The type of plastic in a floorball blade determines how hard, soft, or flexible the blade is. The material affects the blade’s stiffness, how much it bends when shooting, how easily it glides against the floor, and how much ‘grip’ you get on the ball. That’s why blade plastic is one of the most important parameters when choosing a blade, regardless of level.

Basically, three plastics are used: PE (polyethylene), PP (polypropylene), and PP+ / PPH. Manufacturers may also have their own names for these blade plastics, but they are always based on the same three fundamental types.

In this guide, we go through how the different blade plastics differ in terms of hardness, playing feel, and durability. This gives you a clear and practical overview so you can choose the plastic that best suits your playing style.

PE (Polyeten) – Medium

PE is a harder and more stable type of plastic. It bends less when shooting and provides a stiffer blade with clear feedback. PE blades are often slightly heavier than PP variants but are appreciated for their shot stability and durability.

Characteristics:

• Harder and stiffer material

• Less flex when shooting, providing more “power” in the shot

• Slightly heavier compared to PP blades

• Relatively easy to shape and holds its hook well

• Resistant to temperature changes and wear

• Good for players who prioritize stability and shooting power

PP (Polypropen) – Soft

PP is softer and lighter than PE, which provides better ball control and a more responsive, flexible feel in passing play. It dampens vibrations and makes the blade easy to control, but it requires higher heat to be hooked and can feel softer in shots.

Characteristics:

• Excellent ball control and touch
• Softer and lighter than PE
• Low friction, a “smooth” and compliant glide against the floor
• Requires more heat for hooking
• Provides a softer response in shots
• Popular among technical players and playmakers

PP+ / PPH (Reinforced PP blend) – Hard

PP+ is a stiffer version of PP where the material has been modified or blended to increase hardness. It combines the low weight of PP plastic with improved stability, making it a middle ground between PE and PP.

Characteristics:

• Stiffer and harder than standard PP

• Low weight with better blade stability

• Provides clearer shooting support than PP without being as rigid as PE

• Good glide against the floor, especially on sports flooring

• Suits all-round players or shooters who want to retain the PP feel

• Requires heat for shaping, but less than pure PP
  

Manufacturers’ own names for blade plastics

Oxdog, Unihoc, Zone, Salming, and Fat Pipe use their own material names, but they are almost always based on one of the three fundamental plastics. Here is an overview of the most common designations and what they correspond to.

PE- blade

• Oxdog – NB (Normal Blade)
• Salming – Endurance
• Fat Pipe – PPB (PP Boost)
• Zone – Medium+ (PE)
• Unihoc – Regular PE

PP-blade

• Oxdog – MB (Medium Blade)
• Unihoc – Feather Light (FL-PP)
• Zone – Air Soft Feel (PP)
• Salming – Touch
• Fat Pipe – PPS (PP Soft)

PP+ / PPH-blade

• Unihoc – Titan (PP-TI)
• Zone – Air Hard (PP-H)
• Salming – Touch Plus / Touch X
• Fat Pipe – PPH (PP Hard)

Oxdog uses PP+ as the base material in several blades but does not name it separately; instead, it lists PP+/PP with reinforcements such as MBC and NBC.

Special blade technologies in floorball blades

Oxdog – NBC / MBC (carbon-reinforced)

• A thin carbon fiber plate is molded into the blade

• Provides higher torsional stiffness without increasing weight

• Improves precision on powerful shots

• Available in both PP and PP+ variants

Unihoc – Feather Light and Titan

Feather Light (PP): a lightweight PP blend that provides a soft ball touch and a quick, agile blade feel.
Titan (PP+): a stiffer and more stable PP+ plastic for harder shots and clearer response.

Low weight combined with high performance in both technical play and finishing.

Zone – Air Soft and Air Hard

Air Soft Feel (PP): a very light and flexible plastic with a soft touch and low friction.
Air Hard (PP+): a reinforced, stiffer variant that provides better shooting support without losing the lightweight feel.

A balance of low weight, control, and quick blade response.

Salming – the Touch series

Touch Plus: a softer PP+ for added flexibility and feel.
Touch X: a stiffer PP+ with very low floor friction.

Designed for quick direction changes and control at high speed.

Fat Pipe – Slicks technology

The blade is made from PPB plastic (for control).
The underside is PE, which provides better glide.

Result: PP feel and PE glide in the same blade.
Especially good for players who move a lot laterally across the floor.

How the plastic type affects hooking and shaping

Shaping the blade is an important part of many players’ setup. The type of plastic plays a major role in how easy or difficult it is to achieve the desired hook.


PE – easiest to shape

• Requires less heat

• Holds its shape stably after cooling

• Low risk of the hook “springing back”

• Can withstand being reshaped multiple times

PP – requires the most heat

• Often needs both boiling water and a heat gun for best results

• Higher risk of reverting if it is not heated sufficiently

• More “material memory” than PE

• Can be damaged if heat is not applied evenly
  

PP+ / PPH – middle ground

• Requires heat, but not as much as pure PP

• Shapes fairly easily and holds the hook better than PP

• A good compromise for players who frequently adjust their blade

Which blade plastic suits which playing style and position?

One of the most common questions when changing blades is which plastic best suits your playing style. Here is a guide.


By playing style

Technical and passing players

• Best ball control

• PP
• Flexible blade for dribbling and tight passes

Shooters / long-range shooters
PE or PP+

• PE provides maximum stability and a firmer feel

• PP+ offers a balance between power and precision

All-round players
PP+ / PPH

Low weight plus stiffness, good in all aspects


By position

Defenders

• PE or PP+

• More stable blade for heavy passes and shots from the back

Centers

• PP+

• Combination of feel, precision, and stiffness

Forwards

• PP or PP+

• PP for control close to goal

• PP+ for players who combine technique and shooting

Overview and summary: advantages and disadvantages of different plastic types

PE (Hard plastic)

Advantages

• Stable when shooting

• Easy to shape

• Holds the hook well

• Durable material

Disadvantages

• Slightly heavier

• Less ball feel than PP
  

PP (Soft plastic)

Advantages

• Best ball control

• Low weight

• Flexible and easy-to-handle blade

Disadvantages

• Requires a lot of heat when hooking

• Softer feel when shooting

• Can feel less stable on powerful shots
  

Summary and recommendations

The type of plastic in the blade is one of the biggest factors determining how the stick feels and performs in play.

PE suits players who want stability, harder shots, and clear feedback. PP provides superior control and a light, flexible feel. PP+ / PPH offers a balance between power and feel – a solid all-round choice.

Choose plastic based on how you play, not just what you’re used to. Switching plastic types can make a big difference in shooting, passing, and overall ball feel.