Sauer & Tröger Hipster is an innovative table tennis rubber with half-long pips, designed for versatile and offensive players seeking flexibility by combining passive and active strokes with a high disturbance effect. ITTF approved, the rubber’s hard sponge (~50° on the ESN scale, calculated according to the Hard- characteristic) together with a unique half-long pip structure ensures balanced speed (91/100, ~11.2/20), good spin (80/100, ~8/20), and control (82/100, ~10.5/20). The special pip geometry (cylindrical, moderately spaced pips with narrow necks) creates a high disturbance effect (89/100, ~8.9/10) and allows performing various strokes — from blocks to topspin and offensive shots — with minimal impact from incoming spin. Optimized for the 40+ plastic ball, Hipster offers versatile play by combining characteristics of short and long pips, making it a perfect choice for players seeking flexibility and a disturbance effect. Due to its light weight (~42 g trimmed) and durability, Sauer & Tröger Hipster is a high-quality choice suitable for high-level competition.

Key features:

• Rubber type: With half-long pips (half-long pips)

• Rubber category: Universal (ALL) / Offensive (OFF-)

• Characteristics: Universal (ALL+) / Offensive (OFF-)

• Speed: 91/100 (~11.2/20 on the general scale)

• Spin: 80/100 (~8/20 on the general scale)

• Control: 82/100 (~10.5/20 on the general scale)

• Störfaktor (disturbance effect): 89/100 (~8.9/10)

• Precision: 8.8/10

• Trajectory: 7.8/10 (medium, suitable for blocks, topspin shots, and offensive strokes)

• Sponge hardness: ~50° (hard, according to ESN scale, calculated)

• Sponge type: Hard (Hard-)

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

• Topsheet type: With half-long pips, soft, cylindrical

• Pip dimensions: Moderately spaced, narrow necks, cylindrical

• Colors: Red, black

• Country of origin: Germany

• Approvals: ITTF approved

• Weight: ~62 g (untrimmed, 180x170 mm), ~42 g (trimmed, Stiga standard, 157x150 mm)

• Technologies: Special half-long pip geometry, optimized for 40+ balls

• Category: Universal (ALL+) / Offensive (OFF-)

Sauer & Tröger Hipster stands out with its unique construction, combining a hard sponge (~50° ESN scale) and soft half-long pips, providing flexibility, disturbance effect, and versatility:

• Sponge (~50°): The hard sponge provides balanced speed (91/100) and control (82/100), allowing effective execution of both passive and active strokes. Compared to Sauer & Tröger Zargus (85/100 speed, 97/100 control), Hipster is faster but offers less control, yet stronger disturbance effect (89/100). Compared to JOOLA Express Ultra (~40°, 104/200 speed), Hipster sponge is harder, providing shorter dwell time but more power on offensive shots. Compared to Butterfly Impartial XS (~41°), Hipster offers similar speed but higher disturbance effect and flexibility.

• Topsheet: The soft topsheet with half-long pips, moderately spaced and narrow-necked, provides good spin (80/100) and high disturbance effect (89/100). The pips generate backspin when blocking, similar to long pip rubbers, and a catapult effect when performing active shots. Compared to Sauer & Tröger Hass (83/100 spin), Hipster’s spin is slightly lower, but disturbance effect is stronger. Compared to TSP Spectol, Hipster’s topsheet is more versatile, allowing easy transitions between passive and active strokes.

• Pip structure: Cylindrical half-long pips, moderately spaced with narrow necks, are soft and easily bend even at medium ball speeds, generating backspin when blocking and a catapult effect on offensive shots. This structure reduces the impact of incoming spin, allowing active play on almost any ball. Compared to Sauer & Tröger Zargus (trimmed cone-shaped pips), Hipster’s pips are softer and more versatile, ensuring a stronger disturbance effect.

• Weight and durability: Sauer & Tröger Hipster is light (~42 g trimmed), similar to JOOLA Express Ultra (~42 g) and lighter than JOOLA MAXXX 500 (~45 g). This lightness allows pairing the rubber with heavier blades such as Butterfly Timo Boll ALC without losing racket balance. The rubber is durable, maintaining its pip grip and elasticity even after intensive use, making it an economical choice.

