Our expert stringers get a lot of questions about badminton string durability both in-store when they are stringing racquets for customers and at events where they are stringing racquets for top ranked players as part of the Yonex Stringing Team.
Many of the questions we get are based on confusion created by information players have read online.
For example, a common question is: “What is the most durable badminton string”? After which the person asking the question will often volunteer: “I’ve heard that it is Yonex BG65” or “I’ve read online that the most durable badminton string is BG65.”
So let’s look at Yonex BG65 first.
According to Yonex Canada’s annually published chart of badminton strings — currently entitled BADMINTON 2019 STRINGS — BG65 has a durability rating of 8. But what does 8 mean?
Most people assume that this means that it has a durability of 8 out of 10, or 80%. This is not correct.
Yonex durability ratings on this chart range from a low of 5 to a high of 8. In other words, their least durable strings are rated at 5 while their most durable strings are rated as 8.
To be completely honest, this is a misleading way to describe durability because most people assume that the ratings of 5, 6, 7, or 8 are out of 10. So they assume that 8 out of 10, which is 80% is significantly above an imaginary pass/fail line of 50%.
This is completely wrong. A much better way to look at Yonex’ badminton string durability rating system is as follows:
- Durability rating of 5 = extra low durability
- Durability rating of 6 = low durability
- Durability rating of 7 = moderate durability
- Durability rating of 8 = high durability
On the 2019 version of the chart, the only strings with a durability rating of 5 are Aerosonic and BG66, both of which are unusually thin and fragile strings. So I think we can safely label 5 as “exceptionally low” while the remaining strings can be sorted into the general categories of low, moderate and high durability.
Based on this hierarchy, which I will now call the Racquet Network Badminton String Rating System, Yonex strings are organized as a follows.
Racquet Network Badminton String Rating System
Extra Low Durability
Strings in this category are exceptionally thin and powerful, but may lack durability when used by strong, adult players. While strings in this category can be extremely beneficial for children, some ladies and some seniors — all of whom typically benefit from the increased power provided by thin strings — the materials in these strings can easily be overpowered by strong, athletic players (e.g. men) who frequently hit off center (e.g. recreational men).
- Aerosonic
- BG66
The typical player profile for these strings is ladies, seniors and children under 125 lbs using nylon shuttles who hit up more often than they hit down. Adult players using nylon shuttles who are frequently hitting down (smashing) with these strings should expect to break strings frequently. Strings in this category experience maximum durability when installed in racquets that are medium to high-flex.; they are typically not durable enough to be used in stiff or extra stiff racquets.
Low Durability
Strings in this category tend to provide a reasonable balance between power and durability when used by men with feather shuttles. They also offer good durability for weaker/lighter players (ladies, seniors, children) who are playing with nylon shuttles and need some power assistance from their string bed.
- Aerobite
- BG66 Force
- BG66 Ultramax
- BG68 Titanium
- BG80
- BG85
The typical player profile for these strings is men and/or competitive ladies/juniors/seniors who are using feather shuttles. Adult players using nylon shuttles who are frequently hitting down (smashing) with these strings should expect to break strings regularly. Strings in this category are sufficiently durable to be used in racquets with medium to stiff shafts in the 4U to 5U weight ranges.
Moderate Durability
Strings in this category tend to provide moderate durability when used by men who are playing with nylon shuttles. These strings should be avoided by weaker/lighter players (ladies, seniors, children) who are playing with nylon shuttles.
- Aerobite Boost
- BG65 Titanium
- BG80 Power
- BG70 Pro
- Nanogy 98
- Nanogy 99
The typical player profile for these strings is adult men who are using nylon and/or feather shuttles. Strings in this category are sufficiently durable to be used in racquets with medium to extra stiff shafts in the 3U and 4U weight ranges.
High Durability Strings
Strings in this category are exceptionally stiff and durable, but may lack power when used by ladies, seniors and children. While strings in the category can be extremely beneficial for adult men — who often hit so hard that they overpower the materials and break strings frequently — these strings lack power and can actually make the game harder to play for weaker players with lower body masses (under 150 lbs).
- Nanogy 95
- BG65
The typical player profile for these strings is athletic boys and adult men using nylon shuttles who hit down (smash) frequently. Strings in this category experience minimum playability when installed in racquets that are stiff and extra stiff. These strings should be reserved for stiff and extra stiff racquets that are in the 2U and 3U weight ranges.