One instance of standard knowledge from the tennis trade is that if arm-friendliness is a high precedence for you, steer clear of polyester strings.
Usually, that is fairly good recommendation, however it isn’t a ‘regulation’, and over time, I’ve acquired a bit extra versatile on which gamers can use polyester strings.
The explanation? Low tensions could make even the stiffest of strings extra manageable, however the extra vital cause is that a number of manufacturers have launched softer co-polyester strings that bridge the hole between monofilaments and multifilaments.
Consequently, there at the moment are a number of arm-friendly polyester strings in the marketplace that mix the advantages of multifilament, like consolation and elasticity, with the properties of polyester strings that are spin potential, management, sturdiness, and constant response.
Whereas it nonetheless requires a sure degree of capability from the participant to make good use of polyester strings (you want quick swings and racket head pace), this record of the very best mushy, arm-friendly polyester strings is appropriate for a variety of gamers and in case you are at the moment affected by tennis elbow and assume the string alternative is perhaps the explanation, my solutions may provide help to out.
Let’s have a look.
Who This Checklist Is For
The strings I’ve chosen beneath are greatest fitted to the next kinds of gamers:
- Poly gamers with arm points are on the lookout for one thing softer however nonetheless wish to follow a monofilament.
- Multifilament customers who need extra spin, management and many others. however don’t wish to sacrifice a lot in the way in which of consolation
- Gamers on the lookout for a softer poly to make use of in a hybrid setup
- These seeking to check out a polyester string for the primary time with out leaping in on the deep finish and utilizing tremendous stiff string
My High Comfortable Poly Strings for 2022
The desk beneath is a fast overview of my favorite arm-friendly polyester strings. Verify every string’s breakdown additional down the web page for gauge and color suggestions. They make a giant distinction; for instance, Tour Chew in 105 gauge is much extra comfy than 130 gauge.
The Greatest Arm Pleasant Poly Strings
Under are my high picks for mushy polyester strings which might be arm pleasant. I’ve examined a whole bunch of various poly strings over time, from among the stiffest, like Luxilon 4G, to one of many softest, like Isospeed Cream.
Apart from MSV Swift, which is my favorite poly string proper now, they’re in no explicit order, so learn the professionals and cons of every to get a deal with on which could fit your recreation greatest.
MSV Swift
(My favorite mushy poly of 2022)
MSV Swift is a comparatively new addition to the market, and after testing it, it shortly grew to become certainly one of my go-to poly strings.
This co-poly string contains six totally different supplies processed in three steps to supply a really comfy and really mushy monofilament string.
I’ve used it in a number of rackets within the 1.25mm gauge, and it appears to be like incredible in a white racket like my ZUS 95 customized.
Each time I’ve used it on the court docket, it has been an excellent all-rounder. First rate spin is comfy and sturdy and holds stress significantly better than most mushy polyesters.
From my testing, MSV Swift has two very robust use instances. Firstly, it’s good for individuals who use a stiffer poly however need one thing softer but don’t wish to transition to a multifilament.
And secondly, MSV Swift is an unbelievable transition string for these at the moment utilizing a multifilament however wish to swap to a polyester string for the added spin potential and sturdiness.
I ceaselessly get requests for mushy polys by way of the string finder service and suggest MSV Swift as a sensible choice for enhancing freshmen and intermediate gamers. It additionally works effectively in a hybrid resulting from its spherical form, however I want it in a full mattress.
Professionals
- Very comfy
- Good stress upkeep for a softer poly
- Properly priced
Cons
- Not a spin machine, however that’s the tradeoff with a softer string
MSV Swift is on the market in white in each 1.25mm and 1.30mm gauges. I’d select 1.25mm for many gamers, however the 1.30mm will present barely extra sturdiness and is perhaps a better option for looser string-patterned rackets.
Isospeed Cream
(Excellent all-rounder for energy, consolation, consistency and stress upkeep)
Isospeed is an Austrian model and produces a variety of strings (a few of that are white-labelled below the Head model), with Isospeed Cream being certainly one of their hottest.
Cream is a mushy, elastic, spherical poly with glorious stress upkeep. I’ve used it a number of occasions, and earlier than being displaced by MSV Swift, it was my favorite ‘mushy’ poly because it performs effectively in virtually each space.
The spin potential might be its weakest go well with (though nonetheless increased than synthetics), however it scores very extremely for management, energy, constant response, and stress upkeep.
I discovered that Isospeed Cream works notably effectively in a hybrid setup with a pure intestine as a result of spherical form because it glides properly, so the strings keep in place.
