Weight
88g
Thickness
5.6mm
Plies
7-ply
Handles
FL / ST
Material
Hybrid
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
Feel ZX1
Xiom Feel ZX1 is a hybrid offensive blade that masterfully blends speed with a distinct wood-like feel. Its 5-ply wood core is reinforced with Zephylium carbon layers, creating a blade that excels in looping with a medium arc and excellent dwell time for spin generation. Players appreciate its sensitive vibration and remarkable feedback, which allows for precise shot execution. With a balanced to slightly head-heavy weight distribution and a medium-flexible nature, it's an ideal choice for aggressive, spin-oriented play at close-to-mid distances, offering control that doesn't sacrifice offensive power.
The construction features Limba outer plies for feel, followed by soft wood layers. Sandwiched within are two Zephylium carbon layers and an inner Z-Carbon layer. This setup is designed to provide the power and large sweet spot of carbon while retaining significant wood-like feel and vibration feedback.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Xiom Feel ZX1 delivers solid offensive speed, placing it firmly in the OFF- to OFF class. While it's notably slower than its ZX2 and ZX3 siblings, it provides ample power for aggressive play, especially when paired with dynamic rubbers. The blade excels in looping, where its construction offers a helpful catapult effect that adds pace to spin-oriented shots without feeling uncontrollable.
Control is where the ZX1 truly stands out. It offers excellent feedback and a large, forgiving sweet spot, making it remarkably manageable even for players transitioning from all-wood blades. This high level of control allows for precise shot placement and subtle tactical adjustments, making it a reliable partner for spin-heavy rallies and consistent attacking play.
Xiom Feel ZX1 is frequently praised for its pronounced wood-like feel, a standout feature for a composite blade. The Zephylium and Z-Carbon layers add underlying stiffness and power, but the overall sensation is often perceived as less harsh and more communicative than many other hybrid blades, offering sensitive vibration and clear feedback.
The blade produces a medium arc when looping, which is considered ideal for many attacking styles. This allows for a great balance between generating significant spin and ensuring the ball lands reliably within the opponent's court, avoiding trajectories that are too high or too flat.
The blade's combination of wood and carbon, along with its slightly flexible nature, provides good dwell time. This is crucial for generating heavy spin, and player experiences confirm its effectiveness in creating a medium arc during loops, indicating the ball stays on the rubber long enough for excellent grip and spin potential.
Xiom Feel ZX1 is described as having a medium level of flexibility. This characteristic is particularly advantageous for looping, as it allows for greater ball engagement and enhances spin potential. While it might offer slightly less raw power for outright smashing compared to stiffer blades, this flexibility significantly boosts control and the overall feeling of connection during strokes.
Vibration feedback is a notable characteristic. While perceptions vary, the design intent seems to be a controlled, communicative vibration that enhances feel rather than causing discomfort. The Zephylium carbon is noted for contributing to this remarkable sensation, helping players connect with the ball on a tactile level.
The build quality of the Xiom Feel ZX1 is generally regarded as very good, with excellent finishing that rivals more expensive blades. While some minor cosmetic wear on the emblem has been noted, the overall construction and material selection are praised for their durability and positive contribution to the blade's performance and feel.
Technology
Xiom Feel ZX1 incorporates Zephylium carbon and Z-Carbon composite layers within its wood construction. Zephylium carbon is highlighted for its sensible feel and high repulsion, contributing to both control and power. The inner Z-Carbon layer is engineered to maximize power transfer from the player's arm and wrist. This hybrid approach aims to deliver the enhanced speed and larger sweet spot of composite blades while retaining a significant degree of the natural vibration and feedback associated with traditional wood blades. The outer Limba plies provide a softer touch and are central to its distinctive feel.
Similar Blades
Xiom Feel ZX2 & ZX3
As direct siblings in the Feel ZX series, the ZX2 and ZX3 share similar construction principles but are designed for higher speed and power. Players who find the ZX1 lacking in outright pace might consider these more aggressive options, though they typically trade away some of the ZX1's superior control and pronounced wood-like feel.
Butterfly Viscaria & Innerforce ALC
TTSensei experts note that the speed and feel of the ZX1 are sometimes compared to these established blades. The ZX1 is generally slower than a Viscaria but is considered to have almost equal speed to the Innerforce ALC. Players familiar with these Butterfly models might find the ZX1 to be a viable alternative with a stronger emphasis on touch and a slightly different feedback profile.