DONIC VARIO SOFT

Donic Vario Soft – is a table tennis rubber with inverted pimples, designed for all-round and controlled attacking players (ALL, ALL+, OFF-), as well as defensive players using a thinner sponge. With a soft sponge (~40°–45°, Soft), a spin-elastic topsheet identical to Donic Vario, and the Vario technology tested on the market for over 30 years, Vario Soft ensures very good control, medium speed, and high spin. ITTF approved, made in Germany, it is a pioneer of the soft generation, suitable for various playing styles due to its flexibility, reliability, and durability.

Main features:

• Rubber type: Inverted pimples

• Speed: 93

• Spin: 94

• Control: 91

• High tension: No

• Tackiness: Non-tacky

• Strategy: ALL, ALL+, OFF-, DEF (with thinner sponge)

• Surface: Spin-elastic, very grippy

• Sponge hardness: Soft (~40°–45°, Soft)

• Sponge thickness: 1.2 mm, 1.5 mm, 1.8 mm, 2.0 mm, Max

• Colors: Red, black

• Country of origin: Germany

• Approval: ITTF approved

Donic Vario Soft features a softer construction compared to Donic Vario, adapted for control and versatility:

• Sponge (soft): The soft sponge (~40°–45°, Soft) with fine-pore structure provides longer dwell time, a gentle catapult effect, and high control. Compared to Donic Vario (~45°–50°, Medium) or Donic Vario Big Slam (~35°, Soft), the Vario Soft sponge is softer than Vario but firmer than Vario Big Slam, close to Donic Sonex JP Gold (~40°–45°, Medium). Sponge thickness (1.2 mm, 1.5 mm, 1.8 mm, 2.0 mm, Max) allows adjusting the rubber for different styles: 1.2 mm and 1.5 mm suit DEF and ALL players, 1.8 mm and 2.0 mm suit ALL+ players, Max suits OFF- players. The structure is optimized for blocking, topspin, and backspin strokes.

• Topsheet: The spin-elastic topsheet, very grippy (grippy), non-tacky, identical to Donic Vario, ensures high spin in topspin and backspin shots. The topsheet is grippier than Twingo Plus but less sticky than Slice 40 CS or BlueGrip series, suitable for 40+ plastic balls. Durability reaches ~100–120 hours of average play, requiring regular cleaning with Donic cleaner.

• Vario technology: Developed over more than 30 years, ensuring versatility, reliability, and durability. Unlike Formula DONIC (Vario Big Slam) or Starter Technology (Twingo Plus), Vario Soft focuses on softness and control, without the fast glue effect, maintaining stability for various styles.

• Medium-high trajectory arc: Vario Soft generates a medium-high, controlled flight arc, facilitating topspin, backspin, and blocking shots. The arc is higher than Vario but lower than Vario Big Slam or Slice 40 CS, suitable for close-to-the-table and mid-distance play.

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

The rubber weighs about 38–43 g (trimmed, 2.0 mm thickness), lighter than Sonex JP Gold (~42–47 g) or Vario (~40–45 g), similar weight to Vario Big Slam (~38–43 g), suitable for light rackets. Offered in red and black colors, conforming to ITTF rules. Recommended water-based glues (e.g., Donic Vario) and protective film.

Donic Vario Soft technical indicators:

• Speed: 93 (medium). The rubber is medium-speed, suitable for topspin, blocking, and backspin shots. Speed is lower than Vario (95) or Vario Big Slam (96), but higher than Twingo Plus (~84) or Slice 40 CS (92). In some sources, speed is rated 7+/10, elsewhere 93/120.

• Spin: 94 (high). Due to the identical spin-elastic topsheet, the rubber generates strong spin in topspin, backspin, and serves. Spin is the same as Vario (94), lower than Vario Big Slam (100) or Slice 40 CS (125). Some sources rate spin 8+/10, others 94/120.

• Control: 91 (high). The rubber offers very good control, especially in blocking and precise shots, thanks to the soft sponge. Control is higher than Vario (90) but lower than Vario Big Slam (99) or Twingo Plus (~97). Some sources rate control 8/10, others 91/120.

Trajectory: Medium-high, controlled flight arc, suitable for topspin, backspin, and blocking. Users praise “control,” “spin,” and “flexibility,” but note that the rubber can be too slow for aggressive attacking players.

Donic Vario Soft is suitable for all-round, defensive, and controlled attacking strokes:

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

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

• Butterfly Addoy P3: Maximizes control, suitable for DEF players.

• Yasaka Sweden Classic: Emphasizes spin, suitable for DEF players.

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

The rubber pairs best with DEF, ALL, ALL+, OFF- blades, as the soft sponge and grippy topsheet exploit the blade stability. Suitable for forehand or backhand sides, especially players who value control and spin.

Donic Vario Soft is designed for players seeking control and versatility:

• All-round and controlled attacking players (ALL, ALL+, OFF-), as well as defensive players (DEF) with a thinner sponge, looking for spin and control.

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

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

• Serves and receive: The grippy topsheet allows generating spin serves, and the soft sponge ensures precise returns.

• Topspin shots: High spin suits controlled topspin attacks.

• Blocking: Very good control, suitable for disrupting opponents.

The rubber is effective in blocking (9.4/10), topspin (9.2/10), backspin (9.1/10), serves (9.0/10), and serve return (8.9/10). Looping shots (8.6/10) and shots (8.4/10) are limited by speed, unsuitable for aggressive OFF+ players. Users emphasize “control,” “spin,” and “flexibility.”

• Speed (93), medium, suitable for all-round play.

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

• Control (91), high, suitable for blocking and precise shots.

• Topsheet: Spin-elastic, very grippy, identical to Vario.

• Sponge: Soft (~40°–45°), long dwell time, great feel.

• Versatility: Suitable for DEF, ALL, ALL+, OFF- styles.

• Durability: Reliable ~100–120 hours.

• Affordable price: Good value for money.

• Limited speed: Not suitable for aggressive OFF+ players.

• Technique requirement: Technique needed for looping and long-distance shots.

• Spin sensitivity: Low sensitivity but requires precision against strong looping shots.

• No glue effect: Less dynamic than Vario Big Slam.

ITTF approved, suitable for competitions. Donic Vario Soft is popular among all-round, defensive, and controlled attacking players for its control, spin, and flexibility. Effective against 40+ plastic balls, offering stability in topspin, backspin, and blocking. Suitable for forehand or backhand sides, especially those valuing soft rubbers and control.

• “Excellent control and spin, suitable for ALL+ players. Soft and reliable!” (2024, revspin.net)

• “Using with Donic Appelgren Allplay, easy to block and spin. Good price!” (2023, tabletennis11.com)

• “Compared to Vario, softer and more controllable, but slower.” (2022, tabletennisdb.com)

Donic Vario Soft is a pioneer of the soft generation, offering high control, spin, and flexibility, tested over 30 years. Perfect for all-round, defensive, and controlled attacking players, it ensures reliability and durability. An excellent choice, Donic Vario Soft is a true champion of control and versatility!