Type
Synthetic gut, multifilament, polyester or a hybrid. How often you break strings and how you want the racket to feel point you to one.
Choose strings that suit your tennis.
Start with two questions: how often do you break strings, and how do you want the racket to feel? Then agree the type, thickness and tension with your stringer.
1 · What matters
Agree the setup, then change one thing at a time
Thickness
Gauge means thickness. Thicker strings usually last longer before they break.
Agree one with your stringer and write it down so you can repeat it.
Tension
How tightly the strings are pulled. Start within the maker’s recommended range.
Tell your stringer what you use now and what you’d like to change.
One change at a time
Change the string or the tension, not both at once. Otherwise you won’t know which one helped.
2 · String types
Which type should you try?
Start with how often you break strings, then think about comfort.
Synthetic gut
The cheap, sensible choice for club players who rarely break strings.
Multifilament
Lots of fine fibres twisted together. Worth asking about if comfort matters to you.
Polyester
Usually firmer and more resistant to breaking than nylon strings. It can lose its useful feel before it snaps. Ask whether it suits your swing and how often you should replace it.
Hybrid
Different strings for the vertical mains and horizontal crosses. The choice of each affects feel and upkeep; a hybrid is not automatically soft.
What about natural gut?
Natural gut is another option for players prioritising feel and comfort. It generally costs more and needs careful handling, especially around moisture. Ask your stringer about the full fitted cost and whether it makes sense for how often you play and break strings.
3 · Restringing
When should you restring?
Tell your stringer when the racket was last strung and how often you play.
A broken string
No need to think twice. Book it in.
Deep notches or heavy wear
Worth showing your stringer, even if nothing has snapped yet.
It suddenly feels different
A racket that plays differently from one week to the next is worth a look too.
Does it need restringing? →Before you book
- Does the price include both the string and the work?
- Which string and thickness will you use?
- What tension do you recommend, and why?
- When will the racket be ready, and are delivery or urgent fees extra?
Keep the answers. They’re how you get back to a set-up you liked, or change just one thing next time.
5 · Restringing prices
How much will it cost?
Some shops quote for labour alone; others include the string. Add up string, labour and any delivery or urgent fees before you compare.
Labour only £13. With string: synthetic gut £17, Babolat RPM Blast £21, Babolat XL £23. Checked 6 October 2026.
Check prices ↗Labour only £10. With string: synthetic gut £15, Babolat RPM Blast £24, Luxilon 4G £28. Checked 6 October 2026.
Check prices ↗Prices checked 6 October 2026. Confirm the current quote with the shop. Compare UK restringing prices →
6 · Buying string
Buying your own string
Check the string name, thickness and packet length before you order, and ask your stringer whether the set will suit your racket.
Babolat RPM Blast Black 12m
£10.70Checked 6 October 2026.
Check price ↗Babolat Synthetic Gut Black 12m
£3.90Checked 6 October 2026.
Check price ↗Head Synthetic Gut 1.30 Black 12m
£3.69Checked 6 October 2026.
Check price ↗Luxilon ALU Power 1.25 Ice Blue 12m
Sold outChecked 6 October 2026.
Check price ↗Luxilon ALU Power Silver 12.2m
£15.90Checked 6 October 2026.
Check price ↗Solinco Hyper-G Green 12.2m
£7.90Checked 6 October 2026.
Check price ↗Tecnifibre Multifeel Ecru 12m
£9.30Checked 6 October 2026.
Check price ↗Tecnifibre X-One Biphase Ecru 12m
£18.90Checked 6 October 2026.
Check price ↗Wilson NXT Power Ecru 12.2m
£16.90Checked 6 October 2026.
Check price ↗Wilson Synthetic Gut Power Black 12.2m
£6.70Checked 6 October 2026.
Check price ↗Different colours of the same string aren’t always the same product, so check the exact listing.
Read the guide to buying string sets → Compare UK string prices →
Keep going
Related guides
String and restringing checklist
When to restring and which type of string to ask for.
Open the checklist →String sets, packet by packet
What to check before you buy a set online to take to your stringer.
Read the guide →Strings and restringing prices
Recent UK prices for string sets and stringing services, each with the date we checked.
See UK prices →