The numbers
Specifications
No kg/mm2 figure, on purpose
Obut places the RCX in Impact Absorber+, its own class, and publishes no kg/mm2 or HRC value. According to the maker, the class means steels with high internal resilience and a tempering process developed to cut the boule’s internal resonance.
On its RCC page Obut puts it more plainly: the boule behaves like a very soft one but has the hardness of a traditional half-soft. Every approved boule still sits above the federation floor of 110 kg/mm2.
A narrower range than older claims
The new-generation RCX comes in 72 to 76 mm and 680 to 710 g, in 10 g steps. Earlier descriptions of 71 to 80 mm and 650 to 800 g do not match what Obut lists today.
Players outside that window, with small hands under 72 mm or a light throw under 680 g, need another model.
A surface that marks
Obut’s own wear rating is high. After hard hits small flat spots appear, and pebbly or tarred ground scratches the surface.
The maker says the marking does not change the grip or the sphericity. Some weight loss over time is normal.
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Suitability
Who it is for
Suits you if
- You shoot on hard, stony or tarred ground most weekends
- You point with high lobs and want the boule to stop where it lands
- Your hand fits a 72 to 76 mm boule at 680 to 710 g
- You would rather wipe stainless than oil carbon
- You accept a set that looks worn after one season
Look elsewhere if
- You need a diameter under 72 mm or over 76 mm
- You throw lighter than 680 g or heavier than 710 g
- You want striations for grip or to tell your boules apart
- You compare boules on a published kg/mm2 number
- You want a set that stays unmarked for years
In the hand
How it plays
For the shooter
Obut aims the RCX at shooting on the iron and at hitting just in front of the target, and says it also suits rolling shots from 4 m. The claim is a very limited recoil after a direct hit.
A boule that stays near the point of impact keeps the head in your hands and forces the other team to play. The glossary explains carreau and the other shooting terms.
For the pointer
Obut calls the RCX ideal for high lobs and suitable for roll pointing without spin. Absorbing the impact helps a lofted boule stop close to where it lands.
A pointer who plays mostly low, running boules gains less. Firmer steel keeps more energy after landing and rolls out further on a long, smooth court.
On different ground
Obut says the absorption shows most on hard, firm and pebbly ground and also lists tarred ground and soft, flat surfaces. Stony, packed courts are where rebound costs a shooter the most.
On loose or sandy ground the terrain already soaks up energy. The gap to an ordinary soft boule narrows there.
Care and wear
Stainless does not mean no care. Obut asks for a little attention after each game and at least once a month when the set sits unused.
The maker also warns against leaving boules in a car trunk, where condensation can cause oxidation. Store them indoors and dry.
The balance
Pros and cons
Pros
- Impact Absorber+ class, which Obut says gives very limited recoil on a direct hit
- Stainless steel, so no oiling routine
- Three-year guarantee, the same on all Obut competition sets
- Positioned for shooting and for high-lob pointing
- FIPJP approved, listed under OBUT R C X
- Set includes a wooden jack and a dust bag
Cons
- Only 72 to 76 mm and 680 to 710 g, 20 size pairings
- Smooth only, with no striation option
- High wear rating from Obut, with flat spots and scratches
- No kg/mm2 figure, which makes direct comparison hard
- Costs more than the carbon RCC
The score
How this review scores it
Alternatives
How it compares
| Specification | Obut RCX | Obut RCC | LBB Prestige Inox 110 | MS STRX Inox |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Material | Stainless steel | Carbon steel | Stainless steel | Stainless steel |
| Hardness | Impact Absorber+, no figure | Impact Absorber+, no figure | 110 kg/mm2, very soft | 115 kg/mm2, soft |
| Diameters | 72 to 76 mm | 72 to 76 mm | 71 to 80 mm | 72 to 76 mm |
| Weights | 680 to 710 g | 680 to 710 g | 650 to 800 g | 680 to 720 g |
| Surface | Smooth | Smooth | Smooth or striated | MS striations |
| Warranty | 3 years | 3 years | 5 years | 2 years |
| Care | Occasional | Regular oiling | Occasional | Occasional |
| Maker price | 240 euros | 220 euros | About 270 euros | 202 euros |
RCX or RCC
The RCC is Obut’s carbon steel Impact Absorber+ boule, with the same 72 to 76 mm and 680 to 710 g range and a black satin finish. It lists at 220 euros against 240 for the RCX.
The choice comes down to care. Obut says the RCC needs regular oiling to avoid oxidation, while the RCX needs only occasional attention.
Against rated soft stainless
The La Boule Bleue Prestige Inox 110 has a published 110 kg/mm2, sizes up to 80 mm and 800 g and a five-year warranty, made to order in Marseille. It suits a shooter whose size falls outside the RCX window.
The MS Pétanque STRX Inox is rated 115 kg/mm2 with forged internal ribs meant to limit rebound, at 202 euros from the maker. It adds weights up to 720 g in 5 g steps and a striated surface.
Before you order
Buying advice
Check your size first
Only five diameters and four weights are offered. The boule selector gives the diameter to look for, and anything outside 72 to 76 mm rules the RCX out.
Obut’s sizing advice puts the usual men’s diameters at 74 to 75 mm and the usual women’s at 72 to 73 mm. It adds that shooters tend to prefer a larger diameter for an easier release.
Where it is sold
The RCX is sold in the United States and Canada through Obut dealers, at about $252 in the United States in September 2026. Obut lists it at 240 euros in France.
Obut also sells direct from France. Compare the landed cost with shipping and duty before ordering from Europe.
Engraving and surface
On orders placed with the maker, Obut offers classic or italic engraving for 15 euros and a stylized two-character mark for 19 euros. There is no striation to choose, since the RCX comes smooth only.
The equipment page covers the markings every competition boule must carry.
Keep the paperwork
Obut asks buyers to keep the warranty card on the box flap and the outer label for the three-year guarantee to apply.
Put both somewhere safe on the day the set arrives.
Common questions
Questions about the Obut RCX
Why does Obut not give a kg/mm2 figure for the RCX?
Obut puts it in Impact Absorber+, a behavior class rather than a number. The maker says the boule acts like a very soft one while having the hardness of a traditional half-soft.
Every FIPJP approved boule must still be at least 35 HRC, or 110 kg/mm2.
Is the RCX legal in sanctioned competition?
Yes. It appears on the FIPJP list of approved labels under OBUT R C X, in the version updated on June 15, 2026.
Each set carries its own serial number, which is how boules are identified in play.
What sizes does the RCX come in?
72 to 76 mm in 1 mm steps and 680 to 710 g in 10 g steps, which makes 20 pairings.
Wider ranges quoted in older reviews do not match Obut’s current listing.
Obut now lists this model under the name “RCX new generation”, and US and Canadian listings for the Obut RCX sell the same boule.
Does stainless mean no maintenance?
Less than carbon, but not none. Obut asks for a little care after each game and at least once a month when the set is not used.
Condensation, for example in a car trunk, can still cause oxidation over time.
Why does the RCX mark so quickly?
Obut gives it a high wear rating, like its other Impact Absorber+ models. Hard hits leave small flat spots and stony ground leaves scratches.
The maker says the marks do not change the grip or the sphericity.
Should I buy the RCX or the RCC?
Same class, same size range and same guarantee. The RCC is carbon steel at 220 euros and needs regular oiling.
The RCX costs 20 euros more in France and needs only occasional care.
