The Ultimate 2026 Yonex String Guide: Exbolt, BG, Nanogy and Aerobite Series Explained

Your racket frame is the engine, but your string is the tires. You wouldn't put budget tires on a Ferrari, so why put generic strings on your Astrox?

As the dominant force in the sport, Yonex offers three distinct "families" of strings: the legendary BG Series (Performance), the high-tech Exbolt Series (Durability + Speed), and the hybrid Aerobite Series (Control). This guide decodes the specs to help you choose the perfect gauge for your game.

1. The Exbolt Series: The "Forged Fiber" Revolution

Best For: Players who want thin strings that don't break.

The Exbolt series is Yonex's newest innovation. It uses a material called Forged Fiber—originally developed for aircraft tires—which allows strings to be 30% thinner than traditional nylon without sacrificing durability.

• Yonex Exbolt 63 (0.63mm): The speed king. It offers the fastest "snapback" in the lineup, producing a high-pitched hitting sound that technical players love.

• Yonex Exbolt 65 (0.65mm): The new standard. It is rapidly replacing the BG66 Ultimax because it offers similar repulsion but with significantly better durability. If you want speed but hate restringing every two weeks, buy this.

• Yonex Exbolt 68 (0.68mm): The control powerhouse. It bites the shuttle harder than the 63/65, giving you a solid feel on defense while remaining impossible to break for most club players.

2. The BG Series: The Global Standard

Best For: Traditional feel and specific performance needs.

• Yonex BG65 (0.70mm): The "Workhorse." This is the #1 best-selling string in history for a reason. Its braided fiber construction is extremely resistant to abrasion. If you are a beginner or a heavy hitter who breaks strings constantly, start here.

• Yonex BG80 Power (0.68mm): The "Smasher's Choice." It uses a Vectran™ fiber (5x stronger than steel) to create a stiff, hard feeling. On high-power smashes, this string doesn't stretch—it crushes the shuttle for maximum speed.

• Yonex BG66 Ultimax (0.65mm): The "Pro's Choice." Famous for its metallic hitting sound and instant repulsion. Note: It is fragile. It is purely for performance, not longevity.

3. The Hybrid & Specialty Series

Best For: Advanced technical control.

• Yonex Aerobite Boost (Hybrid): This is unique. It uses a thick 0.72mm Vectran main string for stability and a super-thin 0.61mm cross string for spin. The result? The main strings "grab" the shuttle while the cross strings snap back, adding massive spin to your net shots.

• Yonex Nanogy 99 (0.69mm): A specialist control string with a rough Carbon Nanotube coating. It feels "sticky" on the shuttle, allowing for deceptive slices and hairpin net shots.

Quick Comparison: Which Gauge Do You Need?

Pro Tip: What Tension Should I Use?

• 20-23 lbs: Best for beginners (Larger sweet spot, more power from the string bed).

• 24-27 lbs: Intermediate (Better control, crisp sound). Most of our customers choose this.

• 28+ lbs: Advanced only (Tiny sweet spot, extreme control, high risk of frame breakage).