String comparison
Tour Bite vs Tour Bite Soft
Solinco Tour Bite against Solinco Tour Bite Soft: ratings, specs and which one fits your junior.
The short answer
Both are polyester strings. Tour Bite leads on spin, control and durability. Tour Bite Soft leads on power and comfort. For a junior with arm concerns, Tour Bite Soft is the safer choice.
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 Tour Bite if…
- You want more spin (10 vs 9 out of 10)
- You want more control (10 vs 9 out of 10)
- You want more durability (9 vs 7 out of 10)
- Best for: control-obsessed advanced players
- Best for: aggressive topspin baseliners
- Best for: string breakers (excellent durability)
Pick Tour Bite Soft if…
- You want more power (6 vs 5 out of 10)
- You want more comfort (5 vs 3 out of 10)
- Arm comfort comes first (arm friendliness 2/5 vs 1/5)
- Your player is younger (recommended from age 14 vs 15)
- Best for: players who like Tour Bite but find it too stiff
- Best for: control-focused players wanting some comfort
- Best for: advanced juniors with full swings
Specs side by side
| Spec | Tour Bite | Tour Bite Soft |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Polyester | Polyester |
| Construction | Square-shaped co-polyester with sharp edges | Square-shaped co-polyester with softening additives |
| Gauges | 16, 16L, 17, 19, 20 | 16, 17 |
| Stiffness | High | Medium high |
| Set price | $10–12 | $10–12 |
| Reel price | $130–150 | $130–150 |
| Arm friendliness | 1/5 · Not arm friendly | 2/5 · Low |
| Cost to maintain | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Recommended from | Age 15 | Age 14 |
| Levels | Advanced, Elite | Advanced, Elite |
| Play styles | Baseliner, Big hitter | Baseliner, All court |
| Junior tension | 44-48 lbs for juniors. String low due to stiffness - string feels firmer than it strings. | 46-50 lbs for juniors. |
Tour Bite in short
Launched in 2009, Tour Bite not only became a staple with collegiate level players, but it also helped vault Solinco into a top-tier string brand. This firm co-polyester is designed for advanced players who demand the ultimate in control, durability and spin. The square profile with sharp edges is ideal for aggressive topspin players who like to rip the felt off the ball. With its stiff response, slippery surface and grippy edges, Tour Bite specializes in hitting spin-loaded balls that drop hard and hop powerfully off the court. One of the very best polys out there with the best combination of spin, price, durability and feel.
Tour Bite Soft in short
Tour Bite Soft takes the legendary control and spin of Tour Bite and adds comfort-enhancing additives. Still a firm string by most standards, but noticeably more playable than the original. Maintains the sharp-edged square profile for spin generation while being more forgiving on the arm. A good middle ground for players who want Tour Bite's control but can't handle the stiffness.
Tour Bite vs Tour Bite Soft: quick answers
Which has more spin, Tour Bite or Tour Bite Soft?
Solinco Tour Bite, with a spin rating of 10/10 against 9/10.
Which is more arm-friendly for a junior?
Solinco Tour Bite Soft scores 2/5 for arm friendliness, against 1/5 for Tour Bite. It is recommended from age 14.
Which lasts longer?
Solinco Tour Bite rates 9/10 for durability against 7/10.
Which is cheaper?
Tour Bite costs about $10–12 a set and Tour Bite Soft about $10–12, at typical retail.
The short answer and the "pick if" lists are generated from our ratings and junior data only. Data verified 2025-01 (Tour Bite) and 2025-01 (Tour Bite Soft).