Donic Bluestorm Z2

I find this rubber suit me really well on my forehand (tmb zlc), after trying tenergy 64, then vega europe for more control, but the vega europe lacks speed and spin so then I go for the z2 after try it on my coach's blade. It has extreme catapult on the first 1-2 weeks after gluing depend on how much you play, it became a bit too fast, just like a thunder strike and was lacking some control. However, after playing a few times it will settle down and become very controllable. The spin of this rubber is good when you have a good technique, it's just like other ESN rubbers. Topspin and topspin counter feels really good and controllable, thanks to the soft feeling sponge, the rubber feels softer compare to other 47.5 degrees rubber, I can say it just feel 3-4 degrees softer compared to the victas v15 extra (this is why I switch back to the z2 after trying the v15). Topspin against backspin is easy and powerful. Blocking is good but like I said when just being glued the rubber was too fast so it bounced off the table. Overall, for me this rubber is one of the rubber that suits very well on the tmb zlc blade other from Tenergy with a cheaper price. I am also using aurus select on the backhand and love it.

Physical: rubber is presented as medium hardness but I think of it as medium going to hard. Top sheet has typical height of pips. It is durable rubber for ESN product. Most of ESN durability has been approved in last 5 years or so. No resemblance to older tensors which if you buy soft could die in a month or so. Speed: this rubber is really fast. Would not count much on typical midrange series safety to it. As Z2, midpoint between Z1 and Z3 you would expect some margin for error but in my opinion this is fast. You can go away from the table as much as you want, and most likely you won’t lack power with this. Honestly I find it a bit too fast for me. Spin: a bit tricky topic with this rubber. Since I find this rubber to be fast, spin is very good when you manage to hit with reasonable amount of force, but if you don’t execute full stroke or you put less power spin is not amazing. It is not easy to dig into the sponge with mediocre swing and rubber is not tacky so top sheet won’t do all the work for you. If you have very solid technique, you can rip very hard 3rd ball attack and make it spinney but again you have to make a solid hit. All in all, spin is there, but requires higher level of skill and confidence in the shot. Recommendation: this rubber I would only recommend to club players, who are ok controlling rubbers like T05 and such. On the other hand if you are blocker on BH, this could very well work just fine. If you like to drive on counter mainly on FH this could be a consideration as well. Have fun and enjoy TT.

UPDATE! Hi All! I have been testing this rubber on both sides for a time now I loved it on FH and BH too, before that I was using M1. This rubber is faster, than M1, has a bit lower throw in some cases and feels more spongy due to the 2.33 mm thick sponge. Now I use it on both sides. Compared to the M1 in different strokes: Looping is more dynamic, easily varied and more aggressive, due to the spongy feel, riskier highly rewarding shots can be played close and far from the table. Really like FH and BH flicks. Counterlooping is the most notable feature of this rubber as it is very solid and fast. Dropshots are bit tricky, don't do passive blocks always direct the ball with small movements. Counterhits are good as any, the rubber feels a bit spongy, the throw is lower, but stable. The main DIFFERENCE is this spongy characteristic! Fine touch and passive strokes are harder to get used to, because the balls will fly further than intended. With this rubber you have to be more dedicated to the shot/touch to engage the sponge of the rubber to get the control over your shots. If you just hold your racket passively when handling the ball, you won't get any good results. But when you hit the ball correctly you can feel it sinking in the sponge and can immediately feel the control of your ball. Due to the spongy feeling you may feel like you are playing with the old 40 mm celluloid ball, but with a new 40+ poly. So to describe this rubber I may say that this is an M1 mixed with an Acuda Blue, a Rosena in beast mode, a T05 with more dwelltime and speed. Can recommend it to an allroud looping attacker, not for chopping but pushes are loaded with backspin. Excellent for different looping styles. Speedwise I was playing with a Waldner WC '89 OFF blade with M1, had to put that blade down bacause was not able to hit the ball on the table. Had to go to an OFF- blade to get the same speed. So take note, that this rubber is really one tempo faster!

Rubber has all of the qualities to play this game. Has the speed when needed, very nice control, good spin, great to block with and can be as powerful as you want it to be. VERY NICE RUBBER!!!

Low sensitivity to rotation, high control, medium angle, pleasant sensation, high rotation, satisfactory blocking, easy to attack, medium weight, medium hard rubber, for advanced and professional use in BH, for medium level and beginners good for FH, it is the best rubber for BH, better than T05fx, I have tried many, high marks for this rubber.