What’s The Right Viper-R For Me?
Ultra Fans are great. So many fans and players have bought Viper-R over the years since Ultra introduced hybrid-carpet to the game of cornhole in May of 2022. In 2024 Ultra dropped the Viper-RS this marked Ultra’s first Viper-R variant. There was a surge in orders and player loved the new size and dynamic fill. Since then Ultra has launched the Viper-RV which aims to combine the best qualities of both the Viper-R and Viper-RS into one bag. Now with 3 Viper-R models, we’ve had many fans and customers ask: What makes all these Viper-R variants different?
Viper-R
Viper-R is the original hybrid-carpet bag. This bag is what many consider a large template. It is closer to the 6″x6″ size that people assume all cornhole bags to be. Seasoned cornhole players know that bags can range in size from 6″x6″ to as small as 5.75″x 5.75″. We’ve yet to see someone go bigger than 6″ with a bag. Viper-R uses XTR fill. XTR fill is a mixed fill, designed to reduce kick and get bags sliding straight. There are characteristics to this material and combination that, when the bag released in 2022, set the cornhole world on fire. The bag was almost the perfect speed and paired with a quick but not dangerously fast top-side. One thing hybrid-carpet did was to straighten out many players’ throws. The nature of the XTR fill and hybrid-carpet cushions the impact and reduces kick to almost nothing resulting in much straighter bags. Using golf as an analogy, the Viper-R was like a forgiving cavity back club that reduced side spin vs a tour blade iron that if struck just a bit off accentuates slices and hooks.
Some notes: The hybrid carpet changed direction in our 2023 bags. This reduced some of the seam stretch players experienced with early Viper-R bags. The hybrid-carpet material was also found to be very susceptible to shrinkage when boiled or submerged in water that was too hot. Ultra recommends nothing hotter than 130 degree tap water when breaking in the Viper-R. Ultra’s 1hr Break-In Kit has conditioner and soap that have been tested and will get your bags ready without causing damage or voiding the warranty.
Viper-RS is a minimum-size template. RS is designed for smaller hands and players looking for that type of feel. Due to the size, there are performance differences. The more compact size stays a little firmer and you don’t get quite the same drip and collectability. That sounds bad but there are advantages too. The compact size is easier to roll and cut. The reactive Tribrid fill amplifies this. Tribrid fill has a unique pellet that changes how the bag plays, resulting in a more active bag on the board. Viper-RS was the first bag from Ultra to use this new dynamic fill.
Breaking this bag in can be a challenge. We recommend a natural break-in with this bag as ANY heat can shrink it. Viper-RS is also at the minimum weight. Harsh chemicals are known to break down the fabric and fill enough to show up on a scale. This includes vinegar. We’ve done testing at Ultra and have seen as many as 8 grams dissolve from the fabric and fill when using vinegar (combined).
Viper-RV is our NEW mid-sized template blending the play characteristics of both the R and RS. With RV, collectability and drip is closer to the Viper-R. Viper-RV still cuts and rolls more easily like the RS. The mid-size template and weight allows for more variation in size resulting from break-in. The hybrid carpet is rotated back to the original Viper-R layout. For the average player, this probably has little to no effect on the play of the bag. Some players felt the change in 2023 resulted in bags that stopped a little short of the hole. These players would have to have a very highly repeatable throw with spin rate, power/force, and arc. It mostly likely affected the way the bag felt on the fingertips especially at release. Cornhole at the highest level is often about the mental game. If a player is more confident in the feel of their bags, they are likely to perform at their best.
With the Viper-RV players have a little more wiggle room when breaking their bags in. The bags weight a little more and the template is big enough that there shouldn’t be any need to worry if you use an accelerated break-in method such as Ultra’s 1hr Break-In Kit. Viper-RV like all Viper-R models is pretty durable but the fast side can get snags. Snags can happen on the smallest of things. Often it isn’t the board causing a snag but something behind the board or under it. Something as simple as a staple, or slightly raised screw head, can catch the fabric. We recommend checking around where your bag might end up such as in front of the board and 3-4ft around the sides and back.
Side by Side
Looking at the three Viper-R models together, you can see how the 3 sizes compare, as well as the differences in fill. All three models are going to have the same speeds at rest. You might see some variation in how they play due to the template differences and how full the bags are. The 8/5 (Fast Side/Slow Side) speed rating is averaged. You’ll notice on these charts there is a range. The range accounts for differences in temperature and humidity/moisture. Bags tend to perform differently on hot/dry surfaces and cold/damp surfaces. Our speed ratings will reflect that. Speed rating for all bags are now shown on the listing pages for each model.
Each has it’s place in the game and one is sure to align with what you want to do on the boards. We hope this helps those trying to understand the differences between these bags and check back here for similar comparisons to come for Viper-X and other Ultra models where there are multiple variations.
