The STIGA Vertical 55 is an ITTF-approved long pimples table tennis rubber, manufactured in Japan, specifically designed and optimized for ABS balls. It is tailored for technically skilled players who employ a classic defensive (DEF) style, aiming to combine control with dynamism. Developed in close collaboration with former Japanese national team player Masato Shiono, this rubber features a vertically aligned pimples structure, ensuring good control (~11.0/20), high spin (~9.5/20), and slightly higher speed (~7.6/20) compared to softer long pimples rubbers.

The firm 55° sponge enables more active strokes, including counterattacks and close-to-table blocks, while maintaining high spin in defensive strokes away from the table. The vertical pimples layout generates disruptive spin, making it difficult for opponents to execute topspin attacks and forcing more errors.

The rubber is optimized for ABS balls and is available without sponge (OX) or with a thin sponge (typically 0.5–1.0 mm), in red and black colors, complying with ITTF regulations.

Comparison with Other Rubbers

• STIGA Vertical 20 (~7.9/20 speed, ~19.3/20 control, ~9.9/20 spin): The Vertical 55 offers slightly less control but greater dynamism and speed.

• TSP Curl P1R (~5.5/20 speed, ~11.8/20 control, ~10.0/20 spin): The Vertical 55 has higher speed, similar spin, but slightly less control.

Player feedback highlights that the rubber "provides dynamic yet controlled defense," "allows disruptive spin generation," and "suits technical players seeking versatility," making it an ideal choice for advanced players who prioritize stability and dynamism.

Key Features

• Rubber Type: Long Pimples (Long Pips)

• Sponge Hardness: Firm (~55°)

• Sponge Thickness: OX (no sponge), 0.5 mm, 1.0 mm

• Speed: 61/100 (~7.6/20 on the general scale)

• Control: 88/100 (~11.0/20 on the general scale)

• Spin: 76/100 (~9.5/20 on the general scale)

• Trajectory Height: 7.7/10

• Top Sheet Characteristics: Long pimples, vertically aligned, optimized for control, stability, and dynamism

• Technologies: Vertically structured pimples

• Color: Red, Black

• Country of Origin: Japan

• Certifications: ITTF-approved

• Playing Style Suitability: Classic defensive play away from the table, chopping, disruptive spin strokes, counterattacks, close-to-table blocks

• Player Level: Advanced, Professional

Unique Characteristics & Playing Style

The STIGA Vertical 55 is a high-quality long pimples rubber designed for technically skilled defensive players who seek good control (~11.0/20), high spin (~9.5/20), and slightly higher speed (~7.6/20). Its vertically aligned long pimples structure, developed in collaboration with Masato Shiono, ensures stability and control in defensive strokes, particularly in chopping, while also allowing for more aggressive shots such as counterattacks and blocks near the table.

The firm 55° sponge enhances dynamic play, enabling stronger strokes and effective counterattacks compared to softer long pimples rubbers like the Vertical 20 (~19.3/20 control, ~7.9/20 speed). The rubber is optimized for ABS balls, ensuring consistent ball contact and high spin, which disrupts opponents—especially during chopping away from the table.

The vertically aligned pimples reduce sensitivity to opponent’s spin, making serve reception easier, while also generating disruptive spin that complicates opponents' topspin attacks, forcing errors.

Close to the table, the rubber allows for techniques similar to inverted rubbers, thanks to its high-grip pimples, facilitating active blocks and counterattacks.

The trajectory (7.7/10) is low but slightly more dynamic than the Vertical 20, ensuring stability and precision in both defensive play and counterattacks.

Player feedback emphasizes that the rubber "offers dynamic yet controlled defense," "generates disruptive spin," and "suits technical players," making it ideal for higher-level players seeking versatility and dynamism.

Top Sheet Composition

The Vertical 55 features a long pimples top sheet with vertically aligned pimples, optimized for control, stability, and dynamism. The specially designed pimples allow for high spin generation (~9.5/20), particularly in chopping and defensive strokes, which disrupt opponents, while also facilitating active shots like counterattacks and blocks near the table.

Comparisons:

• TSP Curl P1R (~5.5/20 speed, ~11.8/20 control, ~10.0/20 spin): The Vertical 55 offers higher speed, similar spin, and slightly less control.

• Butterfly Feint Long II (~6.5/20 speed, ~11.0/20 control, ~9.5/20 spin): The Vertical 55 has higher speed, similar spin, and similar control.

