Multifilament $18–21 / set
Power
7
Spin
6
Control
7
Comfort
9
Arm friendliness 5 of 5 Arm 8+ yrs
String type
Multifilament strings
Hundreds of fine fibers twisted together: the closest feel to natural gut, kind on young arms.
Strings reviewed13From 9 brands
Price per set$8–22USD, typical retail
Average arm score4.8/5Higher is gentler
Youngest age8+Lowest recommended age
What is a multifilament string?
A multifilament string is made of many thin fibers wrapped and bonded together. It stretches more than polyester, so it gives more power and comfort and holds the ball longer.
For many juniors, especially younger players and anyone with arm pain, a multifilament is the best all-round choice.
For junior players
- A great first "real" string after a pre-strung junior racquet.
- The best choice for arm, wrist or shoulder pain, often at the middle of the racquet tension range.
- It frays and breaks sooner than poly, especially with heavy topspin. Fraying is normal.
- If your player breaks it often, try a thicker gauge or a hybrid with poly mains.
Gentlest on the arm
- Tecnifibre TGV Arm 5/5 · comfort 10
- Tecnifibre X-One Biphase Arm 5/5 · comfort 10
- Wilson NXT Power Arm 5/5 · comfort 10
- Yonex Rexis Comfort Arm 5/5 · comfort 10
- Babolat Xcel Arm 5/5 · comfort 9
- Gamma Live Wire XP Arm 5/5 · comfort 9
For the youngest players
- Babolat Xcel From age 8 · arm 5/5
- Gamma Live Wire XP From age 8 · arm 5/5
- Prince Premier Control From age 8 · arm 5/5
- Tecnifibre NRG2 From age 8 · arm 5/5
- Tecnifibre TGV From age 8 · arm 5/5
- Tecnifibre X-One Biphase From age 8 · arm 5/5
All 13 multifilament strings
Multifilament $15–18 / set
Power
8
Spin
6
Control
6
Comfort
9
Arm friendliness 5 of 5 Arm 8+ yrs
Multifilament $12–16 / set
Gosen
AK Pro CX
Umishima structured monofilament surrounded by heat resistant polyamide fibers with CX composite micro fiber
Power
7
Spin
7
Control
8
Comfort
8
Arm friendliness 4 of 5 Arm 10+ yrs
Multifilament $8–10 / set
Head
Velocity MLT
1000x nylon multifilament core with 30 extra nylon filaments, polyurethane resin, low-friction coating
Power
7
Spin
6
Control
7
Comfort
8
Arm friendliness 4 of 5 Arm 8+ yrs
Multifilament $8–9 / set
Power
7
Spin
6
Control
7
Comfort
8
Arm friendliness 5 of 5 Arm 8+ yrs
Multifilament $14–18 / set
Power
9
Spin
6
Control
5
Comfort
9
Arm friendliness 5 of 5 Arm 8+ yrs
Multifilament $12–16 / set
Power
7
Spin
5
Control
7
Comfort
10
Arm friendliness 5 of 5 Arm 8+ yrs
Multifilament $18–22 / set
Tecnifibre
X-One Biphase
High Heat Capacity (H2C) fibers with Biphasic trimerization process and polyurethane immersion
Power
9
Spin
5
Control
6
Comfort
10
Arm friendliness 5 of 5 Arm 8+ yrs
Multifilament $13–15 / set
Volkl
Power Fiber Pro
Multilayer polyamide multifilament: thin-fiber core, polymer layer, two layers of thicker fibers and a polymer jacket; firmer polymer than Power Fiber II
Power
7
Spin
5
Control
7
Comfort
8
Arm friendliness 5 of 5 Arm 10+ yrs
Multifilament $18–20 / set
Power
8
Spin
5
Control
6
Comfort
9
Arm friendliness 5 of 5 Arm 8+ yrs
Multifilament $18–20 / set
Power
6
Spin
6
Control
8
Comfort
7
Arm friendliness 4 of 5 Arm 12+ yrs
Multifilament $18–20 / set
Power
9
Spin
5
Control
5
Comfort
10
Arm friendliness 5 of 5 Arm 8+ yrs
Multifilament $18–22 / set
Yonex
Rexis Comfort
Multifilament with FORTIMO (highly elastic polyurethane by Mitsui Chemicals) plasma-bonded to nylon filaments
Power
8
Spin
5
Control
6
Comfort
10
Arm friendliness 5 of 5 Arm 8+ yrs
At a glance
| String | Type | Power | Spin | Control | Comfort | Durability | Arm | Set price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Babolat Xcel | Multifilament | 7 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 6 | 5/5 | $18–21 |
| Gamma Live Wire XP | Multifilament | 8 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 5 | 5/5 | $15–18 |
| Gosen AK Pro CX | Multifilament | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 4/5 | $12–16 |
| Head Velocity MLT | Multifilament | 7 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 5 | 4/5 | $8–10 |
| Prince Premier Control | Multifilament | 7 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 5/5 | $8–9 |
| Tecnifibre NRG2 | Multifilament | 9 | 6 | 5 | 9 | 5 | 5/5 | $14–18 |
| Tecnifibre TGV | Multifilament | 7 | 5 | 7 | 10 | 5 | 5/5 | $12–16 |
| Tecnifibre X-One Biphase | Multifilament | 9 | 5 | 6 | 10 | 5 | 5/5 | $18–22 |
| Volkl Power Fiber Pro | Multifilament | 7 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 5 | 5/5 | $13–15 |
| Wilson NXT | Multifilament | 8 | 5 | 6 | 9 | 5 | 5/5 | $18–20 |
| Wilson NXT Control | Multifilament | 6 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 4/5 | $18–20 |
| Wilson NXT Power | Multifilament | 9 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 4 | 5/5 | $18–20 |
| Yonex Rexis Comfort | Multifilament | 8 | 5 | 6 | 10 | 4 | 5/5 | $18–22 |
Multifilament strings: quick answers
Is multifilament good for juniors?
Yes, for most. Every multifilament we cover scores 4 or 5 out of 5 for arm friendliness, and most are recommended from age 8.
Why does my multifilament fray?
The outer fibers wear as the strings rub together. Fraying is normal and does not mean the string is bad. Restring when it starts to feel loose or breaks.
Multifilament or synthetic gut?
Multifilament is softer and more comfortable but costs more. Synthetic gut is a cheaper, firmer choice for beginners who are not yet sensitive to feel.
How much do multifilament strings cost?
Across the 13 multifilament strings we cover, a single set costs from $8 to $22 at typical retail.