DHS Hurricane 9 Fruit Green: How Does It Differ from Hurricane 8-80?

Originally published 2023-09-15 · Translated and republished by UltraSpin with permission

This issue’s subject: DHS Hurricane 9 Fruit Green (the Dazzling Purple version shares the same performance).

Quick Take

1. A fresh wind is blowing — DHS Hurricane 9 has arrived in four colors. Blue and pink are positioned for the forehand; green and purple are positioned for the backhand. Today we’re looking at the most eye-catching one: Fruit Green.

2. Hurricane 9 Fruit Green is marketed around control plus speed. The moment I picked it up, I could tell that Hurricane 9 Fruit Green uses the same No. 80 sponge as Hurricane 8-80 — springy yet resilient, with a satisfying weight to it. Spec: 37 degrees, 2.1 mm. Bare weight with film: 72.3 g, which is on the heavier side. Retail price is around 120 RMB.

Hurricane 9 vs. Hurricane 8-80: What’s the Difference?

Since both use the No. 80 sponge, you might wonder what separates them. Here’s the answer:

1. Hurricane 9 uses a high-tack topsheet, while Hurricane 8-80’s tack is noticeably lower. As a result, Hurricane 9 offers slightly better control than 8-80, but the ball comes off the paddle a little slower.

2. In a sense, Hurricane 8-80 produces a crisper, cleaner response — it feels like a lightly tacky European-style rubber. Hurricane 9 feels more like a national-team rubber with a high-energy sponge.

3. Overall, if you can live with the Hurricane 9 series’ color options and the extra weight, it’s worth trying. Personally, I lean toward Hurricane 8-80.

Note: All content in this review reflects my personal impressions. Individual rubber samples vary, and pairing with different blades will affect performance. Comments and corrections are welcome.