TennisThis Equipment - Tennis Strings
Tennis strings are what make your tennis racquet complete. Tennis strings come in different thicknesses, indicated in decreasing gauge numbers. The thickest string available is 15 gauge, which is about 1.41 to 1.49 millimeters thick. Gauge 19, measuring 1 to 1.1 millimeters, is the thinnest. Each gauge comes with a slightly thinner variety, indicated by an L (meaning light). There are many different types of string available today, natual gut, synthetic gut, polyester, nylon, and kevlar. Each tennis string plays differently and will have a different effect on the player.
Natural Gut Tennis Strings
Natural Gut strings are made from animal intestines. They have the best feel and performance, limiting common tennis injuries such as tennis elbow. They are the most expensive type of string. They are most commonly used by touring professionals, as most recreational players find them impractical. They are easily damaged by water, humidity, and other environmental factors, which gives them a relatively short lifetime. You will immediatley feel the difference when using natual gut strings and the playability is undoubtley the best of the best. We don't reccommend using this string if you are just starting off, it can be quite pricey and you might actually be a little disappointed since you probably will not feel the difference in the strings. Though as you get better and become more picky about your game, you will want natual gut, that's what most of us play.
Buy Your Natural Gut Tennis Strings Here
Synthetic Gut Tennis String (also called Nylon and Multifilament Synthetic tennis string)
Synthetic gut strings offer fairly good feel and performance. They are fairly affordable and are used by most casual and recreational players. They come in different blends and constructions, offering a wide range of performance levels. They last longer than natural gut, but shorter than Polyester and Kevlar. If you want to get maximum performance with your strings, we highly reccommend synthetic gut strings, not only will you get some good feel and pop from the strings, you will also see more money in your pocket.
Get Your Synthetic Gut Tennis Strings Here
Polyester Tennis String
Polyester strings are more durable than gut, but have lower performance. They also have less feel and power, making them difficult to use. They tend to lose tension quickly, so most users have them strung with a higher initial tension. If you are going to use polyester stings, you will notice they have a crisp feel to them though the playability is a little more difficult. Polyester strings are little elastic and feel quite stiff compared to nylon or multifilament strings, but on the other hand they tend to have significantly better durability, allowing for thinner gauges. Pure polyester strings have one main downside: They tend to lose their tension quite quickly, so control decreases and the string feels dead after a short time of play. Polyester strings are only reccommended for players that go through strings frequently and have money for a lot of string. For these players, polyester strings offer a great price/performance ratio.
Get Your Polyester Tennis Strings Here
Kevlar Tennis Strings
Kevlar strings are probably the least used tennis string around. If you are going to use kevlar strings, be sure that you string 10% less tension because they are a much stiffer string and could do some serious damage to your wrist, elbow, and shoulder. If you are a beginner, we highly reccommend you not to use this type of string, you will regret it after your first day out on the court with them. These string also produce very little power when you strike the ball, so your best bet would be to try a different string.
Read tennis string reviews on Stringforum.net - The Tennis String Community