String comparison
RPM Blast Rough vs ALU Power Rough
Babolat RPM Blast Rough against Luxilon ALU Power Rough: ratings, specs and which one fits your junior.
The short answer
Both are polyester strings. RPM Blast Rough leads on spin and comfort. ALU Power Rough leads on 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 spin (10 vs 9 out of 10)
- You want more comfort (6 vs 4 out of 10)
- Arm comfort comes first (arm friendliness 3/5 vs 2/5)
- Your player is younger (recommended from age 13 vs 14)
- You restring often and want it cheaper to keep up (cost score 3/5 vs 2/5)
- Best for: spin-obsessed players
- Best for: juniors developing their topspin game
- Best for: first-time poly users (more forgiving than Blast)
Pick ALU Power Rough if…
- You want more durability (7 vs 6 out of 10)
- You want more tension hold (6 vs 5 out of 10)
- Best for: spin-focused advanced juniors
- Best for: heavy topspin baseliners
- Best for: players with western or semi-western grips
Specs side by side
| Spec | RPM Blast Rough | ALU Power Rough |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Polyester | Polyester |
| Construction | Textured octagonal high-density co-polyester | Textured co-polyester monofilament |
| Gauges | 16, 17 | 16, 16L |
| Stiffness | Medium | High |
| Set price | $20–21 | $21–22 |
| Reel price | $130–150 | $170–200 |
| Arm friendliness | 3/5 · Moderate | 2/5 · Low |
| Cost to maintain | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Recommended from | Age 13 | Age 14 |
| Levels | Intermediate, Advanced, Elite | Advanced, 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. Textured surface grabs ball so you can string lower. |
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.
ALU Power Rough in short
ALU Power Rough takes the proven ALU Power formula and adds a textured surface for enhanced spin potential. The rough surface grabs the ball at contact, allowing players to generate more RPMs on their shots. Designed to grip the ball for increased spin, though not quite as durable as standard ALU Power due to the texturing.
RPM Blast Rough vs ALU Power Rough: quick answers
Which has more spin, RPM Blast Rough or ALU Power 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 2/5 for ALU Power Rough. It is recommended from age 13.
Which lasts longer?
Luxilon ALU Power Rough rates 7/10 for durability against 6/10.
Which is cheaper?
RPM Blast Rough costs about $20–21 a set and ALU Power 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 (ALU Power Rough).