In this article we discuss the different types of tennis strings and their playing properties, so that you can make a better decision about which type of string is most suitable for you and your game. Nylon The most basic string type on the market is nylon. You can play a nylon string from roughly €15. Nylon strings are generally quite flexible. Please note: Synthetic Gut strings also fall into this category. Contrary to what their name suggests, these strings have nothing to do with gut (see below). The price and quality of nylon strings increase as more extras are added to the string, such as a contour or coating, for extra grip on the ball or durability of the string. There are also synthetic strings that are made up of multiple filaments, namely multifilament strings. Multifilament Multifilament strings come closest to gut. The major advantage of this string type compared to regular nylon stringing is extra comfort, vibration damping and significantly better tension retention. The more filaments, the better the playing characteristics of the string. A good-looking multifilament canopy costs between €25 and €50. Despite the rapid catch-up of 'user-friendly' polyester strings, nylon and multifilament strings are still absolutely the best choice for the majority of tennis players. This is because of the comfortable and user-friendly nature of these strings. Polyester There has been a major development in polyester strings in recent years. In the past, polyester strings were purely built on durability, but that has changed considerably in recent years. The advantage of polyester strings is that they do not or hardly slide (or return to their original position very well), have good durability and offer a lot of control. The disadvantage of polyester is that the strings are a bit stiffer on the arm. Polyester strings are particularly suitable for players who regularly remove strings. Polyester strings vary roughly in price between €20 and €35. Polyester strings are also often used in a hybrid setup, where different length and width strings are used (see below). [caption id="attachment_1299" align="alignnone" width="800"] 
The Diadem Solstice Power has a star-shaped construction for more ball bite and provides extra snapback[/caption] The advice for polyester strings is to string them at least 5 to 10% (in some cases even 20%) lighter than normal. The 'new' polyester strings come in all kinds of variants: smooth, sharp (angled, star-shaped) or rough. But also (traditionally) stiff or more elastic such as the soft polyester strings. The rough string gives more grip on the ball, while the sharp strings give more snapback, which is good for extra acceleration. Smooth strings, which can also be sharp, provide more ball rotation for spin. Due to the constant development of polyester strings, there are also softer and more elastic polys that can be played by a wider audience. Please note: polyester strings remain stiff and are therefore not recommended for players with arm or shoulder problems! Gut (Natural Gut) Still a favorite with many top players (usually used as a hybrid setup; see below) is gut/natural gut. These strings remain unsurpassed in terms of tension maintenance, playing feel, power and vibration damping. Gut strings are quite expensive (€60 to €80 for a full string), but due to the excellent tension retention, the playing properties of gut remain good for much longer. In terms of durability, a gut string lasts between 3 and 6 times longer than multifilament strings, making the string proportionately less expensive than a multifilament. Nowadays, gut strings have a coating, which makes them easy to play even in damp weather. [caption id="attachment_2953" align="alignnone" width="800"] 
The Babolat VS Touch 16 gut string remains unsurpassed in terms of feel, comfort, elasticity and tension maintenance[/caption] Hybrid stringings Hybrid stringings are a mix of 2 string types. So different length and width strings are used, allowing you to combine the advantages of both string types. Common hybrids are: intestine and polyester, polyester and multifilament and two types of polyester combined with each other. Gut or a beautiful multifilament in the length provides power, comfort and feeling. The polyester width string can add extra control or spin. Conversely, polyester in the length provides extra durability and control, while the softer gut or multifilament string in the width provides extra comfort. In our webshop you will find a wide range of strings in nylon, multifilament and polyester. NB: the indicative prices for the above strings include 'stringing wages'.