Synthetic Leather Grip options

[Pmasterfunk]

Basically I'm looking for options and opinions on synthetic leather replacement grips.
Before anyone gets all pissy about not buying the fanciest Fairway leather grip out in existence, I'm looking for these because I don't want to add 10 grams of weight to my racquets, and I install an overgrip on top anyway. I just don't like mushy synthetic grips.

The only ones I've seen/used are the Yonex ones that comes (or at least came) pre-installed on VCore models, and old '90s Head synthetic leather, but they don't seem to be readily available for purchase, or if they are I'm not sure what their product names are. I'm sure there are many options out there, but I can't tell by looking at the product descriptions. Babolat Syntec Feel kinda sounds like one, but it's tacky? How am I supposed to guess?

Any help would be appreciated.

Edit: I've decided to put all grips that seem to fit into the description of synthetic leather - i.e. extra firm feel and fairly thin but lighter than actual leather - in this first post for posterity's sake:

• Angell Hybrid Pro
• Babolat Skin Feel (discontinued, replaced by Syntec Team)
• Babolat Syntec Team
• Babolat Syntec Feel ?
• Diadem Vintage Feel Hybrid
• Gamma Hi Tech
• Head Ultimate
• Kimony TecniLeather ("real" leather but reduces grip size)
• Prince ResiThin
• R P NY Artificial Leather
• Wilson FeatherThin
• Yonex AC126EX Synthetic Leather

I'll keep editing this list as more info comes in.

 

[g4driver]

Let's Gather All Grip Specs (Weight & Thickness) Into One Thread

Hi All, 1. We have grip specs scattered all over the board in roughly 70-80 threads, dated all the way back to 2004. Seems like somebody is always asking what is the lightest, heaviest, or thinnest grip. I've gotten us started with my own records and by compiling info from most all posts on the...

tt.tennis-warehouse.com

 

[Pmasterfunk]

Let's Gather All Grip Specs (Weight & Thickness) Into One Thread

Hi All, 1. We have grip specs scattered all over the board in roughly 70-80 threads, dated all the way back to 2004. Seems like somebody is always asking what is the lightest, heaviest, or thinnest grip. I've gotten us started with my own records and by compiling info from most all posts on the...

tt.tennis-warehouse.com

Yes, I know that thread and I've contributed to it, but all synthetic grips are in the same category, and it doesn't help me figure out which purchasable grips are synthetic leather.

 

[2nd Serve Ace]

What qualities are you looking for?

The TW 1.3 mm 22 mm width leather grip is a very light (20 gram) with trimming.

 

[Papa Mango]

Yes, I know that thread and I've contributed to it, but all synthetic grips are in the same category, and it doesn't help me figure out which purchasable grips are synthetic leather.

You can try the Kimoni Tech leather. They say its leather but I have my doubts.
It is really thin so you can really feel the bevels and will prob decrease your grip size a bit (maybe 1/2 size) and is also is lighter than some synthetics.

 

[g4driver]

Yes, I know that thread and I've contributed to it, but all synthetic grips are in the same category, and it doesn't help me figure out which purchasable grips are synthetic leather.

perhaps I just think differently. I see replacement grips like binary numbers 0 &1. Two types: Leather and synthetic. I have no idea what Synthetic Leather is, but it sure seems like Nacho Cheese

Look for the AC126EX by Yonex. Yonex Synthetic Leather Replacement Grip 1.5mm thick. I use these to replace grips on used Yonex frames.

 

[g4driver]

Here is a pic of that helps

 

[Jocke]

Here is a pic of that helps

I agree with this. There´s also Gamma Hi Tec. A little thicker (I think 1,8 or 1,9 mm) and a few grams more, but a very good synthetic leather grip.

 

[Pmasterfunk]

What qualities are you looking for?

The TW 1.3 mm 22 mm width leather grip is a very light (20 gram) with trimming.

I'm just looking for a firm grip that's about 1.5mm thick, like most leather grips except not as heavy. I'm not in the US, so TW is prohibitively expensive with shipping, especially for inexpensive items. Thanks anyway.

You can try the Kimoni Tech leather. They say its leather but I have my doubts.
It is really thin so you can really feel the bevels and will prob decrease your grip size a bit (maybe 1/2 size) and is also is lighter than some synthetics.

I've actually purchased one like that to reduce a grip size on a different racquet. It seems like leather to me, but I don't want to reduce my grip size. Thanks for the suggestion.

perhaps I just think differently. I see replacement grips like binary numbers 0 &1. Two types: Leather and synthetic. I have no idea what Synthetic Leather is, but it sure seems like Nacho Cheese

Look for the AC126EX by Yonex. Yonex Synthetic Leather Replacement Grip 1.5mm thick. I use these to replace grips on used Yonex frames.

Sorry for being a bit snarky in my response, I sifted through that thread beforehand in hopes of finding some info, but there's just so much information that doesn't specifically point out the things I want to know it's basically an unending time sink.

The AC126EX you mention is one of the few grips that are specifically labeled as Synthetic Leather. To the touch it doesn't feel like leather at all, but it pretty slick and has similar firmness, which is what I'm looking for. A local store used to carry it, but they don't seem to have it anymore, and I'm basically looking for a substitute. I've added it to my first post.

