String information
String construction can be divided into to 4 basic categories - synthetic gut, multifilament, polyester, and natural gut; while string materials used are normally nylon, PU, polyester, and natural fibres.
Nylon
Nylon is the most common material used to make racquet strings. This is because it is cheap to produce. In its simplest form a nylon based string will be a single strand, usual quite large (relatively speaking) and wrap in a number of smaller strands wound around it. An example of this would be Head Tournament 15L. This type of construction is used to create the most popular version of the string called synthetic gut. It is called synthetic gut not because it tries to play like natural gut (see below), but that it was the only alternative to natural gut for many years. The most popular and industry standard version is Prince synthetic gut.
There are different grades of nylon, with varying levels of feel, so don't be afraid to try different synthetic guts until you find the right fit. All in all, synthetic gut delivers a good combination of playability and durability at a great price. In the old days (wood racquet era), any self-respecting player used natural gut. Today, many non-professional players use nylon-based strings, which have greatly improved in the feel department. In fact, Nylon multifilaments offer truly impressive comfort and power. Unlike the more basic synthetic guts (which have a single, solid core), multifilaments are comprised of hundreds or thousands of ultra pliable, elbow-friendly fibers, and bundled together with flexible resins like polyurethane.
Pros – Crisp feel, Tension Maintenance, Low Cost
Cons – Durability for spin players,
Polyester
Polyester strings are a fairly new type of string although their roots can be traced back over 30 years. The advance in string technology has brought this string to the fore-front of the market. Initially polyester string, or poly, was made with a single strand of the material and this is called a monofilament. Whilst this gave great durability and ideal for string breakers, it gave a harsh feel. Companies have introduced various materials into the string construction, and these strings are called co-poly. The additional materials usually help in giving a relatively softer feel, or increase the playability of these strings.
This type of string is now widely used by professional players as it allows the players to 'hit out' while retaining control. In essence the string reduces the power of the player. Use of poly strings have increased across all markets because they are very durable and can be low cost. However, the downsides of these strings are a harsher, stiffer feel compared to nylon based strings; and they don't retain tension as well meaning that their playability life can be short - upto about 10 hours before need to be replaced.
This string is often used in a hybrid with either a nylon or natural gut string. This helps offset the harshness of poly strings, and increase the power. It is advisable to avoid this type of string if you have arm, shoulder or wrist injuries as the harsh hit can produce vibration that are transmitted through the frame and into the players arm; or if you are a junior, beginner or an older player with short/slow swing speed.
Pros – Durability, Control, Spin, Low Cost
Cons – Stiff, Unforgiving, Short Performance Life, Tension Loss
Multifilaments
Multifilament strings are usually made from polyurethane (PU) materials. Bundles of micro PU fibers are twisted together, similar to natural gut. Nylon multifilaments are typically more comfortable than solid core strings due to the cushioning effect of hundreds or even thousands of micro fibers. The resulting effect is a soft and comfortable string, recommended for players suffering from arm problems who don't want to pay the high price for natural gut. Other benefits for this type of string are more powerful shots, better ball feel, and good control. Normal use causes multifilament strings to fray, like gut, which can be alarming to players switching from solid core strings. Multifilament strings are generally classified as "soft" strings
Pros – Comfort, Control, Feel, Power
Cons – Durability for spin players, Mushy feel when tension is lost
Natural gut
For many years racquets were only strung with natural gut. But with the introduction of nylon strings, the use of gut went down, and only used by professionals and those of discerning ability. However, natural gut strings offer probably the best attributes of any string. It gives the most power, the most control, the most comfort, and the biggest sweetspot. The downside of this string was durability, but companies have worked on coatings for the string that allow much better durability. Overall this string would be a great choice for most players. While more expensive, about 50% more that the top end nylon-based string, natural gut can offer an excellent all-round option. The actual life of the string, i.e. the length the string will perform at its optimum level, is much longer than any other string. Therefore, you may need 2 nylon restrings to 1 natural gut.
Everyone should give natural gut a try.
Pros – Power, Feel, Control, Comfort, Shock Absorbing, Tension Maintenance
Cons – Cost, Durability for spin players, Weather
Nylon
Nylon is the most common material used to make racquet strings. This is because it is cheap to produce. In its simplest form a nylon based string will be a single strand, usual quite large (relatively speaking) and wrap in a number of smaller strands wound around it. An example of this would be Head Tournament 15L. This type of construction is used to create the most popular version of the string called synthetic gut. It is called synthetic gut not because it tries to play like natural gut (see below), but that it was the only alternative to natural gut for many years. The most popular and industry standard version is Prince synthetic gut.
