Skip to footer
Shop All Babolat

Babolat RPM Blast 17/1.25 String

Shop All Babolat

Babolat RPM Blast 17/1.25 String

$18.95
In Stock: 30+
Buy More, Save More

We will match or beat any posted overall price advertised in-store or online on in stock items.

This spin-monster will enable you to attack the ball with your most powerful strokes

This firm and durable string is perfect for big hitters looking to load the ball with pace and spin. With its slick surface, RPM Blast enables the strings to snap back with vicious force, resulting in extra RPMs (think heavy ball). It also seems to be working quite well for Rafa! Did we mention the spin?



  • Gauge: 17/1.25mm
  • Length: 40ft/12m
  • Composition: Co-polyester Monofilament
  • Color: Black

String Comparison: Babolat RPM Blast vs Luxilon ALU Power

String Comparison: Babolat RPM Blast vs Volkl Cyclone

String Comparison: Babolat RPM Blast vs Wilson Champion's Choice

Videos

Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5
14 Customer Reviews
5 out of 5 Stars
Would Recommend
Babalot RPM Blast stringThis is a player's string. It is very durable and hits great topspin for big hitters. I string it at 46 pounds for most racquets.
5 out of 5 Stars
Would Recommend
Very happy.I really like these strings. I put them in a new Babolat Aero racquet looking for help with spin and control. Very happy with the results.
5 out of 5 Stars
Would Recommend
AwesomeWe can see difference in my son's game. We are very happy with Babalot Pure Drive with RPM Blast tension at 52.
5 out of 5 Stars
Would Recommend
Babalot stringThe employee was extremely helpful and expedient in my purchase!
4 out of 5 Stars
Would Recommend
ReliableGood spin and good power. Excellent for serving. I always have a set strung in one of my racquets just in case I need them.
5 out of 5 Stars
Would Recommend
Good spin and controlAs advertised. Was recommended to me as a spin and control string option for the Babolat Pure Aero Rafa Origin. Happy so far. I feel like I'm getting what I was looking for.
5 out of 5 Stars
Would Recommend
For Babolat Pure Aero Rafa Racquet user.I think this string goes very well with Babolat Pure Aero Rafa Racquet for spinners.
4 out of 5 Stars
There worth a tryRPM Blast @ 16 Gauge 1.25 I would recommend to give them a try much better than the rough version in my opinion.
5 out of 5 Stars
Would Recommend
RpmGreat string for spin and surprisingly not too tough on my elbow.
5 out of 5 Stars
Would Recommend
Great stringI'm not a string breaker, so I recently went down from 16g to the 17g RPM Blast, and I'm loving it. Seems to get a better bite on the ball, and feels a bit livelier as well.
4 out of 5 Stars
Would Recommend
Soft feeling strings with Good SpinIt's good overall string. It doesn't have that pop that I am looking for but it's comfortable string. It had good spin and power. I have string it to Babolat Pure Strike 16x19 at 50lbs.
5 out of 5 Stars
Would Recommend
Love that spin!Lots of spin to be had using this string. So far, I love it.
5 out of 5 Stars
Would Recommend
Play niceThis string gives me more control, and I play better!
4 out of 5 Stars
RPM blastGood durable strings, but very stiff. Do not use if you have any elbow issues.

Previous Feedback  

Comments: I have used RPM Blast 16 in several 100 square inch frames for many years on both cross and mains. I guess it's all I have known for ten years. I now play with a Wilson Pro Staff 97 square inch and stayed with RPM Blast in the mains and switched to Excel in the crosses. I had forgotten what frayed strings look like. It's a good indication of wear, but I'm not sure it does much else. I was planning on switching to Blast 17 in mains and Blast 18 in crosses. I think the RPM 16 excel hybrid was around 58 pounds. Spin has never been an issue and I don't break Blast. I suppose I am looking for a better pocketing and perhaps more feel.
From: Stephen, 11/30/19

