Victas V15s: The Legendary Budget Stand-In for D09c?
This installment’s rubber: Victas V15 Sticky Max 52.5 degrees
Test setup: uncoded Hurricane Wang Acb blade, V15s tacky on the forehand
Quick Take
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In recent years, foreign manufacturers have also noticed how a tacky topsheet boosts spin on the “big ball,” and they’ve started embracing the tacky market. This V15s rubber is a 2025 release that pairs a semi-tacky topsheet with a high-elasticity German cake sponge.
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At the 2025 Nanchang Sports Expo, I got to try this rubber once at the Victas booth and came away with a good impression. I’d define it as a German tacky rubber that works on both forehand and backhand.
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The sponge hardness is roughly equivalent to a 39-degree Hurricane. Uncut weight is 72.4 grams, and after cutting it comes to around 50 grams, slightly heavier than D09c.
Playing Impressions
Part One: Forehand (Main Focus)
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Forehand drives: The feel is very clear and crisp, and the ball comes off very well. The elasticity sits between Tibhar K2pro and DNA Dragon Grip, with slightly lower hardness, and the ball noticeably sinks into the sponge.
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Forehand loops: Very easy to penetrate, with about the same entry threshold as a 39-degree Hurricane. Overall it plays as “easy to penetrate, easy to control” with a very soft sponge. Speed, arc, and spin are all middle-of-the-road but plenty for the job. The feel is great and the margin for error is high. The arc gets more stable the harder you drive, and you need to lean into the ball more.
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Forehand away from the table: I’d recommend using the V15s in small venues or at mid-close range. When backing off the table or playing in a large venue, the low sponge hardness means quality clearly drops off, so the ceiling is on the lower side.
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Forehand defense: Even with the soft sponge, defense feels pretty comfortable. My usual rubber, DNA Dragon Grip, defends with a crisp, springy character and a firm sponge that can hold up against heavy hits. The V15s, despite its soft sponge, is very lively, with plenty of room to adjust and a generous margin for error.
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Worth highlighting: The V15s sponge is extremely lively and really grips the ball. I’d go so far as to call it the “Hurricane of the inverted-import world,” so whether you’re brushing arc onto the ball or opening up against backspin, you can handle it with ease.
Part Two: Backhand (A Quick Comparison to D09c)
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Backhand feel: Slightly heavier than D09c, and the difference in feel is fairly noticeable. The V15s sponge is livelier, while the D09c sponge is more solid and offers better directional control.
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Backhand pushes: The tackiness feels a touch higher than D09c, and pushing is more controlled and comfortable than with D09c.
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Backhand loops: D09c loops more comfortably, especially once you really put power into it, where almost no other rubber can replace it. The V15s feels a bit hollow by comparison. Once you get used to the sponge and focus more on “leaning forward and pushing the ball forward,” it actually works pretty well too.
Final Verdict
The V15s gets its performance from the topsheet and sponge working as a unit, providing arc and control. The D09c, on the other hand, gets arc and control mainly from the topsheet, while the sponge provides solid quality and direction. The difference is clear. In terms of quality, the V15s definitely falls short of D09c, and the feel isn’t really “like D09c” the way people online claim.
That said, the V15s really is a solid value, and I personally love how it feels on the forehand.
Overall I’d give it an 8 out of 10. Well worth recommending.