Nittaku Flyatt Soft

Nittaku Flyatt Soft is a table tennis rubber with inverted (smooth) pimples, made by the Japanese manufacturer Nittaku. It is designed for all-round and attacking players (ALL+, OFF-), especially beginners and intermediate players. It is the softest rubber in the Flyatt series, offering excellent control, a high ball trajectory, and easy topspin execution, particularly against backspin. With a slightly tacky topsheet, a soft sponge (~30° JPN, ~37–40° ESN), and "Active Charge" technology, Flyatt Soft ensures accuracy and stability, making it ideal for the backhand side. ITTF and JTTA approved, made in Japan, it is a great choice for players seeking control and versatility at an affordable price (~40–50 USD).

Key features:

• Rubber type: Inverted (smooth)

• Speed: 13.00/20 (~7.5/10)

• Spin: 10.5/15 (~7.8/10)

• Control: 9.5/10

• High tension: Active Charge

• Tackiness: Slightly tacky

• Playing style: ALL+, OFF-

• Surface: Spin-elastic topsheet

• Sponge hardness: Soft (~30° JPN, ~37–40° ESN)

• Sponge thickness: 1.4 mm, 1.8 mm, 2.0 mm

• Colors: Red, black

• Country of origin: Japan

• Approvals: ITTF, JTTA approved

Construction focused on control and easy topspin execution:

• Sponge (soft): Fine-pored, soft sponge (~30° JPN, ~37–40° ESN), softer than Flyatt Spin or Flyatt Hard, similar to Yasaka Rakza 7 Soft (~37° ESN). Provides long ball contact (dwell time), ensuring high control especially in short game and soft topspin shots. Sponge thickness options: 1.4 mm (ALL), 1.8 mm (ALL+), 2.0 mm (OFF-), suitable for various styles. The soft sponge helps lift backspin balls easily but lacks power for distant, hard shots. In short game, the ball bounces quickly, requiring initial adjustment.

• Topsheet: Slightly tacky, spin-elastic topsheet with medium-length pimples, providing sufficient grip. Grip is weaker than Nittaku Fastarc or Factive series but enough for most players to generate spin in topspin shots and serves. Lower tackiness reduces sensitivity to opponent’s spin, making spin serves easier to return. Durability: ~80–120 hours with regular care, less than Fastarc G-1 (~150–200 hours). Made from high-quality natural rubber reinforced at molecular level.

• Active Charge technology: Nittaku’s patented technology keeps rubber and sponge tensioned, ensuring solid ball “bite” and responsiveness. Provides a slight catapult effect, less than Fastarc S-1 or Factive (tensor). Helps easily perform topspin shots while maintaining control.

• High ball trajectory: Flyatt Soft generates the highest ball trajectory in the Flyatt series, ideal for topspin shots against backspin and loop drives. The trajectory is higher than Flyatt Hard or Fastarc S-1 (which have flatter trajectories), but lower than Fastarc G-1. The high arc offers safety, especially on the backhand side.

• Spin sensitivity: Low sensitivity to opponent’s spin due to lower topsheet tackiness, allowing easy blocking of topspin shots and returning spin serves. Especially suitable for players who struggle against heavy spin.

The rubber weighs about ~27 g uncut (2.7 g/cm², lighter than Fastarc S-1 at ~40–45 g), keeping the racket light. Available in red and black, complying with ITTF rules. Recommended to use water-based glues (e.g., Nittaku Fine Glue) and protective film.

Nittaku Flyatt Soft technical specifications:

• Speed: 13.00/20 (~7.5/10, ALL+). Medium speed, suitable for topspin and short game, slower than Fastarc S-1 (15.50/20) or Flyatt Hard. Ideal for backhand side but lacks power for distant shots. Some sources: 12/20.

• Spin: 10.5/15 (~7.8/10). Medium-high spin, good for soft topspin and serves, weaker than Fastarc G-1 (108/120) or Factive (11.75/15). Some sources: 11/15.

