DNA Dragon Grip 55 is an ITTF-approved table tennis rubber manufactured in Germany, designed for offensive (OFF) style players seeking the highest level of spin (~18.3/20), control (~8.5/20), and speed (~16.5/20) balance. This rubber, part of the Stiga DNA product line, features a grippy top sheet that ensures exceptional traction and control during serves and ball reception. Its superior grip allows players to generate powerful spin and high ball trajectory, enabling maximum pressure on opponents and full exploitation of gameplay potential. DNA Dragon Grip 55 utilizes advanced C-Touch Tensor technology, developed using artificial intelligence (AI) and professional player feedback, which precisely determines optimal rubber properties that previously required thousands of trials. The result is a unique rubber with a hard 55° sponge, characterized by a distinctive sound that helps players find the "perfect contact point." Unlike other grippy rubbers, DNA Dragon Grip 55 maintains a "freshly glued" feel, ensuring long-term performance. It suits players who rely on topspin strokes, counterattacks, and backspin play, both close to the table and from mid-distance. Available in red and black ITTF-compliant colors with various sponge thicknesses (typically 1.9 mm, 2.1 mm, 2.3 mm) optimized for offensive styles. Player feedback highlights its "unbelievable spin in topspin shots," "precise ball control during intense rallies," and "exceptional feel," making it ideal for players aiming to dominate through spin and control.
Key Features:
Rubber Type: Inverted (smooth), grippy surface
Sponge Hardness: Hard (~55°)
Sponge Thickness: 1.9 mm, 2.1 mm, 2.3 mm
Speed: 132/100 (~16.5/20 on a general scale)
Control: ~85/100 (~8.5/20 on a general scale)
Spin: 146/100 (~18.3/20 on a general scale)
Trajectory Height: 8.8/10
Top Sheet Properties: Grippy, optimized for maximum spin and control
Technologies: C-Touch Tensor, AI-Optimized Sponge
Color: Red, black
Origin: Germany
Certification: ITTF-approved
Suitability: Offensive play, topspin strokes, counter-topspin, backspin play, close-to-table and mid-distance rallies
Distinctive Characteristics:
DNA Dragon Grip 55 is an advanced grippy rubber designed for players seeking extremely high spin (~18.3/20), high speed (~16.5/20), and good control (~8.5/20). Its grippy top sheet, powered by C-Touch Tensor technology, ensures exceptional traction, enabling powerful spin and high ball trajectory (8.8/10), ideal for topspin shots, aggressive serves, and backspin play. The hard 55° sponge provides a strong catapult effect, facilitating powerful strokes while maintaining control during intense rallies. This rubber excels for players relying on spin-heavy mid-distance play but is equally effective close to the table for counters, blocks, and flicks. The C-Touch Tensor technology, developed using AI and pro player input, optimizes sponge-top sheet interaction, delivering a unique feel and audible feedback to identify the "perfect contact point." Available in three sponge thicknesses: 1.9 mm for balanced offense/control, 2.1 mm for speed/spin, and 2.3 mm for maximum power. Players praise its "insane topspin generation," "precision in fast exchanges," and "distinctive touch," making it ideal for spin-dominated strategies.
Top Sheet Composition:
The DNA Dragon Grip 55 top sheet is grippy and spin-optimized, leveraging C-Touch Tensor technology. Its inverted pips ensure strong ball contact, generating extreme spin (~18.3/20), especially in topspin shots, aggressive serves, and backspin strokes. Compared to Tibhar Evolution MX-P (~15.5/20 speed, ~8.5/20 control, ~15.0/20 spin), DNA Dragon Grip 55 offers higher speed and spin with slightly less control. Versus Butterfly Tenergy 05 (~14.5/20 speed, ~8.0/20 control, ~14.5/20 spin), it provides superior speed and spin with comparable control. The C-Touch Tensor enhances surface elasticity and grip, prolonging ball contact for easier spin generation. Players note the top sheet is "highly effective for spin-heavy topspins," "stable in backspin play," and "exceptionally grippy," suiting those prioritizing spin and precision. While slightly sensitive to incoming spin (typical of grippy rubbers), the C-Touch Tensor mitigates this, easing serve reception and short-game play. Durability is high, with grip retained under heavy use if properly maintained.
Sponge:
DNA Dragon Grip 55 uses a hard sponge (~55°) to balance high speed (~16.5/20), extreme spin (~18.3/20), and good control (~8.5/20), delivering a "powerful yet controllable feel." The C-Touch Tensor AI-optimized sponge structure ensures a strong catapult effect and direct feedback. Thickness options cater to offensive styles: 1.9 mm for balanced play, 2.1 mm for speed/spin, and 2.3 mm for maximum aggression. Versus Stiga DNA Pro H (~15.0/20 speed, ~8.8/20 control, ~15.5/20 spin), DNA Dragon Grip 55 is faster and spinnier but slightly less controlled. Compared to Butterfly Dignics 05 (~15.0/20 speed, ~8.0/20 control, ~15.5/20 spin), it offers higher speed and spin with similar control. Players highlight the sponge’s "explosive catapult" and "heavy spin in topspins," especially from mid-distance.
