Butterfly Lin Gaoyuan ALC vs Stiga Allround Evolution: Which Should You Buy?
| Butterfly Lin Gaoyuan ALC | Stiga Allround Evolution | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 8.7/10 | 8.2/10 |
| feel | Soft — flexible ALC gives a more wood-like feel than other carbon blades; high dwell time | soft, high feedback |
| handle | Shakehand (FL, AN, ST options); shorter anatomic handle than Viscaria | FL/ST/AN |
| plies | 5 wood + 2 arylate-carbon (ALC) — 7-ply construction with koto outer layers and inner arylate-carbon fiber | 5W (all wood) |
| speed | OFF (Butterfly rates Reaction 118, mid-fast; equivalent to OFF/OFF+ class) | ALL+ |
| thickness_mm | 5.7mm | 5.4 |
| weight_g | 84-87g typical (Butterfly spec approx 87g) | 80 |
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The Lin Gaoyuan (8.7) is a soft-carbon blade for advanced attackers seeking maximum dwell and spin across distances. The Allround Evolution (8.2) is a modest step up from the Classic: slightly faster, still all-wood, still control-focused—designed for beginners and developing players wanting a safe speed increase.
Choose Lin Gaoyuan if you’re an experienced player ready for carbon. Choose Allround Evolution if you’re still building technique, want learning-focused feedback, and prefer a small, incremental speed increase over a leap to full carbon.
FAQ
How is Evolution different from Classic?
Evolution is faster (ALL+ vs ALL) and designed around the 40mm ball. Evolution still prioritizes control but adds more pace while retaining soft dwell.
Which teaches technique better?
Allround Evolution still teaches well but asks less from your technique than Classic. Lin Gaoyuan doesn’t teach—it rewards good technique.
Will Evolution become outdated?
Yes, ambitious players often outgrow Evolution within a season or two. Lin Gaoyuan has longer longevity for advancing players.
Which is lighter?
Evolution is light at 80g. Lin Gaoyuan is 84-87g—still light for a carbon blade but noticeably heavier than Evolution.