Nittaku Moristo DF

Description Nittaku Moristo DF

Nittaku Moristo DF is a high-quality table tennis rubber with pimples-in (inverted) designed by the Japanese manufacturer Nittaku and produced in Germany. It is intended for defensive players aiming for strong backspin and balanced offense. This rubber uses TENSION technology, which enhances spin potential while providing a stable and controllable ball flight. Approved by ITTF and JTTA, Moristo DF is an ideal choice for players who want to combine defensive play with the ability to execute precise offensive strokes. Thanks to its tacky, sticky surface and soft sponge, the rubber offers high spin and control, suitable for classic defensive play close to the table as well as for all-round players balancing defense and offense.

• Rubber type: Pimples-in (inverted)

• Speed: 11.75/20

• Spin: 11/20

• Sponge hardness: 30° (soft, close to 40° on ESN scale)

• Sponge thickness: 1.2 mm, 1.4 mm, 1.8 mm

• Colors: Red, black

• Country of origin: Germany

• Approvals: ITTF and JTTA approved

• Weight: ~45 g (untrimmed, 180x170 mm), ~32 g (trimmed, 157x150 mm)

• Technologies: TENSION system, tacky sticky surface

Key features:

• Sponge (30°): The soft sponge (30° on Nittaku scale, ~40° on ESN scale), made in Germany, has a fine-pored structure ensuring excellent ball rebound and catapult effect. It absorbs incoming energy and allows precise control, especially for backspin pushes and defensive chopping. Compared to other defensive rubbers like Butterfly Tackiness Chop (30°), Moristo DF’s sponge is more dynamic, offering more speed on offensive strokes while maintaining high control.

• Surface: The tacky, highly sticky surface is optimized for strong spin (11/20), especially on backspin strokes. TENSION technology increases the surface elasticity, allowing for greater spin and stability compared to traditional defensive rubbers. The surface is thin, giving a “sharp” feel and strong feedback from the blade, important for precise defensive chopping and topspin shots. Compared to Nittaku Hurricane Pro III Turbo Orange, Moristo DF’s surface is less sticky but more forgiving and easier to control.

• TENSION technology: This Nittaku technology increases rubber elasticity, providing extra speed (11.75/20) and spin without added boosters. The TENSION system ensures balanced stroke feel, allowing players to finely adjust stroke power and spin, especially in backspin pushes, topspins, and blocks.

• Lightweight: Moristo DF is relatively light (~32 g trimmed), lighter than most pimples-in rubbers like Tenergy 80 FX (~37 g). This lightness allows pairing the rubber with heavier blades like Butterfly Diode V without losing racket balance.

Thickness options:

• 1.2 mm for maximum control and defensive chopping techniques

• 1.4 mm for balanced defensive and offensive play

• 1.8 mm for more aggressive attacks while maintaining defensive stability

Colors (red and black) conform to ITTF standards. Nittaku recommends using water-based glues like Nittaku Fine Zip for mounting the rubber.

Performance ratings:

• Speed (11.75/20): Medium speed, suitable for defensive chopping, backspin pushes, and precise offensive attacks. Compared to short pimple rubbers like Moristo SP (12.5/20), Moristo DF is slightly slower but offers more spin and control. Compared to Butterfly Tackiness Chop (~10/20 speed), Moristo DF is faster, making it suitable for all-round players balancing defense and offense.

• Spin (11/20): High spin thanks to tacky surface and TENSION technology, especially effective on backspin pushes and defensive chopping. Spin level is close to offensive rubbers like Yasaka Mark V (~12/20 spin), but Moristo DF is less sensitive to incoming spin, making it excellent for blocking and counterattacking. Compared to Moristo SP (7.5/20), Moristo DF has much higher spin.

• Control: The soft sponge and tacky surface provide high control on blocks, pushes, and defensive chops. The rubber is forgiving and suitable for both beginner and advanced defensive players seeking stability and spin.

• Trajectory: Curved, high trajectory on backspin strokes ideal for defensive techniques, and straighter trajectory on offensive shots. Compared to short pimples like Moristo SP (straight trajectory), Moristo DF offers a more arched trajectory suitable for topspins and defensive chops.

• Defensive chopping: Exceptional (9.5/10), generating strong backspin and stable ball flight. The tacky surface and TENSION technology make shots controlled and effective, especially close to the table.

• Blocking: Stable and controllable (9.3/10), absorbs incoming spin effectively allowing precise passive and active blocks, especially on the backhand side.

• Attacks (driving): Suitable for precise attacks (8.8/10), especially topspin and third-ball attacks. Despite medium speed, the rubber allows controlled strokes with strong spin, fitting for all-round players.

• Pushes: Long backspin pushes (9.4/10) are very sticky and stable, generating strong spin that complicates opponents’ returns. Short pushes (9.2/10) are accurate for short game near the table.

• Flicks: Banana flicks (8.7/10) are effective, especially topspin flicks over backspin, but require precise movement due to medium speed.

• Serves and receive: Serves (9.0/10) are very spinny, especially backspin and side spin serves generating strong spin. Passive receive (9.2/10) is stable due to low sensitivity to incoming spin; active receive is effective with topspin strokes.

Recommended blade pairings:

• Nittaku Barwell Fleet: Provides feel and control, ideal for defensive players.

• Nittaku Acoustic: Balances control and speed, suitable for all-round players.

• Butterfly Defense II: Maximizes control, suitable for classic defenders.

• Butterfly Hadraw Shield: Provides stability, good for defensive techniques.

• Yasaka Ma Lin Soft Carbon: Provides light speed, good for counterattacks.

• Butterfly Diode V: Provides stability and feel, good for backspin strokes.

Due to its light weight (~32 g trimmed), Moristo DF pairs well with heavier blades like Butterfly Innerforce Layer ZLC without losing racket balance. Users recommend Moristo DF on backhand with 1.2 mm or 1.4 mm sponge for maximum control, or on forehand with 1.8 mm sponge for more speed in attacks.

Ideal player profile:

• Defensive players emphasizing strong backspin and chopping, especially close to the table.

• All-round players wanting to balance defensive play with offensive options.

• Beginners and intermediate defenders seeking controlled rubber with strong spin.

• Close-to-the-table and short-distance play: Effective in backspin pushes, blocks, and precise attacks.

• Serves and receive: Rubber generates strong spin on serves and is forgiving on passive receive.

• Not suited for aggressive attackers seeking maximum speed due to medium speed and defensive nature.

Summary:
Moristo DF excels in defensive chopping (9.5/10) and blocking (9.3/10), offering stability and strong spin. Attacks (8.8/10) are controlled, suitable for topspin strokes. Users praise the rubber’s spin potential, control, and stability, especially for defensive players. The TENSION technology boosts spin and elasticity, while the German-made sponge provides excellent feel and rebound.

Compared to Butterfly Tackiness Chop, Moristo DF offers more speed and dynamism but less spin than Tenergy 80 FX. Compared to Moristo SP, it generates more spin but is slower and more defense-oriented.