Tourna Quasi-Gut Armor
Tourna is a popular brand when it comes to overgrips and polyester strings, but what about their multifilament strings? Actually they make two very good multi options (Quasi-Gut and Quasi-Gut Armor) for players as well that have won awards by the USRSA. Quasi-Gut Armor we like a little bit more due to its longer durability and controlled response. Like Quasi-Gut original, it’s still going to be very comfortable and responsive for most players. The main difference is that Quasi-Gut Armor has additional layers of co-polyester ribbon wraps to help delay notching and give the string a crisp feel at contact. Best of all, it comes at an affordable price! We’d recommend this string to players that break strings frequently, but still want something comfortable to play with. Tourna Quasi-Gut Armour comes in a 16G (1.30 mm) and 17G (1.20 mm) as a set or reel.
Yonex Rexis
One of the newest multis to the market is Yonex Rexis. This is the brand’s high-end multi that’s geared to help players generate power and maintain comfort. They use a Fusion of Resin Filament (FRF) process which fills in the ordinary multifilament string gaps with more flexible material to give Rexis greater elasticity and a solid structure. It also features plasma bonding on a molecular level to improve ball speed and enhance durability. You don’t have to just take our word for it, WTA star Naomi Osaka even plays with this string blended with Poly Tour Strike and she loves it. Whether you’re looking for more power or durability, you don’t have to compromise with this option. Yonex Rexis comes in a 16G (1.30 mm) or 16L (1.25 mm), a set or reel and in Black or White.
Playtester Picks from Matt Locke:
Matt formerly served for 3 years as the Junior Programs & Development Coordinator for USTA-Idaho. He is a PTR certified coach and is an active USTA 4.5+ League and Tournament player. He loves Nadal's determination, but secretly wishes he had Federer's effortless style.
Wilson NXT
Wilson NXT is one of the most popular strings on the market and almost every player has heard about it. NXT was awarded number 1 for playability by the USRSA in 1999 and has remained at the top ever since. This string has numerous followers thanks to its combination of great comfort and playability. What makes it most unique is the Xycro Micro-Fibers that help increase the sweetspot size by 10% and reduce shock by 74%. Additionally it has fairly good tension maintenance and power. This is a great string to try for anyone with tennis elbow, as well as anyone seeking natural gut like performance from a synthetic construction. Wilson NXT comes in 16G (1.30 mm) or 17G (1.25 mm), a set or reel and in Black or Natural.
Wilson NXT DuraMax
For those that need a more controlled multi, Wilson also has created NXT Duramax. This sting still maintains its comfortable feel, but maximizes the durability level. Abrasion shields are utilized on the exterior layer to protect the inner fibers for improved endurance and resistance to premature breakage. It also comes in thicker gauges, 15g (1.40 mm) or 16g (1.32 mm), so you know it will last a while.
Playtester Picks from Vincent Mallari:
Vince currently is a Stringing Specialist at Tennis Express. He is an USRSA Master Racquet Technician and has had his certification for the last 4 years. He has been to the US Open once and wants Andy Murray to come back healthy this year!
Tecnifibre NRG2
This is your traditional multifilament that has loads of power and comfort. Similar to Tecnifibre X-One Biphase, the French brand put Elastyl fibers on the outside layer to give it 12% more power than your standard string. Additionally, there’s a SPL coating on top of that to help improve durability and resistance to notching. Now even though there’s more durability with this string, the stringbed won’t feel that firm and gives players a lively response at contact. In comparison to X-One Biphase though, you wont’ get as good of tension maintenance and may require more frequent earlier restringing for optimal performance. Tecnifibre NRG2 comes in a 16G (1.32 mm), 17G (1.25 mm) or 18G (1.18 mm), as a set or reel and in Natural or Black.
Solinco Vanquish
This one is a surprising choice for our list because it’s not what we would think of when we hear the name Solinco. Solinco is a brand that got it’s reputation through the polyester string market with Hyper-G and Tour Bite. These are two strings known to give players more spin and maintain a relatively firm feel. Vanquish though is a firmer feeling multi that really bridges the gap between touch, power and control. Its core is a soft polyamide center that gives you exceptional comfort great for executing touch shots. The outside is coated with a high performance resin which gives it a firmer feel for better durability. This is a great option for players that rely on generating their own power, but want a little more touch and feel. Solinco Vanquish comes in a 16G (1.30 mm) as a set or reel.
