Yasaka Rakza 7 Soft Review: Soft Tensor for Spin and Control

By UltraSpin · 2026-06-11 · rubber

The Yasaka Rakza 7 Soft is the softer companion to the well-regarded Rakza 7, designed for players who want the same high-quality grippy topsheet but with a more forgiving and controllable sponge. Yasaka rates the sponge at approximately 40 degrees on the ESN scale, down from the standard Rakza 7, and describes the result as improved control characteristics, a higher arc on topspin loops, and a better ball feel in short return play. The built-in tensor technology adds a speed glue effect that keeps the rubber lively despite its softness, making it a genuine offensive option rather than a purely passive control rubber.

Performance

In looping and topspin play, the Rakza 7 Soft genuinely impresses. The soft sponge compresses deeply on contact, extending dwell time and allowing the grippy topsheet to brush more ball surface. The resulting shot carries a high arc that clears the net safely, a feature that multiple reviewers across Revspin and PingPongMaster specifically praise. Slow opening loops against backspin are notably easy, and the rubber rewards brushing technique over brute-force hitting. On backhand flicks, the extended contact time gives players extra milliseconds to redirect the ball with confidence. Blocking with this rubber is equally strong. The softness absorbs incoming spin rather than amplifying it, so passive blocks are stable and predictable. Reviewers who switched from harder tensors specifically note fewer wild redirected balls. The tensor activation means that even gentle chopping or brushing motions on a block can add unexpected rotation to the return, putting pressure on opponents. Serving is also a strength: the grippy surface grabs the ball easily for short backspin, sidespin, and combined spin variations. On receive, the rubber tames heavy spin from the opponent, making it easier to push short or flick aggressively. Community average scores from 98 reviews on TableTennis-Reference give it Speed 7.2, Spin 8.51, and Control 8.66, a profile that clearly favors the spin and control dimensions. PingPongMaster independently rates Spin 4.5/5 and Control 4.5/5, with Speed at 3.5/5. These numbers align closely, giving high confidence in the rubber’s character. Where it underperforms is at distance. From mid-far table, players need to generate more physical effort to maintain pace and depth, and against very heavy offensive players the softer sponge can struggle to punch through. Pairing with a medium to fast blade compensates effectively.

What Reviewers Agree (and Disagree) On

The main point of consensus across Revspin, PingPongMaster, TableTennis-Reference, and Reddit is that the Rakza 7 Soft excels at control and spin while being slower than comparable tensor rubbers. Reviewers also broadly agree it is best suited to backhand use or to players who are still developing their looping technique. The main area of disagreement is spin level: some players feel the spin is exceptional (Revspin reviewers rate it as high as 9.5 out of 10), while others using it at a higher competitive level found the spin ceiling somewhat lower than expected, noting it does not punish opponents as effectively as harder rubbers at the top level. Advanced players who switched from high-end tensors such as Tenergy or Fastarc G-1 occasionally find it too slow, while intermediate players moving up from beginner rubbers consistently describe it as an ideal step-up product.

Who Should Buy It

The Rakza 7 Soft is the right choice for players from beginner to intermediate level who are developing a spin-based topspin game and need a forgiving rubber that rewards good technique without punishing minor errors. It is particularly well suited as a backhand rubber on a medium-speed all-wood or inner-carbon blade, where it adds control and high-arc spin without making the overall setup too fast. Players who have found the standard Rakza 7 slightly too quick or unforgiving will appreciate the extra dwell time and margin offered by the Soft version. It is not the ideal choice for advanced players who need explosive speed to finish points, or for those who play mainly from mid-far distance where penetration becomes a limiting factor.

FAQ

How does the Rakza 7 Soft differ from the standard Rakza 7?

Both rubbers share the same grippy topsheet, but the Soft version uses a softer approximately 40-degree sponge compared to the harder sponge on the standard Rakza 7. The result is more dwell time, a higher throw angle, better control, and slightly less outright speed. The Soft version is often described as the better backhand option of the two.

Is the Rakza 7 Soft good for beginners?

Yes, it is frequently recommended as an ideal step-up rubber for beginners and as a backhand rubber for junior competitive players. Its forgiving throw angle, excellent control, and reliable spin generation make it easy to learn on without developing bad habits. Multiple community reviewers specifically describe it as recommended for those trying their first tensor rubber.

What blade works best with the Rakza 7 Soft?

Medium to fast blades work best with the Rakza 7 Soft to compensate for its moderate speed. The Yasaka Sweden Extra is a very popular pairing mentioned repeatedly by community members. Inner-carbon blades are also a good match, providing stiffness to balance the soft sponge. Overly flexible all-wood blades may make the setup feel too slow for offensive play.

Can the Rakza 7 Soft be used on the forehand?

Yes. While it is most commonly recommended for backhand use, several experienced players at Revspin report excellent results using it on the forehand as well. One long-term user played two years on the backhand then switched to the forehand, praising its precision and spin. It suits a forehand game that emphasizes spin placement over outright speed.

How does the Rakza 7 Soft perform with new poly balls?

Very well. One Revspin reviewer noted that the new polyball seems to have no negative effect on the Rakza 7 Soft’s performance, and suggested that the softness of the sponge actually works in its favor because it wraps around the harder plastic ball better than stiffer rubbers do.

What is the approximate weight of the Rakza 7 Soft?

When cut to fit a standard blade, the Rakza 7 Soft typically weighs around 42 to 44 grams. One Revspin reviewer measured 43.5 grams cut slightly larger than the blade, estimating around 42 grams on a standard 157x150mm blade. It is considered a relatively lightweight rubber for its performance level.