"My strings aren't broken, so they're fine." This is the phrase I hear most often in the workshop. And yet, many players use tired strings for months without knowing it… and think it's their skill level that's dropping.

In this article, I explain what really happens to your strings, session after session, how to know when to replace them, and I provide a little calculator so you can determine how often to restring your racket.

Why strings wear out, even without breaking

Badminton strings consist of about twenty strings tensioned at 9, 10, 11 kg or more, which absorb hundreds of impacts per session. Three things happen simultaneously:

1. They lose tension

As soon as they are installed, your strings begin to lose tension. It happens quickly in the first few days, then continues slowly with every session. Strings installed at 11 kg are no longer truly at 11 kg a few weeks later.

2. The strings rub against each other

With every strike, the vertical strings slide over the horizontal strings. This friction creates small notches at the intersections and wears down the string's sheath. That is often where it eventually breaks.

3. They lose their elasticity

New strings work like a spring: they depress upon impact and return the shuttlecock with energy. Over time, this spring gets tired. The shuttlecock doesn't stay as well in the string bed and doesn't launch as quickly.

Slide the cursor to see what your strings lose over the course of your sessions:

What you lose: power and control

The trap is that wear is progressive. You don't feel the difference from one session to the next, and you get used to it. But after a few months, the difference is huge:

• Less power: your clears no longer reach the back of the court, your smashes are less sharp. You have to put in more effort for the same result… and your arm tires more quickly.
• Less control: loose strings act like a "trampoline." The shuttlecock goes a bit further, or a bit more to the right or left than intended. Your drops and net shots become less consistent.
• Less feel: you don't sense your shots as well, and it's harder to gauge your intensity.

It depends on how much and how you play

There is no one-size-fits-all duration. Here is what affects your string wear:

Factors	Your strings wear out faster if…
Number of sessions	you play often: this is by far the #1 criterion.
Your playing style	you smash a lot, you hit hard, you use a lot of cuts and slices (this causes the strings to rub).
Your level	you play in competitions: more shots, harder hits, longer matches.
String gauge	you have thin strings (0.68 mm and less) like the Exbolt 63, the BG66 Ultimax, or the BG80. They provide more feel, but they wear out faster than the BG65.
Tension	your tension is high: the strings are under more stress and break more easily.
Storage	your racket spends the summer in a car trunk or the winter in a freezing storage room. Temperature fluctuations wear out the strings (and the racket).

The simple rule: as many restrings per year as sessions per week

This is a benchmark used in all racket sports, and it works well for badminton: if you play twice a week, restring twice a year, about every 6 months. If you play 4 times a week, about every 3 months.

Then, you adjust according to your play style: a competitor or a heavy smasher will restring more often, a casual player can wait a little longer. The calculator below does the math for you:

The 5 signs that it's time to restring

1. The sound has changed. New strings make a dry, crisp "ping" upon impact. Tired strings make a duller, flatter sound.
2. The strings are moving. If the strings shift out of place after a rally and you spend your time straightening them, they have lost their tension.
3. The shuttlecock "escapes." Your clears fly too long or not enough, your drops lack precision, for no apparent reason.
4. You see wear. Notches at the intersections, a fraying sheath, little "hairs" on the strings: breakage is not far off.
5. You don't remember your last restring. If it's been over a year, even if you play rarely, the strings have aged.

My tips to make your strings last longer

• Store your racket in a cover or a thermal bag, and never in the sun or in a car.
• Straighten your strings after a rally if they have moved: this limits friction.
• Do you break often? Switch to a more durable string like the BG65 or the BG65 Titanium, or drop your tension by half a kilo. My guide to choosing your tension explains how to find the right one.
• Do you play a lot? Having two rackets strung the same way ensures you never finish a match without a spare, and each set of strings wears out less quickly.

Which strings to choose for your next restring?

This is the perfect time to ask yourself: does your current string really suit you? More power, more control, longer lifespan… Each Yonex string has its own character. I compare them all in my guide to choosing your strings, and you can see them in the strings collection.

And if you buy your racket at 100%BAD, I will string it in the workshop with the string and tension of your choice. You can even add a stencil to your strings to add some style. To restring a racket you already own, contact me.

Frequently asked questions