Yasaka Mark V is a legendary table tennis rubber developed by the Japanese manufacturer Yasaka, which has earned its reputation over more than five decades for its speed, spin, and exceptional control. ITTF-approved, this rubber features a classic grippy top sheet paired with a medium-hard (~42.5°) sponge, ensuring a balanced feel and versatility. Available in 1.8 mm, 2.0 mm, or max thickness, Yasaka Mark V offers medium speed (80/100, ~10.0/20), balanced spin (60/100, ~7.5/20), and excellent control (70/100, ~8.8/20), making it an ideal choice for all-round players, beginners, and those who value precision and resistance to incoming spin. The rubber stands out with its medium-arc trajectory, durability, lightweight feel, and easy handling, making it suitable for both offensive and defensive play. Yasaka Mark V delivers control, versatility, and classic reliability!

Key Features:

• Rubber Type: Inverted (Pimples In)

• Sponge Hardness: Medium (~42.5°)

• Sponge Thickness: 1.8 mm, 2.0 mm, Max

• Speed: 80/100 (~10.0/20 on the general scale)

• Control: 70/100 (~8.8/20 on the general scale)

• Spin: 60/100 (~7.5/20 on the general scale)

• Top Sheet Characteristics: Classic Mark V grippy top sheet, balanced grip, medium-arc trajectory, resistance to incoming spin

• Technologies: Classic Mark V technology

• Color: Red, Black (top sheet)

• Country of Origin: Japan

• Certifications: ITTF-approved

• Suitability: All-round play, topspin shots, defensive strokes, short game, passive serve returns, beginners and intermediate players

Yasaka Mark V stands out with its classic construction, exceptional control, and resistance to incoming spin, making it suitable for various playing styles:

• Top Sheet Composition: The classic Mark V top sheet, based on natural rubber, provides a sticky grip that allows for balanced spin generation in topspin shots and serves. The top sheet is resistant to incoming spin, facilitating passive serve returns and blocks. Compared to Yasaka Mark V HPS (~42.5° sponge, ~11.8/20 speed), Mark V offers lower speed (~10.0/20), similar spin (~7.5/20), and similar control (~8.8/20), but is easier to handle for beginners.

• Sponge: The medium-hard (~42.5°) sponge ensures a balanced feel, aiding both offensive and defensive strokes. The sponge provides a light catapult effect that is controlled and suitable for various shot types, including drives, chops, and pushes. Compared to Yasaka Rakza X Soft (~42.5° sponge, ~10.5/20 speed), Mark V offers slightly lower speed (~10.0/20 vs. ~10.5/20) and spin (~7.5/20 vs. ~11.0/20) but similar control (~8.8/20 vs. ~9.3/20). Compared to XIOM Vega Europe (~37.5° sponge, ~12.5/20 speed), Mark V provides less speed and spin but similar control and easier handling.

• Classic Mark V Technology: This technology maintains the reliability of the Mark V series, ensuring a medium-arc trajectory and resistance to incoming spin, which reduces forced errors. The rubber is easy to control, making it ideal for players seeking precision and stability. Compared to Butterfly Tenergy 05 (~36° sponge, ~15.0/20 spin), Mark V generates less spin but offers better control (~8.8/20 vs. ~12.0/20) and easier handling.

• Spin and Trajectory: The classic Mark V top sheet and medium-hard sponge provide a medium-arc trajectory (9.0/10), facilitating topspin shots, drives, chops, and blocks. The rubber is highly resistant to incoming spin, making it particularly effective in passive serve returns and blocks. Compared to Yasaka Rakza 9 (8.8/10 trajectory), Mark V offers a slightly higher trajectory, enhancing versatility. Compared to DHS Hurricane 3 Neo (~15.5/20 spin), Mark V generates less spin but provides easier handling and better control.

• Control: The medium-hard sponge and grippy top sheet deliver excellent control, especially in topspin shots, drives, chops, pushes, and passive serve returns. Compared to Yasaka Mark V HPS (~8.8/20 control), Mark V offers similar control but lower speed, making it suitable for beginners and all-round players.

Technical Specifications and Playing Characteristics:

• Speed (80/100, ~10.0/20): Yasaka Mark V is a medium-speed rubber suitable for topspin shots, drives, chops, and blocks close to the table. The medium-hard sponge ensures a controlled catapult effect, enabling sufficient speed for all-round strokes. Compared to Yasaka Mark V HPS (~11.8/20 speed), Mark V is slower but easier to handle. Compared to Nittaku Fastarc G-1 (~13.9/20 speed), it is slower but offers competitive control and versatility.

• Control (70/100, ~8.8/20): The classic Mark V top sheet and medium-hard sponge provide excellent control, particularly in topspin shots, drives, chops, pushes, and passive serve returns. Compared to Yasaka Rakza 7 (~8.0/20 control), Mark V offers better control. Compared to Butterfly Tenergy 05 (~12.0/20 control), control is lower but handling is easier for various shot types.

• Spin (60/100, ~7.5/20): The classic Mark V top sheet generates balanced spin, suitable for topspin shots and serves, though less than modern rubbers. Compared to XIOM Vega X (~16.1/20 spin), spin is lower but handling is easier. Compared to DHS Hurricane 3 Neo (~15.5/20 spin), spin is lower but control is better.

• Trajectory (9.0/10): Medium-arc trajectory facilitates topspin shots, drives, chops, and blocks. Compared to Yasaka Rakza X Soft (9.5/10 trajectory), Mark V offers a slightly lower trajectory but still enhances versatility. Blocking is stable, suitable for passive and active blocks.

