Head Lynx Tour String Review: Hex Control, Thiem's Indian Wells String, and Where It Fits

Head Lynx Tour sits in a specific part of the co-poly market that does not get enough attention: medium stiffness with genuine spin potential, above-average tension maintenance, and a feel that does not punish you for off-centre hits the way the stiffest tour polys do. It is not the flashiest string in Head's lineup and it never became a household name, but players who find it tend to stick with it — and for good reason.

What It Is — And Where It Sits in Head's Range

Lynx Tour is a hexagonal co-polyester — six sharp edges that grip and release the ball aggressively at contact, generating spin through the same snapback mechanism used by Solinco Hyper-G, Babolat RPM Blast, and Toroline O-Toro. What distinguishes Lynx Tour from those strings is where Head positioned it in terms of stiffness: softer than Hawk (Head's control-focused stiff poly) and stiffer than standard Lynx (Head's rounder, more comfortable everyday co-poly).

The lineup in order of stiffness: Head Lynx → Head Lynx Tour → Head Hawk. Lynx Tour is the spin option for players who want more bite than Lynx provides but cannot play the dead, punishing feel of Hawk. That gap is exactly where Lynx Tour lives.

The co-polyester compound was specifically reformulated for Lynx Tour to increase durability without sacrificing the elasticity that makes the string comfortable relative to its spin capability. The result is a hex poly that does not feel as aggressive and stiff as its profile might suggest, and holds tension better than most comparable strings.

Spin and Control

The hexagonal profile is the spin mechanism. The six edges dig into the ball on contact and snap back quickly after deflection, imparting topspin rotation with less effort than a round profile at the same stiffness. For a player with a medium-to-fast swing speed who plays with heavy topspin groundstrokes, the Lynx Tour delivers reliable spin production without requiring maximum racquet head speed to activate it.

Control is the other standout characteristic. At full swing speeds, Lynx Tour keeps the ball in the court without requiring a shortened swing — it absorbs pace rather than deflecting it. Tennisnerd's Lynx Tour review rates both spin and control at 95%, noting the string feels "crisp and predictable" even after extended use, without the mushy feeling that often follows tension drop in softer polys.

The closest comparison in feel and performance profile is Solinco Hyper-G — another hexagonal medium-stiff co-poly with similar spin and control characteristics. The distinction is marginal, but Lynx Tour is generally considered slightly less spin-aggressive than Hyper-G and slightly more comfortable at the same tension.

Tension Maintenance — Better Than Most

Tension maintenance is where Lynx Tour separates itself from the rest of the hexagonal co-poly field. Most hex polys lose tension quickly — within the first few hours of play they go through a rapid tension drop, then stabilise at a flatter (and stiffer) level that changes how the string plays. Lynx Tour's reformulated compound handles this better than average, holding closer to its strung tension over the first sessions and maintaining a consistent feel for longer.

TW's playtest gave it above-average tension maintenance scores and noted the string "still felt crisp and predictable" well into its playable lifespan — which is the practical benefit of the better tension holding. For players who notice when their strings go dead and find themselves restringing to chase consistency, Lynx Tour provides more playable time between restrings than most comparably priced polys.

The Thiem Connection

Dominic Thiem's 2019 Indian Wells title was won using a Head Lynx Tour hybrid in the mains. Thiem at that stage was one of the heaviest topspin forehand hitters on tour — a ball-striking baseline game built on high racquet head speed and aggressive shape. The fact that he chose Lynx Tour at one of his peak competitive moments says something about what the string does at high swing speeds: it delivers the spin and control a heavy hitter needs without fighting the player for feel. He subsequently moved to Babolat RPM Power, but the Lynx Tour association remains one of the cleaner pro endorsements for a shaped poly that sits outside the usual Babolat/Luxilon axis.

Who Should Use Head Lynx Tour

Lynx Tour suits aggressive 4.0–5.5 baseliners who want spin, control, and a bit more comfort margin than the stiffest tour polys provide. It rewards players with fast swing speeds — the hexagonal profile needs real racquet head speed to activate fully, and at lower swing speeds it will feel more controlled than lively. If you normally play a stiff shaped poly (Tour Bite, Cyclone) and find your arm complaining after long sessions, Lynx Tour is a reasonable step toward comfort without sacrificing the spin or control profile you are used to.

