Varlion
Bourne Cube Elbowcare S
A diamond built for left-side finishers who want the punch of a power frame without the wrist-rattling feedback that usually comes with it.
Highlights
✓ Hypersoft summer core tuned to stay firm above 25°C — pairs with a 3D Carbon Cube face for a stiff, direct hit that doesn't go mushy in heat
✓ Elbowcare frame damping plus the new flexible Diffuser Wings absorb vibration through the heart and rim — rare combination on a true diamond
✓ Prisma frame cuts roughly 10% air resistance, so the high balance swings faster than the head-heavy spec suggests
Details and Technologies
| Shape | diamond |
| Balance | high |
| Level | professional |
| Style | power |
| Core | Hypersoft Foam |
| Face | Carbon Cube (3D carbon fiber) |
Who is this racket for?
✓ Ideal for
Left-side players who finish points with smashes, viboras and bandejas and play primarily in warm climates
Advanced attackers with sound technique who want a diamond but have some elbow sensitivity from previous power frames
✗ Not recommended for
Beginners, right-side defensive players, or anyone who hasn't already chosen to specialise on the attacking side
Advanced to professional level — the small sweet spot and stiff Carbon Cube face punish mishits and reward consistent overhead technique.
Review
The Bourne Cube Elbowcare S sits at the top of Varlion's REGA line and answers a specific question: can a diamond-shape power racket be made arm-friendlier without softening what makes it a diamond? The S stands for Summer — this version uses a softer Hypersoft foam tuned to stay responsive when court temperatures push past 25°C, where harder cores normally turn spongy. Everything else in the build, from the 3D Carbon Cube face to the Prisma frame, is set up for left-side attackers who want a clean, direct strike on every overhead.
Technical analysis
The face is built from Carbon Cube, a tridimensional carbon weave exclusive to REGA that's notably stiffer than standard 12K or 18K layups — the result is a near-flexless hitting surface that transfers swing speed directly into ball speed, with no trampoline assist. Inside, the Hypersoft core sounds contradictory next to a diamond shape, but the logic is climate-driven: a softer baseline foam compensates for the heat-induced softening other cores suffer, so the racket plays consistently from morning to afternoon sessions. The Elbowcare system is the headline tech and it's more than marketing. Vibration-damping material runs from the handle through the full frame perimeter, and the new Diffuser Wings — a soft-injected, flexible insert clipped into the throat rather than glued — adds another mass of absorption at the heart. Combined with Varlion's AD System bumper (adhesive-mounted, no drill holes through the frame) you get a diamond that genuinely dampens the high-frequency sting most carbon-faced power rackets transmit on blocked volleys. The Prisma frame profile cuts about 10% of air drag, the Slice surface texture grips the ball for spin on viboras and bandejas, and the Summum 14.5cm handle gives an extra 2cm for two-handed backhands.
On court
On overheads this plays like a proper diamond: stiff, immediate, and loud through the contact. The Carbon Cube face doesn't deform, so when you catch one cleanly above your shoulder the ball jumps off with the directness left-side players want for finishing. The sweet spot is small and sits high in the head — miss it and you'll know, though the Elbowcare damping takes the worst of the sting out of the feedback. Bandejas and viboras are where the Slice texture earns its place; the raised pattern grips enough to give noticeable curve on cut shots. From the back of the court at full pace, the high balance helps you push deep balls with less effort, but it asks for a developed swing — there's no fiberglass spring helping you out on a short, defensive stroke. The aerodynamic Prisma profile and lighter weight range (350–365g) keep it from feeling sluggish despite the head-heavy bias. Where it runs out of grace is reset volleys and quick exchanges at the net under pressure: the small sweet spot and stiff face don't forgive a late reaction.
Verdict
The Bourne Cube Elbowcare S is for the left-side attacker who plays in heat and wants a true diamond response without paying the full elbow tax — the Hypersoft summer core and Elbowcare damping deliver on that promise more credibly than most rackets making similar claims. What it won't do is rescue an inconsistent technique or work as a do-everything club racket; the small high sweet spot demands you're already finishing points from the left. At nearly €400, it's priced as the specialist tool it is.
Gallery
FAQ
How does the Bourne Cube Elbowcare S compare to the Bourne Cube Elbowcare W?
The S (Summer) uses a softer Hypersoft core optimised to stay responsive above 25°C, while the W (Winter) has a firmer rubber tuned for cooler conditions when foams naturally stiffen. Same shape, same frame, same Elbowcare system — the only difference is core hardness. If you play year-round in one climate, pick the version that matches it; if you compete in both, Varlion intentionally designed them to be carried as a pair in the same bag.
Should I choose the Bourne Cube Elbowcare S or the Maxima Cube Elbowcare S?
Both are REGA-line diamonds with Elbowcare damping, but the Bourne is positioned as the more attack-oriented profile while the Maxima sits slightly more towards control within the same family. If you're a pure left-side finisher who wants the most direct response on overheads, the Bourne is the pick. If you want a fraction more forgiveness on resets and net play while keeping the diamond punch, look at the Maxima.
Does the Elbowcare system actually protect against tennis elbow?
The system reduces vibration transfer from impact through the frame and handle, which lowers one of the contributing factors to lateral epicondylitis — Varlion's own testing shows notably better absorption on blocked net volleys versus conventional diamonds. It doesn't eliminate the underlying risk profile of a diamond shape with high balance and a stiff Carbon Cube face. If you have active elbow problems, a round or teardrop control frame remains a safer choice; if you want a diamond and have some sensitivity, this is one of the lower-risk options in that category.
Is the Bourne Cube Elbowcare S suitable for intermediate players?
No, not as a primary racket. The small high sweet spot and stiff Carbon Cube face punish mishits with lost power and harsher feedback, and the high balance demands the kind of consistent swing path you only develop after a few years of competitive play. Strong intermediates who already finish points from the left and have no elbow history can grow into it, but most intermediates will get more from a teardrop with a softer face.
Why is the 2025 Bourne Cube Elbowcare S priced higher than most premium rackets?
REGA is Varlion's top-tier line, with technologies — Carbon Cube 3D weave, Elbowcare frame damping, the new flexible Diffuser Wings — that don't appear on their standard ranges. The package also ships with a thermal-lined hardcase, a Prisma protector and two REGA overgrips, which accounts for part of the difference. Whether that's worth roughly €100 over a comparable diamond depends on how much you value the climate-tuned core and vibration system; for a heavy player with elbow history, it can be.