If you want more spin, your strings matter as much as your technique. The shape, texture, gauge and tension of your string all affect how much the ball rotates after it leaves the racket.
This guide covers what makes a string spin-friendly, ranks the best spin strings from our stock and explains how to set up your racket for maximum topspin. For a broader overview of all string types, read our guide to choosing tennis strings.
Quick Answer
The best strings for spin are shaped or textured co-polyesters strung at a moderate-to-low tension in a thinner gauge.
Our top picks for spin:
- Babolat RPM Blast Rough — maximum bite, textured surface
- Solinco Hyper-G — shaped profile, controlled spin
- Babolat RPM Blast — classic spin poly, tour-proven
- Head Lynx Tour — responsive spin with all-court control
- Gamma Ocho — 8-sided profile for aggressive rotation
All available for restringing at PT Tennis from £30–£40.
How Strings Create Spin
Spin is not just about your swing path. When you hit the ball with topspin, the strings deflect sideways (the mains move) and then snap back into position. This snapback effect is what imparts rotation on the ball.
Three things affect how much snapback your strings produce:
1. String Shape
Round strings slide against each other easily — good for some snapback. But shaped strings (square, hexagonal, pentagonal profiles) have edges that grip and dig in before snapping back more aggressively. The result: more spin.
2. String Texture
Textured strings have a rough surface that grabs the ball at contact. This creates extra friction and more rotation. Babolat RPM Blast Rough is the most popular textured poly.
3. String Slipperiness
Counter-intuitively, strings that slide easily against each other can also create good spin. The key is that they slide and then snap back — it is the snap-back that generates spin. Strings with a slick coating (like Solinco Hyper-G) can produce excellent snapback even without a rough texture.
The 7 Best Strings for Spin at PT Tennis
1. Babolat RPM Blast Rough — Tier 1 (£40)
The maximum-spin option.
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Gauge | 17 |
| Type | Textured co-polyester |
| Spin | ★★★★★ |
| Control | ★★★★ |
| Comfort | ★★ |
| Durability | ★★★★ |
RPM Blast Rough adds a textured surface to Babolat’s classic RPM Blast formula. The rough coating grabs the ball and creates extra bite on every topspin shot. If you want the most spin your strings can produce, this is the string to try.
Best for: Aggressive baseliners with full swings who want maximum topspin and are comfortable with a firm feel.
Tension tip: String at 48–52 lbs. Lower tension gives the string bed more time to deflect and snap back, which increases spin.
2. Solinco Hyper-G — Tier 1 (£40)
Spin with control and durability.
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Gauge | 17 |
| Type | Shaped co-polyester |
| Spin | ★★★★★ |
| Control | ★★★★★ |
| Comfort | ★★★ |
| Durability | ★★★★★ |
Hyper-G’s square shape creates aggressive snapback and excellent spin. But unlike some pure spin strings, it also gives excellent control and durability. Many players describe it as a string that does everything well — spin, control and consistency — without extreme harshness.
Best for: Modern baseline players who want heavy spin with predictable placement. One of the most popular strings we install.
Tension tip: 48–52 lbs works well. Can go slightly lower (46 lbs) for even more spin pocket.
3. Babolat RPM Blast — Tier 1 (£40)
The classic spin polyester.
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Gauge | 17 |
| Type | Co-polyester |
| Spin | ★★★★★ |
| Control | ★★★★★ |
| Comfort | ★★ |
| Durability | ★★★★ |
The string that helped define modern topspin tennis. RPM Blast is an octagonal co-poly that offers reliable spin, tight control and a low-powered response that keeps heavy hitters in the court. Used by Nadal for years.
Best for: Players who hit with consistent topspin and want a proven, predictable spin string with minimal power return.
4. Head Lynx Tour — Tier 2 (£30)
Spin and all-court control at a lower price.
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Gauge | 17 |
| Type | Co-polyester |
| Spin | ★★★★ |
| Control | ★★★★ |
| Comfort | ★★★ |
| Durability | ★★★★ |
Lynx Tour is a shaped poly that delivers good spin without being as stiff as some Tier 1 options. It is responsive, gives decent feel and works well for all-court players who want spin access without committing to a very firm string.
Best for: All-court players who want good spin at a mid-range price point. A strong value pick.
