DHS Hurricane Long 5 vs Donic Waldner Allplay: Which Should You Buy?
| DHS Hurricane Long 5 | Donic Waldner Allplay | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 8.6/10 | 8.2/10 |
| feel | hard, powerful | Soft and forgiving with good dwell time, slight stiffness at sweet spot |
| handle | FL/ST | FL (flared), classic dark-brown wood |
| plies | 5W+2 Arylate-Carbon | 5-ply all wood (Limba-Ayous-Ayous-Ayous-Limba) |
| speed | OFF+ | ALL |
| thickness_mm | 5.9 | 5.4-5.6 mm |
| weight_g | 89 | approx 85-87 g |
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The DHS Hurricane Long 5 (8.6) is an exceptional OFF+ inner-carbon blade delivering outstanding control, large sweet spot, and deep catapult tuned for tacky rubber and close-to-mid-table looping. The Donic Waldner Allplay (8.2) is a soft, forgiving all-wood blade excelling at control and consistency for beginners learning all strokes—excellent value, limited speed.
Long 5 is for serious loopers ready to attack; Waldner Allplay is for beginners mastering basics. DHS has significantly more power and speed; Allplay is slower but safer. DHS rewards tacky rubber; Allplay works with anything. Both are heavy (89g vs 85-87g), but DHS’s power compensates. Pick Long 5 if you’re intermediate and want to dominate close-to-mid-table; pick Waldner if you’re beginner and developing technique on a budget.
FAQ
Which is better for a beginner?
Waldner Allplay—simpler, more forgiving, and you won’t outgrow fundamentals on a slow blade. Long 5’s power is wasted without developed technique.
Can Waldner Allplay compete in rallies?
At beginner-intermediate level, yes. Its consistency is exceptional. Beyond USATT 1400, you’ll hit a speed ceiling.
Does Long 5 really need Chinese rubber?
Not strictly, but it comes alive with tacky rubber. Soft European inverted rubbers make it feel sluggish.
What’s the price difference?
Long 5 is pricier. For budget learners, Waldner is smarter. Long 5 cost is justified only if you’re serious about looping.