There are different grades of nylon, with varying levels of feel, so don't be afraid to try different synthetic guts until you find the right fit. All in all, synthetic gut delivers a good combination of playability and durability at a great price. In the old days (wood racquet era), any self-respecting player used natural gut. Today, many non-professional players use nylon-based strings, which have greatly improved in the feel department. In fact, Nylon multifilaments offer truly impressive comfort and power. Unlike the more basic synthetic guts (which have a single, solid core), multifilaments are comprised of hundreds or thousands of ultra pliable, elbow-friendly fibers, and bundled together with flexible resins like polyurethane.
Pros – Crisp feel, Tension Maintenance, Low Cost
Cons – Durability for spin players,
Polyester
Polyester strings are a fairly new type of string although their roots can be traced back over 30 years. The advance in string technology has brought this string to the fore-front of the market. Initially polyester string, or poly, was made with a single strand of the material and this is called a monofilament. Whilst this gave great durability and ideal for string breakers, it gave a harsh feel. Companies have introduced various materials into the string construction, and these strings are called co-poly. The additional materials usually help in giving a relatively softer feel, or increase the playability of these strings.
This type of string is now widely used by professional players as it allows the players to 'hit out' while retaining control. In essence the string reduces the power of the player. Use of poly strings have increased across all markets because they are very durable and can be low cost. However, the downsides of these strings are a harsher, stiffer feel compared to nylon based strings; and they don't retain tension as well meaning that their playability life can be short - upto about 10 hours before need to be replaced.
This string is often used in a hybrid with either a nylon or natural gut string. This helps offset the harshness of poly strings, and increase the power. It is advisable to avoid this type of string if you have arm, shoulder or wrist injuries as the harsh hit can produce vibration that are transmitted through the frame and into the players arm; or if you are a junior, beginner or an older player with short/slow swing speed.
Pros – Durability, Control, Spin, Low Cost
Cons – Stiff, Unforgiving, Short Performance Life, Tension Loss
Multifilaments
Multifilament strings are usually made from polyurethane (PU) materials. Bundles of micro PU fibers are twisted together, similar to natural gut. Nylon multifilaments are typically more comfortable than solid core strings due to the cushioning effect of hundreds or even thousands of micro fibers. The resulting effect is a soft and comfortable string, recommended for players suffering from arm problems who don't want to pay the high price for natural gut. Other benefits for this type of string are more powerful shots, better ball feel, and good control. Normal use causes multifilament strings to fray, like gut, which can be alarming to players switching from solid core strings. Multifilament strings are generally classified as "soft" strings
Pros – Comfort, Control, Feel, Power
Cons – Durability for spin players, Mushy feel when tension is lost
Natural gut
For many years racquets were only strung with natural gut. But with the introduction of nylon strings, the use of gut went down, and only used by professionals and those of discerning ability. However, natural gut strings offer probably the best attributes of any string. It gives the most power, the most control, the most comfort, and the biggest sweetspot. The downside of this string was durability, but companies have worked on coatings for the string that allow much better durability. Overall this string would be a great choice for most players. While more expensive, about 50% more that the top end nylon-based string, natural gut can offer an excellent all-round option. The actual life of the string, i.e. the length the string will perform at its optimum level, is much longer than any other string. Therefore, you may need 2 nylon restrings to 1 natural gut.
Everyone should give natural gut a try.
Pros – Power, Feel, Control, Comfort, Shock Absorbing, Tension Maintenance
Cons – Cost, Durability for spin players, Weather
For squash and racketball, there is a further string type to consider; braided.
Braided
Braided strings, as the name suggests, are constructed by braiding the fibres together instead of the usual twisting as found in multifilament strings. The result of braiding the fibres will form a string that is soft on the arm, has good feel, but normally has a rougher surface. In squash and racketball this helps the string bite on the softer ball creating spin.
Braided
Braided strings, as the name suggests, are constructed by braiding the fibres together instead of the usual twisting as found in multifilament strings. The result of braiding the fibres will form a string that is soft on the arm, has good feel, but normally has a rougher surface. In squash and racketball this helps the string bite on the softer ball creating spin.
