String comparison
ALU Power Rough vs V-Square
Luxilon ALU Power Rough against Volkl V-Square: ratings, specs and which one fits your junior.
The short answer
Both are polyester strings. ALU Power Rough leads on power. V-Square leads on spin, comfort and tension hold. For a junior with arm concerns, V-Square is the safer choice. V-Square 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…
- You want more power (7 vs 6 out of 10)
- Best for: spin-focused advanced juniors
- Best for: players with western or semi-western grips
- Best for: those who loved ALU Power but want more spin
Pick V-Square if…
- You want more spin (10 vs 9 out of 10)
- You want more comfort (5 vs 4 out of 10)
- You want more tension hold (7 vs 6 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 want to spend less (from $12 vs $21 a set)
- Best for: maximum spin seekers
- Best for: players with western/semi-western grips
- Best for: those who prioritize spin over everything else
Specs side by side
| Spec | ALU Power Rough | V-Square |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Polyester | Polyester |
| Construction | Textured co-polyester monofilament | Square-shaped co-polyester monofilament with 4 sharp edges |
| Gauges | 16, 16L | 16, 17, 18, 19 |
| Stiffness | High | Medium |
| Set price | $21–22 | $12–15 |
| Reel price | $170–200 | $140–160 |
| Arm friendliness | 2/5 · Low | 3/5 · Moderate |
| Cost to maintain | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Recommended from | Age 14 | Age 13 |
| Levels | Advanced, Elite | Intermediate, 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. | 48-52 lbs for juniors. Square shape maximizes bite so can string lower. |
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.
V-Square in short
Volkl V-Square holds the top score for bite (string-on-ball friction) in the Tennis Warehouse University String Lab. The 4-sided square profile with razor-sharp edges creates vicious snapback and maximum spin potential. Made with an exclusive material for improved comfort with minimal tension loss, V-Square sits between Cyclone and Cyclone Tour in terms of overall feel while offering perhaps the best spin potential in the Volkl lineup.
ALU Power Rough vs V-Square: quick answers
Which has more spin, ALU Power Rough or V-Square?
Volkl V-Square, with a spin rating of 10/10 against 9/10.
Which is more arm-friendly for a junior?
Volkl V-Square scores 3/5 for arm friendliness, against 2/5 for ALU Power Rough. It is recommended from age 13.
Which lasts longer?
They tie on durability (7/10). Tension maintenance: ALU Power Rough 6/10, V-Square 7/10.
Which is cheaper?
ALU Power Rough costs about $21–22 a set and V-Square about $12–15, 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 (V-Square).