Multifilament Tennis Strings [A Comprehensive Guide]

The closest synthetic alternative to natural gut, multifilament tennis strings are well known for their power, comfort, and soft yet responsive feel.
Discover all you need to know about this popular category of string, including their advantages, disadvantages, and comparisons to other types of strings.
Full writeup: tenniscompanion.org/multifila...
Hybrid Stringing: tenniscompanion.org/hybrid-te...
Five Best Multifilament Tennis Strings
Head Velocity MLT: geni.us/aLqTAq
Tecnifibre X-One: geni.us/8D1HuqJ
Wilson NXT Comfort: geni.us/AXQkfu
Tecnifibre NRG2: geni.us/zWIYA
Wilson NXT Control: geni.us/QASg4wy
PS - It doesn't cost you anything extra if you buy through these links, and it helps keep TennisCompanion running. Thank you for your support ♥️
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Video Recap & Timestamps
0:00 - Start
0:24 - What is Multifilament Tennis String?
1:00 - Advantages of Multifilaments
1:54 - Disadvantages of Multifilaments
3:13 - Multifilaments vs. Polyester Monofilament
3:45 - Multifilaments vs. Synthetic Gut
4:07 - Multifilaments vs. Natural Gut
4:51 - Stringing with Multifilaments
5:37 - Hybrid Stringing with Multifilaments
6:12 - When to Replace Multifilaments
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[@brettneuberger6466]

Really helpful video and you’re linked article is excellent. Thanks!

[@Kossya_88]

Great explanatory video. Thanks!

[@ivanbobrov_]

Excellent explanation, thank you

[@brianstieler8162]

Excellent channel. Love the info you keep providing.

[@TennisCompanion]

Thanks, Brian! I appreciate the support 😄

[@raphaelmayerhofer1891]

Im loving your videos, excellent quality. Keep up the good work

[@TennisCompanion]

Thank you, Raphael! I appreciate the kind words and encouragement.

[@mikec4834]

Very informative !

[@FirstLast-yf8sd]

Absolutely amazing production quality. See you at 10K!

[@TennisCompanion]

Thank you for the encouragement!

[@danmiller1707]

excellent presentation

[@docastillod]

Thank you very much, really straightforward information. Just subscribed.

[@TennisCompanion]

Thanks, Daniel! It's great to hear you enjoyed the content, and I'm happy to have you along for the ride.

[@agustin6541]

Excellent video!! This channel is great. Congratulations on your good work. Saludos desde Argentina!

[@TennisCompanion]

Thank you, Agustín! Much appreciated 😄

[@chinhong4578]

Great job, Jon!

[@TennisCompanion]

Thank you, Wong!

[@PrecisionPointTennis]

Great awesome video 🎾

[@Brzcvi]

Awesome production

[@TennisCompanion]

Thank you, Vincent!

[@aboaskman]

Keep up the good work, you're doing a great videos just keep going as one-day you'll hit the mark

[@TennisCompanion]

Thanks, Muhammad! I appreciate the kind words and encouragement 😄

[@5065hotshot]

Awesome Video!!

[@TennisCompanion]

Thanks, Alejandro! Much appreciated 😄

[@lorenzorolando553]

I can't believe how much this video clarified to me about strings. For real, this is high quality content. Congratulations on your work and thank you so much!!

[@lucletruc1972]

Great video thanks!

[@TennisCompanion]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it 😄

[@maxramirez790]

So glad I found this channel :)

[@TennisCompanion]

Thank you, Max! I appreciate your support 😄

[@tennisparisbrothers8001]

Same here max just found this video 🙏🎾 we're looking into new strings so this is great!

[@TennisCompanion]

Thanks, Tennis Paris Brothers!

[@nikogsqt]

This is by far the best tennis string video I've seen about multifilament string and even hybrid. Just brilliant work congrats mate

[@TennisCompanion]

Hi Nicolás - that's great to hear! Glad you enjoyed it, and thank you for taking the time to share.

[@nikogsqt]

Good website too, man I read almost every section in it. Just brilliant.

[@TennisCompanion]

Awesome! I really appreciate the kind words and feedback.

[@chrispageau6375]

Good stuff! I'm actually about to try a multi on my next string job

[@TennisCompanion]

Thanks, Chris! Great to hear you're going to give multis a try for your next string job. I hope you enjoy them.

[@WaltKurtz68]

Tecnifibre Triax is also a nice multifilament string but I have only used it in one racquet so far. As a hybrid in the mains (crosses Velocity MLT), so I can't say too much about it yet. Just first impressions. Nice hybrid setup ,though. Recommended!

