Best Towel Grips for Badminton Players
One of the primary reasons people choose a towel grip is its exceptional sweat-absorbing properties. As badminton is a physically
Share the Post:
Dunlop Viper Dry Grip Review
Written by
In my opinion, a good badminton grip is as vital as a quality racket, especially in high-intensity sports like badminton where quick grip changes are a constant occurrence. I have found that changing my grip can instantly improve my game and I always come away thinking “Why didn’t I change this sooner?!”.
Here, we review Dunlop’s PU Replacement grip Viper Dry, a no-nonsense grip for those players who value performance over style.
Ideal For - Performance
Pros
- Exceptional Tackiness
- High Comfort Levels
- Super Absorbency
- Lightning Fast Regripping
Cons
- Limited Color Options
- Slightly Thick Padding
- Higher Price Range
The Dunlop Viper Dry is a clear winner when considering the performance aspects of a grip, with amazing tackiness, incredible comfort, and excellent absorbency. However, if you want this performance, you need to sacrifice style with only two colors to choose from, black or white.
Don’t know what the difference is between a replacement grip and an overgrip or want some more general information about grips, check out our article Everything You Need To Know About Badminton Grips.
We performed several tests and rated each grip we tested according to 7 different categories. We found that the Dunlop Viper Dry grip ranked highly for all the performance metrics we tested, scoring full marks for Tackiness. To see how it stacks up against the others, check out our other article Best Badminton Grips.
Let’s see how Dunlop Viper Dry ranked during our in-house tests. All the grips we talk about have been bought, tried, tested, and scored out of 10 in each of our 7 categories to give you the best information for picking your next grip.
Tackiness - 10/10
What we thought
- Extremely Tacky
- Best in Class
The Tackiness of the Viper Dry grip is second to none. When holding the grip it feels like it is sticking to your hand. With such a good grip, there is no way this grip is moving around in your hand during any rally or powerful smash.
The Test
To determine how tacky (or grippy) the grips were, we had one person hold the racket on the grip side and the other person try to pull the racket out of their hand. Depending on how easy it was for the person holding the grip to hold onto the racket determined the tackiness score of the grip.
Comfort - 9/10
What we thought
- Great Comfort
- Smooth and Soft
- Not Sticky
- Slightly too Thick
Not only is the Dunlop Viper Dry incredibly tacky but it too is comfy to hold. With a smooth soft touch, it isn’t sticky either. We found that though the padding that gives the Viper Dry such good cushioning and shock absorption, it feels slightly on the too-thick side. Great for a powerful smash though!
The Test
After re-griping the racket the team each held the racket and ranked how comfy the grip was to hold.
Durability - 8/10
What we thought
- Durable
- Sacrifices Slightly for Comfort
The durability of the Dunlop Viper Dry is great, allowing players to keep the same grip without having to resort to frequent changes thanks to its high durability. This is great for your pocket. However, it didn’t get a perfect score as we did see some abrasion on the grip after our tests, possibly due to the smooth and soft nature of the grip.
The Test
To test the durability of the grip, we used an exfoliating glove as an accelerated stress test, rubbed the grip for 30 seconds, and ranked them based on the amount of wear we saw on the grips.
Style - 2/10
What we thought
- Poor Color Range
- 2 Colors Available
- Black and White
If there is one reason that the Dunlop Viper Dry isn’t the best grip on the market, it lies in its style. The worst of all the grips we tested, the Dunlop Viper Dry only comes in either Black or White, a clear indication that they have prioritized performance over style. While this might not appeal to those seeking vibrant color options, it caters well to players prioritizing performance.
The Test
We ranked each grip from 2 to 10 based on the number of available colors and patterns that can be purchased for that grip.
Absorbency - 9/10
What we thought
- Great Absorbancy
- Tacky Even When Wet
- No Problem for Sweaty Hands
In our absorbency test, we found that the Dunlop Viper Dry performed exceptionally well. Similar to the Yonex Super Grap, it was only bested by the towel grips that are designed with absorbancy in mind. We observed that the tackiness of the grip was not lost even when wet thanks to the perforations on the surface which absorb moisture creating an ultra-dry feeling. Therefore, we found that the Viper Dry (it is in the name), can definitely be used even by those with sweaty hands.
The Test
To test the absorbency of each group, we first put our hand in a bowl of water and gave it a shake-off to give a level of wetness to the hand that would simulate sweating. We then tested how this simulated sweat affect the grip.
Ease of Regrip - 9/10
What we thought
- Best in Class
- Adhesive backing
- Instructions provided
- Speed – 1 min 08 sec
Regripping the Dunlop Viper was an easy process, featuring a pre-cut start position and finishing tape. Instructions were provided so great for beginners. In the speed test, it was lightning fast, coming in 1st out of the 9, an incredible 12 seconds faster than its closest rival.
The Test
To determine how easy it is to regrip a racket using each grip, we took into consideration two factors.
1) Whether or not instructions were provided when purchased and
2) We performed a speed test to see how fast we could regrip a racket.
Price - 7/10
What we thought
- Expensive
- High Barrier to Entry
Though this grip is excellent in pretty much everything it does, this excellence does come at a price. Considerably more expensive than any other grips we tested, the Dunlop Viper Dry clocks in anywhere between £5.50 and £8.00, and then add shipping! Though you get amazing quality when purchasing the Dunlop Viper Dry, it’s not cheap.
The Test
As for price, we considered the actual price of one grip and the value of buying the grip in bulk. Then using these prices and by taking into consideration the scores of each category, we scored each grip on whether it was good value or not.
Overall - 54/70
Dunlop Viper Dry grip
The Dunlop Viper Dry grip proves to be an exceptional choice for performance-oriented players. With its remarkable tackiness, top-notch comfort, and impressive absorbancy, it stands out in critical areas.
Despite excelling in functionality, it lacks style options and only offers two colors, prioritizing performance over aesthetics.
However, its outstanding absorbency and ease of regripping make it a go-to choice for players needing a reliable, high-performing grip.
Despite being relatively more expensive compared to other grips, the Dunlop Viper Dry justifies its price with high-quality construction and superior performance attributes. The added investment ensures a durable, reliable grip that maintains its performance over prolonged use.
In summary, the Dunlop Viper Dry grip provides exceptional performance in Tackiness, Comfort, Absorbency, and Durability. However, although its quality is unquestionable, the grip’s relatively higher price may pose a challenge for budget-conscious buyers.
If you want to see how it stacks up against the other grips we tested, check out our article Best Badminton Grips.
Is this your next grip?
Other Dunlop Options
Here are some of the other options that Dunlop has on offer.
Dunlop Gecko Tac Overgrip
Dunlop Super Tac Overgrip
Dunlop Gecko Tac Grip
If you wish to purchase any of these grips, using the links in this article means that we receive a commission from the company on your purchase at absolutely no cost to you. So by clicking these links, you help support the free content we provide here.
See how it Stacks Up Against its Competitors
Related Posts
Fitomo Ankle Support Review
Written by I recently got an ankle injury while playing football, and it totally derailed my badminton season, I ended