With the tennis industry slowly moving towards being more environmentally friendly I thought I’d test two strings which purport to be made using recycled materials. I put the Head Hawk Tour rPET – Head’s first big step into recycled polyester – up against the Restring Vivo, a favorite known for its eco-friendly, super-smooth construction. I tested both of these recycled options in the Wilson Blade 98, a racket that needs precise feedback, over the course of several sessions. I wanted to see if they could really compete with their traditional counterparts without losing that “Blade feel.”
Tech & specs
Head Hawk Tour rPET
- Shape: Round
- Feel: Medium-firm / Crisp
- Power: Low to moderate
- Spin: Moderate
- Key trait: Traditional poly feel with a sustainable footprint
Our review of the Head Hawk Tour rPET strings.
Restring Vivo
- Shape: Shaped (Hexagonal)
- Feel: Soft / Dampened
- Power: Moderate
- Spin: High (via snap-back)
- Key trait: Exceptional snap-back and arm comfort
Read our full Restring Vivo review.
On-court feel
Hawk Tour rPET feels more complete and forgiving to me than traditional tour-level strings. The response is cleaner and a little more predictable off the bed, which gives you that classic “crisp” feedback that the Blade 98 is known for. It fits well with Head’s goal of making a long-lasting string that doesn’t lose that direct, stiff-poly feel.
On the other hand, Restring Vivo feels more “modern.” The stringbed feels smoother and softer, and the ball seems to bounce off with a “springy” and elastic response. If you like high-vibration feedback, it might feel a little “muted” at times. For me the sweet spot tension wise on the Blade is usually 48-50lbs. This string added a soft, high-end feel to the strike that worked well with the frame’s flexible nature.
Spin, control and launch
In my opinion, this is where Restring Vivo has the edge. It’s clear that the ultra-slick coating is meant to make snap-back better and I think it does a good job here. It gave me more “free” spin on the run on the court. The launch feels a little higher, which helps the Blade 98, which can sometimes play a little low, get better net clearance.
Hawk Tour rPET still offers ok spin well and snaps back firmly, but it doesn’t feel as “slick” as Vivo somehow. I think it feels more rigid (but not overly firm) which is good for players who want a flat, consistent trajectory and don’t want the stringbed to feel too bouncy or elastic when they are quickly exchanging shots at the net.
Comfort and playability
Restring Vivo is the better choice if comfort is your top priority. If you’ve had problems with tennis elbow in the past but still want the benefits of a polyester string, I think this is a great choice. It has a dampening effect and ball pocketing that makes the Blade 98 feel even smoother than usual.
Head’s Hawk Tour rPET is surprisingly comfortable for a string with the “Tour” label, but the recycled construction still makes it feel firmer and more controlled. It doesn’t feel as “plush” as Vivo, and when you swing through, it feels like the kind of string that rewards people who hit a heavy, penetrating ball instead of those who want a soft touch.
Durability and tension stability
Both strings are said to be big steps forward in long-lasting sustainability. They are not being marketed as cheap, “plastic” alternatives just because they are made from recycled materials; they are high-performance gear.
The main thing that makes a difference to me is how the surface holds up. As Restring Vivo gets older, the smooth coating wears off, and the snap-back drops off a little. Hawk Tour rPET, on the other hand, seems to keep its stiffness and control for a lot longer. I also thought it stayed “playable” in terms of its launch angle even after a lot of heavy hitting, while Vivo got a little more unpredictable when the tension dropped.
Who each string suits
Head Hawk Tour rPET suits:
- Players who want a traditional, crisp poly feel but care about sustainability.
- Blade 98 users who want to maintain the “connected” and firm feel of the frame.
- Competitive baseliners who value predictable depth and directional control.
Restring Vivo suits:
- Players looking for one of the most comfortable, arm-friendly polys on the market.
- Spin seekers who prefer a round, slick string over a shaped, “saw-tooth” profile.
- Players who find the Blade 98 a bit too stiff and want to open up the sweet spot.
Verdict
I believe that Hawk Tour rPET is the best choice for most traditionalists because it feels more balanced and stays true to what a “Tour” string should be. It has a smooth, controlled response that feels familiar right away, showing that recycled strings can work at the highest level.
I think Restring Vivo is the more specialized string, and everything about its design seems to be focused on making it as comfortable as possible and giving it a lot of snap-back spin. It feels a little easier on the arm because of this softer, more plush feeling.
So, for me, Hawk Tour rPET is better if you want that classic, firm control. If you just want to be comfortable and generate spin easily, Restring Vivo is better.
