Nittaku Moristo 44

Nittaku Moristo 44 is a high-quality short pips-out table tennis rubber, created by the Japanese manufacturer Nittaku and produced in Germany. It is specially designed for play with the larger 44 mm ball but is also effective with the standard 40 mm and 40+ plastic balls. This rubber uses TENSION technology, ensuring exceptional speed (15/20) and spin (12.5/20), making it ideal for aggressive attackers playing close to the table who emphasize flat smashes. Due to its very soft sponge (25° on the Nittaku scale), the Moristo 44 offers an excellent balance of speed and control, suitable for both forehand and backhand sides. Approved by ITTF and JTTA, this rubber is a great choice for players seeking fast, unpredictable shots and strong spin at the table.

Key Features:

• Rubber type: Short pips-out, optimized for large balls

• Speed: 15/20

• Spin: 12.5/20

• Sponge hardness: 25° (very soft, close to 30° on the ESN scale)

• Sponge thickness: 2.0 mm, MAX

• Colors: Red, black

• Origin: Germany

• Certifications: ITTF and JTTA approved

• Weight: ~44 g (uncut, 180x170 mm), ~31 g (cut, 157x150 mm)

• Technologies: TENSION system, soft sponge

Construction and Playing Characteristics of Nittaku Moristo 44:

• Sponge (25°): Very soft sponge (25° on Nittaku scale, about 30° on ESN scale), one of the softest among short pips rubbers, ensuring exceptional ball rebound and a “catapult effect.” Its fine-pored structure absorbs incoming ball energy and releases it as additional speed, providing a lively but controllable feel. Compared to Moristo SP (30°) or Moristo SP AX (30°), Moristo 44’s sponge is softer, offering more forgiveness and control in blocking and short game while maintaining high speed (15/20) for flat smashes.

• Topsheet and Pimple Geometry: Moristo 44 features short, vertically arranged pimples with a textured surface on a thin topsheet. This structure allows unusually high spin (12.5/20) for a short pips rubber, close to inverted rubbers like Tenergy 80 FX (61/100). The topsheet is somewhat tacky, optimized for fast flat smashes, topspin strokes, and spin pushes. Compared to Moristo SP AX (spin 8.5/20), Moristo 44 produces significantly more spin, close to Nittaku Royal Large (14/20). The pimples are small and flexible, ensuring stability and minimal sensitivity to incoming spin.

• TENSION Technology: Nittaku’s TENSION system increases the topsheet elasticity, providing extra speed and spin without additional boosters. This technology offers a solid hit feel, allowing precise control of stroke power and spin, especially for flat strokes, topspin, and counterattacks. Moristo 44 feels “sharp,” strongly transmitting the blade’s feedback, which is especially suitable for fast shots near the table.

• Weight: Moristo 44 is a lightweight rubber (~31 g cut), similar in weight to Moristo SP (~31 g) and lighter than Yasaka Rakza PO (~35 g). This lightness allows pairing with heavier blades like Butterfly Timo Boll ALC without losing racket balance.

The rubber is available in two sponge thicknesses: 2.0 mm for balanced play, and MAX for aggressive offensive shots, especially flat smashes. Colors—red and black—comply with ITTF standards. Nittaku recommends using water-based glues like Nittaku Fine Zip for mounting the rubber.

Technical Ratings and Play Characteristics:

• Speed (15/20): Moristo 44 is an extremely fast short pips rubber suitable for flat smashes, backhand and forehand attacks, and third-ball shots. Compared to Moristo SP (12.5/20) and Moristo SP AX (13/20), Moristo 44 is faster, approaching Nittaku Royal Large (15/20). The rubber has a strong “catapult effect,” especially on flat hits, but requires precision to avoid overshooting the ball.

• Spin (12.5/20): Thanks to its vertical pimples and TENSION technology, Moristo 44 generates high spin for a short pips rubber, effective on topspin strokes, serves, and pushes. Compared to Moristo SP AX (8.5/20), Moristo 44 produces much more spin, close to inverted rubbers. It is less sensitive to incoming spin, making it excellent for blocking and counterattacking.

• Control: The soft sponge (25°) and flexible pimples provide high control when blocking, executing short pushes, and precise strokes. Compared to Moristo SP, Moristo 44 offers more forgiveness due to the softer sponge, making it suitable for a broader range of players, including intermediate players transitioning to short pips.

• Trajectory: Low, flat, and somewhat unpredictable, ideal for flat smashes, blocks, and quick attacks close to the table. The trajectory is straighter than inverted rubbers (e.g., Tenergy 80 FX), making it unsuitable for mid-distance play but excellent for aggressive close-to-table shots.

