Buyer's Guide: How to choose your pétanque boules?

Choosing your pétanque boules: essential criteria

Whether you are a pointer, shooter, or all-rounder, the choice of your boules is crucial for your game. We offer two major French brands: MS Pétanque and Obut. Here are the criteria to consider.

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1. Hardness

Hardness is expressed in kg/mm² and determines the boule's behavior during play:

• Very soft (100-110 kg/mm²): ideal for shooters — the boule stops dead after impact. Anti-Rebound (Amorti+) technology. Recommended for MS2110, MASTER INOX, Obut Match+, RCX, RCC, TON'R, Soleil.
• Semi-soft (115-125 kg/mm²): versatile, effective in all positions. Good balance of performance/durability. Recommended for MS INOX, MS ACIER, Obut ATX, CX COU, Match, Match IT, Superinox.
• Hard (125 kg/mm² and +): firm boule, ideal for pointers on soft terrain. Recommended for Boules Noire COU.

2. Material

• Carbon steel: excellent performance, more pronounced grip on release. Slightly sensitive to humidity (dry after use). At MS Pétanque: MS2110, MS ACIER, STRA, 1 PACT, 1 PACT Full Black. At Obut: TON'R, Match, Match+, RCC, CX COU.
• Stainless steel: corrosion-resistant, smoother and more natural release, longer lifespan. Ideal if you want low maintenance. At MS Pétanque: MS INOX, MASTER INOX, CZ INOX, LSX, L'IT, 120, STRX. At Obut: Soleil, ATX, Superinox, Match IT, RCX.

3. Diameter and Weight

The diameter should be adapted to the size of your hand. In FIPJP competitions, boules must weigh between 650g and 800g and measure between 70.5mm and 80mm in diameter.

• Small hands: 70.5 to 72 mm
• Medium hands: 72 to 74 mm
• Large hands: 74 to 80 mm

4. Your playing position

• Shooter: choose a very soft boule to maximize the Anti-Rebound/Amorti+ effect.
  → MS Pétanque: MS2110, MASTER INOX, STRA, 1 PACT
  → Obut: Match+, RCX, RCC, TON'R, Soleil
• Pointer: opt for a semi-soft or soft boule for good placement.
  → MS Pétanque: MS INOX, CZ INOX, LSX, L'IT, 120, STRX, MS ACIER
  → Obut: ATX, CX COU, Superinox, Match IT, Match+, RCX, Boules Noire COU
• All-rounder: a versatile semi-soft boule is ideal.
  → MS Pétanque: MS ACIER, MS INOX, CZ INOX, LSX
  → Obut: ATX, Match, Match IT, Match+, RCC, RCX

5. MS Pétanque Range

• MS2110: carbon steel, very soft, Anti-Rebound — the choice of competitive shooters.
• MASTER INOX: stainless steel, very soft, Anti-Rebound — smooth release for shooters.
• MS INOX: stainless steel, semi-soft — versatile, ideal for pointers and all-rounders.
• MS ACIER: carbon steel, semi-soft — robust and economical.
• CZ INOX: ribbed stainless steel, semi-soft — precision and grip.
• LSX: stainless steel, smooth surface — perfect release.
• L'IT: stainless steel, versatile — optimal playing comfort.
• 120: stainless steel, semi-soft — consistency and durability.
• STRX: ribbed stainless steel, Anti-Rebound — high-performance versatile.
• STRA: ribbed carbon steel, Anti-Rebound — maximum grip.
• 1 PACT: carbon steel, Anti-Rebound — the signature MS Pétanque boule.
• 1 PACT Full Black: carbon steel, Anti-Rebound, full black finish — style and performance.

6. Obut Range

• Match+: carbon steel, Amorti+ (Anti-Rebound) — the versatile benchmark for shooters and high-lift pointers.
• RCX: stainless steel, Amorti+ — high precision for competitive shooters and pointers.
• RCC: carbon steel, Amorti+ — performance and durability in competition.
• ATX: stainless steel, semi-soft — the Rolls-Royce of Obut, high-end for all positions.
• CX COU: carbon steel, semi-soft — high-end, natural grip.
• Match: carbon steel, semi-soft — the accessible reference boule.
• Match IT: stainless steel, semi-soft — stainless steel version of the Match, smooth release.
• Superinox: stainless steel, semi-soft — quality and accessibility.
• TON'R: carbon steel, very soft — natural damping for shooters on hard ground.
• Soleil: stainless steel, very soft — stainless steel version of the TON'R, corrosion resistance.
• Boules Noire COU: steel, hard — for pointers on soft terrain.

All our boules are FIPJP approved

Our entire Obut and MS Pétanque range is approved for competition by the International Pétanque and Provençal Game Federation (FIPJP).

Still have questions? Contact us, we are here to advise you.