Lynx Tour is a part of HEAD’s household of co-polyester strings sitting alongside the usual Lynx and the opposite offshoot variants: Lynx Edge and Lynx Contact.,
Lynx Tour is marketed because the stiffest of the three and was pre-launched as “Experimental Tour” a few years in the past with a number of execs together with Andrey Rublev testing it out earlier than it formally made it onto the cabinets.
Its greatest declare to fame nonetheless, is that Dominic Thiem used it in a hybrid configuration when he beat Federer within the 2019 Indian Wells last.
Head Lynx Tour is obtainable in three colors (orange, gray and champagne) and two gauges, 1.25mm and 1.30mm. A 1.20mm can be rumoured to be accessible quickly.
Like all polys bearing the moniker “Tour”, it’s stated to supply nice spin and management for hard-hitting gamers, however how did it play for me?
Discover out on this full Head Lynx Tour playtest and evaluation.
Head Lynx Tour Specification
Designed for the more durable hitting intermediate to superior degree participant the distinctive 6-edge design of this co-polyester will present the final word mix of management and spin. A monofilament made out of a brand new co-polymer combination which additionally will increase the sturdiness, while being nonetheless snug to play. How Head pitch Lynx Tour
String Specs
- Co-polyester Monofilament
- Hexagonal
- Gauges: 16g/1.30mm and 17g/1.25mm
- Colors: Orange, Gray, Champagne
Racket Setup for Testing
I’ve used Head Lynx Tour a few occasions in a Wilson Blade 98, however I paired it with the Head Growth MP for this playtest, which I used to be reviewing.
The pack I had was gray color in at 1.25mm. I used the moveable MiStringer to string it as a two-piece job at 45lbs.
By way of the six-sided hexagonal form, the perimeters are usually not so pronounced and pre stringing; it virtually seems spherical till you take a look at it extra carefully.
Stringing was akin to all polyesters. The coil reminiscence wasn’t important, and it was fairly gentle to deal with.
It has a chunky/weighty really feel, however this is not an issue. The Growth MP can be a simple racket to string, so it was a simple job.
Head Lynx Tour Playtest
I’ve used Head Lynx Tour on a number of completely different surfaces, however I examined it on indoor onerous courts earlier than penning this evaluation.
Preliminary Ideas and How It Felt
After I first used Head Lynx, given the string has fairly a excessive dynamic stiffness and visually seems fairly chunky, I used to be anticipating a considerably muted and stiff response.
Nonetheless, the string has a softer really feel, giving a degree of feeling that belies its precise stiffness score. It’s nonetheless stiff, but it surely errs extra in direction of polyester’s ‘snug’ aspect.
I do not know whether or not that is as a result of coating on the strings or their composition, however there isn’t any harshness on off-centre hits, and it is above common within the consolation division for a poly.
Primarily based on that, Lynx Tour jogs my memory of Solinco Confidential and the lately reviewed Mayami Tour Hex, that are each strings I fee extremely.
How It Performed
Energy
For a polyester, the ability potential of Lynx Tour is above common. It is not free energy as a result of the string won’t reward gamers with zero swing, however Lynx Tour actually has some added pop if you happen to take a good minimize on the ball.
Management
Management for me pertains to how constant the stringbed response is, and Lynx Tour gives a really constant one.
The launch angle was constant (comparatively low), and regardless of the string having a little bit of pop, I by no means felt like I used to be sacrificing management.
After I was on high within the rallies, I might land the ball the place I needed, and the strings gripped properly on my slice backhand.
Lynx Tour was additionally nicely behaved throughout the response kind pictures. I performed on a quick indoor court docket the place typically you solely have one shot at your disposal, and the stringbed was capable of reply how I needed it to and hold the ball alive in faster-paced scrambling kind rallies.
Consolation / Really feel
Head Lynx Tour suits firmly within the center floor for really feel; it is agency with out being stiff however not mushy or muted.
By way of pocketing, there may be some, however I by no means obtained the sensation the ball was sinking into the string mattress as I did with Mayami Tour Hex.
I haven’t got any arm issues to report, however Head Lynx Tour felt extra snug than another polys I’ve tried, placing it within the center floor, not the softest, not the firmest.
Spin
The spin potential of Lynx Tour is excessive, and the hexagonal form of the string mixed with the slick exterior coating reduces friction throughout affect, rising snapback and spin potential.