The pimples are arranged to reduce sensitivity to opponent’s spin, improving serve reception and enabling disruptive spin generation, especially in chopping and counterattacks.

Players note that the top sheet is "effective in generating disruptive spin," "stable in defensive strokes," and "offers great dynamism," making it suitable for players who value stability and aggressive shot-making in long pimples rubbers.

The rubber is less sensitive to opponent’s spin compared to inverted rubbers, making it easier to handle heavy backspin.

Sponge

The Vertical 55 uses a firm sponge (~55°) that balances slightly higher speed (~7.6/20), high spin (~9.5/20), and good control (~11.0/20), delivering a "dynamic yet controlled feel."

The firm sponge enhances dynamism, allowing for stronger strokes and counterattacks compared to the Vertical 20 (~20°, ~7.9/20 speed, ~19.3/20 control).

The rubber is available in OX (no sponge) or thin sponge (0.5–1.0 mm):

• OX version maximizes control (~11.2/20) and disruptive spin.

• 0.5–1.0 mm sponge provides slightly higher speed (~8.0/20) and dynamism.

Comparisons:

• Dr. Neubauer A-B-S (~25°, ~6.0/20 speed, ~12.0/20 control, ~10.5/20 spin): The Vertical 55 offers higher speed, less spin, and slightly less control.

• TSP Curl P1R (~25°, ~5.5/20 speed, ~11.8/20 control, ~10.0/20 spin): The Vertical 55 has higher speed, similar spin, and less control.

Players highlight that the sponge "provides a powerful catapult effect" and "helps generate disruptive spin," especially in chopping and counterattacks.

Spin & Trajectory

The Vertical 55 excels in high spin potential (~9.5/20) for a long pimples rubber, particularly in chopping and defensive strokes away from the table, as well as counterattacks near the table.

The vertically aligned pimples and firm sponge produce strong disruptive spin, altering the ball’s trajectory and complicating opponents' topspin attacks, forcing errors.

The trajectory (7.7/10) is low but slightly more dynamic than the Vertical 20, ensuring stability and precision in both defensive play and counterattacks.

Players note that the rubber is "excellent for disruptive spin," "stable in chopping and blocking," and "offers controlled yet dynamic trajectory," making it ideal for players who rely on defense with counterattacking potential.

Compared to Butterfly Feint Long II (~9.5/20 spin), the Vertical 55 offers similar spin.

Control

The Vertical 55 provides good control (~11.0/20) in its category, particularly in chopping, defensive strokes, counterattacks, and play against backspin.

The firm sponge (~55°) ensures stability but requires higher technique compared to softer long pimples rubbers like the Vertical 20 (~19.3/20 control).

Comparisons:

• TSP Curl P1R (~11.8/20 control): The Vertical 55 offers slightly less control but higher speed and dynamism.

• Butterfly Feint Long II (~11.0/20 control): The Vertical 55 provides similar control but more dynamism.

Players emphasize that the rubber is "manageable in chopping and counterattacks" and "allows precise ball control," especially in close-to-table blocks and defensive strokes away from the table.

Technical Ratings

• Speed (61/100, ~7.6/20): Slightly higher speed, suitable for defensive play away from the table, chopping, counterattacks, and play against backspin. Compared to Butterfly Feint Long II (~6.5/20 speed), the Vertical 55 is faster.

• Control (88/100, ~11.0/20): Good control, especially in chopping, defensive strokes, counterattacks, and play against backspin. Compared to TSP Curl P1R (~11.8/20 control), the Vertical 55 offers slightly less control.

• Spin (76/100, ~9.5/20): High spin potential for a long pimples rubber, ideal for chopping, disruptive spin, and counterattacks. Compared to Dr. Neubauer A-B-S (~10.5/20 spin), the Vertical 55 has slightly less spin.

Playing Aspects

• Topspin strokes: 7.2/10 – Limited topspin capability, suitable only in specific situations, with medium spin.

• Backspin strokes: 9.6/10 – Highly effective chopping with disruptive backspin, stable.

• Blocking: 8.9/10 – Stable against topspin attacks due to vertically aligned pimples and firm sponge.

• Push strokes: 8.9/10 – Precise short-game pushes with disruptive spin.

• Chopping: 9.7/10 – Extremely effective for defensive play away from the table.

• Counter-hitting: 8.3/10 – Effective counterattacks for technical players near the table.

