5 Best String Setups for the Pure Aero 98 (2026)

Written by: Chris Nash | July 6, 2026
babolat pure aero 2026

The Pure Aero 98 (2026) is one of those rackets that gets a lot of attention from players who want some spin and pace but don’t want the full heft of the weapon. It’s aerodynamic, it’s responsive and that 16×19 pattern is very easy to generate rotation. But it’s so spin friendly that the string you put in it can change the whole feel of the racket.

Over the past few months I’ve been testing out different setups on the Pure Aero 98 for myself and clients trying to find that sweet spot of spin, control and comfort. The best setups here are firm polys for control and bite, or softer polys and hybrids that keep the racket lively without making it a pingy, uncontrollable weapon.

Here are 5 setups I highly recommend for the Pure Aero 98, in order of what I’ve found to work best on court.

Rank Setup Best for Main appeal
1 Solinco Hyper-G 1.25mm Heavy topspin players wanting maximum bite Square-shaped poly with grip and snapback.
2 Luxilon 4G Soft 1.25mm Players wanting control with comfort and tension stability Control-focused with extra comfort.
3 Soldier / Tour M8 Hybrid Players wanting stability with softer, playable crosses Stable mains with softer, play-friendly crosses.
4 Toroline O-Toro Ocha Players wanting spin with extra comfort and a modern feel Soft poly with bite and comfort.
5 Grapplesnake Short Fin Intermediate players wanting spin with playability Hex poly with bite, lively feel, and control.

1. Solinco Hyper-G 1.25mm (Full Bed)

For players looking to get the most out of the spin potential of the Aero 98, my number one recommendation is Solinco Hyper-G. It’s a square poly with bite and snapback and works well with the 16×19 pattern. The string is holding the ball, the racket whips through and you get that aggressive, heavy topspin feel that the Aero is known for.

I have put this in several clients rackets and the feedback is the same, more spin, more control, and a stringbed that doesn’t feel too harsh even in a mid-weight racket.

Specs:

  • Type: Square-shaped co-polyester
  • Gauge: 1.25mm / 16L
  • Feel: Firm, grippy, spin-focused
  • Best for: Heavy topspin players wanting maximum bite

2. Luxilon 4G Soft 1.25mm (Full Bed)

Luxilon 4G Soft is a good option for players seeking a more controlled and stable setup in the Pure Aero 98. It’s a firm, control-oriented co-poly that still offers better comfort and tension maintenance than the original 4G, which works well for the Aero 98’s fast, spin-friendly frame.

I’ve put this in a few clients’ rackets and the feedback has been consistent, excellent control, good tension hold and a firmer response that still plays well without feeling too n harsh. This makes it a good choice for players who want to swing with confidence, and not have the stringbed become too lively or unpredictable.

Specs:

  • Type: Co-polyester monofilament.
  • Gauge: 1.25mm / 16L.
  • Feel: Firm, stable, control-focused.
  • Best for: Players wanting control, tension stability, and a slightly more comfortable feel than traditional firm polys

3. Grapplesnake Soldier / Tour M8 Hybrid (Poly/Poly)

For the player that wants stability without a full harsh poly bed this hybrid is great. Soldier in the mains gives you elite tension maintenance and a firm, controlled response, whereas Tour M8 in the crosses adds playability and a softer feel. I have tried it on the Aero 98 and it keeps the racket lively without sacrificing control.

This is a great choice for intermediate to advanced players looking for poly stability but don’t want the stringbed to feel dead after a few sessions.

Read also our review on the Grapplesnake Soldier strings.

Specs:

  • Mains: Grapplesnake Soldier (high stability, 7-sided)
  • Crosses: Grapplesnake Tour M8 (softer, play-friendly)
  • Feel: Stable, controlled, balanced
  • Best for: Players wanting stability with softer crosses

4. Toroline O-Toro Octa 1.25mm (Full Bed)

O-Toro Octa is one of the more interesting strings in the Toroline range, and has been a surprise hit on the Aero 98. It’s a softer poly with a different feel that gives you good bite without the typical harshness of a performance poly. This keeps the spin potential high on this racket and makes the whole setup much more forgiving and comfortable.

I’ve built this in a couple of rackets for clients who love the Aero 98 but get sore arms with harder polys. It’s a very playable comfortable set up with a hint of that modern Toroline flavour.

Specs:

  • Type: Performance polyester
  • Feel: Softer, comfortable, bite-friendly
  • Best for: Players wanting spin with extra comfort and a modern feel

5. Grapplesnake Short Fin 1.25mm (Full Bed)

Short Fin is Grapplesnake’s hexagonal string for players who want bite and spin without the full harshness of a square or aggressively shaped poly. It’s a 1.25mm hex that gives you good snapback and a little extra depth without making the bed too open or unpredictable.

I’ve tested this over the last few months and it’s a fantastic option for intermediate players, or anyone who wants a poly feel but doesn’t want the stringbed to feel dead or boardy. It keeps the Aero 98 lively, while still providing enough control to swing out, and the hex profile gives you that extra spin access the racket is known for [link].

Specs:

  • Type: Hexagonal polyester
  • Feel: Lively, bite-friendly, controlled
  • Best for: Players wanting spin with playability

Other Notables to Consider

If you want to go beyond these five, there are a couple of other setups to try on the Aero 98. ALU Power 1.25mm is the classic choice for players wanting the full Luxilon performance feel, but it loses tension faster than 4G Soft. Solinco Confidential is a good middle ground if you want a little more comfort and spin versatility, but still want control.

Silvester Hepta-Plus / Energy is great for topspin players who want bite in the mains and a lively cross. For hybrids. Head Lynx Tour / Hawk is better for advanced players who want serious control and a firmer stringbed.

Final verdict

If I were ranking setups for the Pure Aero 98 based on spin, control, and comfort, I’d put them in this order:

  1. Solinco Hyper-G 1.25mm for maximum spin and bite.
  2. Luxilon 4G Soft 1.25mm for control with comfort and tension stability.
  3. Grapplesnake Soldier / Tour M8 for stability with softer, playable crosses.
  4. Toroline O-Toro Ocha 1.25mm for spin with extra comfort and a modern feel.
  5. Grapplesnake Short Fin 1.25mm for spin with playability and a hex profile.

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Chris Nash

Chris will give us reviews of new strings and other tennis gear!