Simonis vs Championship — Pool Table Cloth Compared
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When it's time to re-cover a pool table, two brands dominate the conversation: Simonis and Championship. Both make excellent tournament-grade cloth, and their flagship worsted models — Simonis 860 and the Championship Tour Edition — are direct rivals used on serious tables everywhere. The catch is that they play more alike than most people expect, so the decision often comes down to feel, longevity and price. This guide lays out the real differences so you can pick with confidence.
Quick answer: Simonis 860 and Championship Tour Edition are both premium worsted (napless) cloths, and in blind play most amateurs can't tell them apart for the first month or two. Simonis 860 has a higher wool content and a reputation as the long-run benchmark for consistency and resale value. Championship Tour Edition typically plays a touch faster, stretches more (so it's easier to install), and usually costs noticeably less. Choose Simonis 860 if you want the recognized tournament standard and the most consistent long-term roll; choose Championship Tour Edition if you want tournament-grade play for less money and a more forgiving installation.
Worsted vs napped: the distinction that matters most
Before comparing brands, understand the category. Both of these cloths are worsted, meaning the wool yarn is combed smooth and tightly twisted before weaving, then sheared flat. The result is a napless surface with no directional grain: the ball rolls fast, true, and the same speed in every direction. This is the cloth used at professional events. The cheaper alternative is napped ("woolen") cloth — the fuzzy felt on entry-level tables — which is woven looser, has a grain, plays slower and shows wear faster. If you're comparing Simonis or Championship at all, you've already decided to skip napped cloth, which is the right call for any table you care about.
Simonis 860 vs Championship Tour Edition: side-by-side
| Feature | Simonis 860 | Championship Tour Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Worsted, napless | Worsted, napless |
| Blend | 90% wool / 10% nylon | 70% wool / 30% nylon |
| Weave weight | Heavier, high-wool weave | ~24 oz |
| Speed | Fast, controlled, very consistent | Fast — often a touch quicker than 860 |
| Install | Less stretch, firmer to fit | More stretch, easier to install |
| Durability | Excellent; benchmark for even long-term wear | Excellent; very divot-resistant |
| Humidity sensitivity | Very stable | Stretches a little more over time |
| Price (uninstalled) | Higher | Typically ~20–30% less |
| Best for | Tournament standard, purists, resale-conscious buyers | Value seekers wanting pro play for less |
Cloth prices vary by retailer, table size and colour, and none of the figures above include installation.
How they play
This is where the two are closest. Both are fast, both are directionless, and both give the sharp cushion response serious players want. Testers repeatedly note that in the first month or two of play, amateur players in blind tests struggle to tell Simonis 860 and Tour Edition apart. Where differences show up: Championship Tour Edition often plays slightly faster and has more stretch, which some installers prefer because it beds down more easily around the rails and pockets. Simonis 860, by contrast, is prized for how little it changes — it settles quickly and holds its speed and stability through humidity swings, which is why rooms that want every table identical tend to standardize on it.
Composition and why it matters
Simonis 860 is a 90% wool / 10% nylon worsted. The high wool content is what gives it the plush-but-fast hand, strong resistance to ball burn (the scorch marks from friction on break shots) and its long, even wear. Championship Tour Edition uses a 70% wool / 30% nylon blend at roughly 24 oz. The extra nylon adds toughness and helps make it one of the more divot-resistant tournament cloths available, while the slightly lower wool content is part of why it can come in at a lower price. Neither blend is "better" outright — more wool leans toward classic feel and resale cachet, more nylon leans toward ruggedness and value.
Durability and lifespan
Both are genuine tournament cloths built to last. Championship Tour Edition is often singled out for being extremely hard-wearing and divot-resistant, and it holds up very well under heavy play. Simonis 860 is the long-standing benchmark for even wear and predictable behaviour over years of use, which matters most in commercial rooms and for anyone who resells or trades tables. In a home setting, either cloth will comfortably outlast a napped felt several times over. Actual lifespan depends far more on traffic, cleaning habits and whether players chalk responsibly than on which of these two you choose.
Price and value
Championship Tour Edition is usually the more affordable of the two — commonly around 20–30% less than Simonis 860 for a comparable table size — which is a big part of its appeal. Simonis commands a premium partly on performance and partly on brand: 860 is the name most players recognize and the surface most associated with professional play, and that recognition can matter if you ever sell the table. If budget is the deciding factor and you want pro-level play, Tour Edition delivers most of the experience for less. If you want the exact cloth used at the highest levels and the strongest resale story, 860 justifies its price.
Which should you choose?
Pick Simonis 860 if you're a purist, run a room where every table needs to feel identical, or care about resale value and the recognized tournament standard. Pick Championship Tour Edition if you want tournament-grade worsted play at a lower price and appreciate an easier, more forgiving installation. Whichever you choose, protect your investment: keep the surface clean, brush or use a proper cloth cleaner regularly, and cover the table when it's not in use. A quality worsted cloth that's looked after will play beautifully for years.
Frequently asked questions
Is Championship Tour Edition as good as Simonis 860?
For most players, yes — they're closely matched worsted cloths, and in blind play many people can't tell them apart, especially early on. Simonis 860 edges ahead on long-term consistency and brand recognition; Tour Edition wins on price and ease of installation.
Which cloth is faster, Simonis or Championship?
Both are fast worsted cloths. Championship Tour Edition often plays a shade quicker than Simonis 860, though the gap is small and narrows as each cloth breaks in. If you specifically want a faster surface, Tour Edition or Simonis 760 are the ones to look at.
What's the difference between worsted and napped cloth?
Worsted cloth (both Simonis and Championship Tour Edition) is combed smooth and napless, so it's fast, rolls true and has no grain. Napped or "woolen" cloth is the fuzzy felt on budget tables — it's slower, has a directional grain and wears faster. Worsted is the standard for serious play.
How long does worsted pool cloth last?
With home use, quality worsted cloth like Simonis 860 or Championship Tour Edition can last many years; in a busy commercial room it may be replaced every couple of years. Lifespan depends mostly on traffic, cleaning and chalk habits rather than the specific brand. Regular cleaning meaningfully extends it.
Can I clean and maintain worsted cloth myself?
Yes. Because worsted cloth is napless, it's easy to maintain — brush along the cloth to lift chalk dust, and use a dedicated worsted-cloth cleaner rather than household products. A purpose-built cleaner such as the Simonis X-1 cloth cleaner lifts embedded dust that brushing alone leaves behind, and keeping a cover on the table between games goes a long way.
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