Comments: I'm a 50 year old, former NCAA Div III athlete, 4.5 rated hitter with an all-court game and big swings off both sides. RPM Blast 17g is definitely my favorite string as far as snapback, spin, and control go. I am using a Babolat Pure Drive Tour Plus strung up with RPM Blast 17g at 54 pounds. My ability to place the ball in my chosen spots as well as rip it when I get the opportunity is unequalled compared to other strings from Tier One, Tourna, Wilson, Yonex, and more, but after a few hours of hitting, my entire arm hurts. Painful. I suggest that users of this string try to string at tensions lower than 54 pounds, and perhaps use another, softer string in tandem with it. Considering I have my own Ektelon stand-up stringer, I'll experiment with lower tensions and hybrid set-ups to see if I can capture the attributes of RPM Blast, while not hurting my arm so much.
From:Andrew, 10/7/19

Comments: After demoing all the popular polys, I settled on this string in my Burn 100LS. I strung this racquet at 60-62 pounds on the mains and 4 pounds less on the crosses. I swing really big on the forehand side, both topspin and flat shots. I hit a one handed backhand, flat slice, and kick serve. The higher the racquet speed the better this string performs. I love the feel of this setup. I am 60 and a 4.0-4.5 USPTA teaching pro.
From:Frank, 5/14/19

Comments: Overall, I find it to be a great string for control. If you think it's not powerful enough, either hit the gym or just hit harder. If you don't swing big, then you won't reap the benefits of poly strings at all. I strung it up at 54 pounds, and it feels great. I think that's the magic number. I use a Pro Staff 97 with lead tape at 12. Solinco makes the best strings in my opinion, but Babolat RPM isn't too far apart from them.
From:Mike, 2/1/19

Comments: A rather durable string that doesn't lose its feel for a while.
From:Rod, 10/11/18

Comments: In my opinion, I think this string is somewhat overrated. I used to play with Pro Hurricane Tour 17 and switched to RPM Blast 17 since I had read so many favorable comments. I went through 3 different string sets to give it a chance, but I'm going back to Pro Hurricane Tour 17. RPM Blast does not feel lively at all. I was expecting much more spin and power potential, and I got none.Went back to Pro Hurricane Tour 17 and I could immediately feel the greater pop and spin I put on my shots as well as added power.
From:Mauricio, 3/25/18

Comments: Love the feel and stiffness but it looks like this string is the reason for my tennis elbow I have been suffering from after about 3 months of playing. Pity, but I am switching back to Xcel for now.
From:Ivan, 10/8/17

Comments: Absolutely overrated. Very stiff and a lot of spin for the first 2 hours only. I play 18x20 Head Pro Tour 630 with a high swingweight. I felt the string already 'dead' by the end of the first session. Not worth the price, pros can switch racquets every changeover/every new can of balls, why should we use strings that only last 2 hours otherwise.
From:Benji, 7/21/17

Comments: I play with the Babolat Pure Aero and like the 17 gauge for the spin. When I go to hybrid with RPM Blast 17 gauge in the mains and NXT Power X 16 gauge in the crosses, I still get the same amount of spin and control, but more power.
From:Mel, 11/16

Comments: I'm a 5.0 senior player, using a Yonex DR 98, with topspin off both sides, slice volleys and an all-court game. Wow -- surprising spin for my opponents and myself! Slice serves swing and top-spinners dip significantly more. Topspin groundstrokes kick up higher. Great feel at the net on volleys. Only used it for 5 hours, so can't comment on durability. Power was Ok but control was great. Strung at 54 lbs.
From:Andrew, 6/16

Comments: I'm a moderate level social competitive player who plays 2-3 times a week (I'm an aggressive baseliner with very heavy topspin off both sides). Strung RPM Blast in my Babolat AeroPro Drive+ at 54 lbs and a great string when fresh with good feel and spin, albeit with a slightly stiff feeling. It unfortunately looses tension very quickly, with feel (and shot confidence) deteriorating also. Whilst I do string my own racquets, RPM is to expensive to have to restring for every match and as a result I will look for something else with more durability.
From:David, 5/16

