Babolat Touch VS is a premium natural-gut tennis string designed to provide exceptional power, comfort, feel and tension maintenance. It is Babolat’s flagship natural gut and one of the longest-established performance strings in tennis.
The VS name dates back to the development of Babolat’s highest-quality gut strings during the 1920s. The modern Touch VS continues that product line using twisted natural fibers, a protective surface finish and multiple gauge options.
Touch VS can be used by recreational, intermediate and advanced players. A full bed emphasizes power and comfort, while competitive players often combine it with polyester to create a hybrid that adds control and spin.
Players who are uncertain whether natural gut, multifilament or a hybrid will suit their game can use the Tennis String Finder to compare suitable options.
Babolat Touch VS Natural Gut Rating
| Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Power | 10/10 |
| Spin | 7.5/10 |
| Comfort | 10/10 |
| Control | 7.5/10 |
These ratings consider Touch VS within the complete tennis-string market. Its power, comfort and tension maintenance are exceptional, but a full bed does not provide the low-powered control or mechanical spin potential of performance polyester.
Babolat Touch VS Natural Gut Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| String type | Natural gut |
| Raw material | Processed natural collagen fibers derived from cow intestine |
| Construction | Twisted natural fibers bonded with dried collagen |
| Shape | Round finished profile |
| Surface | Protective lacquered finish |
| Common gauges | 17 / 1.25mm, 16 / 1.30mm and 15L / 1.35mm |
| Colors | Natural and black, depending on gauge and market |
| Full-set length | Approximately 12m |
| Half-set length | Approximately 6m |
| Made in | France |
Gauge, color and package availability can vary between regions. The 1.30mm version is the most common all-round option.
Material and Construction
Babolat Touch VS is made from natural cow-gut fibers. The usable material comes from collagen-rich layers within the intestine, which are cleaned, divided into strips, twisted together, dried and finished into tennis string.
Babolat originally used sheep gut for its earliest strings. The company states that its natural-gut strings have been produced from cow gut since the 1960s. Despite the historical term “catgut,” cats have never been used to produce Babolat strings.
Collagen gives the fibers their exceptional elasticity. The string can stretch at impact, store energy and return toward its original length efficiently. This creates the power, comfort and ball pocketing associated with natural gut.
The twisted-fiber construction also contributes to tension maintenance. Unlike polyester, which gradually loses elasticity while remaining intact, natural gut can retain a responsive and playable character for an extended period.
Touch VS receives a protective lacquered surface finish. This makes the finished string smoother and provides some protection against friction and environmental moisture.
The coating does not make natural gut waterproof. Prolonged exposure to rain, excessive humidity or improper storage can still damage the fibers.
Older Touch VS packaging and retailer descriptions may refer to Thermogut finishing and BT7 layering. These names were used to describe protective finishing and a reinforced fiber arrangement. Babolat’s current product information instead focuses on twisted natural fibers, collagen elasticity and its lacquered finish.
Babolat Touch VS Natural Gut Performance
Power
Power is one of the defining characteristics of Touch VS. Its natural elasticity allows the string to return a large amount of energy to the ball, producing pace and depth without requiring maximum swing speed.
Independent evaluations have placed Touch VS among the most powerful tennis strings available. This makes it suitable for players with compact or moderate swings who want help producing depth.
The string can also benefit advanced players, but its power must be managed. Fast swingers using powerful rackets may experience excessive depth or a higher launch when using Touch VS throughout the entire stringbed.
Control can be adjusted through gauge, tension or a hybrid arrangement. The thicker 1.35mm version provides a slightly more controlled response, while a polyester cross can reduce some of the full bed’s liveliness.
Power rating: 10/10.
Spin
Touch VS provides good spin for a natural-gut string, but a full bed does not generate the same mechanical bite as a shaped polyester.
Its elasticity and initial surface smoothness allow the strings to move and return toward position. This can support topspin and slice when combined with sufficient racket-head speed.
