Synthetic gut $6–8 / set
Power
7
Spin
5
Control
7
Comfort
7
Arm friendliness 4 of 5 Arm 6+ yrs
String type
Synthetic gut strings
The classic budget string: a solid nylon core with outer wraps. Cheap, consistent and a sensible first restring.
Strings reviewed7From 5 brands
Price per set$4–15USD, typical retail
Average arm score4.0/5Higher is gentler
Youngest age6+Lowest recommended age
What is a synthetic gut string?
Synthetic gut is a solid nylon core wrapped in one or more layers of finer fibers. It plays softer and livelier than polyester, but firmer than a multifilament.
Most sets cost under $10, which makes it the default string for beginners and the most common cross string in a hybrid with poly mains.
For junior players
- A good first restring for a junior racquet, and a safe choice for young kids.
- String it at the middle of the racquet range; there is no need to chase low tensions.
- It wears through quickly under heavy topspin. If your player breaks it every week, look at a hybrid or a durable poly.
- Used as the cross string with poly mains, it softens the string bed at very low cost.
Gentlest on the arm
- Gamma TNT2 Arm 4/5 · comfort 8
- Babolat Syn Gut Arm 4/5 · comfort 7
- Gamma Synthetic Gut with WearGuard Arm 4/5 · comfort 7
- Gosen OG-Sheep Micro Arm 4/5 · comfort 7
- Prince Lightning XX Arm 4/5 · comfort 7
- Prince Synthetic Gut with Duraflex Arm 4/5 · comfort 7
For the youngest players
- Babolat Syn Gut From age 6 · arm 4/5
- Gamma Synthetic Gut with WearGuard From age 6 · arm 4/5
- Wilson Synthetic Gut Power From age 6 · arm 4/5
- Gamma TNT2 From age 8 · arm 4/5
- Gosen OG-Sheep Micro From age 8 · arm 4/5
- Prince Lightning XX From age 8 · arm 4/5
All 7 synthetic gut strings
Synthetic gut $4–6 / set
Gamma
Synthetic Gut with WearGuard
Super Resilient Dynalon solid center core with WearGuard wear-resistant outer wrap, irradiated for elasticity
Power
7
Spin
5
Control
6
Comfort
7
Arm friendliness 4 of 5 Arm 6+ yrs
Synthetic gut $14–15 / set
Gamma
TNT2
Elastalon solid center core with outer wraps, pearl coating and TNT2 processing for energy return
Power
8
Spin
6
Control
7
Comfort
8
Arm friendliness 4 of 5 Arm 8+ yrs
Synthetic gut $4–6 / set
Power
7
Spin
5
Control
6
Comfort
7
Arm friendliness 4 of 5 Arm 8+ yrs
Synthetic gut $7–8 / set
Power
7
Spin
6
Control
6
Comfort
7
Arm friendliness 4 of 5 Arm 8+ yrs
Synthetic gut $5–8 / set
Prince
Synthetic Gut with Duraflex
Solid nylon core with single outer wrap and Nomex wear-resistant Duraflex fibers
Power
7
Spin
5
Control
6
Comfort
7
Arm friendliness 4 of 5 Arm 8+ yrs
Synthetic gut $4–6 / set
Power
8
Spin
5
Control
6
Comfort
7
Arm friendliness 4 of 5 Arm 6+ yrs
At a glance
| String | Type | Power | Spin | Control | Comfort | Durability | Arm | Set price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Babolat Syn Gut | Synthetic gut | 7 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 4/5 | $6–8 |
| Gamma Synthetic Gut with WearGuard | Synthetic gut | 7 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 4/5 | $4–6 |
| Gamma TNT2 | Synthetic gut | 8 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 4/5 | $14–15 |
| Gosen OG-Sheep Micro | Synthetic gut | 7 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 4/5 | $4–6 |
| Prince Lightning XX | Synthetic gut | 7 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 4/5 | $7–8 |
| Prince Synthetic Gut with Duraflex | Synthetic gut | 7 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 4/5 | $5–8 |
| Wilson Synthetic Gut Power | Synthetic gut | 8 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 4/5 | $4–6 |
Synthetic gut strings: quick answers
Is synthetic gut good for kids?
Yes. Every synthetic gut we cover scores 4 out of 5 for arm friendliness and is recommended from age 6 to 8. It is cheap enough to restring often.
Synthetic gut or multifilament?
Synthetic gut is cheaper and a little firmer. A multifilament is softer and more comfortable but costs more. For a beginner who is not yet sensitive to feel, synthetic gut is usually enough.
Is synthetic gut made from real gut?
No. It is nylon. The name only means it is a man-made alternative to natural gut.
How much do synthetic gut strings cost?
Across the 7 synthetic gut strings we cover, a single set costs from $4 to $15 at typical retail.