This is my third roller. After the Enso and a standard blue foam roller as pictured.
First, I bought the Enso since I lived in NYC and had zero space. It's not cheap, but the quality is outstanding. I've used mine since 2015 and it would still look like new had my French Bulldogs not put a few punctures in the foam when they were pups. It still functions like new and it has excellent portability and adjustability. My setting is very aggressive as in the photo - I have removed four of the eight wheels from it. The midline channel allows egress of your spinous processes as smooth as a bicycle chain, with a paraspinal massage that is really unparalleled IMO. Anyways, it is not long enough to lie on lengthwise/longitudinally (not that one would want to do that with this roller), which is why I bought the other blue foam roller. It is 36 inches, which is 10 inches longer than the Triggerpoint therapy Carbon roller, which allows me to position my occipital release foam block on it (I recommend checking these out on Amazon) in order to stretch my neck and lower back simultaneously.
On to the Carbon roller...It's amazing. I remember seeing it at my gym one day and asking myself whether that would even feel good? Which it turns out is exactly what I want from my foam roller. I tried out the Triggerpoint Grid and loved it, but I always felt that the foam was a bit too soft. I also tried out the Rumble Roller (black stiffer version I think) but I wasn't completely sold on the foam pattern (although the Croc looks good - if Rumble Roller wants to send me one, then I will update this review).
Anyways, in contrast, the coating on the carbon roller leaves nothing to be desired. I have been using it for ~3 weeks now and I feel that the depth of the diamond shaped nubs is optimal. It is the aggressive roller that I wanted it to be. My chiropractor told me that I am addicted to the "crack," and this has been my new drug of choice. It played me like a piano the first time I rolled. And it still does ~8/10 times I use it.
That being said, I am glad that it is my third roller, as it is extremely aggressive and hard for me to spend a decent amount of time on. I don't really lie down on it longitudinally like my blue foam roller since it is too hard, but I have found many innovative ways to use it. For example, I'll shrug and press it into my scalenes and sternocleidomastoid, which has given such amazing neck relief. - just a little history on me - I blew out my C5-C6 disc when I was using my neck to "cheat" on incline press. Here we are two decades later, and I've blown out L5-S1 seemingly while running, but it was already likely weakened by 20 years of slouching (realllllllllly slouching) in any chair or couch to ensure that my neck was supported since I probably should have had a discectomy.
Other: Since the Trigger point therapy roller is 10 inches shorter than the other foam roller that I have, I can't lay down on it lengthwise with my occipital release block. However, I can hook my occipital protuberance over the edge and stretch my neck while my hips are off the block which I am not sure if taller people would be able to do with a 26" roller (I am 5, 10" and this roller seems like the perfect length). Admittedly, the Grid product was better at this specific stretch due to the softer foam.
The hollow core is noticeably nicer to deal with than my blue foam roller. I always feel like i'm hyperextending my thumb when I grab my blue roller, which is not the case with the TP Therapy. It is also useful for making fine adjustments to stretches, and my blue roller is warped which I do not expect to happen to the TP Therapy. Another perk of the TP therapy is the end caps (purchased separately) which allow you to strap the roller to your back along with some gear (this is not a review of the end caps since I don't own them, but I have seen them and been jealous. If TP Therapy wants to send a pair out to me I will update this review :))
On a final note, those who are looking for an aggressive roller might have been directed to simply buy a PVC pipe, which is something that I have been considering since I still could imagine myself enjoying a harder surface. I don't have experience with this, but I can say that the nubs and grip associated with the TP Therapy roller allow for sufficient traction that the roller will not slip out from under you, which I have heard can be problematic with an unrefined PVC pipe.
