Weight
87g
Thickness
5.7mm
Plies
7-ply
Head Size
157x152
Handles
FL / ST
Material
Hybrid
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Head-Heavy
Hayabusa Z
Xiom Hayabusa Z is a 7-ply hybrid blade that masterfully balances wood and composite materials. It delivers enhanced speed and defined vibrations through its Zephylium layers, offering a natural, solid feel on contact. This construction provides excellent dwell time for spin loading, making it a versatile weapon for modern, spin-oriented offensive play. The blade excels in sustained topspin rallies, giving players a harmonious blend of power and control for a dynamic game.
This symmetrical 7-ply construction features Koto outer layers, two Zephylium Carbon fiber layers, and Ayous/Kiri wood cores. The Zephylium layers are strategically placed to enhance speed and vibration feedback while maintaining natural feel. Koto contributes to spin-friendliness, while Ayous and Kiri provide balance between flexibility and stiffness.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Rated as an Offensive (-) blade, Hayabusa Z delivers good speed for looping and hitting, particularly from mid-distance. The Zephylium Carbon layers provide a responsive feel and solid repulsion, making it faster than some traditional composite blades. It offers ample power for offensive shots without sacrificing the controlled feel that many players seek.
Control is a standout feature of this blade. Despite its offensive rating, it provides a high level of control suitable for a wide player range. The clear ball feel facilitates precise placement and effective blocking, allowing for consistent rallies and confident execution of various shots. Many players find it offers more control than other popular composite blades, making it exceptionally balanced.
Hayabusa Z offers a wood-like flexibility that provides a natural and solid feel on contact. The feedback is sharp with a crisp, short-lived vibration, creating a balanced sensation that aids in control and spin development. It feels closer to an all-wood blade than many composite options.
The combination of good speed and dwell time suggests a medium-high throw angle, creating effective arcs on loops for strong attacking play from mid-distance.
The combination of Zephylium layers and wood-like flexibility creates good dwell time, allowing the ball to bite into the rubber for heavy spin generation. This extended contact is crucial for powerful and controlled looping shots.
With wood-like flexibility, the blade offers good ball absorption and spin generation, especially in topspin rallies. It's more flexible than some carbon blades but maintains a solid response, striking a balance between composite stiffness and natural wood feel.
This blade delivers sharp and clear vibrations that enhance control without being overly jarring. The Zephylium material helps define these vibrations, providing useful feedback for shot execution while maintaining a comfortable feel.
Build quality is generally good, with the hybrid construction praised for its harmonious synergy. However, some isolated comments note the finish may not feel premium and there can be minor inconsistencies in ply thickness. Overall, it's regarded as a well-made blade that performs reliably for its price point.
Technology
Xiom Hayabusa Z utilizes a 7-ply construction integrating Zephylium Carbon (a specialized fiber/polymer mesh) within wood layers. This hybrid approach blends the natural feel and flexibility of wood with increased speed and defined vibration from composite materials. The Zephylium layer enhances ball speed and improves spin loading, while the overall construction optimizes seemingly contradictory properties like flexibility and power to create a dynamic yet controlled offensive weapon.
Similar Blades
Butterfly Timo Boll ZLF
The construction of related Hayabusa series blades is very similar to Timo Boll ZLF, with fiber placement just one step inward. This suggests comparable playing characteristics, offering an alternative for players who enjoy the ZLF feel but want to explore Xiom options.
Butterfly Viscaria
Hayabusa Z is often compared to Viscaria in performance, with many players finding it offers more control while maintaining good speed. It serves as a balanced alternative to popular composite blades, particularly for players seeking enhanced spin and control in their offensive game.