Playtester Picks from Zach Leal:
Zach currently is a Stringing Specialist at Tennis Express. He is an USRSA Master Racquet Technician and has been stringing for 8 years. He is an active USTA 4.5+ League and Tournament player.
Tecnifibre X-One Biphase
X-One Biphase is another very popular multi on the market mainly due to its close playability to natural gut. Similar to NRG2, it features Elastyl fibers on the outside to give players more power. What makes it unique though is the Fiber H2C technology and Trimerized PU fibers. Fiber H2C technology involves a high temperature prestretching step during the production process that translates to greater tension maintenance. Additionally, Trimerized PU fibers allow for even more comfort and touch for a natural gut like feel. These subtle changes in the strings makeup provide a one-of-a-kind feel that no other string can replicate. For players that are looking for a natural gut like synthetic string, you need to give this one a try. Tecnifibre X-One Biphase comes in a 15L (1.32 mm), 16G (1.28 mm), 17G (1.24 mm) or 18G (1.18 mm) as a set or reel.
Head Velocity
Head makes some great strings in today’s market, but our favorite has to be Velocity. This is a fantastic multifilament string that provides performance players with the highest value possible. The core consists of 1,000 filaments to give you plenty of flexibility, above average shock absorption and something very arm-friendly. It’s bonded with 30 PU filaments and a low-friction coating that helps boost spin and aids in durability. Though it doesn’t have the longest lifespan, it’s tension maintenance and shock absorption abilities make it a great string for all levels. Plus it comes in under $10 making it one of the most affordable premium strings on the market. Head Velocity is available in 16G (1.30 mm) or 17G (1.25 mm), as a set or reel and in Black, Natural, Blue, Yellow or Pink.
Playtester Picks from Sam Jones:
Sam currently works at Tennis Express on the Content Marketing team. He previously played at Southwestern University, taught tennis for 10+ years and earned his Master Racquet Technician Certification in 2011. He is an active USTA League and Tournament player at the 5.0+ level. He secretly wants Djokovic to become the GOAT in tennis.
My Picks:
Gamma Live Wire Professional
Live Wire from Gamma has been around the tennis market for awhile and has a pretty good following. In 2013, the brand added Live Wire Professional to their multifilament string line giving players a premium option to choose from. Professional is based on the same Live Wire technology which builds on TNT2 technology and alters the molecular structure of the string to make it more responsive. On top of that, Gamma adds NCP Tension Fibers and Peek abrasion resistant fibers within the outer wraps for enhanced durability and better tension maintenance. This unique construction gives it a more natural gut like performance and a crisp, solid feel on contact. I’ve personally found this string to be my favorite because of the longer tension maintenance even when strung at high tensions. For players that need a longer lasting multi with premium feel/performance this is a great option. Gamma Live Wire Professional is available in 16G (1.32 mm), 17G (1.27 mm) or 18G (1.22 mm) sets. Anyone that hits with heavy spin, should also consider Live Wire Professional Spin 16G.
Laserfibre Laser 1200
Laser 1200 is a comfortable multifilament string that gives players plenty of power and feel all in one. The inside is comprised of 1200 microfibers along with a premium resin to give it a plush feel and great shock absorption. In addition to premium comfort, the string offers players plenty of power, so you can get some extra pop on the ball. You will get a good amount of control when strung at higher tension, but it does decrease in tension fairly quickly. If you were prone to arm injuries in the past or present, this premium multi is a great option to soften the stringbed. Laserfibre Laser 1200 is available in 16G (1.30 mm) as a set or reel.
If you want something a little more arm friendly, but doesn’t lack in control, durability or performance then one of these 10 strings are perfect for you. Start your shopping today at TennisExpress.com and keep tennis elbow from hindering your play.
Playtester Picks from Chris Virk-Brown:
Chris currently works at Tennis Express on the Content Marketing team. He previously played at Neumann University and coached at the collegiate level for 3 years. He is USPTA Certified and is an active USTA League and Tournament player at the 4.5+ level. He really wants Gael Monfils or Jo-Wilfred Tsonga to win a grand slam.
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