Palio AK47 vs Yasaka Rakza Z: Which Should You Buy?
| Palio AK47 | Yasaka Rakza Z | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 7.8/10 | 8.6/10 |
| best_side | both | forehand |
| control | high (best on the softer Blue) | high |
| speed | medium-high (Blue softer and more linear, Red fastest) | medium |
| spin | high | extreme |
| sponge_hardness | Blue around 38-40 deg, Yellow around 40-42 deg, Red around 45-47 deg (Euro scale) | 50 degrees (medium-hard; Extra Hard version around 57 degrees) |
| type | non-tacky inverted tensor (offered in Blue, Yellow and Red sponges) | hybrid tacky tensor |
| weight_uncut_g | 67 | 72 |
We may earn a commission from links on this page. Learn more.
These two rubbers chase spin from opposite directions. The Palio AK47 is a light, non-tacky tensor sold in three sponges, so you can tune control on the Blue or chase a faster, lower arc on the Red. The Yasaka Rakza Z is a tacky hybrid with a hard 50-degree sponge that delivers extreme spin and a strong linear kick, but only when you swing fully.
Pick the AK47 if you are building your first custom racket on a tight budget and want a forgiving, all-round sheet that stays usable on both wings and at lower power. Its biggest weaknesses are sheet-to-sheet variation and a less refined feel than the premium tensors it imitates.
The Rakza Z, rated a touch higher, suits proactive offensive players, especially forehand loopers, who happily commit to full strokes and want to lift heavy backspin with ease. Be ready for a heavier rubber that can fatigue your arm and feels weak or slow when you are out of position.
Short version: the AK47 is the safer, lighter, cheaper all-rounder, while the Rakza Z is the spin specialist for a dedicated attacking forehand.
FAQ
Which rubber generates more spin?
The Yasaka Rakza Z produces extreme spin thanks to its tacky topsheet and hard 50-degree sponge, while the Palio AK47 offers high but not quite as ferocious spin from its grippy non-tacky surface.
Which is lighter on the racket?
The Palio AK47 is noticeably lighter at around 67 grams uncut versus around 72 grams for the Rakza Z, which can cause arm or wrist fatigue, especially on carbon blades.
Which is better for a beginner or improver?
The Palio AK47, particularly the softer Blue sponge, is the friendlier choice for developing and intermediate players who want control on pushes, blocks and the short game without needing to swing at full power.
Who should choose the Rakza Z?
Proactive offensive forehand loopers who commit to full strokes and want heavy spin and placement, including players who like Dignics 09C or boosted Hurricane 3 but want a cheaper tacky hybrid.