Butterfly Zyre 03

My rating in the US is around 1800-1900. I switched from 09C, so I use the comparison between these two to explain my evaluation of this rubber better. I've been playing with Zyre03 (2.7mm) for around 6 months now (on a XIOM AJH TMXi Pro blade), and it's definitely the best FH rubber I've ever had in my life—maybe because it fits my playing style pretty well. It's very forgiving in forehand top spins; it also has a very satisfying balance between speed and spin. In terms of opening attacks on my FH, Zyre03 does a pretty good job and gives you the confidence you need to start the attack, especially against downspin (although not as safe and spinny as 09C). Compared to 09C, Zyre03 is way easier to get used to (for my level); playing with it feels so natural, and top spins are honestly effortless (it's still different from the Tenergy family, so expect a couple weeks for the learning curve if it's the case for you). Zyre03 also does a pretty good job in flat hits and smashes (of course, not as good as the Tenergy family), while flat hits with 09C are a real pain. I also feel like serving and receiving were a little better with 09C, as the ball stays on the rubber surface a little longer and gives you a little more time to generate more spin. My reverse serves have always been my strength, but I can clearly see that my reverse serves with Zyre03 are not as good as with 09C. I cannot comment on flicks and counters, as I do not use them a lot in my game. Blocking with Zyre03 feels very good, though (I'd say it's easier than 09C). Zyre03 is definitely at least two times more durable than Tenergy 05, and maybe 15-25% more durable than 09C. I use Tibhar MX-P on my BH, and it isn't even half as durable as Zyre03. I play 5–8 hours a week, and after 6 months, the quality is dropping. Lastly, this rubber is on the heavier side, not the heaviest though (67g uncut for 2.5mm), so it's something to keep in mind if you're matching this with a heavy blade.

This rubber is a game changer - every forehand seems to just go on as you imagine it. Its max speed is incredible, but it still has incredible control. The only problem I have had with it is not getting a clean contact when doing a reverse pendulum serve - this is probably because I learnt this serve using Tenergy 05 Hard where every ball flies off the rubber more. Everything else feels perfect! EDIT: After using it for a few weeks, the rubber feels far different than when it started: throw angle has gotten lower, less spin, less control etc. Some of it might be the fact that I might not be good enough yet to use it on a SZLC blade, but nevertheless I am now considering changing it as it has negatively affected my playing. Overall I don't think Zyre justifies the £90 price tag - Dignics 05 and Tenergy 05H both feel a lot better to me.

This is a new language for table tennis. Everything I say here is subjective coming from a player who has played table tennis for 55 years. I have been coached and I have competed nationally and internationally. I have had extensive experience with butterfly products both in terms of blades and table tennis rubber. 12 years experience playing with Tenergy family of rubbers. 5 years experience playing with Dignics family of rubbers. Double-winged looper who plays close to the table. I find the rubber to be easy to use. in, against topspin, be mindful of your blade angle, perhaps close it a bit more. on the backhand it is very easy to play with; to do banana flicks, strawberry flicks, loop, block and smash. I find it easier to flick the ball than to push it. The rubber does everything well. I especially enjoy flat hitting with it. It definitely has an advantage over all the rubbers, whether they're Tenergy or dignics. I find the rubber quite straight forward and easy to use. I think it's user friendly. You just have to have proper technique and have some feel for the ball. It does also depend a lot on what blade you put it on. I have it on my TB ALC. and it plays fine for me it is not too fast. Other players in my club disagreed, they said it is very fast. So it really all depends on your level of skill and experience. My coach tried it today and he was absolutely ripping these hypersonic loops at will forehand backhand without any problems generating tons of spin speed and the ball was definitely going very deep. blocks are very very solid just be mindful of the angle and I tried punch blocking but that was a bit tricky again nothing to do with the rubber it has everything to do with the user I need to get used to it more. Highly recommended if you can afford the astronomical price which I hope will come down soon.

Blade : Harimoto SALC (inner) (90g) + Z03 2.7red + D05 2.1b; this a great setup. Fast, spinny, high arc. D09C was slow on FH (not boosted). Z03 is light, and has a super grip in BH for chikita, opening spin, good feeling and good control for counter or block. It works also on FH for sharp drive and mid distance. Throw angle is like T05 but felling is like D05 with higher arc, and lands on the table like D80 with the amount of spin of D09C. The amount of backspin for serve or push, is amazing. Amount of spin causes troubles to blockers. I tried Z03 on Donic ZJ Original carbon (outer), Viscaria SALC (outer) and Amultart (hinoki-ZLC) but trajectory goes too long. The price is expensive but the quality is top level, and the weight is around 47~48g for 2.7mm = standard 2.1mm

First of all Theres a review that says this rubber is medium soft that not true at all this rubber is very hard . I think the reason they wrote this was maybe because it has a butterfly hardness of 44 degrees which on the ESN rubber hardness scale is about medium. However butterfly have their own scale like double happiness. After use I can confirm that this rubber is very hard. I personally think this rubber has to be boosted to get the most out of it otherwise it’s a pointless rubber to buy. The reason is you can’t fully activate the sponge without booster because the sponge is so hard . It’s actually around the 55 degrees hardness on the ESN scale which to give context G1 fast arc is around 47.5 degree so the Zyre 03 is much harder. It’s not overly fast in my opinion I used it on a 7 ply all wood blade (septear by Nittaku) which isn’t that slow of a blade. I used the 2.5mm on forehand (black) and it’s very spinning unboosted . I haven’t yet played with it boosted but I can imagine the spins going to be insane . Pushing with this rubber is trash because it’s too hard (another reason it should be boosted) serving was ok but again it was too hard to generate lots of spin , the only time you can gets lots of spin with this rubber is when a good amount of force is used to activate the sponge . In conclusion if you don’t want to use booster don’t buy this rubber you’ll be underwhelmed by it just buy a tensor ESN rubber instead like G1, Rakza9, vega pro or platinum DNA medium. It’s not worth £90 unless you unlock its true potential with booster like dignics 09c or hurricane 3 neo (all versions) lastly don’t use this on a hard blade it’s pointless. I have since boosted it but I’m yet to play with it boosted !!