Durable (but soft) poly?

[New Daddy]

A life-time synthetic gut user, I'd like to try out poly for a change, as new-generation polys seem to be easier on your body. I went through a online retailer's catalog and they specifically advertise which polys are softer. But they do not advertise which ones are durable and last longer. As a recreational player, I obviously can't afford polys that drop tension after 8 or 9 games.

So, can someone recommend durable (and soft) polys?

 

[scotus]

All polys drop tension like crazy. In fact, most drop at least 10 lbs in a matter of 24 hours.

So if you don't want to restring frequently, shoot for the tension that would settle after a few days of playing rather than the tension right off the stringing machine.

Having said this, I know someone with an arm problem who is very happy with MSV Focus (Evo, I think) at a very low tension (like 30 lbs) and plays with that setup for a month.

 

[finalfantasy7]

prince beast

 

[NLBwell]

Signum Pro Poly Plasma Pure is a soft poly that plays consistently for a long time. Not the spinniest poly, but it is a really good poly for transitioning from syngut.

 

[Muppet]

A poly that is very soft and is marketed as being durable is Iontec Black by Mamba Tennis. What else is nice is that they don't charge for shipping, no minimum. I can't report first hand on the durability of Iontec Black because I don't break strings. I would only decrease tension from your regular synth gut tension by 5% for this particular string, due to the softness.

 

[LeeD]

I'm pretty like SolicoTourBite16 at maybe 42 lbs for string tension maintainance, playability, control, and of course BITE on the ball.
I think TB doesn't lose tension nearly as fast as other poly's, but does need lower string tensions to begin with.

 

[Bobby Jr]

...I'd like to try out poly for a change, as new-generation polys seem to be easier on your body....So, can someone recommend durable (and soft) polys?

I was in the same boat and have found good value in using a hybrid of Weiss Canon Silverstring and Gosen OG Sheep micro. It plays well, isn't harsh by poly standards and is better than most for tension maintenance. Importantly it doesn't get overly boaty or dead too quickly when it does get near the end of its life.

 

[huba01]

Prince beast or Yonex poly tour pro at low tension are super soft polys and imo as armfriendly as most multis.

 

[Gtech]

I use Luxilon M2. It is a very different poly in that it plays soft and does not fall of a cliff playability wise like most other polys. I use it in the mains with gut in the crosses and can't tell the difference between a full gut job and it lasts a lot longer.

If you are a hard hitter with a lot of spin, softer polys like Dunlop Black Widow or Head Sonic Pro will break before they give you bad playability, which is a desirable result.

Hard polys like Lux Alu Power, are a bad idea because they last much longer than their are safe to play. If you restring Alu Power every 8-12 hours of hitting time, it is really unbeatable.

 

[Gtech]

Also, I would recommend to stay away from Lux 4G even though it may retain tension somewhat better. I found it to be stiff and hard on the arm, without great spin

 

[dknotty]

Another shout for Yonex Poly Tour Pro.

It is super comfortable.

 

[SJSA]

Luxilon 4G or Ashaway MonoGut ZX will be right for you.

 

[drgchen]

Realistically polyester strings last about the same. They all lose tension after stringing, but because they are stiff strings, the strings are playable. Dropping tension is different from going dead. Contrary to the discussions on this board, polys do not become completely unplayable as fast as people say.

Try one of these recommended polys, see how it lasts for you.

 

[huba01]

Luxilon 4G or Ashaway MonoGut ZX will be right for you.

I have played a lot with the Luxilon 4G and you can´t compare the comfort with Prince Beast or the Yonex poly tour pro .

Imo forget about the 4G and try the Poly tour pro at 46-48 and I´ll bet your arm will thank you

 

[scotus]

I use Luxilon M2. It is a very different poly in that it plays soft and does not fall of a cliff playability wise like most other polys. I use it in the mains with gut in the crosses and can't tell the difference between a full gut job and it lasts a lot longer.

If you are a hard hitter with a lot of spin, softer polys like Dunlop Black Widow or Head Sonic Pro will break before they give you bad playability, which is a desirable result.

Hard polys like Lux Alu Power, are a bad idea because they last much longer than their are safe to play. If you restring Alu Power every 8-12 hours of hitting time, it is really unbeatable.

I used M2 Pro for over a year with gut mains.

I could never use it more than 2 hitting sessions, though. Both the tension and playability dropped like crazy.

 

[Dimcorner]

Another shout for Yonex Poly Tour Pro.

It is super comfortable.

+1!

I tried out the 120 and it's great!

 

[o0lunatik]

Another shout for Yonex Poly Tour Pro.

It is super comfortable.

+1 as well.

I've recently ordered a reel of Pro's Pro Plus Power, and it is softer than SPPP. The durability is as comparable to that as SPPP. I've only used plus power in the cross, so I can't compliment its characteristics in the main.