Aerotech Steelfiber i80 Shaft Review – Specs, Flex, Weight

Aerotech Steelfiber i80 Shaft

Aerotech may not be the first brand you think of when you think of quality iron shafts.

But amazingly, there are Tour Pros who have used them.

Over the years, more and more pros have picked up Aerotech shafts which really piqued our interest.

The Aerotech Steelfiber i80 shaft is one of the company’s most popular products. So we wanted to see what all the fuss was about.

Does the Aerotech Steelfiber i80 offer any benefits to the average golfer? Read on to find out.

Aerotech Steelfiber i80 Shaft Overview

The unique thing about the Aerotech Steelfiber i80 shaft is that it is a hybrid steel/graphite shaft.

Aerotech used graphite for the core and layered the surface area with 59 miles worth of steel fibers. This gives it a very unique feel. On the one hand, there is a ton of action in the midsection.

So you would expect the dispersion to be erratic and the flight inconsistent. That was not the case. It seems that the steel fibers help to stabilize the shaft through the swing path.

So even though there is a strong kick in the middle, the club head follows through to an optimal path – or at least, the path that you intend.

The Aerotech Steelfiber i80 has a strong kick. So if you like a subdued feel, you may not like this shaft. If however, you need a shaft that will help you increase your swing speed, this is a great one to try.

The Aerotech Steelfiber i80 is an 85-gram shaft so it’s pretty lightweight overall.

It also has a clean look both in the bag and at address. From a distance, it looks like a steel shaft. But the finish is more of a matte silver as opposed to the reflective chrome of many actual steel shafts.

Why is the Aerotech Steelfiber i80 So Popular?

Aerotech Steelfiber i80 Shaft1

We would think that the Aerotech Steelfiber i80 has been gaining in popularity because it has gained some exposure on the PGA Tour.

Pros like Freddy Couples have switched to Aerotech shafts and the Aerotech Steelfiber i80 in particular is a great choice for us mortal golfers.

How Does the Aerotech Steelfiber i80 Perform?

As we mentioned in the overview section, the flight of the Aerotech Steelfiber i80 was not as wild as we were expecting from such a light shaft.

Our offline divergence stayed within the 8-10 yard range. And that’s very impressive for such an active shaft.

The Aerotech Steelfiber i80 also produces effortlessly high launch so it would be good for players to get the ball up in the air.

The distance wasn’t anything to write home about. After three swings each, our testers were averaging 143.9 yards with the Aerotech Steelfiber i80.

That’s not bad by any means; but there are certainly longer graphite iron shafts if distance is of chief importance to you.

What hurts the Aerotech Steelfiber i80 in terms of distance is the spin rates.

Most of our testers increased their swing speed when using the Aerotech Steelfiber i80; but it didn’t always translate to better distance because of the high spin rates.

Around the pin, you will love the high launch and high spin. It makes it much easier to keep the ball on the green and will make you look like a pro with your wedges.

Aerotech Steelfiber i80 Shaft Specs

Specs Aerotech Steelfiber i80
Available flexes Ladies, senior, regular, stiff, extra stiff
Weight 85g
Butt .600”
Tip .370”
Length 41”

What Flexes Are Available? What Swing Speeds Do They Suit?

Ladies and senior flex may work for sub 70 MPH swing speeds.

Stiff and regular could work for players in the 75-85 MPH range. Extra stiff may be preferable if you’re in the 86-95 MPH swing speed range.

What Weights Are Available? What Swing Speeds Do They Suit?

The Aerotech Steelfiber i80 is an 85-gram shaft.

This is a good weight for players in the 75-95 MPH swing speed range.

Why is it So Good?

The Aerotech Steelfiber i80 is a good shaft for players who may be losing some swing speed.

It is effortlessly fast and you don’t lose much accuracy from a steel shaft.

Aerotech Steelfiber i80 First Impressions

Aerotech Steelfiber i80 Shaft2

Even on our practice swings, we could feel the Aerotech Steelfiber i80 wanting to work and flex.

It definitely has a whippy feel but there is still an acute feeling of control on the release.

Key Features & Performance

At the heart of the Aerotech Steelfiber i80 is a high modulus graphite core.

Graphite is incredibly light and incredibly strong. This is what allows the Aerotech Steelfiber i80 to feel so active but maintain control.

Aerotech Steelfiber i80 Irons Review

You probably won’t be able to add an iron’s worth of distance to your swings with this shaft; but it is more accurate than your typical graphite iron shaft.

Aerotech Steelfiber i80 Wedges Review

Our wedge-play was excellent with these shafts plugged in.

There was enough spin and height to land the ball soft on the green. Plus, the lack of rollout made sure that we stayed on the green.

Aerotech Steelfiber i80 Pros & Cons

 Pros:

  • Forgiving
  • Helps improve swing speed
  • Great for slow to moderate swing speed players
  • Great short-game performance
  • Good activity in the midsection
  • Stable flight

Cons:

  • It’s not the longest graphite shaft
  • Definitely not for powerful swingers

Overall Score: 95/100

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Who Should Buy it?

The Aerotech Steelfiber i80 would be a good choice if you are struggling to get air under the ball.

This shaft is a real rain-maker. The Aerotech Steelfiber i80 shaft would also be good for anyone trying to increase their swing speed.

The Aerotech Steelfiber i80 feels comfortable and gives you accuracy akin to a steel shaft. For that reason, it would also be a good choice for anyone transitioning from a steel shaft to a graphite shaft.

This shaft will make switching easier and less of a stark change.