Weight
87g
Thickness
5.1mm
Plies
7-ply
Head Size
166x155
Handles
FL / ST
Material
Hybrid
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
Innershield Layer ZLF
Butterfly Innershield Layer ZLF is a defensive blade built with innerfiber technology, positioning two ZL Fiber layers near the core. This design creates a soft impact, enhanced flexibility, and a larger sweet spot, delivering excellent control and stability for defensive play. It offers a comfortable feel with clear ball feedback, enabling precise chops and controlled counter-attacks. The blade meets the offensive demands of modern defenders, allowing for sharp shots and a stable platform for varied play.
The 5-ply wood construction (Willow, Limba, Ayous) is augmented by two inner layers of ZL Fiber, creating an 'innerfiber' technology. This construction places the artificial fibers closer to the core, resulting in reduced vibration, a softer feel, and a larger sweet spot, all contributing to enhanced control and stability for defensive play.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Innershield Layer ZLF is rated as a defensive blade with a speed value of 5.5. While not designed for outright speed, it offers sufficient pace for controlled attacks and counter-loops, particularly for modern defensive players. Our testing shows it's not as slow as some pure defensive blades and can generate surprising pace when needed.
Control is a paramount strength of Innershield Layer ZLF, with ratings consistently high. The blade's construction, particularly the inner ZL Fiber layers, provides exceptional feel and feedback, allowing for precise placement and management of shots. This makes it ideal for players who rely on placement and consistency in their game.
Innershield Layer ZLF is described as having a soft feeling, yet also stiff due to the ZL Fiber layers. This combination provides excellent feedback and a comfortable touch, allowing players to feel the ball clearly during strokes. It offers a good compromise between the soft feel preferred by many defensive players and the necessary stiffness for controlled attacks.
The combination of ZL Fiber and the wood construction contributes to a medium-high throw angle. This allows for effective looping with good arc and depth, while also providing sufficient control for defensive shots and placement.
Innershield Layer ZLF offers a significant dwell time, which is crucial for generating heavy spin on chops and loops. This extended contact with the ball allows players to impart more rotation, making it easier to control the trajectory and depth of their shots, especially with modern, spin-oriented rubbers.
The blade possesses a good degree of flexibility, which aids in absorbing the opponent's pace and generating spin. This characteristic allows for a more controlled playing style, particularly beneficial for chopping and executing looping shots with increased dwell time and spin.
With a vibration rating of 4.9, Innershield Layer ZLF is designed to minimize unwanted shock and harshness. The innerfiber technology, placing ZL Fiber layers closer to the core, contributes to a dampened feel, allowing for more comfortable play over extended periods and a better connection with the ball.
Manufactured in Japan, Butterfly Innershield Layer ZLF is recognized for its high-quality construction and premium materials. The combination of traditional wood plies with advanced ZL Fiber technology results in a well-crafted blade that offers durability and a superior playing experience, consistent with Butterfly's reputation for quality.
Technology
Butterfly Innershield Layer ZLF utilizes 'Innerfiber' technology, a distinctive construction method where artificial fibers, in this case, ZL Fiber, are placed closer to the blade's core rather than on the outer plies. This strategic placement aims to enhance flexibility, increase the sweet spot size, and provide a softer touch and reduced vibration. The ZL Fiber, known for its lightweight yet strong properties, is combined with a 5-ply wood core (Willow, Limba, Ayous) to create a blade that balances control, dwell time, and sufficient speed for modern defensive play. This technology allows the blade to absorb incoming power effectively while still enabling sharp offensive shots when required.
Similar Blades
Butterfly Innerforce Layer ZLC
Innerforce Layer ZLC, while also featuring ZL Fiber, is often categorized with a slightly higher speed potential and is suitable for a more all-round game. It is generally considered a step up in offensive capability compared to Innershield Layer ZLF, which is more specialized for defense. Both blades share the 'Innerforce' technology and ZL Fiber material, offering a similar feel and dwell time but with differing emphasis on speed versus control.
Butterfly Timo Boll ZLF
Timo Boll ZLF is an outer-fiber blade known for its balance of speed and control, often used by offensive-minded players. While both blades use ZL Fiber, Innershield Layer ZLF's innerfiber construction and defensive classification distinguish it significantly from Timo Boll ZLF's outer-fiber, more offensively oriented design. Innershield ZLF prioritizes dwell time and control for defensive play, whereas Timo Boll ZLF offers more direct power and speed for attacking.