As the protective finish wears, the strings may begin sticking out of position. Fraying and increased friction can reduce snapback even while the gut retains its power and comfort.
Spin performance can improve significantly when Touch VS is placed in the mains with a smooth polyester cross. The gut mains provide elasticity and response, while the firmer crosses help control launch and support string movement.
Players wanting maximum shaped-string spin will normally prefer polyester. Touch VS instead provides a balanced spin response combined with considerably greater power and comfort.
Spin rating: 7.5/10.
Control
Touch VS provides good directional control through its ball pocketing, feel and exceptional tension maintenance. The stringbed remains responsive and predictable for longer than many synthetic alternatives.
However, its high power can reduce control for aggressive players using a complete natural-gut setup. Players accustomed to low-powered polyester may initially send the ball deeper than expected.
Touch VS can tolerate a firmer stringbed without becoming as uncomfortable as polyester. This gives players greater freedom to adjust tension within their racket’s approved range when seeking a lower launch and more controlled response.
A hybrid is another effective solution. Touch VS mains with polyester crosses retain much of the gut’s feel while adding control and spin. Polyester mains with Touch VS crosses create an even more control-oriented result.
Control rating: 7.5/10.
Comfort and Feel
Comfort and feel are Touch VS’s greatest strengths. The natural collagen fibers stretch easily during impact and reduce the rigid response associated with polyester monofilaments.
The string combines a soft impact with clear feedback. Unlike some soft synthetic strings that can feel heavily muted, natural gut can provide cushioning without disconnecting the player from the ball.
Ball pocketing is particularly noticeable on volleys, drop shots, slices and controlled groundstrokes. Its elasticity also helps the stringbed remain responsive on slower or off-center contact.
Touch VS can reduce stringbed stiffness compared with polyester, but it should not be presented as a treatment for tennis elbow or another injury. Players experiencing persistent pain should stop playing and seek advice from an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Comfort rating: 10/10.
Durability and Tension Maintenance
Touch VS’s physical durability depends heavily on the player, gauge, racket, string pattern, playing surface and weather conditions.
Natural gut can begin fraying before it breaks. Visible fibers do not automatically mean that the string has lost its playability. Touch VS may continue providing power, comfort and feel while showing substantial surface wear.
Frequent string breakers and heavy topspin players may wear through Touch VS quickly, particularly in open string patterns. Sand and clay particles can also become trapped between the strings and accelerate abrasion.
The 1.35mm version provides the greatest physical resistance. The 1.25mm version offers more feel and response but has less material available to resist notching and fraying.
Tension maintenance is a separate characteristic, and this is where Touch VS excels. Natural gut retains tension and elasticity considerably better than most polyester and multifilament strings.
A player who does not break Touch VS may receive a long period of useful performance. In a hybrid, the polyester component may lose elasticity and control before the natural gut breaks.
The string should be replaced when it breaks, becomes severely damaged or produces an inconsistent response. In a hybrid, replacement may also be necessary when the polyester has become unresponsive, even if the gut remains intact.
The guide explaining how often to change strings on a tennis racket provides additional replacement guidance.
Choosing the Right Gauge
Touch VS is commonly available in three gauges. Each version changes the balance of power, feel, control and physical durability.
| Gauge | Expected characteristics | Best suited for |
|---|---|---|
| 17 / 1.25mm | Maximum feel, response and power with the lowest break resistance | Touch-focused players, dense patterns and players who rarely break strings |
| 16 / 1.30mm | Balanced power, comfort, control and durability | Most full-bed and hybrid users |
| 15L / 1.35mm | Greater stability, control and physical durability with slightly less response | Frequent string breakers, open patterns and powerful rackets |
The 1.30mm version is the most balanced starting point. It preserves the defining characteristics of natural gut while providing greater resistance to wear than the thinner 1.25mm version.
The 1.25mm version prioritizes feel, elasticity and response. It is most suitable for players who rarely break strings or use a relatively dense string pattern.
