Triax 17g String Review

[puppybutts]

Setup

• Full bed, 17 gauge Triax
• 18x20 Pure Strike 3rd Gen
• 52 lbs tension

In Play

• Noticeably better spin control than other multifilaments I have tried, but less than stiffer polys
• About the same comfort to a little less as other multis, about the same as soft polys, better than stiff polys
• The strings felt surprisingly crisp on contact and slid between my fingers more like a poly than a multi
• I felt they had more snapback than a typical multi, but they started to notch after the same duration as other multis, about 2-4 sessions (I won't list specific hours since I believe "hours played" is a highly variable experience and I don't want to be misleading since one hour of my play will be much different than one hour of your play)
• I never have concerns with durability purely in terms of strings breaking, because A) I don't hit with much topspin, and B) I play with an 18x20. However as I said, they notch and it does affect my play after a few sessions when they get stuck
• I would probably up the tension by 1-2 lbs to account for tension loss. It held tension far better than other polys, but not quite as well as some multis I have tried.

*note: when I say "other polys" or "other multis", they include strings like RPM Blast, Element, Element Rough, 4G, Iconic, XCel
Conclusion

• It was a pleasant playtest. I would recommend a demo for anyone looking for a multifilament or a soft poly. It definitely lived up to its hybrid poly marketing in terms of play, providing decent spin and control, with moderate power. But I would say durability is no different than your typical multi.
• Would I buy again? It's hard to say. On one hand, I find the comfort no different from a soft poly like the Luxilon Element Rough (LER). And I find the LER provides better spin. So why would I string up with the Triax when something like LER does its job + better spin and without notching? Well, the Triax does have much better tension maintenance while being 80% the string that LER is. I have to change my swing after just a few hours with the LER (though, it does eventually "settle" into a more consistent tension for longer), and soft polys generally have poor tension maintenance IME. It's nice to have a very consistent play experience across a string's lifespan rather than dealing with pre-stretching or stringing higher than desired to try and guess where a string will settle.
• Recommendations? For a player who doesn't hit with heavy topspin (since those who do will notch or break it quite quickly). For a player who wants a little more power and comfort than a stiff poly, but more spin control than a typical multi.

disclaimer: this review is based on a subjective experience.

 

[eb_tennis_247]

Thank you for the insightful review.

How would you compare Triax to some of your favorite hybrid?

 

[Downtheline1]

If you were going to restring it in your racket, would you leave the tension the same?

Thank you.

 

[CameronS]

If you were going to restring it in your racket, would you leave the tension the same?

Thank you.

I can't speak for OP, but I have settled on Triax 16G as my string of choice. I use a 55lb tension with 10% on the knots and find it very good for this string.

 

[PD1978]

Stringing my DR98 with 17 gauge Triax now. I normally do gut/poly hybrid. Wanted to see what Triax can offer. I recently been nursing an injury.

 

[PD1978]

I find my gut/poly more comfortable then Triax.
But I was pleasantly surprised with the spin I got from the string, especially on my slice.

 

[puppybutts]

replies:
- i have not tried a hybrid yet so i cannot comment
- as mentioned in my OP, i would string it 1-2 lbs higher to offset tension loss. there isn't much, but it's there. i don't think stringing any higher has any point as the string would probably notch too much or break before it lost significant amounts of tension. i like how it plays at 52 in summer weather so I'd probably go 53 or 54.