Guides

Polyester vs Multifilament Tennis Strings

September 10, 2025 Juan

Choosing between polyester and multifilament decides how your racket plays.

Pick polyester for spin, control, and durability with fast swings, and pick multifilament for comfort and easy depth with slower swings.

For even more information, use the table below to compare feel, power, spin, control, and durability. Then match the characteristics that work best for your game.

Polyester and Multifilament Comparison

Characteristic	Polyester	Multifilament
Feel	Firm and connected	Soft and plush
Power	You supply power	Easy depth with less effort
Spin	High spin potential	Moderate spin potential
Control	Lower launch and precise	Higher launch and more lively
Durability	Longer lasting string	More frequent breakages
Best for	Performance first players	Comfort first players
Examples	Zero, Sync	Many options from all brands

Polyester Strings

Poly powers modern topspin tennis. It helped make Rafa and Alcaraz style tennis possible for many players.

You get a firmer feel that keeps the ball down. That gives you control, spin, and strong durability.

Polys also give you complete customizability. For example, Zero and Sync are both polyester strings, but Zero will give you more power and spin, while Sync will give you more control and feel.

Therefore, within polyester strings, you can get different characteristics and even combine characteristics in a hybrid setup.

Modern polys stay fresher longer than first wave versions. Coatings like the ones we use on Zero and Sync reduce friction so strings move and snap back for more hours.

Multifilament Strings

Multi gives a soft, arm friendly ride with easy power. The stringbed feels lively and comfortable on contact.

You often see multi in pre-strung and junior frames because it is easier to play with.

But multis are not only for juniors or older players.

If you do not swing fast or you value comfort first, multi is a smart pick. It's the most popular type of string for adults just starting out because of this.

However, at very high swing speeds, multi can feel a bit wild. It does not create the same spin or control that poly can unlock for more experienced hitters.

Should You Choose Poly or Multi?

Choose polyester if you

Break strings quickly or use an open pattern.
Want customizability over your stringbed characteristics.
Need heavy topspin, predictability, and a lower launch window.
Want a string that lasts longer in your racket with better durability.

Choose multifilament if you

Want a string that's easy to get going with in your tennis journey.
Are a junior player on red, orange, or green balls or if you are rehabbing an injury.
Value arm comfort, easy depth, and a larger sweet spot at moderate swing speeds.

Choose a poly and multi hybrid if you

Want the best of both worlds.
Performance from the poly. Comfort from the multi.

Conclusion

Go with polyester strings like Zero or Sync if you want high-level spin and performance.

Go with multifilament if you want an arm friendly racket that hits deep in the court without effort.

If you want both, try a hybrid with polyester mains and a multifilament cross.

About the Author: Juan is the co-founder of ReString. He was born in Argentina, raised in Japan, and moved to the US to pursue college tennis. He now plays as an ATP & WTA hitting partner.