String comparison
ALU Power Rough vs Confidential
Luxilon ALU Power Rough against Solinco Confidential: ratings, specs and which one fits your junior.
The short answer
Both are polyester strings. Confidential leads on control, comfort, durability and tension hold. They score the same for arm friendliness (2/5). Confidential 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 ALU Power Rough if…
- Best for: spin-focused advanced juniors
- Best for: heavy topspin baseliners
- Best for: players with western or semi-western grips
Pick Confidential if…
- You want more control (9 vs 8 out of 10)
- You want more comfort (5 vs 4 out of 10)
- You want more durability (8 vs 7 out of 10)
- You want more tension hold (9 vs 6 out of 10)
- You want to spend less (from $11 vs $21 a set)
- Best for: advanced players wanting Solinco spin with better tension maintenance
- Best for: those between Tour Bite (too stiff) and Hyper-G (too soft)
- Best for: players who value consistent playability over time
Specs side by side
| Spec | ALU Power Rough | Confidential |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Polyester | Polyester |
| Construction | Textured co-polyester monofilament | Pentagonal-shaped co-polyester monofilament |
| Gauges | 16, 16L | 16, 16L, 17, 18 |
| Stiffness | High | Medium high |
| Set price | $21–22 | $11–13 |
| Reel price | $170–200 | $150–170 |
| Arm friendliness | 2/5 · Low | 2/5 · Low |
| Cost to maintain | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Recommended from | Age 14 | Age 14 |
| Levels | Advanced, Elite | Advanced, Elite |
| Play styles | Baseliner, Big hitter | Baseliner, Big hitter |
| Junior tension | 46-50 lbs for juniors. Textured surface grabs ball so you can string lower. | 46-50 lbs for juniors. First hour feels stiff - string settles nicely after break-in. |
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.
Confidential in short
Solinco Confidential officially launched in 2020 after being available privately for around three years to select touring pros. The pentagonal shape provides excellent spin - comparable to Tour Bite or ALU Power Rough. What sets Confidential apart is its exceptional tension maintenance, even at lower tensions. Stiffness sits between Tour Bite (stiffer) and Hyper-G (softer). The first hour can feel stiff and board-like, but after breaking in, the string settles into a very playable feel with outstanding consistency.
ALU Power Rough vs Confidential: quick answers
Which has more spin, ALU Power Rough or Confidential?
They tie on our spin rating (9/10 each).
Which is more arm-friendly for a junior?
They score the same, 2/5. ALU Power Rough is recommended from age 14 and Confidential from age 14.
Which lasts longer?
Solinco Confidential rates 8/10 for durability against 7/10.
Which is cheaper?
ALU Power Rough costs about $21–22 a set and Confidential about $11–13, at typical retail.
The short answer and the "pick if" lists are generated from our ratings and junior data only. Data verified 2025-01 (ALU Power Rough) and 2025-01 (Confidential).