Professionals
- A number of free energy
- Comfortable elastic feeling
- Wonderful stress upkeep
Cons
- I break it fairly simply on mishits (overhead close to the grommet and many others.)
MSV Focus HEX Plus 38 Black 120
(Excessive spin potential)
One among MSV’s best-selling strings is their Focus Hex line, a management polyester aimed on the higher-level ball striker who doesn’t want any free energy from the stringbed.
An offshoot of that string is MSV Focus Hex +38. Why the 38? Properly, it’s been manufactured to be 38% extra elastic than the unique Focus HEX.
That interprets to extra accessible energy and extra consolation. But regardless of these traits, Focus Hex +38 nonetheless has loads of spin potential (the best amongst mushy polys, as per Tennis Warehouse) so for gamers who need spin as a precedence with a contact of consolation as an additional benefit, then Focus Hex +38 is a wonderful alternative.
Professionals
- A number of free energy
- Comfortable elastic feeling
- Excessive spin potential
Cons
- Common stress upkeep
Decathlon Artengo TA 990 Energy Black 127
(Hight consolation and free energy)
Till earlier this yr, Artengo have been a model I knew of, however I’d by no means tried their merchandise, they usually have been considerably on the periphery in comparison with the likes of Wilson, Head and Babolat and many others.
Nonetheless, after playtesting a few of their rackets, that are excellent worth, I additionally determined to strive a few of their strings, together with the Artengo TA 990 Energy Black 127.
Concerning consolation, TA 990 Energy might be the best on the record and gives numerous free energy. The spin potential can be good, however by way of stress upkeep, management, and the way it behaves after the primary hour of play, then TA 990 doesn’t do an excellent job.
Subsequently I feel TA 990 is an honest alternative if consolation is your primary criterion, and the way lengthy it holds stress or performs over a extra prolonged interval isn’t that necessary.
Given the worth for a reel, restringing typically isn’t an enormous drawback, particularly should you string your self.
Professionals
- Extraordinarily comfy
- It gives some free energy
- Cheap spin potential
Cons
- Poor stress upkeep
- Unpredictable response after a couple of hours of play
Artengo TA 990 Energy is on the market in 124 and 127 gauges and is available in black solely. I’d choose the 1.27mm as the best choice for many gamers.
Weiss Cannon Pink Ghost 118
(The most effective-looking strings for racket aesthetics)
To this point, this record has been dominated by German/Austrian corporations, and that development continues with Weiss Cannon Pink Ghost.
Pink Ghost is a co-poly with seven sides, providing good spin potential. Most formed polys are stiff, however Pink Ghost is fairly elastic and arm-friendly.
The one adverse I’ve discovered is that it’s not probably the most steady string, so after that first hour of play, the response can turn into inconsistent, which is why you’ll typically hear gamers who’ve tried this say it’s too highly effective as they begin spraying the ball lengthy.
I’d suggest stringing Pink Ghost barely increased in stress than the others on this record, so round ~52lbs to negate that. (I like to recommend low to mid-forties for many mushy polys).
I additionally love the color of Pink Ghost, because the neon crimson appears to be like glorious in sure rackets.
Professionals
- Elastic and comfortably
- It gives some free energy
- Good spin potential
Cons
Diadem Evolution 125
(Essentially the most playable monofilament on this record)
Within the introduction, I discussed a number of strings that bridge the hole between multifilament and monofilaments; Diadem Evolution is the epitome of that.
Evolution is constituted of polyamide, which, not like conventional polyester strings, offers the string elasticity and string mattress reactivity akin to multifilaments.
It additionally has a low-friction silicone coating, which stops the strings from notching and helps them to return to their unique place, so that they keep in place far longer than a multifilament.
Earlier than MSV Swift, Diadem Evolution was my number-one choose for an arm-friendly poly. For most individuals, it will likely be the very best all-around alternative because it performs brilliantly for consolation, stress upkeep and playability. For non-string breakers, they are going to simply get 20-hour play out of it.
Professionals
- Wonderful stress upkeep
- Very steady (strings keep in place)
- Wonderful consolation
Cons
- Not as a lot spin potential as some others listed right here
Head Sonic Professional Black 125
Head’s hottest co-poly string is Sonic Professional, which is utilized by Czech primary Barbora Krejcikova in her Head Excessive racket.
For me, Sonic Professional performs extra like a stiffer poly however provides a contact of consolation. It’s in all probability the least comfy on this record and could be a little bit of a marmite string – you both find it irresistible or hate it.
