Strings are the cheapest upgrade in badminton and one of the most noticeable. Two identical rackets strung differently can feel like entirely different weapons. Yet most players restring rarely and think about the string inside even less. This guide fixes that in five minutes.
Gauge: the trade-off you cannot escape
String diameter is measured in millimetres, and it drives the classic feel-versus-durability trade-off:
- 0.61–0.63mm (thin). Slices deep into the shuttle, giving sharper feel and easier repulsion. The cost is shorter lifespan, especially for players who hit the frame or scrape the floor.
- 0.65–0.66mm (medium). The all-rounder zone. Solid durability with most of the crisp feel of thinner gauges.
- 0.69–0.70mm (thick). Built to last. Hard-hitters and string-breakers choose this zone, accepting a slightly duller feel in exchange for strings that survive weeks longer.
Two of our most popular strings show the difference clearly: the Kumpoo JS-63 (0.63mm) is aimed at players who want maximum feel and repulsion, while the Kumpoo JS-69 (0.69mm) is a multifilament-braided workhorse for high-impact play. Both come in four colours and are available in our strings collection.
Tension: the dial that changes everything
For a given string, tension shapes power and control in opposite directions:
- Lower tension (18–22 lbs). The string bed trampolines the shuttle out, giving easy depth and a softer feel. The sweet spot is larger, which is forgiving on off-centre hits.
- Medium tension (22–26 lbs). The balance point for most club players: enough repulsion for clears, enough control for tight net shots.
- High tension (27 lbs and above). A firmer, more direct response and a smaller sweet spot. Control improves — but only if your swing speed and accuracy can use it. High tension with poor technique simply produces shorter, harsher shots and sore elbows.
A practical ladder: start at 21–22 lbs, and move up about 1 lb at a time as your accuracy develops. Drop back down if you start missing the sweet spot consistently.
Construction terms worth knowing
- Multifilament core strings use many fine fibres bundled together for better feel and elasticity.
- Braided outer wraps add durability and bite on the shuttle for steeper, spinnier angles.
- Coatings affect bite on the shuttle and how quickly the string wears at notching points.
How often should you restring?
A common rule of thumb: restring as many times per year as you play per week. Strings lose tension and elasticity over time even if they never break, and a two-month-old string bed at 24 lbs can play softer than a fresh one at 21. If your clears are suddenly landing short and the bed feels dull, that is tension decay, not a slump in your game.
Stringing at Kumpoo Australia
Every racket we sell can be strung to your preferred tension and choice of JS-63 or JS-69 colour before dispatch — just add a note to your order. Browse rackets in our rackets collection and strings in our strings collection to build your setup.