The rubber is available in 1.5 mm, 1.8 mm, and 2.0 mm thicknesses, allowing a choice between the characteristics of long pips (thinner sponge) and short pips (thicker sponge). Colors — red and black — comply with ITTF standards. Water-based glues such as Sauer & Tröger Glue or JOOLA Lex Glue are recommended for mounting.

Technical indicators and gameplay characteristics:

• Speed (91/100, ~11.2/20): Sauer & Tröger Hipster is a medium-speed rubber suitable for counter-attacks, topspin strokes, offensive shots, and pressing pushes near the table. Compared to Sauer & Tröger Hass (96/100 speed), Hipster is slightly slower but offers more flexibility and disturbance effect (89/100). Compared to Butterfly Impartial XS (~10/20), speed is slightly higher, but Hipster offers more versatility.

• Spin (80/100, ~8/20): Soft half-long pips generate good spin on topspin strokes, pressing pushes, and serves, especially on backspin or low-spin balls. Compared to Sauer & Tröger Zargus (87/100), spin is slightly lower but disturbance effect is stronger. Compared to TSP Spectol (~8/20), Hipster offers similar spin but more flexibility transitioning between strokes.

• Control (82/100, ~10.5/20): Hard sponge (~50°) and soft pips ensure sufficient control, especially for blocks, topspin, and offensive shots. Compared to Sauer & Tröger Zargus (97/100), control is lower but Hipster provides more power and disturbance effect. Compared to JOOLA Express Ultra (83/200), control is similar but Hipster is more versatile.

• Störfaktor (disturbance effect, 89/100, ~8.9/10): The rubber generates a high disturbance effect, especially on blocks and pressing pushes, creating nonlinear trajectories that confuse opponents. Compared to Sauer & Tröger Hass (83/100), Hipster’s disturbance effect is stronger, especially on topspin balls.

• Trajectory (7.8/10): Medium, slightly nonlinear trajectory suitable for blocks, topspin strokes, and offensive shots near the table. Compared to Sauer & Tröger Hass (8/10), the trajectory is slightly lower but offers more unpredictability. When blocking, the trajectory is flat, suitable for effective blocks against topspin shots.

• Precision (8.8/10): High precision allows players to direct the ball to desired table locations, especially when blocking, pressing pushes, and topspin strokes.

Gameplay aspects:

• Blocking: 9.3/10 – Sauer & Tröger Hipster is effective blocking topspin strokes near the table, generating backspin similar to long pip rubbers and ensuring stability and disturbance effect.

• Counter-hitting: 9.4/10 – The rubber allows fast counter-attacks near the table, especially on non-spinning or backspin balls, generating precise shots with a catapult effect.

• Topspin strokes: 9.2/10 – Hipster enables topspin strokes on backspin or low-spin balls, generating good spin and nonlinear trajectory.

• Pressure pushes: 9.3/10 – The rubber is effective performing aggressive pushes on backspin or non-spinning balls, generating strong spin and disturbance effect.

• Offensive strokes (smashing): 9.1/10 – Suitable for flat shots producing fast and precise trajectories with disturbance effect, especially near the table.

• Serves and returns: 9.0/10 – Serves generate good spin, especially side spin, suitable for disturbance play. Passive returns (9.3/10) are stable due to reduced spin impact, and active returns (9.0/10) are effective due to speed and flexibility.

• Flick strokes: 9.1/10 – Banana flick strokes are effective due to soft pips and grippy topsheet facilitating topspin on backspin balls.

Compatibility with Blade Blades:

Sauer & Tröger Hipster suits various blades, especially those emphasizing speed, spin, and versatile play:

• Sauer & Tröger Hellfire X: Provides a disruptive effect and versatility, suitable for technical players.

• Butterfly Innerforce Layer ALC: Balances speed and control, suitable for counterattacks and topspin strokes.