The spin potential of Sonic Professional is simply okay, and I’d say it fits a flatter-style hitter. Nonetheless, stress upkeep is great and performs extra like a management string than among the different strings on this record.
Professionals
- Good stress upkeep
- Good management
Cons
- There are higher strings on this record with a lower cost tag
Kirschbaum Flash Orange 125
(Tons of spin, with out the stiff feeling)
Kirschbaum has been producing polyester strings because the early Nineties. But, regardless of their lengthy historical past within the string market, they’re typically missed as they’re not as closely promoted as among the extra outstanding names.
Nonetheless, the German agency produces some high-quality tennis strings, and certainly one of their most comfy is Flash Orange.
Flash Orange is a co-poly derived from their PRO LINE household of strings however has been tweaked to have a softer texture. It then has a poly combine coating for elevated sturdiness.
Once I performed with this string, it had as a lot spin and management as most of the ‘spin’ centered polys, but not one of the stiffness or harshness related to that sort of string.
Rigidity upkeep can be glorious, and the one draw back I discovered was that after a couple of hours, the string wasn’t as predictable as in the beginning, so that you’ll solely get round 6-8 hours of play out of Flash Orange, however given the low price ticket, it’s a good tradeoff.
Professionals
- 10/10 for spin and management
- Nonetheless comfy
- Wonderful stress upkeep
Cons
- It could carry out a bit erratically after a couple of hours of play
Babolat RPM Comfortable Brown 130
(Sensible for stress upkeep)
A part of the RPM household, Babolat RPM Comfortable launched in 2021, and it was the French agency’s bid to supply a string that was extra comfy than the famed RPM Blast, which has wrecked the elbows of many a participant over time once they attempt to mirror Nadal’s excessive stress setup in his Pure Aero.
The consequence was a string that’s way more sturdy and exact than a multifilament however is much extra comfy than a stiff polyester.
I’ve used RPM Comfortable in 1.30mm gauge, and it’s a sensible all-around string.
If I have been marking out of 10, RPM Comfortable would get 10/10 for accessible energy, 9 out of 10 for stress upkeep, 9 out of 10 for consistency (how steady it performs after the primary hour or so), and 9 out of 10 for consolation.
The one space it lacks could be spin potential, which is barely beneath among the different decisions on this record, however as a hybrid with a stiffer string, RPM Comfortable works effectively.
One other adverse could be the worth, which is nearly double the worth of most different strings listed right here. I’m additionally not a large fan of the color, which is brown.
Professionals
- Loads of free energy if you’d like it
- Wonderful stress upkeep
- Very mushy/comfy
Cons
- Excessive price ticket
- Decrease spin potential than some rivals which might be shut in consolation degree
Head Lynx Black 125
(Wonderful spin potential)
Head Lynx is a medium-firm co-poly designed as a spin string however with some components to spice up consolation, energy and contact.
Once I playtested Head Lynx, and its much more managed greater brother Lynx Tour, I used to be pleasantly shocked. Regardless of how a lot spin potential Head Lynx provided, it was in some way comparable in arm friendliness to among the ‘consolation’ centered strings.
Lynx Tour is good for gamers with quick heavy strokes who worth spin, but a little bit of consolation received’t go amiss. It additionally gives glorious stress upkeep.
In the event you string with Lynx Tour, it’s best to be capable to get 10-12 hours of it, however the response after the primary couple of hours could be a little bit unstable. With much less snapback and string motion, some gamers lose confidence when taking vital cuts on the ball.
Professionals
- Wonderful stress upkeep
- Very excessive spin potential
Cons
- It may be a bit unstable after a couple of hours of play
Solinco Tour Chew Gray 105
(The perfect string on this record for stress upkeep)
Solinco Tour Chew is a control-focused polyester string with a really excessive dynamic and static stiffness, so it’s not historically a string you’d see on an arm-friendly record.
Nonetheless, Tour Chew can present a cushty setup whenever you drop down within the gauges, particularly at decrease tensions.
I like to recommend it in 105 or 110 gauges, the 2 thinnest out there, and when strung within the low forties (44lbs), it’s a wonderful choice for the superior participant who calls for management however does desire a bit extra forgiveness on the arm.
It’s additionally the very best string on this record for stress upkeep, and as soon as that preliminary drop has occurred, it holds the strain for for much longer than among the different strings I discussed above.
Professionals
- Wonderful stress upkeep
- Above common consolation
- Wonderful management and spin
Cons
- Not tremendous arm-friendly in comparison with different strings listed right here
What’s your favorite mushy poly string? Acquired an arm-friendly polyester string you assume I ought to embody on this record? Let me know within the feedback.