingo Plus (~45°–50°, Medium), the Vario Big Slam sponge is significantly softer, close to Donic Quattro (~35°–40°, Soft), but with a speed glue effect. Sponge thickness (1.8 mm, 2.0 mm, Max) adapts to different styles: 1.8 mm suits ALL players, 2.0 mm and Max – OFF- players seeking more speed. Structure optimized for topspin strokes, backspin strokes, and blocking.

• Topsheet: Spin-elastic topsheet, very grippy, non-tacky, ensures maximum spin in topspin and backspin strokes. The topsheet is grippier than Twingo Plus or Vario but less sticky than Slice 40 CS or BlueGrip series, suitable for 40+ plastic balls. Durability lasts ~80–100 hours of intense play, requires regular cleaning with Donic cleaner.

• Formula DONIC technology: Introduced for the first time in the Vario series, technology with built-in speed glue effect, providing dynamics, spin, and pleasant sound. Unlike Classic Technology (Vario) or Starter Technology (Twingo Plus), Formula DONIC emphasizes softness and spin characteristics while maintaining high control, necessary after the speed glue ban.

• High trajectory: Vario Big Slam generates a high, controlled trajectory arc, facilitating topspin, backspin strokes, and blocking. The arc is higher than Vario or Sonex JP Gold, similar to Baracuda Big Slam, suitable for close-to-the-table and mid-distance play.

• Spin sensitivity: Due to the ultra-soft sponge and grippy topsheet, the rubber is low sensitive to incoming spin, allowing easy blocking of spin shots but requiring technique against strong looping shots.

The rubber weighs about 38–43 g (trimmed, 2.0 mm thick), lighter than Sonex JP Gold (~42–47 g) or Vario (~40–45 g), suitable for light paddles. Available in red and black colors complying with ITTF rules. Recommended water-based glue (e.g., Donic Vario) and protective film.

Speed, spin, and control

Donic Vario Big Slam technical ratings:

• Speed: 96 (controlled). The rubber is fast, suitable for topspin, smashes, and blocking. Speed is similar to Vario (95) but higher than Twingo Plus (~84) or Slice 40 CS (92), lower than Sonex JP Gold (100). Some sources rate speed as 8/10, others as 96/120.

• Spin: 100 (high). Due to spin-elastic topsheet and Formula DONIC, the rubber generates strong spin on topspin, backspin strokes, and serves. Spin is higher than Vario (94) or Twingo Plus (~90), similar to Sonex JP Gold (100). Some sources rate spin as 10+/10, others as 100/120.

• Control: 99 (high). The rubber offers exceptional control, especially in blocking and precise strokes due to the ultra-soft sponge. Control is higher than Vario (90) or Sonex JP Gold (93), similar to Twingo Plus (~97). Some sources rate control as 8/10, others as 99/120.

• Trajectory: High, controlled flight arc, suitable for topspin, backspin, and blocking. Users praise “excellent feel,” “spin,” and “pleasant sound,” but note the rubber can be too soft for advanced offensive players.

Blade compatibility

Donic Vario Big Slam suits all-round and offensive blades:

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

• Stiga Allround Classic: Provides stability, suitable for ALL players.

• Butterfly Primorac OFF: Emphasizes speed, suitable for OFF- players.

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

• Donic Appelgren Allplay: Harmonizes spin, suitable for ALL+ players.

The rubber works best with ALL, ALL+, OFF- blades, as the soft sponge and grippy topsheet exploit blade stability and elasticity. Suitable for forehand or backhand, especially for players valuing spin and feel.

Suitability and playing style

Donic Vario Big Slam is intended for players seeking spin and control:

• Spin players (ALL, ALL+, OFF-) who enjoy topspin and backspin strokes and those transitioning to DONIC FORMULA rubbers.

• Spin and controlled play, suitable for forehand or backhand, especially topspin, backspin, and blocking.

• Close-to-the-table and mid-distance play: Effective for topspin, blocking, serves, and backspin strokes.

• Serves and returns: Grippy topsheet allows generating spin serves, and soft sponge ensures precise returns.

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

• Blocking: Exceptional control and spin insensitivity, suitable to disrupt opponents.

The rubber is effective in topspin (9.5/10), backspin (9.4/10), blocking (9.3/10), serves (9.2/10), and returns (9.1/10). Looping (8.8/10) and smashes (8.6/10) are limited by softness, unsuitable for aggressive OFF+ players. Users highlight “spin,” “control,” and “sound.”

Advantages

• Speed (96), controlled, suitable for all-round offense.

• Spin (100), high, effective in topspin and backspin.

• Control (99), high, suitable for blocking and precise shots.

• Topsheet: Spin-elastic, very grippy, excellent feel.

• Sponge: Ultra-soft (~35°), long dwell time, pleasant sound.

• Versatility: Fits ALL, ALL+, OFF- styles.

• Formula DONIC: Speed glue effect, dynamics, and spin.

• Durability: Reliable ~80–100 hours.

• Affordable price: Good price-quality ratio.

Disadvantages

• Softness: Too soft for aggressive OFF+ players.

• Technique demand: Requires technique for looping and distant shots.

• Spin sensitivity: Low sensitivity, but demands accuracy against strong looping shots.

• Durability: Topsheet wears faster than harder rubbers (~80–100 hours).

Competition performance

ITTF approved, suitable for competition. Donic Vario Big Slam is popular among all-round and offensive players for its spin, control, and pleasant sound. Effective against 40+ plastic balls, offering dynamics in topspin, backspin, and blocking. Suitable for forehand or backhand, especially for those who value soft rubbers and spin strokes.

User reviews

• “Excellent spin and control, pleasant sound. Perfect for ALL+ players!” (2024, revspin.net)

• “Using it with Stiga Allround Classic, great feel and spin, but too soft for smashes.” (2023, tabletennis11.com)

• “Good rubber transitioning to Formula DONIC, easy to block and spin.” (2022, amazon.co.uk)

Why choose Donic Vario Big Slam?

Donic Vario Big Slam is a soft, versatile rubber with Formula DONIC technology, offering high spin, exceptional control, and excellent feel. Manufactured in Germany for the first time in the Vario series, it is an ideal choice for spin players transitioning to modern rubbers. A great pick, Donic Vario Big Slam is a true champion of spin and feel.