Stiga Allround Evolution vs Stiga Carbonado 45: Which Should You Buy?
| Stiga Allround Evolution | Stiga Carbonado 45 | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 8.2/10 | 8.4/10 |
| feel | soft, high feedback | Moderately stiff with deep reverberating vibrations; more wood-like dwell than typical carbon blades; high throw angle |
| handle | FL/ST/AN | Straight/Flared/Anatomic (coal-grey dyed wood) |
| plies | 5W (all wood) | 7-ply with TeXtreme carbon (5 wood + 2 carbon at 45-degree angle) |
| speed | ALL+ | OFF |
| thickness_mm | 5.4 | 5.7mm |
| weight_g | 80 | 85-91g |
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The Allround Evolution is a gentle speed upgrade from the Allround Classic — still soft and feedback-focused, designed for intermediate players who want a small, safe step toward more pace without losing the teaching feel. The Carbonado 45 is a modern carbon specialist optimized for topspin and loop-dominant play, trading softness for vibration and spin consistency. Both suit intermediate-to-advanced play, but the Evolution remains a learning tool while the Carbonado is a specialist weapon.
The Evolution will feel like a modest speed increase with soft, responsive dwell — you still supply most of the pace, but faster rubbers and technique improvements yield more results. The Carbonado 45 gives you more inherent speed and stiffness while preserving wood-like feel; it demands specific loop-and-block tactics. The Evolution is versatile and pairs with many rubber types; the Carbonado is optimized for heavy topspin rubbers. If you are progressing from the Classic and want a safe step up, the Evolution is ideal. If you have the technique for loops and want a modern, spin-focused blade, the Carbonado 45 offers more raw capability.
FAQ
Which is faster?
The Carbonado 45 (OFF speed) is faster than the Evolution (ALL+ speed). The Carbonado still lacks true carbon speed and requires extra effort for power shots, but it is noticeably quicker than the soft Evolution.
Which is better for learning?
The Allround Evolution is better for learning — it is soft, feedback-rich, and designed as a small step up from the Classic. The Carbonado is less forgiving and better suited to advanced players with established technique.
Which is better for looping?
The Carbonado 45 is purpose-built for topspin looping with a high throw angle that aids heavy loops. The Evolution is decent for loops but does not prioritize topspin the way the Carbonado does.
Which is lighter?
The Evolution at 80g is lighter than the Carbonado 45 at 85-91g, making it more nimble for quick transitions. The lighter weight makes technique feedback easier to feel.