String comparison
RPM Team vs Tour XP
Babolat RPM Team against Prince Tour XP: ratings, specs and which one fits your junior.
The short answer
Both are polyester strings. RPM Team leads on control and comfort. Tour XP leads on tension hold. They score the same for arm friendliness (3/5). Tour XP costs less per set.
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 Team if…
- You want more control (9 vs 8 out of 10)
- You want more comfort (7 vs 6 out of 10)
- Best for: players who like Blast but want more comfort
- Best for: juniors with fast swings seeking control
- Best for: all-court players wanting spin with comfort
Pick Tour XP if…
- You want more tension hold (9 vs 8 out of 10)
- Your player is younger (recommended from age 12 vs 13)
- You want to spend less (from $8 vs $17 a set)
- Best for: players frustrated by tension loss
- Best for: spin players seeking consistent response
- Best for: budget-conscious competitive players
Specs side by side
| Spec | RPM Team | Tour XP |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Polyester | Polyester |
| Construction | Eight-sided co-polymer with silicone coating and micro air bubbles | Thermopoly co-polyester monofilament |
| Gauges | 16, 17 | 16, 17 |
| Stiffness | Medium high | Medium |
| Set price | $17–19 | $8–10 |
| Reel price | $120–140 | $90–110 |
| Arm friendliness | 3/5 · Moderate | 3/5 · Moderate |
| Cost to maintain | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Recommended from | Age 13 | Age 12 |
| Levels | Intermediate, Advanced, Elite | Intermediate, Advanced, Elite |
| Play styles | Baseliner, All court, Big hitter | Baseliner, All court, Big hitter |
| Junior tension | 48-52 lbs for juniors. Holds tension better than Blast so can string at normal range. | 50-54 lbs for juniors. Exceptional tension maintenance means less drop-off. |
RPM Team in short
The string of choice for Carlos Alcaraz when he won his first Grand Slams. Launched in 2012 as a more comfortable version of RPM Blast, RPM Team combines an eight-sided shape for bite with a cross-linked silicone surface to boost snapback. What sets it apart is its low-density design using micro air bubbles to cushion ball impact. Despite being designed for comfort, it tested as one of the firmest Babolat strings in the lab - proving the air bubble technology works. Better tension maintenance than Blast makes it more cost-effective for frequent players.
Tour XP in short
Prince Tour XP (originally released as Beast XP) is a new-age thermopoly designed to sidestep the terrible feel and abysmal tension maintenance that plagued polyester strings. Two years in development with extensive elite player feedback, Tour XP delivers spin-friendly performance with impressive accuracy on full swings. The "thermo construction" technology creates excellent ball pocketing - the ball feels like it gets a "hug" from the stringbed. Tension loss is minimal - typically 1 pound vs 4-6 pounds for standard polys.
RPM Team vs Tour XP: quick answers
Which has more spin, RPM Team or Tour XP?
They tie on our spin rating (8/10 each).
Which is more arm-friendly for a junior?
They score the same, 3/5. RPM Team is recommended from age 13 and Tour XP from age 12.
Which lasts longer?
They tie on durability (8/10). Tension maintenance: RPM Team 8/10, Tour XP 9/10.
Which is cheaper?
RPM Team costs about $17–19 a set and Tour XP about $8–10, 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 Team) and 2025-01 (Tour XP).