Here is part 2 of the Gear of the Year covering the Best Strings of 2020. In the video below, I also talk about some string trends.
In 2020 I mainly tested polyester strings, which is by far the most popular string on the market right now. And my “Best Strings of 2020” are all poly strings. But in the video below, I have also included some of my favorite multifilament strings. I also comment a bit on natural gut, because recently I have been testing Luxilon Natural gut in a couple of hybrid setups.
I have also included some string stats and info from Andreas Bergen (Global Product Manager of Luxilon), who I interviewed in one of my recent podcasts. It’s interesting to watch how trends in tennis strings develop and I’m not surprised to see that the average tension among pro players has dropped quite significantly in the last ten years.
The Best Strings of 2020
This is a subjective list of course and I’m keen to hear about your favorite strings in the comment below. I have a couple of go-to-strings and I tend to fall back on Luxilon Alu Power 1.25Â (Amazon) (perhaps in a hybrid with Element in the mains), but now I have a few interesting and colorful options to that.
Strings of the year (I mainly tried polys)
Solinco Hyper-G Soft 1.20
Toroline Caviar 1.20
Mayami Tour Hex 1.23
HEAD Lynx Tour 1.25
Babolat RPM Power 1.25
String Project Magic 1.25
Solinco Confidential 1.25
Excellent multifilament strings (the thicker the better)
Tecnifibre Triax 1.38
HEAD Velocity MLT 1.30
Wilson NXT Comfort 1.30
Tecnifibre X-One Bi-phase 1.34
Kirschbaum Gut Feeling 1.30
And you must try natural gut!
String trends
There are some key takeouts from what’s going on in the string industry.
- We’re seeing thinner and thinner gauges. 1.15 is more playable than you think unless you’re a string breaker!
- Tensions are dropping. 48 lbs is the average tension in the top 100 ATP and WTA according to research by Luxilon.
- Hybrids with two different polys are becoming more popular.
- Natural gut (in hybrids) is still around after all these years.
But in the end, it all boils down to personal taste and what you’re looking for in a string.
Some strings work great in one racquet, but not so well in another. One player might love a string and one might hate it.
It’s always best to try and see what a certain string or tension can do for your game.
What’s your favorite string right now?
8 comments
I’ve been using edged mains, Mayami Big Spin, Tour Hex, Solinco HyperG or TourBite, hybrided with a softer smooth poly for crosses, the favorite being Ghostwire, all strung at 45 lbs. Pure Drive Tour plus racquet. No arm issues and control is good. Nice topspin from edged mains sliding over the smoother crosses.
Did you ever try the wilson revolve or wilson revolve spin and how would you compare it to hyper-g soft if so?
Revolve Spin is a nice string, it compares pretty well to Hyper-G Soft.
Hi, wondering about the reason behind your ideology regarding multifilaments “the thicker the better”? My experience is rather the opposite since with thinner gauges you get more power/feeling/spin and is easier on the arm. The only advantage with thicker multifilaments being that they don’t break as often. Even though when playing with thinner gauges, 1.20mm, I only get about 7-9 hours of playing due to breakage it’s definitely worth it since tension and feel deteriorate to the point of not being able to play anymore. With polys there is a real danger of overplaying the strings due to better durability compared to multis which risks injuring you(arm/shoulder/wrist) in the long run. Any thoughts on that?
I use Mayami Big Spin (17g) in main and Head Velocity MLT (17g) in cross at 50# in Head Gravity Pro. Or Head Hawk Touch 19g + Head Velocity MLT (17g) at 50# in the Head Gravity Pro. Hawk Touch is amazing feel if you don’t break it (it does last fine) and Big Spin is the best spin string I played with. Many of my advanced (up to almost tour level) students are now using Mayami Tour Hex which is also quite nice.
Hi tennis Nerd – Great work with your reviews and all your posts really interesting stuff!!. I happen to string rackets, and have both the tour hex and head velocity MLT in stock. I play with the clash 100 having suffered with arm issues in the last couple of years, and was using volkl cyclone but was finding this two harsh even at lower tensions. Would you recommend the tour hex and head velocity mlt as a hybrid set up? If so which way round would you string tour hex in the mains etc? And What tensions would you recommend?…
Many thanks – and all the best
Thanks. I am not sure Velocity lasts so long in hybrids, especially with a shaped string. But you can give it a go – I’d put it in the mains at 55 lbs and Tour Hex in the crosses 53 lbs.
Excellent thank you – I will certainly give it a go!, out of interest what other multi filaments would you suggest instead of head velocity?
Thanks
Brendon