Soft polyester strings usually mean compromise, sacrificing control and performance or a softer setup. That’s no longer the case. The latest generation of soft polys blends arm-friendlier impact with decent spin, stable launch, and dependable depth control. If you want the precision and durability of polyester without the harsh, boardy feel that trashes your elbow, these are the standout options worth trying right now.
Also, don’t miss our recent article on the top spin strings.
Strings ranked:
- Yonex Poly Tour Air
- Luxilon Element Soft
- Solinco Tour Bite Soft
- Tecnifibre Black Code
- String Project Armour Soft
Yonex Poly Tour Air – Plush feel meets dependable control
Yonex Poly Tour Air is one of the softest co-polyesters Yonex makes, designed to absorb shock and reduce vibration without turning mushy. It’s engineered with an elastic polymer additive that gives it a noticeably cushioned feel compared with traditional stiff polys. It has really good comfort levels on forehands and serves, making it a good bridge between multis and classic polyester.
Spin: Moderate — not ultra-aggressive, but enough to keep deep, heavy shots in the court.
Power: Medium — easier power than typical polys, so it feels lively but stays controlled.
Feel: Soft and plush, much gentler on the arm than most polys.
Control: Good — reliable depth and placement without unpredictable launch.
Luxilon Element Soft – Plush comfort with premium feel
Luxilon’s Element Soft takes the classic Element concept and dials up the comfort by adding a softer outer blend, effectively giving you the controlled, precise response Luxilon is known for but with a much gentler impact. I found it offers good feel and pocketing for a polyester, though it still suffers the typical tension loss and notching over time (8-10 hours in roughly).
Spin: Solid — gives good bite early in its life but this is not it’s main feature.
Power: Balanced — not dead, but controlled power. Works well for juniors transitioning from multifilament and/or as a cross with a shaped poly to add a bit more power.
Feel: Plush for a poly, noticeable pocketing without harsh shock.
Control: Very respectable overall. Gives you predictable direction and launch, especially fresh off string machine.
Solinco Tour Bite Soft – Spin-heavy comfort with low power
Solinco took their popular Tour Bite and made it softer and for me more responsive with Tour Bite Soft. It still offers plenty of spin and while it still delivers the low power and control polys are known for, it feels noticeably friendlier on the arm than the original Tour Bite. I actually prefer it to Tour Bite overall.
Spin: Strong — excellent grip on the ball, easy RPM access.
Power: Low — control-leaning, doesn’t shoot out of the court.
Feel: Soft and plush not crisp or rigid. It has a nice balance.
Control: Good — predictable launch and depth once broken in.
Tecnifibre Black Code – Control and spin with flexible feel
Tecnifibre Black Code is a shaped co-poly that blends good spin and control with a bit more elasticity and feel than many traditional firm strings. I wouldn’t say spin is best in class but dependable and it offers controlled power. Overall it has a balanced feel and; it doesn’t feel harsh for a shaped poly at all.
Spin: High — shaped profile gives grip and rotation.
Power: Medium-low — backs big swings without crazy launch.
Feel: Flexible and forgiving for a poly.
Control: Very good — solid directional accuracy with depth.
String Project Armour Soft – Arm-friendly control with responsiveness
String Project’s Armour Soft is essentially a softer, more forgiving take on the Armour string. It’s a round co-poly that’s focused on reducing harsh impact without giving up the precision players expect from performance polyester. It doesn’t have as much bite or crazy spin as some shaped polys, but its balance of comfort and control earns it a spot here.
Spin: Moderate — not extreme, but dependable.
Power: Medium — stable and predictable.
Feel: Softer and more forgiving than full-stiff polys.
Control: Solid — stable precision without stiffness.
In summary – Best Soft Polyester Strings
If you want polyester performance without the arm strain, these five strings are good options without having to sacrifice control to gain comfort. Yonex Poly Tour Air leads for plush, easy feel; Luxilon Element Soft adds premium pocketing with precision; Tour Bite Soft keeps the spin while softening the sting; Black Code blends shaped control with flexibility; and Armour Soft delivers clean, arm-friendly stability. They all deliver playable comfort with real poly control.
Find most of these strings at our partners:
- Tennis Warehouse (US, Canada)
- Tennis Warehouse Europe (10% off with code TNERD10)
- Tennis Only (AU)
| Rank | String | Strength | Best For | Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yonex Poly Tour Air | Softest feel with controlled output | Players transitioning from soft strings | Not as crisp as traditional hard polys |
| 2 | Luxilon Element Soft IR | Premium comfort + pocketing | Players wanting controlled spin with soft feel | Tension & notching fade fast |
| 3 | Solinco Tour Bite Soft | Spin-friendly comfort poly | Aggressive topspin players needing softer impact | Tension drops over time |
| 4 | Tecnifibre Black Code | Balanced spin + feel | Baseliners wanting control without harshness | Not as soft as multifilaments |
| 5 | String Project Armour Soft | Forgiving poly with stable control | Players prioritizing comfort + precision | Spin less dramatic than shaped options |
I’ve been playing Hyper G Soft against Mach 10, and I keep going back to Hyper G Soft when I want confidence.
Thanks! I really like your reviews. It would be interesting to have your view on Volkl V-star. In particular the 1.15 string.