[@BIGLOVE4TRUTH]

I’ve tried several hybrids of Gamma Ocho XP Multi in the mains with kirschbaum evolution poly in the crosses. Next I’m going to try natural gut in the mains with gamma Ocho in the crosses and see how that plays.

[@GrungePopRecords]

Fantastic explanation. And your forehand is based on James Blake? And backhand on Agassi? I’m an former protege of Nick Bolletieri’s along with Andre, Jim, and Wheaton, (1985) and I quit back then and now 37 years later, I’m back playing some futures to see how I can do at 57 years young. In the 6 months of my “comeback” I developed bad tennis elbow. Now I’m playing at 35 pounds and 40 pounds on the mains and my arm is finally healing. But my stringer put poly strings in. I hit flat and super hard. I used to only use gut back in the day. What string would you recommend I use? I wish to only protect my arm and hit hard. I have lots of control as I’m using a 2010 Head Prestige Youtek (93 square inch ) and it’s perfect for me. Only question is what string to use even if I string at very low tension. Thanks so much

[@dkrawk8309]

If anyone can name better string than Rip Control I'd be happy to hear it

[@tantinn]

What type of string do you reccomend to use as a mains in hybrid setup? Does the slickness of the poly strings on crosses will give the same spin potentional for multis?

[@shawnwanit]

I love your video. What multifilament string tension would you recommend to string in the mains? And what tension for a poly in the crosses on a head prestige pro auxetic 18x20 string pattern? I tried x-one biphase at 56 in the mains and alu power at 54 in the crosses and still find it a bit too muted. Thank you sir.

[@jorgeandrescoppiano.5715]

Hello John! How would you compare Reflex, Velocity, and Rip Control?

[@bournejason66]

What’s a good alternative to X-one biphase? I like its comfort but it breaks too easily.

[@ErinCRN]

I used Wilson NXT at 55 in my Wilson Ultra. I had bad tennis elbow prior to this racket, string, and tension. I just switched to a VCor Yonex and put the same string and tension in it. I find I’m launching everything in the racket with my old string type. I just put poly in it at 50. It seems a bit better but I am worried about tennis elbow returning. Thoughts?

[@villiam7941]

Informative video, thanks. How does Head Velocity keeps tension? You say that multifilament maintenances tension well, but I used Tecnifibre Triax and it didn’t hold tension at all. Strung at 52, after 5 days it was already 45 and keep dropping. Do you recommend pre-stretch multifilament strings?

[@TennisCompanion]

Thanks, Villiam - you're welcome! I'm glad you pointed out that note on multifilaments and tension maintenance; it's good to clarify. Generally, multis will have above-average tension maintenance compared to other types of synthetic strings. However, not all multifilaments are created equal, so within the spectrum of multis, some will do better than others. Furthermore, all strings will lose tension after stringing, which can drop as much as 10% within 24-hours of a string job. Tecnifibre Triax is a unique multifilament that combines nylon and polyester vs. most other multis that are entirely nylon. The result is a lower-powered control-oriented multifilament, but I have found it does drop its tension rather quickly, too - a downside to polyester. Another string that takes a similar approach to Triax is Wilson NXT Control, which also uses polyester filaments combined with nylon. However, I think it performs better overall. Velocity MLT offers similar low-powered performance characteristics, but it achieves it with nylon and a stiffer resin, rather than the addition of polyester, which I've found to fare better from a tension maintenance standpoint. Add to that the fact that MLT is half the cost of both those strings, and I tend to gravitate toward it. Regarding pre-stretching of multis, I don't do it personally. Of course, like many things, it's a personal preference. I've experimented on several occasions, and although I feel it helps reduce initial tension loss, I find it takes a bit of life out of the strings and decreases comfort. I hope that helps!

[@ionutdragomir6070]

Hey check my mystringer to see how head velocity holds the tension compared with other multifilament and natural gut Hope you'll enjoy the video 📹

[@MrRodrigo4815]

What is the best multifilament spin string?

[@SanjitMandal]

Thanks for this video, it was great. I am using Solinco Confidential and getting over tennis elbow (I may have gotten it from ALU Power), and I'm taking it easy. As polyesters can be harsh on the elbow, before moving to a full bed of confidential, do you think it will be a good idea to hybrid it with another string? I love the feel of confidential, the spin I can produce with it as I am trying to get more topspin on my shots to have the ball jump further towards my opponent. Thank you very much.

[@bournejason66]

Confidential is very stiff. Avoid it if you have elbow discomfort

[@SanjitMandal]

@@bournejason66 Thank you. It worked out well actually. I wasn't hitting through as much and I strengthened my arm muscles and it is an awesome string!

