Weight
88g
Thickness
5.65mm
Plies
7-ply
Handles
FL / ST
Material
Hybrid
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Head-Heavy
Feel ZX3
Xiom Feel ZX3 is a premium offensive blade designed for players who demand a powerful fusion of speed, spin, and control. Its construction pairs five plies of revered Kiso Hinoki wood with two thin layers of Zephylium carbon, creating a unique hybrid that delivers explosive repulsion and power. The blade surprises with a soft, grippy feel that excels at generating heavy spin, particularly with modern plastic balls. This OFF+ rated weapon is built for aggressive, loop-driven play, offering advanced players the sharp attack power and precise control needed to dominate rallies.
The construction is a symmetrical 7-ply build. It features outer and inner plies of Kiso Hinoki wood, with two layers of Zephylium carbon placed adjacent to the outer wood layers. This arrangement is designed to provide the soft feel and excellent ball grip of the wood, amplified by the repulsion and spin-enhancing properties of the carbon, maximizing power and spin performance.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Xiom Feel ZX3 operates in the high-speed OFF+ category, providing excellent repulsion for quick, powerful attacks. It's built for aggressive, fast-paced play where driving the ball past opponents is key. Despite its impressive pace, our experts note it maintains a connected, controllable feel that distinguishes it from other blades in its speed class, allowing for confident, all-out offensive strokes.
For a blade with such high speed, the Feel ZX3 offers exceptional control. This precision stems from its construction, which provides good dwell time and clear feedback, enabling accurate shot placement. Players find it highly manageable for aggressive loops, consistent blocks, and even delicate short-game touches, making it a reliable weapon for point construction.
Xiom Feel ZX3 delivers a medium-soft feel that combines a noticeable softness upon impact with an underlying stiffness. This creates excellent ball grip and dwell time, perfect for generating heavy spin while retaining a solid, connected sensation for controlled play. Some players opt for minor handle sanding to achieve a perfect, comfortable grip.
Xiom Feel ZX3 produces a medium-high throw angle. This trajectory is ideal for offensive play, allowing loops and drives to clear the net with a confident arc while maintaining speed and penetration, making it easier to execute aggressive topspin rallies.
The blade provides good dwell time, a result of the Kiso Hinoki and Zephylium carbon synergy. This extended contact is crucial for loading the ball with significant spin, making it highly effective for modern offensive techniques, especially with plastic balls.
This blade finds a middle ground in flexibility. It is generally firm and stiff, providing a solid platform for powerful shots, yet it exhibits a perceptible softness at the moment of ball contact. This balance helps maintain control and a sensitive feel without sacrificing the power needed for offensive play.
Vibration on the Feel ZX3 is low to medium. It offers clear, positive feedback upon impact without excessive shaking, contributing to a sense of control and a crisp, direct feel that players appreciate for precise stroke execution.
Crafted with premium Kiso Hinoki wood and Zephylium carbon, the Feel ZX3 showcases superior craftsmanship. The materials and build quality contribute to a consistent, high-performance feel and notable durability. It's recognized as a top-tier blade where the quality of construction directly translates to its reliable on-table behavior.
Technology
Xiom Feel ZX3 employs 'Wood Feel Zephylium' technology, integrating two thin layers of Zephylium carbon directly beneath the outer Kiso Hinoki plies. The Kiso Hinoki, sourced from Japan's Kiso mountains, is prized for its distinct acoustic feedback and clear vibration. The strategic placement of Zephylium carbon enhances 'ball grab' and power spin capabilities. This fusion aims to deliver a sensitive, woody feel combined with strong resilience, resulting in high repulsion and sharp attack power. The technology is also engineered to improve spin dynamics for modern plastic balls and maintain control by minimizing energy loss from the blade's core.
Pro Players Using This Blade
Moe Nomura
Moe Nomura has used the Xiom Feel ZX3, indicating the blade's suitability for high-level competitive play. Her adoption underscores its capabilities as a professional-grade offensive weapon trusted for tournament performance.
Similar Blades
Butterfly Viscaria
Many players find the Xiom Feel ZX3 a compelling alternative to the Butterfly Viscaria. It often matches or exceeds the Viscaria's speed while providing a softer, more tactile feel and superior touch. Control is frequently rated higher, and the spin potential is noted as more potent, leading some to consider the ZX3 an upgraded choice for a similar aggressive, looping style.
Butterfly Timo Boll ALC
The Feel ZX3 can serve as an alternative for players who enjoy the Butterfly Timo Boll ALC. It delivers a comparable level of control but with a distinctly different sensation due to its unique composite materials. This makes it an option for players seeking the Timo Boll ALC's precision but desiring a new feel or a different performance profile in their offensive setup.