String comparison
RPM Blast Rough vs 4G Rough
Babolat RPM Blast Rough against Luxilon 4G Rough: ratings, specs and which one fits your junior.
The short answer
Both are polyester strings. RPM Blast Rough leads on power, spin and comfort. 4G Rough leads on control, durability and tension hold. For a junior with arm concerns, RPM Blast Rough is the safer choice.
Ratings
Power
Spin
Control
Comfort
Durability
Tension hold
Ratings are on a 1–10 scale. The higher score is in bold when they differ.
Pick RPM Blast Rough if…
- You want more power (7 vs 6 out of 10)
- You want more spin (10 vs 9 out of 10)
- You want more comfort (6 vs 3 out of 10)
- Arm comfort comes first (arm friendliness 3/5 vs 1/5)
- Your player is younger (recommended from age 13 vs 15)
- Best for: spin-obsessed players
- Best for: juniors developing their topspin game
- Best for: first-time poly users (more forgiving than Blast)
Pick 4G Rough if…
- You want more control (9 vs 8 out of 10)
- You want more durability (8 vs 6 out of 10)
- You want more tension hold (9 vs 5 out of 10)
- Best for: elite juniors wanting spin + control + tension stability
- Best for: players who like 4G but want more spin
- Best for: heavy hitters with solid technique
Specs side by side
| Spec | RPM Blast Rough | 4G Rough |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Polyester | Polyester |
| Construction | Textured octagonal high-density co-polyester | Textured co-polyester monofilament |
| Gauges | 16, 17 | 16L |
| Stiffness | Medium | Very high |
| Set price | $20–21 | $21–22 |
| Reel price | $130–150 | $170–200 |
| Arm friendliness | 3/5 · Moderate | 1/5 · Not arm friendly |
| Cost to maintain | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Recommended from | Age 13 | Age 15 |
| Levels | Intermediate, Advanced, Elite | Elite |
| Play styles | Baseliner, Big hitter | Baseliner, Big hitter |
| Junior tension | 46-50 lbs for juniors. Can string slightly lower than regular Blast. | 46-50 lbs for juniors. Go lower than smooth 4G. |
RPM Blast Rough in short
Babolat RPM Blast Rough adds a textured surface to the familiar octagonal profile of RPM Blast. The result is a string that some testers found eclipsed the spin of the original. It feels softer and more arm-friendly than regular RPM Blast, with a livelier, more powerful response. A great entry-level co-poly for juniors or developing players looking to try their first polyester string.
4G Rough in short
Luxilon 4G Rough combines the legendary tension stability of 4G with a textured surface for enhanced spin. Designed to give strong players the needed control to unlock their top swing speed. The result is one of the stiffest, most control-oriented strings on the market. This is a specialty string for elite players with complete games and no arm concerns.
RPM Blast Rough vs 4G Rough: quick answers
Which has more spin, RPM Blast Rough or 4G Rough?
Babolat RPM Blast Rough, with a spin rating of 10/10 against 9/10.
Which is more arm-friendly for a junior?
Babolat RPM Blast Rough scores 3/5 for arm friendliness, against 1/5 for 4G Rough. It is recommended from age 13.
Which lasts longer?
Luxilon 4G Rough rates 8/10 for durability against 6/10.
Which is cheaper?
RPM Blast Rough costs about $20–21 a set and 4G Rough about $21–22, at typical retail.
The short answer and the "pick if" lists are generated from our ratings and junior data only. Data verified 2025-01 (RPM Blast Rough) and 2025-01 (4G Rough).