Babolat RPM Blast vs Babolat RPM Blast Rough

The1AndOnly

New User
Hi guys! I have reels of both RPM Blast and RPM Blast Rough (both in 17 gauge), and I was wondering if any of you had any ideas as to what the difference is between the two strings? Power, Control, Spin, Feel, Comfort, Durability? I know that Tennis Warehouse has reviews of both strings but I wanted to hear other opinions? Which would you recommend to a more advanced player? Also which do you feel is overall the better string?
 

RogueFLIP

Professional
Usually play with RPM Blast 18 and maybe it was the gauge, but the only major difference I felt was in the feel. RPM is a "dead" string, but Rough was really 6 feet under. Had some tough times at net which I know I could handle with the regular Blast. Perhaps the spin was marginally more in the Rough but nothing impressed me much to want to change from the regular Blast. Maybe if they made the Rough in 18 gauge.

Curious to see how you felt with both strings in 17 gauge.
 

RobS

Rookie
Rough felt noticeably softer and different to me. More power from the soft. Didn't notice a significant difference is spin on similar shots but felt I could swing a little more aggressively with the regular blast and max out my spin. Didn't quite have that same confidence with the rough. I didn't find these strings to play extremely similar like I see in comparing ALU to ALU Rough for example. To me, ALU and ALU Rough feel and play very similar. RPM and RPM Rough, to me, do not. I couldn't say that one was better or worse because they're not really interchangeable strings imo. Blast, as everyone knows at this point is great for a heavy hitting, strong player. Rough on the other hand is going to appeal to the player that is moving from a multi to a poly or is already a poly player but wants something softer than most common poly strings.
 

CosmosMpower

Hall of Fame
Rough feels softer, more lively. Similar spin, maybe a tad more with rough but just going by feel. If you've used volkl cyclone and cyclone tour before I'd say regular RPM blast is like Cyclone and Rough is like Cyclone tour for comparison.
 

SteveI

Legend
Rough felt noticeably softer and different to me. More power from the soft. Didn't notice a significant difference is spin on similar shots but felt I could swing a little more aggressively with the regular blast and max out my spin. Didn't quite have that same confidence with the rough. I didn't find these strings to play extremely similar like I see in comparing ALU to ALU Rough for example. To me, ALU and ALU Rough feel and play very similar. RPM and RPM Rough, to me, do not. I couldn't say that one was better or worse because they're not really interchangeable strings imo. Blast, as everyone knows at this point is great for a heavy hitting, strong player. Rough on the other hand is going to appeal to the player that is moving from a multi to a poly or is already a poly player but wants something softer than most common poly strings.

Nailed it... Great post!!!
 
Usually play with RPM Blast 18 and maybe it was the gauge, but the only major difference I felt was in the feel. RPM is a "dead" string, but Rough was really 6 feet under. Had some tough times at net which I know I could handle with the regular Blast. Perhaps the spin was marginally more in the Rough but nothing impressed me much to want to change from the regular Blast. Maybe if they made the Rough in 18 gauge.

Curious to see how you felt with both strings in 17 gauge.
Yes, they do make rough in eighteen gauge.
 
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