I, admittedly biased, very much dislike latex weapons. Every bloody accident I have ever seen in Alliance combat has either been skinned knees or caused by a latex weapon. They are heavy, often bendy, and almost always shorter than the maximums. They look great, and as a prop, I'm sure they are great. For actual fighting though, I would always suggest anything else. Even a shaped blade that isn't latex is better, in my opinion.
And let's not even talk about latex in the cold...