The 1.35mm version provides greater physical durability and a more controlled response. It can be particularly useful in powerful rackets, open string patterns and hybrids where the gut experiences substantial friction.
Full Bed or Hybrid Setup?
Full Bed
A full bed of Touch VS maximizes power, comfort, feel and tension maintenance. This arrangement allows the natural fibers to influence the entire stringbed.
It is suitable for beginners and recreational players who want accessible depth, as well as experienced all-court and doubles players who prioritize touch and comfort.
Advanced players can also use a full bed, but the high power level may require a more controlled racket, thicker gauge or tension adjustment. Heavy topspin players may prefer the spin and durability of a hybrid.
A full bed provides the softest Touch VS configuration. It also avoids the sawing friction that can occur when natural gut is combined with a firm or shaped polyester.
Touch VS in the Mains with Polyester Crosses
Using Touch VS in the mains allows the natural gut to have the greatest influence on the response. The setup retains high power, comfort, feel and tension maintenance while the polyester crosses add control and spin.
This arrangement can provide strong snapback while the surfaces remain smooth. The natural-gut mains slide across the firmer crosses and return toward position after contact.
A smooth, round polyester cross can reduce abrasion against the gut. Shaped polyester can also be used, but its edges may increase wear depending on the string, tension and playing style.
A string such as Babolat RPM Blast will create a firmer and more spin-oriented result. A round polyester cross generally produces a smoother interaction and may help protect the gut.
This is a premium option for intermediate and advanced players who want more control than a full bed without giving up the defining feel of natural gut.
Polyester Mains with Touch VS Crosses
Using polyester in the mains creates a more control-oriented and durable response. The polyester mains have the greatest influence, emphasizing spin, control and resistance to movement.
Touch VS in the crosses adds power, comfort and feel compared with a full bed of polyester. Babolat offers Touch VS in this configuration as part of its prepackaged RPM Blast hybrid.
This arrangement does not provide as much natural-gut character as placing Touch VS in the mains. The gut crosses also experience substantial friction from the polyester mains and may begin fraying.
Polyester mains with gut crosses suit aggressive players who want to preserve a predominantly polyester response while making the stringbed livelier and more comfortable.
General Tension Guidance
Touch VS should always be installed within the tension range recommended by the racket manufacturer.
Natural gut can remain elastic and comfortable at a firmer tension than polyester. Players using it in a complete stringbed can therefore begin around the middle of the approved range and adjust according to launch, depth and control.
A lower position within the range provides easier depth, a higher launch and a softer response. A higher position creates a firmer stringbed, lowers the launch and helps manage Touch VS’s substantial power.
Players switching from polyester should not automatically use the same tension. The two materials have very different elasticity, power and tension-loss characteristics.
Hybrid arrangements may require different tensions for the mains and crosses. The appropriate difference depends on which material is placed in each direction, the racket and the desired response.
Natural gut must be installed carefully to avoid kinks, crushing and excessive friction. Players without experience stringing natural gut should use a qualified stringer.
The Tennis String Tension Calculator can provide an individualized starting range.
Who Should Use Babolat Touch VS?
Touch VS is best suited for:
- Players seeking maximum power and comfort
- Players who value touch, feel and ball pocketing
- Beginners and recreational players with compact or moderate swings
- Intermediate players seeking easy depth
- All-court and doubles players
- Players who rarely break strings
- Players who want excellent tension maintenance
- Advanced players building a natural-gut and polyester hybrid
- Players who find a full bed of polyester unnecessarily firm
- Players willing to pay for premium performance and long playability
- Players using dense string patterns or control-oriented rackets
Touch VS can accommodate a wide range of playing levels. The correct gauge, tension and configuration are more important than the player’s level alone.
Who Should Avoid Babolat Touch VS?
