Big NC AIBig NC family: Big NC Tennis · Big NC Pickleball · Mobile Racket · Kids First Racket · Big NC AI

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Big NC earns from qualifying purchases. It costs you nothing extra.

Top Tennis Strings

Synthetic gut: budget comfort

Synthetic gut is nylon, not animal gut. It's the budget set: softer than a dead poly, with less pocket than a real multi. Natural gut isn't on our menu.

Diadem firstBuy Diadem direct from Big NC

Diadem string at Diadem's own prices: SG Ultra $6.95 set · $89.95 reel. Contact us and we'll send you a payment link. All our stringing and string sales live at Mobile Racket.

Diadem pickDiadem SG Ultra Syn gut · 4.0/4

Classic syn gut feel. Simple, friendly starter string. Best for: simple starter.

Stringer's note: synthetic guts play fairly similar. Buy the best-value sealed set from a known brand. Want real comfort? Step up to a multi.

Amazon is another option; those buttons are affiliate links. Details

7 strings
StringBrandTypeGaugeLevelBest forRatingAmazon
EvolutionKidsDiadem · Syn gut · 4.0/4DiademSyn gutVariesBeginner / IntermediateFull bed or soft crossTop rated4.0Also on Amazon
Gamma Syn Gut 16KidsGamma · Syn gut · 16 · 4.0/4GammaSyn gut16BeginnerBeginners who break soft stringTop rated4.0Also on Amazon
Prince Syn Gut 17KidsPrince · Syn gut · 17 · 4.0/4PrinceSyn gut17BeginnerClassic club nylonTop rated4.0Also on Amazon
Babolat Syn GutKidsBabolat · Syn gut · 3.1/4BabolatSyn gutVariesBeginnerBasic nylonStrong3.1Also on Amazon
Topspin Duraflex 15LKidsPrince · Syn gut · 15L · 3.1/4PrinceSyn gut15LBeginner / IntermediateDurable nylonStrong3.1Also on Amazon
Ashaway Syn GutKidsAshaway · Syn gut · 3.0/4AshawaySyn gutVariesBeginnerCheap nylonStrong3.0Also on Amazon
HEAD Syn Gut 16KidsHEAD · Syn gut · 16 · 3.0/4HEADSyn gut16BeginnerCheapest playable setStrong3.0Also on Amazon

Stringer reviews

The filters above work here too. How it feels fresh and after 5 to 10 hours, launch, pocket, tension and who it suits.

Diadem EvolutionKids

Top rated4.0/4 · Syn gut · Gauge Varies · Beginner / Intermediate

A comfort nylon mono with easy power: softer and livelier than basic syn gut. It works as a full bed for beginners or as a soft cross under a poly. String mid-range. Pair it with Diadem Flash mains for a durable, kinder hybrid. Big NC is a Diadem partner.

Gamma Synthetic Gut with WearGuard 16Kids

Top rated4.0/4 · Syn gut · Gauge 16 · Beginner

Nylon with a WearGuard coating that resists notching a little better than basic syn gut. It feels firmer and less comfortable than a multi, with moderate power, and loosens steadily like other syn guts. Mid-range tension. For beginners who fray soft strings. For a softer bed, Prince or Sensation.

Prince Synthetic Gut with Duraflex 17 (Yellow)Kids

Top rated4.0/4 · Syn gut · Gauge 17 · Beginner

Classic solid-core nylon with a Duraflex wrap: medium stiffness, decent power and a predictable launch. It does not pocket like a multi and loses tension steadily, but it is consistent and cheap. String around the middle of the frame range. Right for beginners and kids who need a playable bed. For arm comfort, step up to Velocity.

Babolat Syn GutKids

Strong3.1/4 · Syn gut · Gauge Varies · Beginner

Basic solid-core nylon with a medium feel and moderate power. It loosens steadily but plays predictably. Syn guts play fairly similar, so pick on value and availability. String mid-range.

Prince Topspin with Duraflex 15LKids

Strong3.1/4 · Syn gut · Gauge 15L · Beginner / Intermediate

Prince syn gut with a textured Duraflex wrap. The thick 15L gauge lasts longer than most nylon, at the cost of some feel. Syn guts play fairly similar, so pick on value. String mid-range. For beginners who break basic syn gut.

Ashaway Synthetic GutKids

Strong3.0/4 · Syn gut · Gauge Varies · Beginner

Basic, honest nylon with a medium feel. It does the job for beginners and juniors who rarely restring. Syn guts play fairly similar, so pick on value. String mid-range. Confirm the gauge on the listing before you buy.

HEAD Synthetic Gut 16 (White)Kids

Strong3.0/4 · Syn gut · Gauge 16 · Beginner

Basic, cheap nylon: medium feel, moderate power, almost no pocket, and it loses tension fairly quickly. Fine for a kid who outgrows rackets or rarely restrings. Mid-range tension. If the arm matters, NXT or Velocity.

What it is

Usually solid nylon. Not animal gut, not poly, not a true multi. It keeps the ball playable on a budget.

When to skip it

  • Sore arm: buy NXT or Velocity instead.
  • Breaking soft string: try a hybrid or Tour Bite Soft.

Skip: unlabeled nylon multipacks, opened or pre-cut sets (not accepted for sealed BYO) and kevlar "durable" kits.

Want it strung for you? Mobile Racket does pick-up and drop-off restrings in Wake and Harnett Counties, NC. Bring your own sealed set for $25. How it works.