Pure Aero 98 2023 string setup feedback

[Orezap]

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for feedback on string setups for the Babolat Pure Aero 98 2023.

For context, I’m trying to find a setup that gives good spin, control, tension stability and predictability, without making the frame too launchy or too harsh. I prefer a more controlled, penetrating, lower-to-medium launch response, rather than a very high-launch trampoline feel. I have a fast swing and usually like to drive through the ball, but I still want the spin potential of the PA98.

I also have some previous arm/wrist/shoulder sensitivity, so I’m trying to avoid anything excessively stiff, especially at higher tensions.

My favorite string has been Tour Bite Soft 1.20 and my main racket was Blade Pro v9 18x20. I think that this racket needs at least a 1.25 gauge so i cant use TBS 1.20 and I do not currently have access to Tour Bite Soft 1.25 , so I’m considering the following options:

Main options I’m considering​

1. Solinco Confidential Soft 1.25 full bed
   Around 21 kg
   
   
2. Hyper-G 1.25 mains / Hyper-G Round 1.25 crosses and reversed (spin vs penetration)
   Around 22/21 kg
   
   
3. Hyper-G Soft 1.25 full bed
   Around 22.5 kg
   
   
4. Regular Hyper-G 1.25 full bed
   Around 21 kg
   
   
5. Solinco Mach-10 1.25 full bed
   Around 22 kg
   
   
6. Babolat RPM Rough 1.25 full bed
   Around 22 kg
   
   
7. Regular Solinco Confidential 1.25 full bed
   Around 20 kg
   
   
8. Tour Bite Soft 1.20 full bed
   Around 23 kg
   
   
9. Lynx Tour 1.25 full bed
   Around 18 kg

Questions​

For those who have played the Pure Aero 98 2023, how would you rank these options?

I’m especially interested in feedback on:

• launch angle;
• control on flatter drives;
• spin and snapback;
• comfort / arm-friendliness;
• tension maintenance;
• playability duration;
• whether 1.20 mm feels too thin in this frame;
• whether 1.25 mm is clearly the better default gauge for the PA98.

My current instinct is that the safest starting points are:

1. Confidential Soft 1.25
2. Hyper-G 1.25 / Hyper-G Round 1.25 or vice versa
3. Hyper-G Soft or Hyper G 1.25

But I’d be interested to hear from people who have actually tested these in the PA98 and over the long term.

Thanks in advance for any feedback.

 

[audible013]

Now playing with the PA98 (2026) strung with MSV Focus Hex Ultra 1.25 at 24/23 kg. It feels absolutely fantastic to me.

 

[end-er]

I also play with the 2023 PA98, but I usually prefer strings that give me a heavier ball and a bit more dwell time, so slightly different from what you’re asking for.

From your list, I’d probably start with Confidential Soft. It has good control, spin and comfort. I’d also consider Lynx Tour if you want very good control, but it may feel a bit low-powered. I'd add Grapplesnake M8. I played with it for a few months and found it close to Confidential Soft, a good control-oriented and balanced string.

 

[Orezap]

Lynx Tour is amazing string but i dont like the bump on the sw on a full bed and makes the racket very head heavy and i would like to keep this as close to stock as possible.. its also a very stiff racket compared to what im normally using so i would like to explore it initially with a more comfortable string.

 

[TheNadural]

I haven’t tried a ton of different strings here, but tension wise I love it at 50lbs with both otoro and otoro tour. Had no comfort issues but I generally only have wrist problems, which don’t seem to be exacerbated by any particular racket. I tried mid 40s with zero and launch angle was just too much for me to control out of the gate. After a 10% settling reduction, I imagine it would be unplayable for me.

These are softer polys though that I have tried, so maybe some firmer and/or thicker gauges may perform better at lower tensions.

 

[Isolee]

Tour M8 or Confidential Soft both work great. Tour M8 tends to be a little more durable