Babolat · Current range

Babolat RPM Blast

Babolat specifies an octagonal polyester construction for RPM Blast. Separately, the 1.25 mm test sample records 233.7 lb/in stiffness, 33.3% tension loss and a spin-potential ratio of 4.6. RPM in the product name is not a playing-speed measurement.

Polyester8-sided (octagonal)1.2 / 1.25 / 1.3 / 1.35 mm

Product details

Material: Polyester
Gauge: 1.2 / 1.25 / 1.3 / 1.35 mm
Construction: polyester monofilament
String cross-section: 8-sided (octagonal)
Surface features: Not published by the manufacturer
Surface treatment / coating: Not published by the manufacturer
Product status: Current range
Stock status: Stock not verified

Laboratory measurements

Lower stiffness means less resistance to deformation in this test. Tension loss is measured under a laboratory protocol, not a prediction of playing hours. Spin potential is a friction-based ratio, not ball RPM.

Tennis Warehouse University · 2026-09-08
Tested sample	Stiffness lb/in	Tension loss %	Spin potential ratio
Babolat RPM Blast 15L (1.35)Test conditions: 51 lb · Fast (TWU)	236.6	32.9	7.3
Babolat RPM Blast 18 (1.20)Test conditions: 51 lb · Fast (TWU)	189.2	36.1	5.1
Babolat RPM Blast 17/1.25Test conditions: 51 lb · Fast (TWU)	233.7	33.3	4.6
Babolat RPM Blast 16Test conditions: 51 lb · Fast (TWU)	232.6	45.9	4.5

The test tension is not a stringing recommendation. Compare the same gauge and test conditions; the racquet, stroke and stringing method also affect the result on court. On the source page, select All in the material filter to see results for every material.

Tennis Warehouse University ↗

Compare samples tested under the same conditions

Up to three products with nearby measured stiffness, matching diameter, material and test conditions. This is a data comparison, not a ranking of suitability.

1.25 mm · 51 lb · Fast (TWU)
Tested sample	Stiffness lb/in	Tension loss %	Spin potential ratio
Babolat RPM Blast 17/1.25	233.7	33.3	4.6
Solinco Tour Bite 16L (1.25)	237.7	25.2	5.9
Tecnifibre Razor Code 17 (1.25)	229.2	29.6	5.6
MSV Focus Hex Soft 17 (1.25)	228	29.4	6.3

What the octagon does and does not establish

The octagonal section describes structure. Spin also depends on ball-to-string friction, inter-string friction, snapback and the direction of racquet movement. More edges alone do not prove superior spin.

Do not infer an additional coating performance from appearance. Keep the published geometry separate from laboratory friction-related measurements.

The gauge results do not follow one simple ordering

At 51 lb and Fast speed, the 1.20 mm sample records 189.2 lb/in, 36.1% loss and 5.1; the 1.25 mm records 233.7, 33.3% and 4.6; the 1.35 mm records 236.6, 32.9% and 7.3. The spin ratio does not simply rise as gauge becomes thinner.

These are sample-specific results under the stated conditions. The 1.35 mm ratio alone cannot justify recommending that gauge to everyone or converting its result into rotations per minute.

TWU · String performance database ↗

Why the comparison with Hyper-G and 4G changes the question

At the same 1.25 mm test condition, Hyper-G reports 218.3 lb/in and 24.7% loss, while 4G reports 258.9 and 21.3%. RPM Blast sits between them in stiffness and has greater test tension loss. Lower stiffness and lower loss are separate priorities.

First identify whether the complaint concerns initial response or trajectory changes after use. The relevant property is more useful than familiarity with a model name.

Distinguish the other RPM products

RPM Rough, Team and Soft are distinct from the original Blast. Do not apply its octagonal geometry or measurements to the entire family. Record the full model name and gauge from the package.

Judge replacement through notching, string movement and trajectory as well as breakage. A 33.3% laboratory loss is not three outings or a particular number of playing hours.