• Sponge Thickness: 1.8 mm is ideal for players prioritizing control, 2.0 mm offers a balanced speed-control mix, and max thickness enhances catapult effect for attacking play.

Gameplay Aspects:

• Topspin Shots (8.9/10): Effective for topspin shots, especially forehand and backhand strokes, due to the grippy top sheet and medium-hard sponge, ensuring balanced spin and control. Suitable for opening shots and versatile rallies.

• Blocking (9.5/10): Highly effective in blocking topspin shots close to the table, especially due to its resistance to incoming spin and stable trajectory.

• Push Shots (9.3/10): Enables precise pushes against backspin or dead balls, particularly due to the grippy top sheet and control.

• Counter-Hitting (9.0/10): Suitable for counter-attacks close to the table, thanks to the controlled catapult effect and Mark V top sheet accuracy.

• Smashing (8.8/10): Effective in flat hits, though lower speed limits power compared to more aggressive rubbers.

• Serves & Receives (9.5/10): Allows extremely precise serve control and is exceptionally effective in passive (9.5/10) and active (9.4/10) receives due to its resistance to incoming spin and superb control.

• Flick Shots (9.0/10): Banana flicks are easy to execute due to the Mark V top sheet and medium-hard sponge, ensuring accuracy and sufficient spin.

Compatibility with Blades:

Yasaka Mark V pairs well with all-round and medium-speed blades that complement its control, spin, and versatility:

• Nittaku Engent (~11.3/20 speed, ALL+): Enhances rubber control and spin, ideal for backhand side in beginners and all-round players.

• Donic Appelgren Allplay (~10.5/20 speed, ALL): Provides excellent control-spin balance, suitable for backhand or forehand.

• DHS Q968 Hurricane King National (~12.9/20 speed, OFF+): Complements rubber control, ideal for forehand side in attacking players.

• Butterfly Primorac (~10.8/20 speed, ALL+): Enhances rubber control, suitable for beginners learning techniques.

• Yasaka Sweden Extra (~10.0/20 speed, ALL): Perfect for players emphasizing control and all-round play.

Recommended to use Mark V in 1.8 mm or 2.0 mm for backhand on all-round blades (e.g., Nittaku Engent) or 2.0 mm/max for forehand on slightly faster blades (e.g., Yasaka Sweden Extra) to maintain racket balance and maximize control potential.

Additional Information:

Yasaka Mark V is an iconic rubber from the Mark V series, proven over decades for its reliability and versatility, used by champions and still shaping new-generation players. Compared to Yasaka Mark V HPS (~11.8/20 speed, ~8.8/20 control), Mark V offers lower speed (~10.0/20) and similar spin and control, making it easier to handle for beginners. Compared to XIOM Vega Europe (~12.5/20 speed, ~12.1/20 control), Mark V provides less speed and spin but similar control and easier handling, making it ideal for players seeking simplicity and reliability. Users highlight the rubber’s "excellent control," "resistance to incoming spin," "easy handling," and "durability," though note it may be too slow for aggressive shots compared to modern rubbers. The rubber is lightweight, long-lasting, and offers outstanding value for money, remaining one of the most popular choices for beginners and all-round players. It is recommended to clean the surface regularly with a dedicated cleaner (e.g., Yasaka Rubber Cleaner) and use a protective film to prevent damage. ITTF-approved, Yasaka Mark V is suitable for competitions and ideal for players seeking a dependable rubber with balanced speed and control.

Who is Yasaka Mark V For?

Yasaka Mark V is designed for players seeking control, versatility, and reliability:

• Beginners & Intermediate Players (0–15+ years of experience): Those looking for an easy-to-handle rubber with balanced speed and control, especially for backhand and forehand.

• All-Round Players: Emphasizing topspin shots, drives, chops, pushes, and passive serve returns.

• Close-to-Table Play: Effective in topspin shots, drives, chops, blocks, and passive serve returns.

• Serves & Receives: Extremely effective in passive (9.5/10) and active (9.4/10) receives due to its resistance to incoming spin.

• Players Valuing Classic Feel: Ideal for those wanting a reliable rubber with easy handling and durability.

Yasaka Mark V Advantages:

• Speed (10.0/20): Medium speed, suitable for topspin shots, drives, chops, and blocks.

• Control (8.8/20): Excellent control, especially in topspin shots, drives, chops, pushes, and passive serve returns.

• Spin (7.5/20): Balanced spin, suitable for topspin shots and serves.

• Trajectory (9.0/10): Medium-arc trajectory, facilitating topspin shots, drives, and blocks.

• Resistance to Incoming Spin: Reduces forced errors, especially in passive serve returns.

• Lightweight: Improves handling and reduces fatigue in long rallies.

• Durability: Classic Mark V top sheet ensures a long lifespan.

• Value for Money: Affordable price for reliable quality and performance.

• High Quality: ITTF-approved, suitable for competitions.

Compared to Yasaka Mark V HPS, Mark V offers lower speed but similar control and easier handling, making it ideal for beginners and all-round players. Compared to Butterfly Tenergy 05, it provides less spin but better control and easier handling. Yasaka Mark V is ITTF-approved, competition-ready, and ideal for players prioritizing control, versatility, and the classic Mark V feel. Its reliability and easy handling ensure exceptional performance and feel. Yasaka Mark V delivers control, versatility, and classic reliability!

Yasaka Mark V

Yasaka Mark V

Yasaka Mark V