Badminton

Yonex BG65 Titanium

For as long as I can remember, I have been using the BG 65 when I first started playing badminton. Slowly thereafter, I was introduced to the BG65 Titanium. 

This model feels like an upgrade from BG65. Personally I would reccomend using this instead of BG65 if you are serious about the sport and want to improve.

Whilst the BG65 has high durability, the BG65Ti gives more "feel" to the shuttle which is important when learning how to use the wrist to "whip" the shuttle. It is also due to the focus on durability that causes the BG65 to provide less "feedback" into the racket's grip when hitting the shuttle.

In conclusion, the BG65Ti is great for players who are wanting to improve their skills/game without compromising on the durability.

Yonex BG66 Ultimax

One of my favourite strings for a long time is the BG66. I think it is only recently that Yonex improved on the original BG66 and came out with the BG66 Ultimax.

Although the change of name, the BG66 is still a great string for players who enjoy fore and mid court play. The BG66UM is great for drives, flick serves, net shots/kills as well as those sneaky feints for tricking opponents.

Players with an good wrist strength and control will get the most out of this string.

The only negative aspect of this string is it not durable compared to BG65Ti.

My favourite features of this string are the replusion, control and last but not least hearing the glassy-metallic "pinging" sound whenever I hit the shuttle.

Yonex Nanogy 98

As time went on, Yonex released new strings such as the Nanogy series. This series comprises of the Nanogy 95 and the 98.

Having tried both the 95 and the 98, I decided to forego the 95 (hence why I dont stock it) as it felt a lot like the BG65Ti (0.01mm guage difference). The Nanogy 98 or NBG98 for short, seems to fit between the BG65Ti and the BG66UM.

In terms of durability, it is better than the BG66UM and in terms of "feel/control" it is better than the BG65Ti. 

This is my reccomendation and "go to string" if the player is already a competent player and prefers a bit of both durability and sensitivity.

Yonex Exbolt 63

One of the newer models of strings that came out recently, Exbolt comes in 3 models, the 68, 65 and 63. The numbers basically represent the respective guage (thickness) 0.68,0.65 & 0.63 respectively.

You can hazard a guess why I only use the Exbolt 63 (XB63). Well if you guessed that it has something to do with the guage or other strings, then you are right.

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XB63 on the other hand feels very different to any of the strings above. Cutting to the chase, this strings feels like an upgrade to BG66UM as its more durable, more sensitive and is has a higher pitch in terms of the "pinging" sound :D

HOWEVER, to maximise the benefits of this string to the fullest, players will need to have good racket control and wrist power as its not forgiving to mistakes.

Similar to BG66UM, this model is great for drives, net shot/kills, feints, flick serves and in addition, stick smashes. In fact, any shot that requires a whipping effect to execute, this string covers it all.

Yonex Aerosonic

Lastly, we come to Aerosonic, Yonex's thinnest guage string @ 0.61mm!!! Yes Aerosonic, not Aerobrite (I do not like Aerobrite because of its 2 tone colour as well as requirement to string in 2 piece string, which imo loses tension much quicker than a 1 piece stringing. We will not touch on that here though.)

I have a love hate relationship with Aerosonic to be honest. LOVE it, because of its terrific repulsion, hitting sound and control. HATE it, cuz it breaks extremely fast :(

On average, after 10 hours of badminton spread across a week, strung at 30lbs, the strings will start fraying by the end of week 2. Give or take a week, the strings will snap.

This string is the best string for advance players imo. The only real disadvantage is that its not very durable.

Here's praying for Yonex to improve on this thin string and give it the durability of BG65 in future. That will be the best of both (durability & sensitivity) worlds.