The Yonex Astrel 105 sits in Yonex's "Comfort" line. Yonex describes the series as built "for recreational and doubles players", with easy power and a frame that is "gentle on the arm without sacrificing power". This review asks what Filipino players need to know: how a big-headed comfort frame suits Manila's outdoor hard courts, how to look after it in Philippine humidity, and where you can actually get one in the PH.

Note: Rally PH has not playtested the current Astrel 105. This review is based on Yonex's published specs and copy, Philippine climate and court data, and our check of PH retailers on 29 October 2026.

Specs at a glance (current generation)

  • Head size: 105 sq in, with Yonex's ISOMETRIC head shape
  • Weight: 260 g (9.2 oz) unstrung · Balance: 340 mm
  • Length / beam: 27 in · 27–28.5–25 mm
  • String pattern: 16 x 17 · Recommended tension: 40–55 lbs
  • Tech: HM Graphite, VIBSLAYER CARBON, 2G-Namd SPEED, and VDM (Vibration Dampening Mesh)
  • Item code: 03AST105 · Colour: Grayish Blue · Made in Japan

Check the generation before you buy. The previous Astrel 105 uses the same 03AST105 code but weighs 265 g, has a 330 mm balance, and a 16 x 18 pattern. Some resellers, especially "direct from Japan" listings, may still be selling that version. The specs above are for the current 260 g / 16 x 17 model.

On Manila hard courts

Hard and shell courts dominate public play in Metro Manila, and the marquee public venues are hard. Rizal Memorial Tennis Center in Malate has newly resurfaced hard courts (₱600/hr by day and ₱1,000/hr at night through PSC booking), and CCP in Pasay has four outdoor hard courts. Rally's court directory tags 11 venues as hard, including Rizal Memorial, CCP, Meralco, Kerry Sports Manila, and Makati Sports Club. If you're not sure what you play on, see our court surface guide.

Outdoor hard courts are fast and the bounce is lively, so you will hit plenty of balls off-centre. That is the situation the Astrel 105 is designed for. Yonex pitches the 105 sq in ISOMETRIC head and its VDM / VIBSLAYER dampening for a forgiving sweet spot and arm comfort. At 260 g it is light and easy to swing in long doubles sessions. These are Yonex's design claims, not our lab results.

Humidity and string care in the PH

Manila is humid all year. PAGASA's 1991–2020 normals for Port Area put mean relative humidity at 74%, from 66% in April up to 82% in August, with average daily highs of 31.6°C (33.8°C in April). Nationally, monthly humidity runs from 71% in March to 85% in September.

  • Heat kills tension. In a Tennis Warehouse University lab test, strings heated to 40°C after stringing, about what a parked car reaches, lost 30–76% more tension than strings kept at room temperature. They don't recover after cooling.
  • Follow Yonex's storage rule. Yonex warns against leaving the racquet in direct sun, in a car trunk or other hot place, or out in the rain, because this can deform or damage the frame. Keep tension within the range printed on the frame: 40–55 lbs for the Astrel 105.
  • Restring on a schedule. Yonex notes that strings lose elasticity after stringing even if you never play with them, so it recommends restringing regularly.
  • String choice. Yonex recommends its REXIS SPEED, REXIS COMFORT, or REXIS FEEL strings for the Astrel 105, which suits the frame's comfort focus.

For more on tension and string type in our climate, read our Tennis String Guide for Philippine Humidity and the stringing guide.

Where to buy in the Philippines

Yonex's official distributor for the Philippines is Sunrise & Co. (Raffles Corporate Center, Ortigas, Pasig). Its web link goes to a Singapore (SGD) store, and we found no Philippine online store. On 29 October 2026 we checked the major PH sports retailers' sites. None listed the Astrel 105: Toby's Sports, Play It Right, Runnr, JuegoSports (Yonex EZONE frames only), and Baseline Tennis (Yonex accessories and strings only). Yonex's own global Astrel page also showed the 105 as out of stock.

  • Ask a Yonex-carrying tennis shop or your stringer to order it, or contact the official distributor.
  • On Lazada or Shopee, buy only from a verified Yonex flagship store. Cross-border and "direct from Japan" sellers may ship the older 265 g / 16 x 18 version.
  • For price context only: Yonex USA lists the Astrel 105 at US$340. That is a US list price, not a Philippine price. We found no live PH price to quote, so we don't print one.

Who is it for?

Beginner-to-intermediate and recreational players, plus doubles regulars, who want a forgiving frame with easy power and comfort on outdoor hard courts. That is Yonex's own target for the Astrel line. Advanced players who want more control or a heavier frame should look elsewhere, for example our Wilson Clash 100 v2 review or Yonex vs Wilson vs Head.

Rally PH Verdict: 3.9 / 5

Pros: a big, forgiving 105 sq in ISOMETRIC sweet spot for off-centre hits on fast hard courts; a comfort-focused build (VDM, VIBSLAYER) designed to be gentle on the arm; a light 260 g frame that's easy to swing in long doubles sessions; a clear 40–55 lb tension range and Yonex string recommendations.
Cons: hard to buy in the PH right now, with no local retailer stock or PH online store, and out of stock on Yonex's global page; two generations share one item code, so check you're getting the 260 g / 16 x 17 model; no PH price to compare (US$340 US list); we haven't playtested the current generation.
If you can source the current version, it's a sensible comfort pick for recreational and doubles play on Manila hard courts. Mind the heat and humidity, and restring regularly.

See how it compares with other rackets in our Gear Buyer's Guide.