• Smashing: 7.6/10 – Limited attacking potential, situational.

• Serve & receive: 9.1/10 – Effective serve reception and disruptive spin generation, stable.

• Flick strokes: 8.1/10 – Stable banana flicks in short play, with good spin and control.

Blade Compatibility

The Vertical 55 pairs well with defensive blades that complement its control, spin, and dynamism:

• Stiga Defensive Pro (~7.0/20 speed, DEF) – Enhances control for classic defensive play.

• Butterfly Joo Saehyuk (~6.5/20 speed, DEF) – Complements spin for chopping and counterattacks.

• Donic Defplay Senso (~6.0/20 speed, DEF) – Ideal for players seeking maximum control.

• TSP Balsa DEF (~6.0/20 speed, DEF) – Enhances control for lightweight rackets.

• Yasaka Masato Shiono (~6.5/20 speed, DEF) – Suits players combining chopping with counterattacks.

Recommended for use on defensive blades (e.g., Butterfly Joo Saehyuk) for players prioritizing control, spin, and dynamism, or on lightweight blades (e.g., TSP Balsa DEF) for players seeking a lighter racket.

Additional Information

The STIGA Vertical 55 is a high-quality long pimples rubber designed for technically skilled defensive players seeking good control (~11.0/20), high spin (~9.5/20), and slightly higher speed (~7.6/20).

Compared to the Vertical 20 (~7.9/20 speed, ~19.3/20 control, ~9.9/20 spin), the Vertical 55 offers less control but higher speed and dynamism.

Compared to the Butterfly Feint Long II (~6.5/20 speed, ~11.0/20 control, ~9.5/20 spin), the Vertical 55 has higher speed, similar spin, and similar control.

Players highlight that the rubber "provides dynamic yet controlled defense," "generates disruptive spin," and "suits technical players."

The rubber is lightweight (e.g., ~32.0 g in OX version), making it ideal for players seeking a light yet controlled racket.

The vertically aligned pimples add unique stability and dynamism, effectively disrupting opponents' rhythm through high-spin returns, active blocks, and counterattacks.

The rubber sets a new standard for long pimples rubbers, particularly due to its ABS ball optimization and high-grip pimples.

Maintenance Recommendations:

• Clean with a special rubber cleaner (e.g., Stiga Rubber Cleaner).

• Use a protective film to prevent damage.

Due to its firm sponge, dynamism, and price-performance ratio, the Vertical 55 is an excellent choice for advanced and professional players looking to refine defensive techniques with counterattacking potential!

Who Should Use the Vertical 55?

The Vertical 55 is designed for technically skilled classic defensive players:

• Advanced & professional players (5–10 years of experience): Seeking a long pimples rubber with good control, high spin, and dynamism.

• Classic defensive players: Those relying on chopping, disruptive spin away from the table, counterattacks, and blocks near the table.

• Control, spin, and dynamism-oriented players: Ideal for generating disruptive spin and executing active strokes.

• Backhand players: A great backhand rubber due to its control, spin, and dynamism.

• Players who compete both away from and near the table: Optimized for chopping, counterattacks, and blocks.

Advantages of the Vertical 55

• Speed (7.6/20): Slightly higher speed, suitable for defensive play away from the table, chopping, counterattacks, and play against backspin.

• Control (11.0/20): Good control, especially in chopping, defensive strokes, counterattacks, and play against backspin.

• Spin (9.5/20): High spin potential for a long pimples rubber, ideal for chopping, disruptive spin, and counterattacks.

• Trajectory (7.7/10): Low and controlled, ensuring stability and dynamism.

• Vertically aligned pimples design: Reduces sensitivity to opponent’s spin, improves serve reception and chopping.

• Firm sponge: Provides a powerful catapult effect and dynamic stroke feel.

• Lightweight construction: Suitable for a controlled racket setup.

• Durability: High-quality build with long lifespan if properly maintained.

• Price-performance ratio: Excellent value for dynamic defensive performance.

• High quality: ITTF-approved, suitable for tournaments.

Final Verdict

The STIGA Vertical 55 is a high-performance long pimples rubber that combines good control, high spin, and dynamic speed, optimized for ABS balls and classic defensive play with counterattacking options. Its vertically aligned pimples, firm sponge, and high grip make it an ideal choice for technically skilled players looking to enhance defensive techniques and disrupt opponents with spin!

STIGA Vertical 55

STIGA Vertical 55

STIGA Vertical 55