• Nittaku Acoustic Carbon: Provides good feel, suitable for offensive shots and pressing pushes.

• Yasaka Ma Lin Extra Offensive: Maximizes speed, suitable for flat strokes.

• Donic Ovtcharov True Carbon: Provides dynamics, suitable for counterattacks.

Due to its light weight (~42 g trimmed), Sauer & Tröger Hipster pairs well with heavier blades like Butterfly Timo Boll ALC or Stiga Carbonado 145 without losing racket balance. Users recommend using this rubber on the forehand or backhand side with a sponge thickness of 1.8 mm or 2.0 mm to achieve short pips characteristics (speed and power), or a 1.5 mm sponge for long pips characteristics (control and disruptive effect).

Additional Information:

Sauer & Tröger Hipster stands out by combining the properties of short and long pips, ensuring flexibility and a disruptive effect (89/100). Compared to Sauer & Tröger Hass (96/100 speed, 92/100 control), Hipster is slower but offers a stronger disruptive effect and greater flexibility in switching between strokes. Compared to JOOLA Express Ultra (104/200 speed, 83/200 control), Hipster offers less speed but more disruption and versatility. Compared to TSP Spectol, Hipster is more versatile, allowing easy changes in game rhythm. The rubber is durable, maintaining its pips grip and elasticity even after intensive use, making it an economical choice. Users emphasize the rubber’s “flexibility,” “strong disruptive effect,” “non-linear trajectories,” and “fun play,” especially for those who enjoy counterattacks, blocks, topspin strokes, and pressing pushes close to the table. Additionally, Hipster suits players looking for an alternative to other short or long pips rubbers like TSP Spectol or Dr. Neubauer Trouble Maker but with a unique German feel and semi-long pips versatility.

Who is Sauer & Tröger Hipster for?

Sauer & Tröger Hipster is designed for players seeking flexibility and a disruptive effect:

• Advanced and intermediate players: Looking for a versatile rubber with semi-long pips, suitable for forehand or backhand sides.

• Versatile and offensive players: Emphasizing counterattacks, blocks, topspin strokes, offensive shots, and short game close to the table.

• Close-to-table play: Effective in blocking, counterattacks, pressing pushes, and topspin strokes.

• Serving and receiving: The rubber allows generating good spin on serves (9.0/10) and is effective in passive receiving (9.3/10) and active receiving (9.0/10).

• Players seeking flexibility: Optimal for those wanting to easily change game rhythm and disrupt opponents with non-linear ball trajectories.

Advantages of Sauer & Tröger Hipster:

• Speed (11.2/20): Moderate speed, suitable for counterattacks, topspin, and offensive strokes.

• Spin (8/20): Good spin for a semi-long pips rubber, suitable for topspin and pressing pushes.

• Control (10.5/20): Adequate control allowing precise ball placement.

• Disruptive effect (8.9/10): High disruptive effect creating non-linear trajectories.

• Accuracy (8.8/10): High accuracy reducing shot dispersion.

• Lightweight: ~42 g (trimmed), suitable for pairing with heavier blades.

• Durability: Retains properties after intensive use.

• Flexibility: Combines short and long pips properties, allowing easy rhythm changes.

• High quality: ITTF approved, suitable for high-level competition.

Compared to Sauer & Tröger Hass, Hipster offers less speed but stronger disruptive effect and flexibility. Compared to TSP Spectol, Hipster is more versatile and better suited for non-linear trajectories. Users highlight the rubber’s “flexibility,” “strong disruptive effect,” “non-linear trajectories,” and “fun play,” especially for versatile players. Sauer & Tröger Hipster is ITTF approved, suitable for high-level competitions, particularly intermediate and advanced players emphasizing flexibility, disruption, and versatile play. Its balance of speed, spin, and control allows for precise blocks, effective pressing pushes, topspin strokes, and offensive hits, while the special semi-long pips geometry ensures exceptional feel and performance. Sauer & Tröger Hipster — flexibility, disruption, and German craftsmanship!

Sauer&Troger Hipster

Sauer&Troger Hipster

Sauer&Troger Hipster