I agree with this. There´s also Gamma Hi Tec. A little thicker (I think 1,8 or 1,9 mm) and a few grams more, but a very good synthetic leather grip.

Thanks for the suggestion, I've added it to my first post.

After a bit of research, I've seen the following Babolat grips as having "low" cushioning and "high" feel, which should put make them similar to leather:

• Babolat Skin Feel (info posted from Torres (banned) and mrrockstar in 2011 who doesn't seem to be a member anymore)
• Babolat Syntec Team, which is supposedly thin and keeps the feel of the bevels
• Babolat Syntec Feel maybe? I've had a hard time finding this one online, but the description on the Amazon listing says "a lighter option than a leather grip without sacrificing on feel". The main thread says it's 2.0mm thick, which seems suspicious though. I'll put it in my first post for now.

 

[ArliHawk]

The famous stringer in New York City has a great synthetic leather that many pros use. Another option is the Angel pro hybrid grip which is leather top fused to synthetic. Think it’s fairly similar to what Wilson did back in the day.

 

[the_faceless_player]

I second the Angell Hybrid Pro as an option. I believe Diadem also makes a hybrid grip as well. Also, it may sound weird but the Head Ultimate may also be a possibility. Don't be put off by its listed 1.75 thickness, it stretches pretty thin and has good bevel feel and a unique feel from that micro textured top layer. I played leather for a lot of years but have the Head grip on all my DR98 and used the Angell Hybrid on their ASL2.

 

[Pmasterfunk]

The famous stringer in New York City has a great synthetic leather that many pros use. Another option is the Angel pro hybrid grip which is leather top fused to synthetic. Think it’s fairly similar to what Wilson did back in the day.

Aha, blocked, well I'll see what I can do. Thanks, I'd forgotten about them.

I second the Angell Hybrid Pro as an option. I believe Diadem also makes a hybrid grip as well. Also, it may sound weird but the Head Ultimate may also be a possibility. Don't be put off by its listed 1.75 thickness, it stretches pretty thin and has good bevel feel and a unique feel from that micro textured top layer. I played leather for a lot of years but have the Head grip on all my DR98 and used the Angell Hybrid on their ASL2.

Thanks for these, I'll the Head Ultimate and look up the Diadem one and add them to the list.

 

[leejayh]

I am in the same boat. My go to grip for the longest time was the Babolat Skin Feel - which has been discontinued.
Has anyone tried the the Angell Hybrid Pro? Seems interesting - but want to know what the thickness and weight are.

Also, i have wondered how thick the Gamma Hi Tech is, but it is not listed anywhere.

 

[ArliHawk]

I am in the same boat. My go to grip for the longest time was the Babolat Skin Feel - which has been discontinued.
Has anyone tried the the Angell Hybrid Pro? Seems interesting - but want to know what the thickness and weight are.

Also, i have wondered how thick the Gamma Hi Tech is, but it is not listed anywhere.

Have them on my ezones. Did not measure them but Angell customer service said 1.9 mm for the thickness. Great grips.
In the grip specs thread, they say hi tech is 1.9 as well.

 

[Pmasterfunk]

I've added the Wilson FeatherThin and Prince ResiThin grips to the list, as they apparently offer that nice bevel feeling. The Wilson is very light, even by Synthetic standards, so that may be useful for people looking to shave off a few grams of their racquets.

I've actually found a local store that sells Yonex Synthetic Leather grips, so for now my quest is at its end. If anyone has any more input or suggestions, I'll gladly add them to the list.

 

[Deleted member 369227]

I also like Yonex AC126EX Synthetic Leather (Tour Grip) - this is my go-to replacement grip for all used racquets I buy.

 

[liftordie]

What is the weight of the Yonex AC126EX Synthetic Leather Tour Grip?
Thanks.

 

[Pmasterfunk]

What is the weight of the Yonex AC126EX Synthetic Leather Tour Grip?
Thanks.

According to some of the specs from the "all grips" thread, it should come around to about 12 grams installed.

 

[liftordie]

According to some of the specs from the "all grips" thread, it should come around to about 12 grams installed.

Thanks. That's light for a "synthetic leather" grip...

 

[JustTennis76]

@Pmasterfunk I picked up a Gamma Hi Tech grip today at a local store. It’s definitely the firmest grip I have tried that’s not leather. I have it on one of my other rackets too and it has great connection to the bevels and can feel it.

 

[Pmasterfunk]

@Pmasterfunk I picked up a Gamma Hi Tech grip today at a local store. It’s definitely the firmest grip I have tried that’s not leather. I have it on one of my other rackets too and it has great connection to the bevels and can feel it.

Thanks, sounds pretty good. You didn't happen to measure the thickness by any chance? In the "All Specs" thread there's a listed weight, but it would be great to add the thickness to it.

 

[JustTennis76]

Thanks, sounds pretty good. You didn't happen to measure the thickness by any chance? In the "All Specs" thread there's a listed weight, but it would be great to add the thickness to it.

I did not measure the thickness but it felt like middle of the road like 1.75 mm. The head Hydrosorb pro has similar thickness and this Gamma feels the same thickness when I hold it.