Prince Synthetic Gut Duraflex String Review

Despite the name, synthetic gut is actually a lot cheaper to buy than the famous natural gut. In fact, multifilament strings actually tend to play a bit closer to the natural gut due to their more pliant makeup.

Synthetic gut strings are actually monofilament, meaning there is a single strand of nylon encased in a covering that is generally pretty soft. Prince Synthetic Gut with Duraflex seeks to add more durability and performance to this feel friendly string.

This string is a great all rounder and forms a very solid base to use in hybrid setups. It has been around for a long time now, but still stands the test of time as it is a true classic in the synthetic gut segment.

From a power perspective, you can expect a responsive feeling from this string, as it likes to move around a fair amount in the string bed. So many modern players have now moved to polyester strings due to their durability, spin and control characteristics, so it is quite refreshing to be using a more old school and back to basics string.

The Duraflex technology in this string does a great job of softening the string off to the point that it almost feels as comfortable as some of the most cutting edge multifilaments on the market today.

There is a good amount of pop with the string, as the ball will fly nicely out of the string bed. It can also pocket the ball in an appealing way, enhancing the connection you have with the ball.

Depth control is not something you will have to worry about much with this string, as you can easily send the ball deep without having to put as much effort in as when using a polyester string for example.

If you do tend to string your racket on the tighter side, the Prince Synthetic Gut with Duraflex can accommodate for this with its great levels of comfort.

Adding a few more pounds to your stringing tension is something I would recommend for players that are used to using a full bed of polyester  in their racket, as the Synthetic Gut Duraflex can be pretty lively at lower tensions.

The power is not overwhelming like it can be with some natural gut strings, but it is definitely forgiving and does help with adding pace to normal ground strokes.

As far as control goes, Prince Synthetic Gut with Duraflex is a bit of a blank canvas. I actually like this type of feel from my strings, not being too complicated but simply communicating what is going on with the ball in a straightforward way.

It is not as feelsome as a complex multifilament or natural gut that’s for sure, but it does a good job of controlling the ball and offering a neutral base that appeals to a wide range of players.

This is also a great string to pair up with a more control oriented polyester, which again will up the precision you get out of your string bed.

The fact that you can feel exactly where the ball is going with minimal fuss is a real plus point of Prince Synthetic Gut with Duraflex and adds to its controllability.

You don’t get the absolute last word in feel and touch from this string, but it does what it says on the tin. That’s not to say it is a cumbersome string to play with by any means, but it does just lack that edge compared to some of the more expensive options out there such as Babolat VS Touch or Wilson NXT for example.

Something you can say about how Prince Synthetic Gut with Duraflex performs though is that it’s consistent. From a touch point of view you can always gauge your inputs with ease, as the string is very predictable.

I found myself going for drop shots when I was a little off balance or out of position whilst using the string, as it gave me that extra bit of confidence.

Whilst it is not the most delicate string in the world, it is definitely a great value for money choice that will suit players with virtually all game styles.

Spin is not necessarily the strongest attribute of this string. It would be best paired with a rough poly like Babolat RPM Blast Rough for example to give a more spin friendly response.

I did feel the ball flying on me slightly, but this is why I would recommend adding a few more pounds of tension to your normal setup. That being said, this was mainly the case on my topspin drive shots, mainly on the backhand side.

On my slices the ball did actually stay pretty low and it was satisfying to knife it low.

The ball did tend to stay low around the service line which made approaching the net difficult for my opponent.

The string is more geared towards power, comfort and feel than spin and durability, and this is what shines through in the string’s performance. It is not a string completely void of spin, but it definitely favours power and feel.

Most synthetic gut strings are built for comfort and power more than anything else. Their monofilament construction makes them more susceptible to breaking than even some modern natural gut or multifilament strings. Prince Synthetic Gut with Duraflex is not the most durable string in the world.

The Duraflex technology does prolong the life of the string somewhat, but it is still not going to be the best choice for heavy hitters.

Again, this is an area where Dunlop’s Synthetic Gut string could pair well with a polyester as a hybrid. This would add to the durability of the string overall. The performance of the string does drop off over time, but most recreational players will likely break the string before they experience any significant changes.

Comfort is an area that Prince Synthetic Gut with Duraflex actually performs pretty well.

It is a soft string that is aimed at players that want that smooth ride along with plenty of pop and feel.

Of course, it is not as buttery smooth as some of the more expensive options out there, but for the price point this string is pretty unbeatable in the comfort department.

This is one of the major reasons that it has sat at the top of the pile as far as synthetic gut strings go over the years. Recreational players with arm issues such as tennis elbow will appreciate the plushness of the string, as well as the value for money it offers.

It is great for returning fast first serves and putting away volleys when the ball is coming quickly at you, as the comfort allows you to pocket the ball nicely.

Overall, Prince Synthetic Gut with Duraflex is an old school favourite for a reason.

It has been around for a number of years now and is still in production thanks to its good levels of comfort, power and that neutral feel.

The string is great to pair up with a stiffer or rough poly, as it does a great job of providing the power and softness which complements the natural spin and control that polys provide.

It is not the most durable string out there and it does lack a little bit of tactility, but for the extremely competitive price point it offers arguably the best value for money of any string on the market today.

It is a great all rounder that suits older players that want comfort that won’t break the bank as well as beginners that are new to choosing their own strings and want a simple but effective choice.