5. Gamma Ocho — Tier 2 (£30)
Maximum bite on a budget.
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Gauge | 16 |
| Type | Co-polyester (8-sided) |
| Spin | ★★★★★ |
| Control | ★★★★ |
| Comfort | ★★ |
| Durability | ★★★★★ |
Gamma Ocho has an 8-sided profile — one of the most aggressively shaped strings available. It digs into the ball and creates strong rotation. Combined with good durability from the 16-gauge construction, it is excellent value for spin-focused players.
Best for: Baseline players who want aggressive spin and do not mind a firmer feel. Great durability for string breakers.
6. Wilson Revolve — Tier 2 (£30)
Accessible spin for developing players.
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Gauge | 16 |
| Type | Co-polyester |
| Spin | ★★★★ |
| Control | ★★★ |
| Comfort | ★★★ |
| Durability | ★★★★ |
Wilson Revolve is a spin-focused co-poly that is slightly more forgiving than the Tier 1 options. Good snapback, decent comfort and a round-ish profile that still moves well in the string bed.
Best for: Improving players who are developing a topspin game and want a spin-friendly poly without extreme stiffness.
7. Solinco Mach 10 — Tier 2 (£30)
Thin-gauge spin and feel.
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Gauge | 18 |
| Type | Co-polyester |
| Spin | ★★★★ |
| Control | ★★★★ |
| Comfort | ★★★ |
| Durability | ★★★ |
Mach 10’s thin 18-gauge construction cuts into the ball more and creates excellent spin potential. The thinner string also gives better feel and touch, which helps with drop shots and angles.
Best for: Players who want spin and feel, and do not break strings too often. The thinner gauge wears faster but rewards controlled, spin-heavy play.
How to Maximise Spin From Your Strings
String choice is only part of the equation. Here is how to get the most spin from your setup:
1. String at a Lower Tension
Lower tension allows the string bed to pocket the ball longer and snap back more aggressively. For polyester, 46–52 lbs is a good spin-friendly range. Stringing at 55+ lbs with poly reduces the snapback effect.
Read our tennis string tension guide for detailed tension advice, or get a personalised recommendation from our string calculator.
2. Choose a Thinner Gauge
Thinner strings (17 or 18 gauge) cut into the ball more than thicker strings (16 gauge). This increases spin but reduces durability. If you do not break strings often, a thinner gauge is worth trying.
More on this in our gauge guide.
3. Choose a Shaped or Textured Profile
Round strings produce less spin than strings with edges or texture. If spin is your priority, choose a shaped (Hyper-G, Gamma Ocho) or textured (RPM Blast Rough) string over a smooth round poly.
4. Keep Your Strings Fresh
Old polyester loses its snapback ability. Dead poly creates significantly less spin than fresh poly. If you play 2–3 times per week, consider restringing every 2–4 months to keep your spin level consistent.
5. Use an Open String Pattern
This is a racket feature, not a string feature — but it is worth knowing. Rackets with an open string pattern (16×19) produce more spin than dense patterns (18×20) because the strings have more room to move and snap back.
Spin String Comparison Table
| String | Tier | Price | Gauge | Spin | Control | Comfort | Durability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Babolat RPM Blast Rough | 1 | £40 | 17 | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★ | ★★★★ |
| Solinco Hyper-G | 1 | £40 | 17 | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Babolat RPM Blast | 1 | £40 | 17 | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★ | ★★★★ |
| Head Lynx Tour | 2 | £30 | 17 | ★★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★★ |
| Gamma Ocho | 2 | £30 | 16 | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Wilson Revolve | 2 | £30 | 16 | ★★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★★ |
| Solinco Mach 10 | 2 | £30 | 18 | ★★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★ |
What About Multifilament for Spin?
Multifilament strings can produce some spin, but they are not optimised for it. The softer construction does not snap back as aggressively as polyester. If comfort is your priority but you still want spin, consider a soft co-poly like Luxilon Element or a hybrid setup with poly mains.
Need Help Choosing?
Use our string and tension calculator to get a recommendation based on your spin, control, power and durability preferences. Or message us on WhatsApp with your racket model and playing style.
- View all stringing prices
- Book a drop-off at Distillery Building, E3 2AL
We serve players across Victoria Park, Hackney Wick, Bow, Mile End, Stratford and East London.