It is not the right call for players who prioritise power and feel above control — the combination of medium stiffness and hex profile keeps launch angles low and shots in the court, which is the point, but players who want a livelier, more elastic response will find Lynx Tour less rewarding than a round or softer co-poly.

Gauge: 1.25mm vs 1.30mm

Both gauges are available. The 1.25mm (17g) is the most popular and the version that delivers the most from the string: more elasticity, more spin potential from the edges gripping the ball, and more arm comfort relative to the 1.30. The 1.30mm (16g) provides slightly more durability and a fractionally more controlled, muted feel — worth considering for players who break strings regularly or who want the most control possible from the setup.

For most players, start with 1.25mm. If you find the string lacks durability for your swing speed, move to 1.30.

Hybrid Options

Lynx Tour works well as the main string in a hybrid with a multifilament or natural gut cross. The cross string does not affect spin generation significantly — spin comes from the main strings — but a softer cross opens up the string bed slightly and gives more arm comfort. NRG2 or X-One Biphase in the crosses with Lynx Tour mains is a solid setup for a spin-focused player who wants to reduce arm fatigue without switching away from poly entirely.

One note: as a hexagonal shaped poly, Lynx Tour in the crosses can accelerate notching on gut mains if you use it in a gut/poly hybrid. For that setup, a round co-poly cross is preferable. Use Lynx Tour as the main, not the cross, in any hybrid that involves natural gut.

Tension Recommendations

String Lynx Tour at your standard poly tension or 2–3 lbs lower. The hexagonal profile provides control through the edge geometry — you do not need high tension to keep the ball in the court. Going slightly lower preserves the elasticity of the reformulated compound and gets more out of the tension maintenance advantage. A range of 48–54 lbs suits most players; adjust based on your typical tension preferences and how lively the string feels on the first hit.

Head Lynx Tour single sets and reels are available at The Tennis Store with shipping across Australia and New Zealand.

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Frequently Asked Questions — Head Lynx Tour

What type of string is Head Lynx Tour?

Head Lynx Tour is a hexagonal co-polyester — a shaped, monofilament poly with six edges designed to grip and release the ball at contact for spin generation. It sits between the softer Head Lynx and the stiffer Head Hawk in Head's string lineup, positioned as the spin-focused option for players who want more performance than Lynx but more comfort than Hawk.

How does Head Lynx Tour compare to Head Hawk?

Lynx Tour is meaningfully softer than Hawk. Hawk is one of the stiffer polys on the market — it delivers maximum control and durability but with arm punishment to match. Lynx Tour uses a hexagonal profile for comparable spin potential but at lower stiffness, better tension maintenance, and noticeably more comfort. If you find Hawk too hard on your arm or too dead, Lynx Tour is the natural step.

What gauge of Head Lynx Tour should I use?

1.25mm (17g) for most players — it is more elastic, generates more spin from the edges, and is easier on the arm than the 1.30. The 1.30mm suits players who break strings regularly or who want maximum control from a slightly more muted feel. Start with 1.25 and adjust.

What tension should I string Head Lynx Tour at?

String at your usual poly tension or 2–3 lbs lower. The hexagonal profile provides control through geometry rather than high tension, so dropping slightly gives you more elasticity and better tension maintenance. A range of 48–54 lbs suits most players.

Did any professional players use Head Lynx Tour?

Yes — Dominic Thiem used Head Lynx Tour as his main string in a hybrid setup when he won the 2019 Indian Wells Masters. At that point in his career, Thiem was one of the heaviest topspin forehand players on tour. He subsequently switched to Babolat RPM Power, but the 2019 Indian Wells title remains the most prominent competitive moment for the string.

Is Head Lynx Tour good for players with arm problems?

It is reasonably comfortable for a hexagonal shaped co-poly — softer than Head Hawk and the stiffer tour polys — but it is still a poly and should not be considered arm-friendly in the same category as multifilament or natural gut. Players with existing elbow issues should move to a softer option. Players who are poly-committed and want to reduce arm stress will find Lynx Tour better than most hex alternatives, but it is not a substitute for genuine arm-friendly string choices.