XIOM Omega V Tour is a premium table tennis rubber designed for advanced and professional players who prioritize a balance of speed, spin, and control, particularly suited for aggressive, offensive play with plastic balls. Part of the renowned Omega V series, this rubber is engineered with cutting-edge technologies to deliver exceptional performance for modern attacking styles. Below is a comprehensive description of its characteristics, technologies, playing properties, and recommendations.

Key Characteristics

• Manufacturer: XIOM

• Series: Omega V

• Color: Red or black

• Sponge Thickness: Max (2.2 mm), also available in 2.0 mm

• Hardness: Medium-hard (47.5° on the ESN European scale)

• Speed: 91/100

• Spin: 94/100

• Control: 93/100

• Durability: 79/100

• Throw Angle: Medium-high (5.3/10)

• Tackiness: Slightly tacky (1.7/10)

• Weight: Medium-heavy (50 g when cut to a 157x150 mm blade)

• Technologies: Dynamic Friction Technology (DF), Carbo Sponge, Hyper Elasto

• ITTF Approval: Yes, suitable for official competitions

Technologies

XIOM Omega V Tour incorporates several advanced technologies to optimize performance for professional-level play:

1. Dynamic Friction Technology (DF):

   • Developed to address the challenges of plastic balls, which are slicker than celluloid balls, DF technology enhances the grip of the topsheet, inspired by snow tire physics. This ensures a firm and stable contact with the ball, enabling powerful spin generation and precise shot execution, especially during topspin rallies and aggressive strokes.

2. Carbo Sponge:

   • The black Carbo Sponge with medium-sized pores provides a balanced catapult effect, offering a blend of speed and elasticity. Slightly softer than the Omega V Asia’s sponge (~46° vs. 47–48°), it delivers a slightly bouncier feel, allowing players to generate fast shots with less physical effort while maintaining control.

3. Hyper Elasto:

   • The topsheet is crafted with Hyper Elasto technology, which imparts internal tension to enhance spin and stability. This technology ensures quick and efficient responses, even for complex shots, making the rubber highly effective for consistent looping and precise shot placement.

4. Slightly Tacky Topsheet:

   • The Omega VTour features a grippy, slightly tacky topsheet (rated 1.7/10 for tackiness), which provides excellent spin without the stickiness of Chinese rubbers like DHS Hurricane. This makes it versatile and easier to handle, closely resembling European rubbers like Tibhar Evolution MX-P or Butterfly Tenergy 05.

Playing Characteristics

Omega V Tour is tailored for players who favor an aggressive, spin-oriented game close to or at mid-distance from the table. Here’s how it performs across various aspects of play:

• Speed:

  • Rated at 91/100, Omega V Tour is fast but slightly slower than Omega V Asia (96/100). It excels in delivering powerful topspins and smashes, particularly for forehand and backhand loops. The moderate catapult effect allows for fast shots with less effort compared to harder rubbers, making it suitable for dynamic, attacking play.

• Spin:

  • With a spin rating of 94/100, this rubber produces excellent topspin, especially for looping against backspin or counter-looping topspin. Its slightly tacky topsheet and medium-high throw angle (5.3/10) create a pronounced arc, ensuring consistent and spinny loops that clear the net safely. However, some players note that the spin is slightly less than top-tier rubbers like Butterfly Tenergy 05 or DHS Hurricane.

• Control:

  • Rated at 93/100 for control, Omega V Tour is highly forgiving, making it ideal for players who want reliability without sacrificing power. It excels in short game, service returns, and blocking, offering precise ball placement even with imperfect technique. The rubber is less spin-sensitive, which enhances control during passive play.

• Blocking:

  • Omega V Tour is exceptional for blocking, providing a direct feel and consistent performance. The balanced throw and controlled catapult effect prevent the ball from going long, even against strong topspins, making it a reliable choice for active and passive blocking.

• Serves and Short Game:

  • The rubber’s grippy surface and high control rating make it excellent for serves and short game. It allows for precise spin variation on serves and effective returns, particularly against sidespin serves. Short pushes remain low and controlled, facilitating a tight short game.

• Distance from Table:

  • Omega V Tour performs best close to the table or at mid-distance (1–2 m). Its medium-high throw angle supports consistent looping from these positions, though it may be less effective for defensive play or lobbing from further distances.

Comparison with Other Rubbers

• Comparison with Omega V Asia:

  • Omega V Asia is harder (47–48°) and faster (96/100), designed for aggressive players prioritizing speed and power. Omega V Tour, with a slightly softer sponge (46°) and higher spin rating (94 vs. 91), offers more control and a higher throw angle, making it better for spin-oriented players and consistent looping.

• Comparison with Omega V Europe:

  • Omega V Europe is softer (45°) and more control-focused, ideal for players who prefer a slower, spin-heavy game. Omega V Tour strikes a balance, offering more speed and power while retaining excellent control.

• Comparison with Butterfly Tenergy:

  • Omega V Tour is often compared to Tenergy 05 due to its spin and control characteristics. It has a slightly lower speed and spin but is more forgiving and typically more affordable, offering a softer, more direct feel.

• Comparison with Chinese Rubbers:

  • Unlike sticky Chinese rubbers (e.g., DHS Hurricane), Omega V Tour is easier to handle, requiring less physical effort while still delivering ample spin and speed. Its slightly tacky topsheet provides a European-style feel with good versatility.

Recommended Player Type

Omega V Tour is ideal for players who:

• Play an aggressive, spin-oriented game, emphasizing consistent topspin loops and counter-looping.

• Have a well-developed technique and seek a balance of speed, spin, and control.

• Need a rubber suited for plastic balls, offering reliability in both offensive and passive play.

• Value excellent blocking and short game capabilities, suitable for both forehand and backhand.

It pairs well with OFF- to OFF blades, particularly those with harder outer plies or composite layers, such as the Xiom Vega Tour or Koki Niwa Wood, to maximize its spin and control potential.

Advantages

• Outstanding balance of speed, spin, and control (91/94/93).

• Exceptional blocking and short game performance.

• High throw angle for consistent, safe looping.

• Suitable for plastic balls due to DF technology.

• Forgiving for small technical errors, making it versatile for advanced players.

Maintenance

• Cleaning: Clean the rubber after each session with a dedicated XIOM cleaner or distilled water to remove dirt and maintain grip.

• Storage: Store the racket in a protective case, avoiding direct sunlight or moisture, to extend the rubber’s lifespan.

• Durability: Regularly inspect the topsheet, especially the black version, for pimple damage, as some users report wear after heavy use.

XIOM Omega V Tour is a top-tier table tennis rubber that excels in delivering a well-rounded combination of speed, spin, and control, making it a favorite among competitive players. Its Dynamic Friction Technology and Carbo Sponge ensure excellent performance with plastic balls, while the slightly tacky topsheet and medium-high throw angle provide consistent, spinny loops and reliable blocking. Though it requires solid technique and may not suit beginners, it is an excellent choice for advanced players seeking a versatile rubber for both forehand and backhand. For those looking for a high-performance, forgiving rubber at a competitive price, Omega V Tour is a standout option.

XIOM Omega V Tour

XIOM Omega V Tour

XIOM Omega V Tour