• Control: 9.5/10. Very high control, especially in short game, blocking and soft topspin, higher than Fastarc C-1 (110/120). Suitable for beginners and intermediate players. Some sources: 8.5/10.

• Sponge hardness: ~30° JPN (~37–40° ESN, soft), softer than Flyatt Spin or Rakza 7 Soft.

Trajectory: High ball arc, good for topspin shots against backspin. Users praise control, easy backspin lifting, and loud hitting sound but note lack of speed for long-range play.

Comparison with related rubbers:

• Nittaku Flyatt Spin: Speed (~13.5), Spin (~11.5), Control (~8.5). Faster, spinnier, less control, suitable for OFF players.

• Nittaku Flyatt Hard: Speed (~14), Spin (~10.5), Control (~8). Faster, harder, less control, for OFF players.

• Nittaku Fastarc S-1: Speed (15.50/20), Spin (11.75/15), Control (9.0/10). Faster with flat trajectory, for OFF- players.

• Yasaka Rakza 7 Soft: Speed (~12), Spin (~11), Control (~9). Similar speed, stronger spin, suitable for ALL+ players.

Flyatt Soft stands out with control, high arc, and easy topspin execution, ideal for backhand side.

Suitable blades for Nittaku Flyatt Soft:

• Yasaka Sweden Extra (~35 USD): All-wood, great control, suitable for ALL+ players.

• Yasaka Ma Lin Carbon (~50 USD): Balanced speed, suitable for OFF- players.

• Nittaku Flyatt Carbon Pro (~75 USD): Very fast, suitable for OFF players.

• Nittaku Latika: Great control, suitable for ALL+ players.

• Butterfly Primorac: Stability, suitable for ALL+ players.

All-wood blades (e.g., Yasaka Sweden Extra) maximize control but lack speed for long-range shots. Carbon blades (e.g., Nittaku Flyatt Carbon Pro) compensate for speed loss, suitable for OFF- players. The rubber is perfect for backhand, while faster rubbers (Flyatt Hard, Fastarc G-1) are recommended for forehand.

Ideal players and playstyles for Flyatt Soft:

• Beginners and intermediate players (ALL+, OFF-), especially on backhand side.

• Controlled attacking play, good for backhand (topspin, blocking) or forehand for beginners.

• Close-to-table play: Effective in short game, soft topspin, pushes, and blocks.

• Serve return: Lower tackiness helps return spinny serves easily.

• Blocking: Very high control, ideal for passive and precise blocks.

• Topspin: Easy to lift backspin, good for soft topspin, but lacks power for hard shots.

Effectiveness ratings: blocking (9.6/10), short game (9.5/10), topspin against backspin (9.3/10), serve return (9.0/10). Limited for smashes (7.5/10) and distant shots (7.0/10) due to speed. Users highlight control, sound, and ease of lifting backspin.

Summary:

• Speed: Moderate (13.00/20, ~7.5/10), suitable for short game.

• Spin: Medium-high (10.5/15, ~7.8/10), effective for soft topspin.

• Control: Very high (9.5/10), especially in short game.

• Topsheet: Slightly tacky, enough grip, low spin sensitivity.

• Sponge: Soft (~30° JPN), long dwell time, easy backspin lifting.

• Active Charge: Solid ball bite, responsive.

• Price: Affordable (~40–50 USD), excellent value.

• Sound: Loud hit sound, motivating players.

Limitations:

• Speed: Limited for long, hard shots.

• Spin: Weaker than Fastarc or Factive.

• Adjustment: Needed due to quick ball bounce in short game.

• Durability: ~80–120 hours, less than Fastarc G-1.

ITTF and JTTA approved, suitable for competitions. Popular among beginners and intermediates for control and easy topspin. Effective against 40+ balls, stable in short game, blocking, and backspin lifting. Ideal for backhand, especially for players struggling to lift backspin.

Nittaku Flyatt Soft is the softest in the Flyatt series, offering top control, easy topspin, and high trajectory. Perfect for beginners and intermediates, especially for backhand, it provides stability and precision. A champion of control and versatility at an affordable price!