Hey so I have been building my casting rods with fuji guides. I use alconite guides. I would like to try a few builds with Alps guides just to see what else is out there. The ring material needs to be hard enough to stand up to braid. What ring material would you suggest? Thanks!

Also, the guide layout I use is a size 6 blnag, size 4.5 bkbag belly guide, bktag size 4.5 to the top, and then I end with a bfcat tip. What Alps guides are similar to these?

Any of the ALPS guides as well as most other modern ceramic type guides will hold up to braid. I am participial to the ALPS XPTC-MKCG guides liking the look of the titanium chrome finish. The (TC) is the color designation for the guides and there are serial other finishes available.

I Build almost exclusively bass rods, and find the belly guide and unnecessary item for this application.

As far as size I tipically run up to 80 braid through 3mm running guides, so you not will have problems using 4.5's

Second to what Steve said "Any of the ALPS guides as well as most other modern ceramic type guides will hold up to braid."

Alps doesn't have a frame style similar to the K series from Fuji, or the Z series from Kigan. The micro running guides have more of a single foot fly guide design. I use a lot of the Alps micros with hard aluminum oxide rings in either chrome or black finish. They will hold up to braid just fine, and the price is right. The zirconia rings will be a little harder and impact resistant, and also come in more frame and ring color combos.

You won't have an issue with any of the guides from the Alps line.

If you are looking for something closer in style to the K series in Alconite, take a look at the Z series from Kigan in Coalite. It is a very nice line of guides, and you will be impressed.