Leather wasn't for me, just switched back

robbo1970 · 10-26-2012, 07:50 AM

I have always prefered the feel of a leather grip under and overgrip and in the past it has suited the rackets I have used in terms of their pre-leather weight and balance.

However, I tried one on my Bio 300 and it just did not feel right. I don't know why and I can't really out my finger on what it was, but it just seemed like the racket didnt have the balance it was supposed to have.

I have therefore switched back and it feels so much better. I know these things are always very personal but it is nice when a racket is just right in its stock form...more or less. I say more or less because I refrained from putting a Gecko Tac on, theyre just too tacky.

But fortunately in the UK Dunlop make a replacement grip called the Biomimetic Tour. Its very similar to the Hydramax Tour but very slightly tackier, so now my racket is fully Bio

Has anyone else felt the need to switch away from leather and back to synthetic? If so, what synthetic do you use?

808 · 10-26-2012, 01:05 PM

I used to use Babolat leather on my EXO Tours, but have since switched back to the stock synth grip. I like a less headlight balance a bit better.

When it comes to synthetic grips I prefer Prince Resi Pro (stock on the EXO), Babolat Syntec (stock grip on a Pure Drive) and Babolat Skin Feel (for reduced width and weight).

If you want the feel of leather (with overgrip of course) without the weight then try the (kinda newish) Head Synthetic Leather grip.

TonyB · 10-26-2012, 02:12 PM

Once I got re-acquainted with the Gamma Hi-Tech grip after using leather for years, I will never use anything else. The Gamma grip is absolutely perfect and doesn't need an overgrip.

If you're looking for a synthetic that LASTS and has good comfort, try the Hi-tech. For me, I had to change overgrips on my leather every week or two. Now I've been using the Gamma grip without an overgrip for more than a month and it looks hardly used at all. I'll probably end up getting 6 months out of this grip for a measly $5. Compare that to switching overgrips every week for $1.50 and it really adds up to a significant savings.

Besides the cost savings, it's really a great performing tacky grip.

robbo1970 · 10-26-2012, 03:44 PM

Thanks guys. Ive always used an overgrip with leather but I must admit nthey never quite have that same feel as most sythetic grips, for some reason the grip/traction/tack on the synthetic grip always seems to feel the best. I usually use supergrap as that seems to be the closest replicant to the feel of a synthetic grip.

The Head Synthetic leather sounds interesting though, it certainly was the extra weight that made the racket feel a bit off.

Winners or Errors · 12-30-2012, 06:39 PM

Why not just re-balance the racquet with lead?

Chotobaka · 12-30-2012, 07:12 PM

Back in the day I would have never played with anything other than a leather grip. I recently put Pacific calf leather (really nice quality grip) on my Fischer Pro No 1 SL and while I have been trying to love it, my preferences have changed and it just isn't for me anymore. I will probably go with a Pacific Master Grip or Babolat Skin Feel. The Skin Feel sort of splits the difference between synthetic and leather with a tight, flat wrap. Tecnifibre's X-tra is another good one. There really are terrific synthetic grips is every flavor these days.

10-26-2012, 07:50 AM	#1
robbo1970 Professional Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: UK Posts: 994	Leather wasn't for me, just switched back I have always prefered the feel of a leather grip under and overgrip and in the past it has suited the rackets I have used in terms of their pre-leather weight and balance. However, I tried one on my Bio 300 and it just did not feel right. I don't know why and I can't really out my finger on what it was, but it just seemed like the racket didnt have the balance it was supposed to have. I have therefore switched back and it feels so much better. I know these things are always very personal but it is nice when a racket is just right in its stock form...more or less. I say more or less because I refrained from putting a Gecko Tac on, theyre just too tacky. But fortunately in the UK Dunlop make a replacement grip called the Biomimetic Tour. Its very similar to the Hydramax Tour but very slightly tackier, so now my racket is fully Bio Has anyone else felt the need to switch away from leather and back to synthetic? If so, what synthetic do you use? __________________ X2 Dunlop Biomimetic 300 / X2 Prince Exo3 93

10-26-2012, 01:05 PM	#2
808 Rookie Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Europe Posts: 239	I used to use Babolat leather on my EXO Tours, but have since switched back to the stock synth grip. I like a less headlight balance a bit better. When it comes to synthetic grips I prefer Prince Resi Pro (stock on the EXO), Babolat Syntec (stock grip on a Pure Drive) and Babolat Skin Feel (for reduced width and weight). If you want the feel of leather (with overgrip of course) without the weight then try the (kinda newish) Head Synthetic Leather grip. __________________ X Force Pro \\ X Cite

10-26-2012, 02:12 PM	#3
TonyB Hall Of Fame Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 2,731	Once I got re-acquainted with the Gamma Hi-Tech grip after using leather for years, I will never use anything else. The Gamma grip is absolutely perfect and doesn't need an overgrip. If you're looking for a synthetic that LASTS and has good comfort, try the Hi-tech. For me, I had to change overgrips on my leather every week or two. Now I've been using the Gamma grip without an overgrip for more than a month and it looks hardly used at all. I'll probably end up getting 6 months out of this grip for a measly $5. Compare that to switching overgrips every week for $1.50 and it really adds up to a significant savings. Besides the cost savings, it's really a great performing tacky grip. __________________ Lois: "Peter, I'm not wearing any panties." Peter: "That's ok, honey. We can throw that chair out."

10-26-2012, 03:44 PM	#4
robbo1970 Professional Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: UK Posts: 994	Thanks guys. Ive always used an overgrip with leather but I must admit nthey never quite have that same feel as most sythetic grips, for some reason the grip/traction/tack on the synthetic grip always seems to feel the best. I usually use supergrap as that seems to be the closest replicant to the feel of a synthetic grip. The Head Synthetic leather sounds interesting though, it certainly was the extra weight that made the racket feel a bit off. __________________ X2 Dunlop Biomimetic 300 / X2 Prince Exo3 93

12-30-2012, 06:39 PM	#5
Winners or Errors Professional Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 1,037	Why not just re-balance the racquet with lead? __________________ I have come to the conclusion that I simply don't know what I don't know.