Babolat RPM Soft 17/1.25 String
Line: RPM Soft
$21.00
String specs
Where to buy
What players say
Tennis Warehouse's playtesters rated RPM Soft 17 high for comfort and power, calling it one of the more plush polyamides they tried, but both testers found it notches quickly and loses spin and control well before most polyesters wear out. Customer reviews on the same product page echo the soft, arm-friendly feel and praise tension hold, with no complaints about durability from those buyers.
Best for
- Players with arm or elbow issues
- Multifilament or natural gut users moving to a poly-type string
- Players who prioritize comfort and power over maximum durability
Pros
- Very comfortable, arm-friendly feel for a monofilament string
- Strong power rating from playtesters
- Holds tension well according to both playtesters and customer reviewers
- Delivers more height, depth and spin than firmer RPM strings, per a customer review
Cons
- Notches quickly, and both playtesters said this caused spin and control to decline over time
- Playability duration score was notably lower than its comfort and power scores
- Leans toward power over control compared to typical control-oriented polyesters
- Likely not durable enough for advanced players who need polyester-level string life
Voices
— Chris, Tennis Warehouse playtester, Web
RPM Soft was a very comfortable string.
— Chris, Tennis Warehouse playtester, Web
I would have preferred this string if it stayed true to the soft feel but lowered the power level.
— Andrew, Tennis Warehouse playtester, Web
This string notches way too quickly, to the point where spin and control start to decline
— Andrew, Tennis Warehouse playtester, Web
I'd recommend RPM Soft to players with arm issues who need softer strings.
— Powers, verified buyer (United States), Web
Softer than the original RPM Blast while holding tension well, with more height, depth and spin.
— Robert, verified buyer (MB, Canada), Web
Very good feel and better durability than a synthetic gut.