ReString SLAP Review – Spin, Snap-Back & On-Court Impressions

ReString SLAP is one of the newest entries to the performance polyester family. It is collaboration with Valldoreix a tennis clothing brand. Meant for those looking to spin, lift, and explode, SLAP reads modern, youthful, and snap-back driven. Its purpose is to feel fast off the strings and “whippy” at the stringbed.

I tested SLAP in the Head Speed MP, a frame with a modern and open feel. I felt mixed about this string. I could shape and add spin easily, but the feel was a bit tinny and hollow compared to the more solid and predicted feel of ReString Zero. It felt ‘off’ in an indiscernible way.

Tech & specs

• Gauge: 1.23mm / 17
• Material: Co-polymer (polyester)
• Color: Black (Note: this is limited edition release so far)
• Shape: Shaped (Six sided)

Head Speed MP Playtest

My first impression of SLAP strings after having been strung in the Head Speed MP in was that they had more of a lively, quick, and crisp response than most shaped poly strings I’ve used recently.

SLAP feels more lively than Zero, which is more stable and grounded, but it also makes me feel less in control of flatter, faster, and more angular shots than in the more predictable Zero. SLAP offers great spin, but when I tried to attack the ball, I felt like it caused a more inconsistent trajectory than I’d prefer.

I felt like the launch angle was a little higher than what I would have expected, and while it did arguably shape the ball more, it did also feel like it took more away from the control. I had to try and focus on height and target more than I would have liked and more than I usually need to do on more direct shots like cross-court drives.

The string started to settle after about an hour of hitting, but I don’t think it was a settling that made the control more pronounced than before because it started to feel noticeably more dead and disassociated becoming softer than before, while stopping the string from feeling as lively as they did in the beginning and losing the connection to the ball that I’ve felt with strings like Zero and even Vivo.

Overall On-Court Impressions

Here’s what stood out the most in the Speed MP:

Pros

• Extremely easy access to spin
  
• Very fast snap-back for heavy topspin hitters
  
• Lively response with good height and dip
  
• Comfortable for a performance poly
  
• Good for players wanting help generating shape
  

Cons

• Feels lively and slightly tinny vs Zero
  
• Less predictable on flatter ball trajectories
  
• Not comparable to Vivo in feel or consistency
  
• Becomes slightly deadened after a few hours
  
• Works better in control frames than modern, fast racquets
  
• Not ideal for players wanting stability or a grounded response

In a racquet like the Head Speed MP – already lively and fast – SLAP sometimes felt too active, which made finding a steady, trustworthy rhythm a little harder. Because of that, I actually think SLAP may pair better with a more control oriented frame (Prestige, Pro Staff, Blade 18×20) where its liveliness could be an asset rather than something that needs taming.

Comparable Strings

SLAP is tricky to compare directly – it sits in its own lane. But if I had to group it, these are the closest matches:

• Mayami Tour Hex – similar liveliness, but Tour Hex has more stability (maybe a tad more power too)
  
• Toroline Toro Toro – SLAP is less dynamic and connected; Toro Toro feels offers more feedback and better precision
  
• Head Lynx – lively and spin-friendly, but SLAP has more elastic snap
  

Not comparable to:

• ReString Zero (MUCH more solid, predictable, stable)
  
• Vivo (More controlled power, more connected response)
  

ReString SLAP is a lively spin-friendly polyester with a quick snap-back and great ability to shape the ball. However, it is not for everyone. In the Head Speed MP, it offered easy topspin and high arching shots, but fell short in the predictability and connected feel departments, which I personally prioritize. There was a bit of a tinny response, felt too lively, and the control was not there in comparison to Zero.

After a handful of hours, it played a bit more muted, and the playability dipped without added stability. Given this, I would be very interested to try SLAP in a more controlled frame like the Head Prestige or a tighter patterned Blade, where the added structure of the racquet could counterbalance SLAP’s reactive nature.

If you are a topspin, quick lift and shape shot focused baseliner, you would definitely have fun with SLAP. However, if you prefer predictability, and a more connected feel, Zero is the clear best choice in this lineup.

Visit the ReString website (use code TENNISNERD10 for a 10% discount) or find more string reviews.