String comparison
Synthetic Gut with WearGuard vs Lightning XX
Gamma Synthetic Gut with WearGuard against Prince Lightning XX: ratings, specs and which one fits your junior.
The short answer
Both are synthetic gut strings. Synthetic Gut with WearGuard leads on durability and tension hold. Lightning XX leads on spin. They score the same for arm friendliness (4/5). Synthetic Gut with WearGuard costs less per set.
Ratings
Power
Spin
Control
Comfort
Durability
Tension hold
Ratings are on a 1–10 scale. The higher score is in bold when they differ.
Pick Synthetic Gut with WearGuard if…
- You want more durability (7 vs 5 out of 10)
- You want more tension hold (6 vs 5 out of 10)
- Your player is younger (recommended from age 6 vs 8)
- You want to spend less (from $4 vs $7 a set)
- Best for: beginning and intermediate juniors
- Best for: players who restring often
- Best for: cross string in a poly hybrid
Pick Lightning XX if…
- You want more spin (6 vs 5 out of 10)
- Best for: beginner and intermediate juniors
- Best for: players with tweener frames
- Best for: kids who want a colored string
Specs side by side
| Spec | Synthetic Gut with WearGuard | Lightning XX |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Synthetic gut | Synthetic gut |
| Construction | Super Resilient Dynalon solid center core with WearGuard wear-resistant outer wrap, irradiated for elasticity | Solid core with multifilament wrap and Prince Powerfoil layer |
| Gauges | 15L, 16, 17 | 16, 17 |
| Stiffness | Medium | Low |
| Set price | $4–6 | $7–8 |
| Reel price | $82–83 | — |
| Arm friendliness | 4/5 · Good | 4/5 · Good |
| Cost to maintain | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Recommended from | Age 6 | Age 8 |
| Levels | Beginner, Intermediate | Beginner, Intermediate |
| Play styles | All court, Touch player, Serve and volley | All court, Touch player |
| Junior tension | 52-58 lbs for juniors, mid-range of the racquet. | 52-58 lbs for juniors, mid-range of the racquet. |
Synthetic Gut with WearGuard in short
Gamma Synthetic Gut with WearGuard is one of the most common budget strings and a Tennis Warehouse best seller. A solid Dynalon core helps it hold tension, and the WearGuard wrap resists notching and reduces friction. Gamma pitches it as an all-around string that balances playability and durability. Buyers report good comfort with average power and control; it lasts well at moderate use but breaks quickly under heavy topspin.
Lightning XX in short
Prince Lightning XX is an all-around synthetic gut that Prince recommends for tweener frames. Its Powerfoil layer is meant to add power and act as a wear barrier over the solid core. Recent buyer reviews praise its power and feel, while older feedback points to durability and tension loss as the weak spots. At about $8 a set in six colors, it is an easy, cheap choice for developing juniors.
Synthetic Gut with WearGuard vs Lightning XX: quick answers
Which has more spin, Synthetic Gut with WearGuard or Lightning XX?
Prince Lightning XX, with a spin rating of 6/10 against 5/10.
Which is more arm-friendly for a junior?
They score the same, 4/5. Synthetic Gut with WearGuard is recommended from age 6 and Lightning XX from age 8.
Which lasts longer?
Gamma Synthetic Gut with WearGuard rates 7/10 for durability against 5/10.
Which is cheaper?
Synthetic Gut with WearGuard costs about $4–6 a set and Lightning XX about $7–8, at typical retail.
The short answer and the "pick if" lists are generated from our ratings and junior data only. Data verified 2026-10 (Synthetic Gut with WearGuard) and 2026-10 (Lightning XX).