TODAY’S MULTIFILAMENT STRINGS Part I {2005}

By Vince Chiarelli, PTR, MRT and Owner of String Along With Vince in Largo

"The best", in my opinion, is one of the most overused phrases in the English language. I understand what you are asking, and it may be just semantics, but "best" is subjective and is based on the perspective of the individual, so what is best to you may not be best to me, or vice versa.

That said, for my money, Tecnifibre is probably my favorite. Number one would be their NRG strings, which come in 16g (1.32mm) 17g (1.24mm) and 18g(1.18mm). They hold tension well, and have a very nice "feel". Cost is reasonable, in the mid $30's, and the strings are quite durable compared to other similar multifilament strings.

Second on my list would be another Tecnifibre string, X-1 Biphase. This comes in 16g and 17g and is slightly more expensive. Although playability seems better, this string seemed to lose tension faster than the NRG.

Third would be Ashaway Dynamite. This is sold in 16g and 17g, although they do make an 18g under another name for squash. I have tried all of them and they are very good. All are made with Nylon and Zyex (a material used in AeroSpace, where heat is a factor, and known for years in the tennis industry to be a very close match in lab tests to natural gut). This string holds tension better than just about anything out there, and the resistance to heat allows for the occasional day left in the trunk during hot weather. The price is in the low $30's and is well worth it.

Volkl makes a little known multifilament called, PowerFiber (16 and 17 and 18) that I would place fourth. Our tests indicate playability is as good as NRG, although not as durable. It is priced in the low to mid $30s.

Another string that is very popular in my shop, and around the world is Wilson Sensation 16g and 17g. It is not as playable as the ones listed above. Although it doesn't hold up as well as the NRG and doesn't hold tension as well as Dynamite, it is a good all around string. I would place this sixth.

Not following the best to worst, fifth would be LaserFibre Supreme 16 and 17. Basically it is the same string as Sensation (I believe they are from the same manufacturer in Taiwan) however it is treated with a proprietary process which increases the liveliness and causes the string to hold tension very well. So well, in fact, that many people think it is strung tighter than their usual string, because it doesn't lose that initial 8-9% in the first 24 hours after stringing. Priced the same as Sensation (in the high $20s) it has been very popular with those who are familiar with it.

A very good budget priced multifilament is Alpha Claycourt 16. With good feel and durability, it doesn't hold tension as well as many of the other strings listed above. Priced in the mid $20s, it is better than most of the strings not mentioned.

Another string that most people wouldn't think of in the multifilament category is IsoSpeed. It is made of polyolefin filaments, and although its playability is somewhat lacking, it is probably the most durable multifilament on the market.

I would have to go out on a limb and say that, in my opinion, Babolat Xcel 16 and 17, is probably the least desirable of the multifilaments out there that I have tried or stock. It is the lowest when it comes to durability, and does not hold tension well. To add insult to injury, it is priced around $40, making it one of the most expensive synthetic strings on the market.

Placed somewhere in between the best and worst, are many strings from different manufacturers. Gamma makes some good multifilament strings, but in my opinion, all Gamma strings are overpriced for what you get. Gamma has done a great job with advertising and marketing, and their sales force is better trained than any other in the business, which makes them popular with most of the tennis and specialty shops. Most of the string, however doesn't really quite live up to the hype, for my money.

Prince and Wilson change their string lines as fast or faster than their racquet lines, changing manufacturers as well, so a good string today may be gone tomorrow. They also, as do most of the racquet companies, "push" string on shops as part of deals on racquets, which force many sellers to "puff" the string to get rid of it.

Just to reiterate; "best" is in the eyes of the beholder. What's best for any of us is based on our experience in life, and biases created by that experience. Brand loyalty can override even the most obvious advantages and disadvantages. It's part of being human. Try many strings and make your own judgments. Be wary of any endorsement, even if it's from your best friend, because you are not he or she.

Read Part II

COPYRIGHT 2005
By Vince Chiarelli, PTR, MRT, Owner of String Along With Vince in Largo, FL