I’m extra of a flat hitter than a crazy topspin participant, and the launch angle with Lynx Tour mixed with the Growth MP works properly for my sport – flat however with sufficient spin so as to add some margin.
Relying on the racket’s head dimension and string sample, I feel gamers who just like the loopier dipping launch angle will want different polys or will want Lynx Tour in a thinner 18 gauge to get that kind of loop.
So in case you are a participant who desires to clear the web by 2 metres and bounce the ball head excessive, there are higher string decisions for that.
Sturdiness and Value
The sturdiness of Head Lynx Tour is on a par with most polyesters, possibly barely above, and gamers who put polyester strings by their paces will get 10-14 hours out of it.
Whereas I would not advocate protecting a polyester in for an prolonged interval like you may with a multifilament, I used to be impressed with how lengthy Lynx Tour stored its traits. I feel you will get away with utilizing this string for longer with out it going useless or plasticisation occurring.
Each time I’ve strung a racket with it, I by no means felt I needed a recent set, or it immediately obtained more durable to maintain the ball in play after that 5-10 hour mark.
Normally, with the softer poly, they play nice for a brief interval however then drop off a cliff. Nonetheless, the strain upkeep on Head Lynx Tour might be the perfect amongst all polyester strings I’ve ever examined, placing up there alongside the likes of Dunlop Explosive Pace, Solinco Hyper G, MSV Focus Hex Extremely, Mayami Tour Hex and Solinco Confidential.
Who Is This String For?
In fact, regardless of their widespread utilization, solely about 5% to 10% of the tennis-playing inhabitants can genuinely use stiffer polyester strings.
Nonetheless, with Head Lynx Tour, though it has ‘Tour’ within the identify, I feel it is extra accessible to a broader group of gamers.
Whereas it isn’t one thing you’d throw to an outright newbie, it has a little bit of softness and liveliness, which makes it extra of a flexible all-rounder when in comparison with different polyesters which might be usually harsh and muted.
Nonetheless, this string is finest suited to larger degree gamers who’ve the method and conditioning that makes the necessity for poly like spin and management a pre-requisite to maintain the ball throughout the traces.
On the leisure degree, for intermediates who’re utilizing polyesters however would profit from a bit bit extra energy and a few extra arm friendliness, Head Lynx Tour is one to contemplate.
For those who put it right into a hybrid with a monofilament like Head Velocity MLT or pure intestine, it turns into a fair more sensible choice for a variety of participant skills.
Observe: The gray colored string is the softest/liveliest of the three colors accessible. So if you would like the softer feeling Lynx Tour, go together with gray. Each the orange and champagne play firmer.
Related Strings
Tennis String Finder
Are you on the lookout for a brand new string to strive in your racket? Use our straightforward to make use of tennis string finder instrument. It helps you to filter by string kind, gauge, color, worth, stiffness and form.
Remaining Ideas
HEAD Lynx Tour is one other first rate polyester so as to add to the market’s ever-growing lineup of tennis strings.
Revolutionary? No. But it surely’s in all probability the perfect polyester string HEAD has made thus far (sure, I do know some would say this implies little or no as their earlier polyester forays aren’t extremely regarded), however general, I preferred it.
The one space it excels is rigidity upkeep and taking part in longevity. If that is what you’re after, that is undoubtedly one for the shortlist.
It sits firmly in the midst of the highway for the opposite properties. So for gamers who function at extremes, e.g., they want excessive spin or excessive really feel, this is not for them. However if you happen to like a mix of properties that do a number of issues fairly nicely, I would advocate testing it out.
This string additionally works very nicely at a lowish rigidity within the Head Growth MP. The Growth MP is a racket that requires full, quick strokes to convey out its finest options, and that is additionally what Head Lynx Tour wants.
Mix the 2, and also you convey out the perfect of each.
Execs
- Wonderful rigidity upkeep
- Above-average consolation
- Constant response
Cons
- Edges are usually not pronounced, so look elsewhere for these anticipating a closely formed spin string.
Have you ever tried Head Lynx Tour? What did you consider it? Let me know within the feedback.
Energy – 8
Management – 9.5
Consolation – 6.5
Contact / Suggestions – 7
Spin – 9.5
Snapback – 9.5
Sturdiness and Rigidity Upkeep – 10
