Getting the stringing tension right is just as important as choosing the badminton racket.
In this article we will take you through our personal experience and guiding you through some rule of thumbs in choosing the string and stringing tension.
Finding the string thickness
Choosing the right string is your first step. Are you as a player looking for high control or high durability?
There are many different string types and brands on the market. We recommend starting with a standard string, which isn’t too thin nor too thick.
The most popular string thickness is 0,68 mm, which is a great combination between control and durability.
We, at Basic Feather, are using a 0,68 mm string for our customers, as this in our opinion is the best string.
Players preferring a thinner string will experience increased control, however, you will get a less durable string.
Players preferring a thicker string will experience increased durability, however, getting less control.
Choosing the right string is a personal preference, nothing is right or wrong.
We recommend to try out different types of strings to find the right string for your game.
How to find the right string tension?
Having found your preferred string, you will have to find your preferred string tension. To determine this, we recommend you evaluate:
1. Your technique level
2. Your ability to hit the shuttle at sweet-spot
3. The string you are using
Your technical level is generally determining how good you are in controlling the shuttle for shot precision and the ability in generating power.
The sweet-spot is the optimal area in your racket, when making contact with the shuttle.
The lower stringing tension, the bigger sweet-spot and the higher stringing tension, the smaller sweet-spot.
The string you are using is an important factor as well. If you are using a thin string and a high tension, the durability of the stringing will not last long.
One miss-hit and the strings will likely break, therefore, this must be considered breaking a string in a match almost always equals a lost point.
To sum all these three factors into a recommendation, usually higher string tensions are mainly beneficial for higher technical players with a good sweet-spot.
In short high string tensions offers increased control but low durability in the stringing.
Low string tensions offer high durability but less control.
Basic Feather will recommend this as a general rule of thumb:
Beginner: 19 - 23 pounds
Medium: 24 - 26.5 pounds
Advanced: 26.5 - 28 pounds
From our personal experience, we do not recommend tensions higher than 28 pounds unless you are a very skilled or professional player.
Recommendation from Morten Frost
It can quickly get rather complicated with many string variants and stringing tensions. I recommend for the majority of players to choose a 0,68 mm string and a tension between 24 - 26,5 pounds. Personally, I find this a perfect balance between durability, control and power.
When purchasing a racket including stringing from Basic Feather, all stringing will be performed through a full electric stringing machine which is similar to the ones they use at World Tour events.
Chose what is best for you, not what they have on TV
One of the main reasons why some players choose a higher stringing tension is often caused by the great sound, when hitting the shuttle. The higher stringing tensions, the higher the tone.
Remember, a high tone in itself, will not make you win your next game, but having an optimal racket setting might do the difference in winning or losing.
If you feel like getting a new racket, have a look at what we are able to offer here.