Can stringing polys at a lower tension really compensate for cold weather discomfort and deadness?

I usually string Triax or a hybrid in the winter to account for playing in 0-10C/32-50F temperatures.

Some suggest sticking with your regular strings and lowering the tension in your regular playing poly by 4-5 lbs.

My question:

Does that really work when it comes to retaining some original string dynamics and arm protection?

@TW Staff — can one of your string experts chime in?
 

JK208

Rookie
I usually string Triax or a hybrid in the winter to account for playing in 0-10C/32-50F temperatures.

Some suggest sticking with your regular strings and lowering the tension in your regular playing poly by 4-5 lbs.

My question:

Does that really work when it comes to retaining some original string dynamics and arm protection?

@TW Staff — can one of your string experts chime in?
Yes, poly works best when you lower tension. Lower tensions increase launch angle and power by a bit and it opens up the sweetspot for more forgiveness. Lower tensions also feel more plush and are less harsh on the arm. Please LMK if you have any more questions. I personally string closer to 42lbs with poly for most of the year, but I raise tension to 44lbs in the heat.
 

jxs653

Professional
Yes, poly works best when you lower tension. Lower tensions increase launch angle and power by a bit and it opens up the sweetspot for more forgiveness. Lower tensions also feel more plush and are less harsh on the arm.
But my max tensioned SPPP feels as crisp as just opened potato chips.
 

Kevo

Legend
Yes, poly works best when you lower tension. Lower tensions increase launch angle and power by a bit and it opens up the sweetspot for more forgiveness. Lower tensions also feel more plush and are less harsh on the arm. Please LMK if you have any more questions. I personally string closer to 42lbs with poly for most of the year, but I raise tension to 44lbs in the heat.
Almost the same for me, but maybe a pound or two higher. I use a fairly soft poly. With some stiffer polys I would go a bit lower though.
 

JK208

Rookie
But my max tensioned SPPP feels as crisp as just opened potato chips.
In my experience, a crisper stringbed only works when perfect contact is made. If you are anything like me, you probably have a lot of non-center hits, and I have found that a low tension actually makes the stringbed more consistent. Depending on the strings, low tension can still be responsive and crisp, but other with other strings it turns into a mushfest at low tension.
 

JK208

Rookie
Almost the same for me, but maybe a pound or two higher. I use a fairly soft poly. With some stiffer polys I would go a bit lower though.
I use a softish poly (Grapplesnake Tour M8) in an 18x19 string pattern, but in a 16x19, I would definitely go a bit higher. When I tried a more shaped string (Hyper G), I preferred it up at 48 to give it more consistency. IMO the best part of Tour M8 is the consistency at any tension, so I can string low and not worry about inconsistency and control issues.
 
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