Loki Zhao Zihao ARC (ALC) Special Version Review
A blade with 5 wood plies plus an Outer Aryl Carbon layer per side, rated OFF+. Loki’s own guidance places it as a Top Players blade for a committed attacking, close-to-table game built around generating your own power.
Construction and manufacturer ratings
| Construction | 5 Wood + 2 Outer Aryl Carbon |
|---|---|
| Face / core / power wood | Koto face, Kiri core, Ayous power layer |
| Blade type | OFF+ |
| Thickness | 5.8mm (+/-0.2mm) |
| Head size | 157mm × 150mm |
| Weight | 88g |
| Handle types | Flared (FL) / Straight (ST) |
| Speed / Control / Stiffness | 13.8 / 12.3 / 7.9 (Loki’s 1–15 manufacturer scale) |
| Playing style | Offensive |
| Player level | Top Players |
| Tournament legality | Meets the ITTF construction rule (85%+ natural wood by thickness) |
| Price | £169.99 |
Top Players level, Offensive style
Good fit if you
- Are a top-level competitive player chasing every last percent of performance.
- Want a blade built around a committed attacking, close-to-table game built around generating your own power.
Look elsewhere if you
- Are just starting out — a lower-priced Beginner-level blade will be more forgiving while your technique is still forming.
- Don’t play an all-round game — check the Playing Style column in our full blade range guide for a closer match.
Rubbers that suit this blade
Loki’s own cross-sell pairing for the Zhao Zihao ARC (ALC) Special Version.
If the Zhao Zihao ARC (ALC) Special Version isn’t quite right
Loki’s own related picks, for a different level or construction.
Closest alternatives outside Loki
Not a claim that the Zhao Zihao ARC (ALC) Special Version is objectively better — these are the closest equivalents by construction and price tier.
Tibhar Cedric Nuytinck
See the full side-by-side, including UK pricing, on our dedicated comparison page.
Compare →Common questions
Is the Loki Zhao Zihao ARC (ALC) Special Version tournament legal?
Yes. Like every blade in the Loki range, it meets the ITTF construction rule requiring at least 85% natural wood by thickness, so it’s legal for Table Tennis England and ITTF-sanctioned league and tournament play.
What level of player is the Zhao Zihao ARC (ALC) Special Version for?
Loki rates it a Top Players blade for a committed attacking, close-to-table game.
What rubbers pair well with the Zhao Zihao ARC (ALC) Special Version?
Loki’s own pairing suggests the Rxton 7 Zhao Zihao (National Pro Special Version) or the Telson Zhou Yu. See the Pair It With section above for live pricing.
How much does the Loki Zhao Zihao ARC (ALC) Special Version cost?
£169.99 at the time of writing, read live from the shop so this always matches what you’d pay at checkout. See the product page to buy.
Not sure this is the right blade?
Compare it against every other model in the range, or build a complete bat in the Racket Configurator.