Comments: Just tried this tonight in a Babolat Pure Strike 16x19 at 55 lbs. My usual string is Volkl Cyclone and I couldn't tell much difference in spin except the occasional forehand topspin that jumped up off the bounce. But, Cyclone produces the same spin for me. The string does feel different though, maybe pockets a bit more? The thing that was weird was how much it stretched when installing it on my dropweight. Really it is the most I've seen any string stretch. Definitely the stretchiest poly I've done, by far. Weird.
From:Greg, 3/16

Comments: Super string overall. Great control spin and power. Cons -- after 10 hours of play its texture looses its characterized spin -- I would guess and spin control are performing around 30 percent compared to when it is first strung. Also, the tension durability is a problem after 10 hours of hitting and it needs to be restrung.
From:Nuri, 10/15

Comments: I use a Babolat AeroPro and have it strung with Luxilon 4G 16L or 4G Rough (47 lbs) in the mains and Head FXP Power 17 (51 lbs) in the crosses. I thought I would give the RPM a try and was really surprised how much stiffer this string is. I used them on the mains and kept the Head FXP Power in the crosses and tried them at 48/53 and 46/51 lbs. I played about 4 hours with both different set ups and neither time I could find the right pop and comfort. I actually had a minor pain in the elbow and medium pain in shoulder. I am actually glad I feel this since now I know that the Luxilon 4G 16L or the Rough versions are so much more comfortable. I'm a 5.0 level player.
From:Trey, 5/15

Comments: I bought a stringing machine a year ago and over the winter and experimented with all kinds of string set ups -- both full beds and hybrids. This experiment included poly, synthetic gut, kevlar, and multifilaments. I always wanted to do this and just see which string would be the best. Well, a full bed of RPM Blast is by far the best. I strung it on my AeroPro Drive GT at 58 lbs and couldn't be happier.
From:Eric, 4/15

Comments: I strung this at the typical 50 lbs for all polys I use in my 100 square inch tweener frame. I have to say I was underwhelmed. Luxilon, Gamma, and Volkl products I've tried all had better overall performance than RPM Blast did. I will say the RPM Blast created slightly more spin than other polys I tried, but the harsh, lifeless feel wasn't to my liking.
From:Steve, 8/14

Comments: I hit with plenty of pace and spin and I am primarily a baseliner (NTRP level 5.0). For the last 6 years, I have been using the hybrid set-up of kevlar and synthetic gut (I am a chronic string breaker). One day I decided to try RPM Blast (replacing the syn. gut) and holy cow, this string is awesome. So much more spin and control, and that is just from replacing the crosses. Just as others are saying, it is a little stiff, so if you have arm issues my advice is to pass on this one. However if you don't, and you want a string that will give you lots of spin -- try this. My current set-up: Prince Tour 100T ESP with Ashway Kevlar Mains and RPM Blast crosses (at 55 lbs).
From:Matt, 6/14

Comments: My all time favorite string! I'm an offensive baseliner, around 4.5 skill level, currently using Babolat Pure Drives. I string my frames with this string at 57 lbs, and for me, this string works wonders. I'm able to hit solid groundstrokes, my volleys are very crisp and sharp, and my serves/overheads are overwhelming for my opponents. This string is softer compared to other poly's that I've tried. I do enjoy the flexibility of the string, in terms of it permitting me to hit spin and flat shots, even though I am more of a spin-based player. This string has made it easier for me to learn how to hit flat, while still having the option of hitting with my usual spin. Awesome string in my opinion!
From:Kris, 6/14

Comments: I'm a 4.0 player playing with NXT 16g for two years due to tennis elbow. Elbow is better and my pro recommended a hybrid of NXT and RPM to better grip my baseline topspin. Thinking NXT mains and RPM crosses. What do you think?
From:Jay, 2/14

Comments: Very nice string. I switched to this after using ALU Power for a long time. Strung itat 58 lbs.
From:Tom, 11/13

Comments: Wow is all I have to say. This string is pure epicness. Strung it in my Pure Drive with 54 lbs. Best co-poly I've ever used. The string was addictive and lasted pretty long as well. Other strings, like Excel, would break in 2 weeks. The tension also maintained well and stayed pretty much the same.
From:Seb, 11/13

