String comparison
G-Tour 3 vs Sidewinder
Gosen G-Tour 3 against Gosen Sidewinder: ratings, specs and which one fits your junior.
The short answer
Both are polyester strings. G-Tour 3 leads on control, durability and tension hold. Sidewinder leads on power and comfort. For a junior with arm concerns, Sidewinder is the safer choice. G-Tour 3 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 G-Tour 3 if…
- You want more control (9 vs 8 out of 10)
- You want more durability (8 vs 7 out of 10)
- You want more tension hold (7 vs 5 out of 10)
- You want to spend less (from $9 vs $14 a set)
- Best for: juniors with fast swings who want control
- Best for: players moving up to a comfortable poly
- Best for: spin-oriented baseliners
Pick Sidewinder if…
- You want more power (7 vs 5 out of 10)
- You want more comfort (8 vs 7 out of 10)
- Arm comfort comes first (arm friendliness 4/5 vs 3/5)
- Your player is younger (recommended from age 12 vs 13)
- Best for: juniors trying their first poly
- Best for: players who want poly control with less shock
- Best for: spin-oriented players with arm sensitivity
Specs side by side
| Spec | G-Tour 3 | Sidewinder |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Polyester | Polyester |
| Construction | High-purity co-polyester monofilament with silicone oil coating for snapback and longevity | Co-polyester monofilament twisted during extrusion for a textured shape |
| Gauges | 16L, 17, 17L | 16, 17 |
| Stiffness | Medium | Low |
| Set price | $9–10 | $14–15 |
| Reel price | — | $155–155 |
| Arm friendliness | 3/5 · Moderate | 4/5 · Good |
| Cost to maintain | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Recommended from | Age 13 | Age 12 |
| Levels | Intermediate, Advanced, Elite | Intermediate, Advanced, Elite |
| Play styles | Baseliner, All court, Big hitter | Baseliner, All court |
| Junior tension | 46-52 lbs for juniors. | 46-52 lbs for juniors. Soft for a poly, so it suits a first poly setup. |
G-Tour 3 in short
Gosen G-Tour 3 is a co-poly made from a high-purity polymer with a silicone oil coating for snapback and longevity. Tennis Warehouse calls it one of the more comfortable co-polys on the market, slightly softer than G-Tour 1 while still giving excellent control. The low-powered response lets players swing hard for pace and spin, and reviewers praise its comfort, spin and durability.
Sidewinder in short
Gosen Sidewinder is twisted during extrusion, which gives it a textured shape for more ball bite. Tennis Warehouse calls it one of the most arm-friendly co-polys on the market, and it has one of the lowest stiffness readings for a co-poly in the TWU database. The twist adds spin and control. Like many soft polys it loses tension at a fair rate, so plan regular restrings.
G-Tour 3 vs Sidewinder: quick answers
Which has more spin, G-Tour 3 or Sidewinder?
They tie on our spin rating (8/10 each).
Which is more arm-friendly for a junior?
Gosen Sidewinder scores 4/5 for arm friendliness, against 3/5 for G-Tour 3. It is recommended from age 12.
Which lasts longer?
Gosen G-Tour 3 rates 8/10 for durability against 7/10.
Which is cheaper?
G-Tour 3 costs about $9–10 a set and Sidewinder about $14–15, at typical retail.
The short answer and the "pick if" lists are generated from our ratings and junior data only. Data verified 2026-10 (G-Tour 3) and 2026-10 (Sidewinder).