Strings

Use this if

• +You're new to badminton and want a forgiving, durable string
• +You play 1–2× per week at a club social level
• +You're still developing consistent contact and don't want to break strings

Do not use if

• −You play competitively or in graded tournaments
• −You want maximum repulsion and sharp shuttle response
• −You're an intermediate+ player — you'll quickly outgrow this string

Use this if

• +You like a crisp, snappy response that rewards clean hits
• +You play singles or doubles and want an all-rounder at mid-high tension
• +You're stepping up from BG65 and want noticeably more power

Do not use if

• −You mishit frequently — this string punishes off-centre contact
• −You're on a tight budget and can't restring often (breaks more than BG65)
• −You prefer a softer, more touch-oriented feel over raw repulsion

Use this if

• +You play fast doubles and prioritise net play and control
• +You have a technically clean swing and make consistent contact
• +You want the crisp BG80 sound at a slightly thinner gauge

Do not use if

• −You smash heavily and break strings regularly
• −You're still working on hitting the sweet spot consistently
• −You play outdoors or in windy conditions where durability matters more

Use this if

• +You play doubles and want more spin and deception on net shots
• +You love control-oriented play and want to feel the shuttle on every touch
• +You've played 2+ years and have a technically sound swing

Do not use if

• −You're a power player whose game revolves around flat smashes
• −You play singles mainly — hybrid feel is more of a doubles advantage
• −You haven't tried a single-string upgrade first — start with BG80

Use this if

• +You're on a budget and want a reliable all-rounder that lasts
• +You train frequently and go through strings quickly
• +You're experimenting with Victor gear to see if it suits your style

Do not use if

• −You want the sharpest shuttle feel and maximum repulsion
• −You prefer thinner gauge strings for touch and net play
• −Your local stringer only stocks Yonex — carry your own roll

Use this if

• +You play aggressive singles and want a powerful, responsive string
• +You're a Victor racket user looking for a matched string setup
• +You want BG80-level performance at a slightly lower price

Do not use if

• −You focus on doubles and want touch and spin over pure power
• −You want a softer feel or play with lots of sliced drop shots
• −You struggle to source Victor strings locally in NZ

Use this if

• +You love touch play and want exceptional feel on net shots and drives
• +You're a doubles player who values deceptive touch over raw power
• +You want to try the string used by elite Asian circuit players

Do not use if

• −You want a string widely available for same-day restringing in NZ
• −You prefer a firmer, more powerful response on clears and smashes
• −You're new to Li-Ning — start with a more common brand to compare

Use this if

• +You want a durable, consistent string for regular club play
• +You're curious about Li-Ning strings but don't want to overspend
• +You play mixed doubles or social play where longevity matters more than feel

Do not use if

• −You want high repulsion or a crisp, sharp hit at higher tension
• −You play competitively and need maximum performance from your strings
• −Your local stringer doesn't stock Li-Ning — harder to find than Yonex

Use this if

• +You want a repulsion-focused string with a noticeably crisp, snappy feel
• +You play singles and want an alternative to BG80 with slightly better durability
• +You're curious about Ashaway — their strings are used on the world tour

Do not use if

• −You want maximum touch and control — Zymax leans toward power over feel
• −You prefer a softer, more arm-friendly string at high tension
• −Your local stringer doesn't stock Ashaway — you may need to supply your own reel

Use this if

• +You want a thicker, durable Ashaway string that lasts longer between restrings
• +You're stepping into Ashaway strings for the first time at a lower price point
• +You play recreationally and want consistent, no-fuss performance

Do not use if

• −You want the sharper feel of thinner 0.65–0.66mm strings
• −You're an advanced player — the thicker gauge will feel dead at competitive tension
• −You play at a club where no one stocks Ashaway — supply your own or pre-order

Use this if

• +You want a well-rounded string from a brand trusted at NZ club level
• +You play doubles and want good all-round control without spending on Yonex premium strings
• +Your stringer stocks RSL — it's one of the more available non-Yonex options at NZ clubs

Do not use if

• −You want the sharpest repulsion — RSL Platinum is balanced rather than explosive
• −You've never tried RSL before and are unsure — start with BG65 or BG80 as a baseline
• −You need to restring urgently — RSL stock can be inconsistent outside major NZ centres

Use this if

• +Absolute budget string for beginners who just want something to play with; good for stringing cheap or old rackets you don't care about; useful as a backup string reel

Do not use if

• −You want any real performance — this is purely functional; don't use above 22 lbs; intermediate+ players will immediately feel its limitations

Use this if

• +You want a repulsion-first string with a sharp, explosive feel on smashes; good alternative to BG80 with slightly different character; used by world-class players on the BWF tour

Do not use if

• −You prefer a control/touch-oriented string — Blast is tuned for power; it can feel harsh at high tension; less widely stocked at NZ clubs for same-day restringing

Use this if

• +You want a balanced string that performs well in both singles and doubles; good middle ground between repulsion and feel; pairs well with Babolat rackets

Do not use if

• −At 0.68mm it doesn't offer the thinner-gauge feel of BG66 Ultimax; Yonex strings are more commonly discussed in NZ club circles; source your own reel as NZ stringer stock is unlikely

Use this if

• +You want a thicker durable string that lasts longer than premium thin strings; good value for regular club players who restring infrequently; Karakal has solid string engineering from their squash background

Do not use if

• −You want maximum feel and repulsion — 0.70mm dampens shuttle response at the net; intermediate players wanting to feel the difference should step to 0.65–0.67mm; NZ stringers won't stock this so supply your own

Use this if

• +You want a reliable mid-gauge string from a quality brand at a budget price; good for players transitioning from thicker strings who want more feel without going fully thin; Karakal's string construction is high-quality for the price

Do not use if

• −At 0.68mm the feel won't blow you away compared to BG80; limited NZ club knowledge means you're on your own for tension advice; stick to Yonex or Ashaway if your stringer needs to advise you