Our Top 6 Natural Gut Picks
Today, the selection of natural gut is somewhat limited compared with other string types. However, there are some fantastic options available to players.
The following table outlines our top six natural gut picks, and the section that follows covers why we’ve selected each of these six strings in detail.
Babolat VS Touch
Way back in 1875, Babolat produced the first set of natural gut tennis strings. Since then, it has grown into one of the most dominant manufacturers of tennis equipment, and its world-renowned natural gut strings have set the bar for quality and performance.
While Babolat VS Touch and the manufacturing process has evolved over the years, the essence of the string has remained relatively unchanged.
However, one enhancement VS Touch has received is BT7 technology, which is an improved coating aimed at increasing durability and longevity while also enhancing the strings’ ability to resist humidity. For most players, this was a welcome improvement that works to combat some of the downsides commonly attributed to natural gut.
All in all, with Babolat VS Touch, you can expect massive power, top-notch playability, and a high level of comfort that players with tennis elbow and other arm injuries will appreciate.
Manufacturer |
Babolat |
Name |
Babolat VS Touch |
String Type |
Natural Gut |
Material |
Serosa fibers |
Available Colors |
Natural off-white and black |
Available Gauge |
15L, 16 |
String Length |
Set: 40 feet (12.2m) |
Price |
$$$$$ |
Players Using Babolat VS Touch
- Andy Murray – Crosses
- Jelena Jankovic – Crosses
- Caroline Wozniacki – Crosses
- Johanna Konta – Mains
Wilson Natural Gut
Founded over 100 years ago in 1913, Wilson Sporting Goods is one of the most popular tennis brands on the market, so there’s no surprise that it produces world-class natural gut tennis strings.
When it comes to Wilson Natural Gut, they make it super simple by offering a single product produced from high-quality serosa. As you’d expect from natural gut, this string delivers on power – the feature highlighted by Wilson. However, at the same time, you can count on excellent playability, tension maintenance, and comfort.
If you’re in the market for natural gut, then you can’t go wrong with this set from Wilson that’s trusted by some of the biggest names in our sport.
Manufacturer |
Wilson Sporting Goods |
Name |
Wilson Natural Gut |
String Type |
Natural Gut |
Material |
Serosa fibers |
Available Colors |
Natural off-white |
Available Gauge |
15, 16, 17, 18 |
String Length |
Set: 40 feet (12.2m) |
Price |
$$$$$ |
Players Using Wilson Natural Gut
- Roger Federer – Mains
- Kei Nishikori – Crosses
- Grigor Dimitrov – Mains
- Serena Williams – Mains
- Andrea Petkovic – Mains
Pacific Tough Gut
If you’re not familiar, Pacific is a German company that’s family-owned and operated and has been around since 1972. Within its line of three natural gut tennis strings, Pacific Tough Gut stands out from the pack to compete with Babolat and Wilson.
Similar to other top natural gut strings, Pacific uses beef serosa to make Pacific Tough Gut, and they do a fantastic job with it.
As the name suggests, this natural gut aims to deliver durability above and beyond Babolat and Wilson with the brand’s triple seal technology, or a series of coatings that help reinforce the strength of the natural fibers while reducing exposure to the elements and increasing longevity.
While their unique sealing helps with durability, it also makes the strings play slightly stiffer, which allows for the use of lower tensions without sacrificing control.
Of course, Pacific Tough Gut still delivers enormous power, fantastic playability, control, and top-notch comfort.
Manufacturer |
Pacific |
Name |
Pacific Tough Gut |
String Type |
Natural Gut |
Material |
Serosa fibers |
Available Colors |
Natural off-white and black |
Available Gauge |
15L, 16, 17L, 17 |
String Length |
Set: 40 feet (12.2m) |
Price |
$$$$$ |
Pacific Classic Natural Gut
Without a doubt, one of the biggest disadvantages of natural gut tennis strings is their high price, which limits accessibility for a broad range of players.
However, Pacific Classic Natural Gut helps break down this barrier for players looking to benefit from the advantages of natural gut with a price that is within reach of a wider range of recreational players.
Similar to Pacific Tough Gut, this version of Pacific’s natural gut string uses its unique triple-seal technology to increase durability and limit the exposure of natural fibers to humidity and other elements.
If you’re looking to test the waters with a budget-friendly natural gut tennis string that won’t break the bank, then Pacific Classic Natural Gut has the potential to be a fantastic option at a lower cost.
Manufacturer |
Pacific |
Name |
Pacific Classic Natural Gut |
String Type |
Natural Gut |
Material |
Serosa fibers |
Available Colors |
Natural off-white |
Available Gauge |
15L, 16, 17L, 17 |
String Length |
Set: 40 feet (12.2m) |
Price |
$$$$ |
Volkl V Icon
Last in the list of our favorite natural gut is Volkl V Icon, from another German company that has been around since 1923. You may know the company for its racquets used by legends like John McEnroe and Boris Becker, but it has also developed an excellent reputation for its tennis strings.
Similar to the other natural gut we’ve discussed, V Icon is composed of beef serosa fibers woven together to produce a lively string. The resulting string comes with power, an inherent resiliency that provides excellent tension maintenance, and a high level of comfort and shock absorption.
Perhaps one of Volkl V Icon’s best attributes is its price, which is on par with Pacific Classic Natural Gut and gives players yet another terrific cost-effective option when they’re looking to play with natural gut.
Manufacturer |
Volkl |
Name |
Volkl V Icon |
String Type |
Natural Gut |
Material |
Serosa fibers |
Available Colors |
Natural off-white |
Available Gauge |
16, 17 |
String Length |
Set: 40 feet (12.2m) |
Price |
$$$$ |
Used gut back in the days of wooden racquets and the power and feel was fantastic but had to be careful to keep my strings dry. Now I use a soft string like Wilson Sensation.
Fantastic information.lot engineering.