Comments: Great string on my 2013 Aeropro Drive GT. However, it's a bit too stiff for me (3.5 player) and has given me slight soreness in my elbow after a few weeks of using it. I know the racquet I use is stiff to begin with so I will see if a switch to Xcel or Bablolat VS 17G will allow for more comfort. Still, delivers loads of spin as promised.
From:Eugene, 10/13

Comments: The snap back is awesome. Strung at 55lbs. This has the greatest elastic snapback of any string. Cyclone does not compare -- it doesn't have the snapback. This is the greatest string out there!
From:Dan, 10/13

Comments: I'm a 4.5 all around player that plays 3 to 4 times a week. I use a Head Youtek IG Prestige MP and it has a 18x20 pattern, so it lacks spin, especially since I had accepted it with a free full bed of synthetic string (grave mistake). I had this string recommended to me by a friend since I had been out of the tennis loop for 3 years and I would've just gone with a Luxilon ALU Rough hybrid. This string is absolutely amazing when combined with the control of the Prestige. Great spin and also defensive shots are almost identical to my offensive shots. Taking balls on the rise or sitting slices get returned with a ton of pace and depth. Volleys and ground strokes feel fantastic with my big cuts. Touch shots are what impressed me, the ball dies once I even attempt a drop shot. Great string, I'll probably stick to this for a while.
From:Rai, 9/13

Comments: I'm a baseliner, with a long and fast swing. I hit the ball with topspin and have a two-handed backhand. I used a full bed of RPM Blast 17 and had it strung at 56 lbs on my Head Flexpoint Instinct Team. I liked this setup for my racquet, as it offered the "plush-feel" comfort and power that I needed. And this string also produces a really nice sound.
From:James, 9/13

Comments: I am really on the fence with this one. First off, I went from using a HEAD Extreme with a full bed of Black Code to the Wilson Juice Pro with the full bed of RPM 17. Basically with the HEAD I could place my first serve anywhere with great pace but my confidence lacked on groundstrokes. With this, my first serve is entirely in the gutter, but I can kick it in all day and my groundstrokes are amazing. It took 2 hours of frustrating tennis but after that I felt like a new player. If only my first serve was on key I wouldn't have to look any further for my go to string. If you don't care for a flat serve, get this string.
From:Kyle, 8/13

Comments: I am a Signum Pro Firestorm full set up user. Then I tried this 17g RPM Blast string -- I liked it, but can I use it as hybrid on mains and firestorm at crosses? What do you think TW? Need some advice please -- thanks.
From:Jomz, 7/13
Answer from TW: Sure you can try it. We don't love the poly hybrid personally and prefer either a full bed of the same poly, or a hybrid of a poly and syn gut or multi. But you can definitely try it!

Comments: Let me start by saying that this is a great string and my stringof choice. But for anyone who is considering making a choice between the 17and 18 gauge, here's some feedback: The 18G has amazing bite, power, feel,spin and control, from the baseline and on serves, however, when you get tothe net the string is a little jumpy and you lose some touch, control andsharpness. Conversely, the 17G has pretty good bite, good power, pretty goodspin and control from the baseline, lacks some punch on the serve comparedto 18G but is incredibly stable at the net. It's not quite as jumpy at thenet as the 18G, thus allowing you to volley with a little more precision,sharpness and confidence compared to the 18G which can be hit or miss at thenet and tends to not have as much of a solid feel due to the thinness of the1.20 string diameter. The 17G plays flatter than the 18G, what I mean by that is when you hit withthe 18G the ball comes up off the string bed and then angles down based onthe spin generated from better ball pocketing and the bite of a thinnerstring, while a shot using the 17G stays a little straighter coming off thestring bed without as much arch to the shot and doesn't pocket quite as muchas the 18G because it's a tad thicker.In summation, they are both great strings but one is like dating someone wholoves to party, go out and rock while the other is like dating someone wholikes to stay home, cooks great and likes to relax on the couch & watch TV,you really want both so you can get the best experience possible dependingon what mood you'R122re in. So the perfect RPM Blast string would be a 17L,it would give you the pop on the serves and a strong baseline game withkiller spin and controllable power but still provide enough string mass tohandle heavy shots at the net without fizzling out or acting too jumpy,giving you the best of all worlds in one package and allowing you to beconfident in both singles and doubles.
From:Jason, 7/13