[@dmf30]

where is there a ranking of different strings re: power, spin, tension maintenance? There use to be a string database, e.g. String Forum?

[@WaltKurtz68]

Strangely enough Velocity MLT does not fray (at least it doesn't in MY racquets) but it turns white after a while, starting at the intersections. Maybe that's Velocity MLT's visual sign it should be replaced? I must say even then the playing characteristics don't deteriorate that much.

[@eujhin24789]

Great review. I would like to ask how does the Triax compare to the x-one biphase, NRG2 and Babolat xcel overall? I am looking for a good multifilament to string in my mains with a co-poly in the crosses.

[@TennisCompanion]

Thank you! Great question on the difference between these strings. Triax distinguishes itself from the other strings you mentioned in that it combines softer nylon and stiffer polyester filaments vs. only nylon. As a result, Triax delivers less comfort and power but greater control and durability. In many ways, with Triax, Tecnifibre has created a string that attempts to mimic the benefit of a hybrid poly and multifilament with a single string. Although interesting, I prefer a true hybrid, which gives players more control and flexibility over performance characteristics. Using Triax in a hybrid, I think it's a useful option for someone moving away from a full poly setup for added comfort but doesn't want too much power and requires a bit extra durability. Wilson NXT Control and Head RIP Control are two strings that would also serve this purpose well. You can find some of my other favorites for multis in my guide: tenniscompanion.org/multifilament-tennis-strings/ I hope that helps!

[@eujhin24789]

@@TennisCompanion Thank you for such an informative and detailed response.

[@eujhin24789]

How do you think the x-one biphase strung (mains) in a hybrid setup with a poly like luxilon alu power rough (crosses) compare with a full bed of Triax? Looking to try different string setups for my Wilson clash and head Graphene speed MP.

[@dmf30]

try Head Velocity MLT which is nice, crisp and has good spin potentail

[@kostaslafogiannis717]

​@@eujhin24789pp

[@joshuagwinn7572]

How is tension maintenance in multifilament vs your cheap solid core synthetics like prince duraflex

[@TennisCompanion]

Hi Joshua - great question! It's a bit of a mixed bag. I'd generally give an edge to multifilaments, but it often depends on the specific strings' materials and construction. Some of the softest multifilaments, Wilson NXT Comfort as an example, will fall below synthetic gut like Prince Synthetic Gut in maintaining tension with Duraflex helping give it an edge. However, Wilson NXT Control will outshine Prince Synthetic Gut in that department. One way to look at it is that a standard multifilament will usually outlast a traditional synthetic gut. In contrast, a more durable control-oriented multifilament will often outlast a more durable synthetic gut. However, a more durable synthetic gut may outperform a standard multifilament. Unfortunately, it's not cut and dry, but hopefully, that helps give you a sense of what to expect when evaluating various strings in both categories for tension maintenance.

[@joshuagwinn7572]

@@TennisCompanion great answer thank you.

[@irojshrestha8420]

As a begginer which strings should I use!

[@TennisCompanion]

Hi Iroj - synthetic gut tennis strings are an excellent option for beginners because they're inexpensive and offer solid all-around performance. Here are a few popular options from different brands you might consider: - Prince Synthetic Gut - Gosen OG Sheep Micro - Wilson Synthetic Gut Power - Gamma Synthetic Gut - Head Synthetic Gut PPS Different tennis strings and tension can offer players an excellent fine-tuning mechanism for dialing in their racquets' performance. However, early on, new players will be hard-pressed to tell the differences in performance from one string to another. Furthermore, their strings will have little impact on how well they play. As a player's technique and skills improve, they'll begin to appreciate the nuances offered by experimenting with their strings. However, it's best to think about stringing as a small incremental performance enhancement to a player's performance - it won't make or break success on the court.

[@tennisparisbrothers8001]

Fantastic video! You explain very well on the product!! Clearly done your homework :) we are also tennis players and came across your page and would love to welcome you to our channel and videos as well and would appreciate your support 🙏🎾

[@TennisCompanion]

Hi Alexis and Oliver! Thank you for stopping by and saying hello. I've been following your channel for the past four months and love what you're doing. Keep up the great work and thank you for the kind words about my video 😄

[@tennisparisbrothers8001]

@@TennisCompanion our pleasure!! Which video do you like most

[@TennisCompanion]

I enjoyed the videos of your trip to Switzerland - beautiful views! I've been to Europe but didn't have the chance to visit. I also like the two exercise/drill videos you guys did on the beach - I'm in San Diego, CA, and I spend a lot of time exercising at the beach too.

[@tennis-fan]

Why so serious ?