My quest to find the perfect juggling ball continues... I remember my first balls which I received at a motivational speaking event. They were made of vinyl and never really lost their square shape. These days there are lots of balls to choose from and I think there is a real lack of reviews to help people sort them out and spend their money wisely. In this regard, this post is an attempt to help other jugglers make good buying decisions.
I have a new set of balls called
Tossaball® Hybrid 'Super Soft' 3.2 which I've been practicing with recently. These balls are the new line of hybrid balls from
The Flying Clipper based in Oregon. A few months ago I made the switch to juggling the original line of hybrids which are 2.8" 130 grams. You can read my review
here. Below is a description of the Super Soft balls I pulled from the manufacturer's website.
Finally a 'Super Soft" completely washable juggle ball that will always keep its shape even after many washings. Hand made craft is taken to high a form in this new Hybrid juggle ball offering. Like our other Hybrid balls this one also isolates heavy crushed rock filler between two layers of material, keeping most of the balls weight on the outside rim. For a super soft ball, this ball also rolls like a firm ball allowing for a unique combination of rolls and stalls unlike any other ball before it. This is the larger cousin to our new "Crossover" Hybrid footbag/juggle ball. The larger diameter and super soft feel make this one a great performance ball.
Diameter: 3.2" Weight: 140 grams
So what do I think about these new balls? In a word, quality. I feel the same way about the originals as I do about the Super Soft balls. As soon as you see and touch these balls, you will understand the high level of craftsmanship in them. The fact that they are sturdy and will last a long time, and the fact that you can machine wash them means these balls are a good investment of your money.
Personally, after juggling the original 2.8" Hybrids, I find that I prefer them over the Super Soft version. Both balls have their advantages and disadvantages. The tighter packed originals are easier for me to multiplex with and I have fewer collisions. The bigger, underfilled Super Softs are more visual because of their size, and easier to do stalls with. I prefer the smaller version because I love doing multiplexes and I think I have small hands which makes catching the smaller balls easier for me.
Regardless of my personal preference for the smaller, tightly packed originals, I can definitely confirm the quality of craftsmanship in both of these products. Basically, if you are looking for a high quality, washable juggling bean bag that will last you a long time, the new Super Soft balls are a good choice. Whether you like small tightly packed balls or larger loosely filled balls, I can honestly recommend Tossaball® Hybrid Series.