Comments: String is firm (but not as firm as RPM Team). Tension maintenance is good. It is hard on my arm at high tensions. I always hybrid it with Volkl Synthetic Gut. Spin generation is excellent. I've strung it at 63, 60, and 52 pounds in a Head Graphene Speed MP (16x19).
From:Mason, 7/13

Comments: I love these strings! I play with Head IG Radical Pro and I have this strung at 50 lbs. I took a risk stringing it at such a low tension because I'm afraid that it will be overpowering and my control will be diminished. But I was impressed with how well I could pocket/control my shots and power, especially my drop shots. My serves have more kick and spin as well as my groundstrokes. It is pretty durable as well and has lasted me a good solid 6 months (playing twice a week). Definitely sticking with these strings.
From:Paul, 7/13

Comments: This is the one of the greatest strings. I used it on my Head Elite Speed Pro and what amazing feel. But after playing with it at 57lbs for 2 months, I got some arm issues. Now, I'm looking for another equivalent co-poly. Hopefully I will find one. If you dont have any arm issues, then go for it, you won't regret it.
From:Ram, 4/13

Comments: I have a full bed of RPM Blast, strung at 60 lbs, on my Pure Storm Ltd. I found this to be a very control oriented and durable string that has lasted me about 25 hours of quality play. I enjoy the crispness that it provides. I highly recommend this string if you are looking for a quality monofilament.
From:Matt, 4/13

Comments: Great string! A lot power with spin. Also very soft to the elbow but not durable enough. I'm a 4.5 player that hits the ball hard and flat with spin every now and then and I use a lot of kick on my serve; I hit my volleys and under spin also hard. But be careful, I used this string on a Wilson Steam 99S and I like this string very much but it only lasted a couple of matches. Four sets each one. That's the only problem. If you have the time and deep pockets you will enjoy it.
From:Jose, 4/13Note from TW: The string life in a Wilson Steam 99S is significantly shorter because of the open string pattern and racquet technology, so going through strings quickly in this racquet has no reflection on the life of the strings.

Comments: I am a 4.0 level player, single backhand, semi-big serve and power forehand. You honestly can't go wrong with this string. If you play spin, it gives you spin. If you play flat, it gives you power. If you want control, it gives you control. I think if you are considering this string, get the 17g. The 18g loses tension way too fast. In conclusion, just buy thisstring and give it a go. As I said, you can't go wrong.
From:Ryan, 2/13

Comments: Long time Sonic Pro user ~50lbs. RPM at 50 lbs and it couldn't be more different. More spin for sure and nice pop are definitely pros. Cons; I felt that, all other variables being equal, I had to restrict or limit my swing. The ball explodes off the string bed. I will try increasing the tension, but for a poly it plays much more like a multifilament.
From:William, 1/13

Comments: I was using Hurricane Pro @ 52 lbs which was bit too hard on my arm after a week. I switched to RPM Blast and reduced tension to 50 lbs which perhaps wasn't the right thing for me. Though the feel is quite good I can get topspin.I think RPM Blast needs to be strung at least at 55 lbs.
From:Sharad, 1/13

Comments: I used to play with X-one Biphase, but then I switched to the string eating brute, the Wilson Steam 99S, and broke the strings faster than you can say "Roger Federer".

Nike Easter Sale! Ends March 30th.
Nike Easter Sale! Ends March 30th. Shop Now
Save on Prince O3 Racquets
Save on Prince O3 Racquets Shop Now
HEAD String Sale! Ends April 1st.
HEAD String Sale! Ends April 1st. Shop Now
In Case You Missed It
In Case You Missed It Shop Now
Pick your price and save!
Pick your price and save! Shop Now
New adidas Markdowns
New adidas Markdowns Shop Now