RTP Original Shocksorb Ultrasoft Racquet Dampener

TL/DR: Get this dampener right now if you suffer from tennis elbow!!![I usually don't write reviews unless the product sucks and want to warn other potential buyers, but this product has prompted me to write my very first, extensive (and glowing) review of an Amazon purchase. Yeah, this dampener is that good.]I bought this about a week ago and have used it almost daily, and I must say, they may be right in their claim that this is the "World's best (tennis string) dampener". It certainly works far better than the usual rubber dampeners, but with some caveats which I'll go into in a bit.But first, a bit about me so you can have a better sense of the dampener's effectiveness. I'm a baseliner that hits with a lot of pace and top spin that's 4.5-equivalent (NTRP), and I use custom-weighted Head Graphene Radical MP with full co-poly string job in the 40s. I stopped playing competitively a while back due to tennis elbow that just won't go away and will flare up after a couple hours of hard hitting, which consequently has limited my playing frequency to twice a week tops (used to play 4-5 times a week before the elbow).To its credit, RTP ShockSorb has all but prevented elbow flare-ups, to such level that I played 3 days in a row without having to put my arm in a sling. Heck, I didn't even have to ice my elbow or take ibuprofen. This is pretty darn amazing, and I am utterly impressed in its efficacy (yes, I'm likening it to a medicine because it's that good!).The RTP ShockSorb, compared to my usual dampener (round Head 'Djokovic' dampener), mutes the string vibration greatly. I don't have any measurement tools, but the seat-of-the-pants is at lest double--maybe even triple--the dampening. It also feels as if the sweetspot is enlarged even though the dampener is mounted on only two center mains. It's not quite as enlarged as 'the worm', but I prefer RTP ShockSorb because, while the level of dampening is similar to 'the worm', you still get just enough feedback on slightly-off-center shots to know how cleanly you're hitting. This is also very evident when you're volleying. One other benefit over 'the worm' is that it won't pops and leak the gel all over your hands and outfit.The core of RTP ShockSorb is soft, almost putty-like, which I'm guessing is what makes it so effective in its dampening ability. Unfortunately, this softness may also be its biggest shortcoming from the durability perspective. Due to the core's soft/sticky nature, it will likely get squished unless you're very careful when installing it, and then once it's on the strings it doesn't want to slide which makes it difficult to move it to the 'proper' posiition. And in my week's usage, I've installed one RTP ShockSorb between several different racquets to test its effectiveness on different string setups, and each time I install/uninstall it, the part of the core that makes contact with the strings looks increasingly worn & torn. This 'wear' is a lot worse when you install/uninstall it on shaped strings, and this is a fairly big concern because my mains are shaped and I cut out my strings every 2-3 weeks.Another concern regarding the soft core is whether it's affected by extreme temperatures and if so, how much. I play mostly indoors, so my playing temperature is relatively steady, but those of you playing in super-hot summer weather (or cold winters later in the year) might have varying experiences (or not).The other caveat is the weight. This dampener is heavy (for a dampener). At least twice as heavy (probably heavier in actuality) as my Head dampener. It's heavy enough that it throws off the racquet's balance when it's installed in the 'normal' dampener install point (pushed up flush against the bottom cross). My sticks are customized to be very head-light because my swing is fast and whippy/wristy, so on the first few days I was struggling with timing because it made the stick less head-light (on a different stock Head racquet with even balance, it actually felt like it became head-heavy). I was struggling to correct the balance with lead tapes but wasn't very successful, and it was frustrating me to the point that I came THIS close to returning it.Then I got an idea one day to push RTP ShockSorb all the way down so it's flush with the neck, and this made the balance less affected and made it easier to re-balance the racquet to the correct balance. So my solution to the added weight: intall it at the bottom of the main strings. The secondary implication here is that, if you're like me and are very sensitive to the racquet's balance, buying and using RTP ShockSorb means you have to make a real commitment because you'll have to re-balance your racquet (and if you lose it in the middle of a match, you can't just sub it with a normal rubber dampener that weighs next to nothing).So to sum it up:1) this thing absorbs string vibration like nothing else on the market2) durability of the soft core is suspect3) added weight may likely throw off your racquet's balanceDespite the caveats, this is a super product for suffers of tennis elbow (or wrist, or shoulder). At $15 a pop, I think it takes the crown as the most expensive dampener on the market, but with many high-end strings going for $20+ per pack, I think it's a very worthy investment, especially considering that I get to keep my racquets and not spend time and money on newer models that boast enhanced dampening (which may or may not be true, or may have other caveats like playability for your particular style of tennis). Durability, we'll just have to see.So all in all, big kudos for the team behind this Kickstarter project!Get it if you are elbow/wrist sufferer!

I have been playing tennis for 48 years. The first time I had tennis elbow I started using dampeners. It helped considerably, and I settled on the classic O damps from Tourna. Continued with tennis elbow on occasion, but manageable. This RTP dampener is by far the most comfortable I've ever used. I'd heard a lot of good things about it prior to purchase, but wasn't excited about the nearly 19.00 price for one dampener. Popped it into one of my rackets and I will not use another type of dampener ever. These are beyond soft and comfortable, and will decimate any unwanted "feedback" from the racket. Just off the courts after about 3 hours, and I just want to play more. So buttery soft. The dampening material is unlike anything I've ever felt. Also provides a nice thwock sound on contact as a bonus. If you want comfort without sacrificing spin, power, etc try these dampeners.

Amazing amount of absorption for such a small dampener. Ultrasoft works well on both my flexible 18x20 control racquet and my 16x19 spin racquet. Takes away unwanted sound and vibration while keeping a nice connected sensation for feedback. Downside is that the material is soft and sticky, so it collects dirt.

Dampener worked...and broke off the first day.Wouldn't recommend. Expensive dampener that breaks...not good.

I've been battling elbow and shoulder issues due to nerve damage in my right arm. I saw a review of the new RTP dampeners on Tennis Spin on YouTube.I switched to Pro Kennex rackets with a natural gut hybrid string setup. This helped a lot, but the issues didn't resolve until I installed my first RTP dampener. Everything that is advertised about these dampeners is 100% accurate. If anything, the claims may be too modest. If you suffer from any arm issues, this is the dampener to get. Easy to change from one racket to another, but I love them so much I ordered three more for my other rackets!

This dampener is great in absorbing vibration. It is on the heavy side. It also attracts lint because of the material (it’s very… gooey).

So far seems to work very well, a noticeable difference, I am pleased with that. Issue is with the misleading product title. Says Dampener(s) which led me to believe I would get more than 1 of them. So, price seems quite high for 1.

If you need a dampener for any reason like your arm pain issue or your racket vibration issue, this can be a cool solution. Frankly, your arm pain issue cannot be thoroughly solved by all the dampeners, only when you have small pain, then this can help you. However, if you don't like your racket feel or vibration of your racket, you must try this. It could make them more crispy. I tried more than 10 dampeners but I only use this. I know this is somewhat more pricy than other dampeners, but don't waste your money and buy one.If I give you an advice when you use this, please be careful when you put this on your racket not to make torsion on the rubbery part of a dampener, and don't use this when your string is too loose (easily moving stringbed).

its does the job but not a big differnence as claimed. Though great how the outer shell is hard so even if you miss hit the ball the absorper wont go flying which I really like.not worth spending $43 Aud for what its worth.