Playing Style:

• Flat Smashes: Moristo 44 excels at flat smashes (9.5/10), especially with the 44 mm ball, producing powerful and unpredictable trajectories. The soft sponge and TENSION technology create fast and precise smashes, suitable for both forehand and backhand.

• Attacks (Driving): The rubber is very fast for backhand and forehand attacks (9.3/10), offering excellent speed and strong spin. The trajectory is flat with high spin, pressuring opponents. Compared to Moristo SP AX, Moristo 44 is faster and generates more spin.

• Blocking: Blocks against topspin are fast, flat, and stable (9.1/10). The soft sponge reduces sensitivity to incoming spin, making the rubber forgiving when blocking strong topspin shots. Compared to Moristo SP, Moristo 44 offers more speed but slightly less disruptive effect.

• Pushing: Long pushes are controlled (8.8/10) with strong spin, but require precise feel due to speed and elasticity. Short pushes and touch shots are high-quality (9.0/10), as the rubber becomes “dead” on low-impact strokes, ensuring stability in the short game.

• Flicks: Moristo 44 is excellent for banana flicks (9.2/10), especially attacking backspin, thanks to strong spin and speed. Flicks are effective if performed precisely at the ball’s trajectory peak.

Compatibility with Blades:

Moristo 44 suits various blades, especially those emphasizing speed and feel:

• Nittaku Acoustic: Offers feel and control, ideal for versatile players.

• Butterfly Timo Boll ALC: Maximizes speed, suitable for attackers.

• Butterfly Viscaria: Provides stability, good for blocking and counterattacks.

• Yasaka Ma Lin Extra Offensive: Adds extra speed, suitable for aggressive shots.

Due to its lightweight (~31 g cut), Moristo 44 pairs well with heavier blades like Butterfly Mizutani Jun Super ZLC without losing racket balance. Users recommend using Moristo 44 with MAX sponge thickness on the forehand for maximum speed on flat smashes, or 2.0 mm sponge thickness on the backhand for more control.

Who is Nittaku Moristo 44 for?

Nittaku Moristo 44 is designed for players seeking speed, spin, and unpredictable shots close to the table:

• Advanced attackers looking for a fast, spin-generating short pips rubber, suitable for forehand or backhand.

• Aggressive close-to-the-table players emphasizing flat smashes, topspin attacks, banana flicks, and fast counterattacks.

• Close-to-the-table play: Effective in fast shots, blocks, flicks, and backspin attacks. Not suitable for mid-distance play due to flat trajectory.

• Serves and reception: The rubber allows strong spin generation on serves (8.9/10), especially short and side serves, and is less sensitive to incoming spin, facilitating passive reception (9.0/10) and blocking. Active reception is effective but requires precision due to speed.

• Not suitable for beginners due to strong “catapult effect” and reduced control in powerful strokes.

The rubber is highly effective for flat smashes (9.5/10) and flicks (9.2/10) because of speed and spin. It offers stability in blocking (9.1/10) and controlled short pushes (9.0/10). Users praise its “speed and spin balance,” “unpredictable trajectories,” and “pleasant feel,” especially for attackers seeking an alternative to traditional short pips rubbers.

Advantages of Nittaku Moristo 44:

• Speed (15/20): Extremely fast, suitable for flat smashes and close-to-the-table attacks.

• Spin (12.5/20): High spin potential for a short pips rubber, effective for topspin shots, serves, and pushes.

• Control: Soft sponge and flexible pimples provide excellent control during blocks, short pushes, and precise shots.

• Trajectory: Low, flat, and somewhat unpredictable trajectory ideal for aggressive play close to the table.

• Lightweight: At about 31 grams (trimmed), it pairs well with heavier blades without compromising racket balance.

• ITTF and JTTA approved: Meets international competition standards.

Recommended for:

• Advanced attackers who want a fast, spin-generating short pips rubber for forehand or backhand.

• Aggressive close-to-the-table players focusing on flat smashes, topspin attacks, banana flicks, and quick counterattacks.

• Players who prioritize unpredictable shot trajectories and quick reflex play.

• Not suitable for beginners due to the strong “catapult effect” and reduced control on powerful shots.

Compatibility with blades:

• Works well with various blades emphasizing speed and feel, such as Nittaku Acoustic, Butterfly Timo Boll ALC, Butterfly Viscaria, and Yasaka Ma Lin Extra Offensive.

• Due to its light weight, it pairs well with heavier blades like Butterfly Mizutani Jun Super ZLC, maintaining good balance.

• Recommended to use MAX sponge thickness on forehand for maximum speed on flat shots, and 2.0 mm sponge on backhand for more control.