Spin and Trajectory:
DNA Dragon Grip 55 boasts extreme spin potential (~18.3/20), particularly in topspin shots, aggressive serves, and backspin strokes. The grippy surface and hard sponge prolong ball contact, generating disruptive spin that challenges opponents. Trajectory (8.8/10), optimized by C-Touch Tensor, is high and arched, ensuring stable ball flight for topspins, counters, and backspin play. Players report it "excels in spin-heavy topspins," "maintains consistency in backspin shots," and "offers controlled trajectory," ideal for spin/pace-focused strategies. Compared to Donic Bluefire M1 (~14.0/20 spin), DNA Dragon Grip 55 delivers significantly more spin, appealing to players seeking maximum rotation.
Control:
DNA Dragon Grip 55 provides good control (~8.5/20) for its category, especially in topspin shots, serves, backspin play, and blocks. The hard sponge (~55°) offers stability for powerful strokes but demands precise technique compared to softer rubbers like Stiga DNA Pro M (~9.0/20 control). Versus Tibhar Evolution MX-P (~8.5/20 control), it matches control but with higher speed/spin. Against Butterfly Tenergy 05 (~8.0/20 control), it offers slightly better control. Players emphasize its "manageability in topspin rallies" and "precision in backspin shots."
Technical Ratings:
Speed (132/100, ~16.5/20): High speed for topspins, counter-topspins, and backspin shots. Faster than Tibhar Evolution MX-P (~15.5/20).
Control (~85/100, ~8.5/20): Good control in topspins, serves, and blocks. Slightly lower than Stiga DNA Pro H (~8.8/20).
Spin (146/100, ~18.3/20): Extreme spin potential for topspins and serves. Outperforms Butterfly Dignics 05 (~15.5/20).
Playing Aspects:
Topspin Strokes: 9.5/10 – Exceptional topspins with heavy spin/pace, especially on forehand.
Backspin Strokes: 8.8/10 – Effective chops with intense backspin, easily controlled.
Blocking: 8.5/10 – Stable topspin blocks due to grippy surface/hard sponge.
Push Shots: 8.7/10 – Precise short-game pushes with disruptive spin.
Chopping: 8.3/10 – Effective defensive chops for offensive players.
Counter-Hitting: 9.0/10 – Stable counters with excellent speed/spin balance.
Smashing: 8.9/10 – Powerful attacks, especially with 2.3 mm sponge.
Serves/Receive: 9.0/10 – Effective spin generation and reception.
Flicks: 8.8/10 – Reliable banana flicks with spin/control.
Blade Compatibility:
DNA Dragon Grip 55 pairs well with offensive/all-round blades that enhance its spin, speed, and control:
Stiga Carbonado 290 (~16.0/20 speed, OFF+) – Maximizes power for aggressive play.
Butterfly Viscaria (~12.5/20 speed, OFF) – Complements spin-focused topspin game.
Donic Ovtcharov No.1 Senso (~12.0/20 speed, OFF) – Balances speed and spin.
Tibhar Samsonov Force Pro (~13.0/20 speed, OFF) – Boosts speed for topspin shots.
Yasaka Ma Lin Carbon (~12.0/20 speed, OFF) – Suits hybrid topspin/counterplay.
Recommendation: Use on offensive blades (e.g., Stiga Carbonado 290) for max speed/spin or all-round blades (e.g., Butterfly Viscaria) for added control.
Additional Notes:
DNA Dragon Grip 55 is an advanced grippy rubber combining high speed (~16.5/20), extreme spin (~18.3/20), and good control (~8.5/20). Versus Stiga DNA Pro H, it’s faster and spinnier but slightly less controlled. Compared to Butterfly Dignics 05, it offers higher speed/spin with similar control. Players praise its "unreal topspin," "precision in fast rallies," and "unique feel," especially with 2.1 mm/2.3 mm sponges. The C-Touch Tensor technology ensures durability and performance. Weight is slightly above average (~50.0g with 2.1 mm sponge), favoring players seeking powerful setups. Maintain with rubber cleaners (e.g., Stiga Rubber Cleaner) and protective film. Ideal for offensive players prioritizing spin and pace.
Target Audience:
DNA Dragon Grip 55 suits:
Intermediate/Advanced Players (3–10 years experience): Seeking speed/spin/control balance.
Offensive Players: Reliant on topspins, counters, and backspin play.
Spin/Power-Oriented Styles: Aiming for heavy spin and aggressive shots.
Forehand Dominant Players: Maximizing spin/pace on FH.
Close-to-Table and Mid-Distance Play: Optimized for versatile offensive positioning.
Advantages:
Speed (16.5/20): High pace for topspins and counters.
Control (8.5/20): Good manageability in spin-heavy play.
Spin (18.3/20): Unmatched spin generation.
Trajectory (8.8/10): High/arched for consistent topspins.
Hard Sponge (55°): Strong catapult for powerful strokes.
Grippy Top Sheet: Maximizes spin and control.
C-Touch Tensor Technology: Enhances feel and durability.
Reduced Sensitivity: Eases serve reception vs. standard grippy rubbers.
Durability: Long-lasting with proper care.
Value: Professional-grade performance at competitive pricing.
Certification: ITTF-approved for tournaments.
Summary:
DNA Dragon Grip 55 is a cutting-edge grippy rubber merging speed, extreme spin, and control via C-Touch Tensor technology. Its hard sponge, grippy surface, and AI-optimized design make it ideal for players dominating through spin-heavy topspins and aggressive play. A top-tier choice for offensive players seeking unmatched rotational force and precision!