Touch VS may not be suitable for:
- Players shopping on a limited string budget
- Frequent string breakers
- Heavy topspin players using very open string patterns
- Players seeking maximum shaped-polyester spin
- Players wanting a low-powered, extremely firm response
- Players who regularly play in rain or wet conditions
- Players who do not store their rackets away from moisture and extreme heat
- Inexperienced home stringers
- Vegan players or anyone avoiding animal-derived products
Players who frequently break natural gut may receive better value from polyester, a reinforced multifilament or a hybrid using the gut in the crosses.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Exceptional power and energy return | Power can be difficult to control in lively rackets |
| Maximum comfort | Not a medical treatment for existing injuries |
| Outstanding feel and ball pocketing | Expensive compared with synthetic strings |
| Excellent tension maintenance | Lower break resistance than polyester |
| Long useful playability when it does not break | Can fray and notch with heavy spin |
| Suitable for all playing levels | Sensitive to moisture and improper storage |
| Performs well at firmer tensions | Requires careful installation |
| Excellent in premium hybrid setups | Full-bed spin is below shaped polyester |
| Three useful gauge options | Animal-derived construction |
| Protective lacquered finish | Surface protection does not make it waterproof |
Babolat Touch VS Compared With Other Strings
Babolat Touch VS vs Luxilon Natural Gut
Luxilon Natural Gut is designed with a firm, coated response that works particularly well in performance hybrids.
Touch VS provides a more traditionally elastic natural-gut response with greater power, softness and ball pocketing. Luxilon Natural Gut generally feels crisper and more controlled.
Choose Touch VS for maximum power, comfort and classic natural-gut feel. Choose Luxilon Natural Gut for a firmer response and a hybrid-focused surface treatment.
Babolat Touch VS vs Tecnifibre X-One Biphase
Tecnifibre X-One Biphase is a premium multifilament designed to reproduce some of natural gut’s power, comfort and feel.
X-One Biphase is considerably less expensive and more resistant to environmental moisture. It provides strong power and comfort without using animal-derived material.
Touch VS remains more elastic and responsive. It also provides superior tension maintenance and a more distinctive combination of soft impact and connected feel.
Choose X-One Biphase for a premium synthetic alternative. Choose Touch VS when maximum performance and tension maintenance justify the additional cost.
Babolat Touch VS vs Wilson NXT
Wilson NXT is a comfortable multifilament suitable for beginners, recreational players and anyone seeking easy power.
NXT is more affordable and requires less environmental care. However, it does not maintain tension or responsiveness as effectively as premium natural gut.
Touch VS provides greater elasticity, more consistent long-term playability and a more connected response. NXT remains the more practical choice for players who do not want the cost or maintenance requirements of natural gut.
Babolat Touch VS vs Babolat RPM Blast
Babolat RPM Blast sits at the opposite end of Babolat’s performance range.
RPM Blast is a firm, shaped co-polyester that prioritizes spin, control and physical durability. Touch VS prioritizes power, comfort, feel and tension maintenance.
Fast, spin-focused players may prefer RPM Blast throughout the stringbed. Players seeking premium all-round performance can combine the two materials in a hybrid.
Final Verdict
Babolat Touch VS remains one of the benchmark natural-gut tennis strings. Its combination of power, comfort, feel and tension maintenance is difficult for synthetic materials to reproduce.
The natural collagen fibers provide exceptional elasticity and energy return. This makes Touch VS suitable for players with compact swings, while its feel and tension stability also make it valuable to advanced competitors.
Its main weaknesses are price, sensitivity to moisture and physical wear. Heavy topspin players and frequent string breakers may not receive enough longevity from a full bed to justify the cost.
The current product should be described through its twisted cow-gut fibers, collagen construction and protective lacquered finish. Thermogut and BT7 can be acknowledged as terminology found on older packaging, but they should not be presented as the only explanation for the current string’s performance.
The 1.30mm version provides the best overall balance for most players. The 1.25mm version emphasizes feel and response, while the 1.35mm version improves stability and break resistance.
Touch VS is an excellent full-bed option for players prioritizing power and comfort. It is also one of the strongest premium hybrid options for advanced players who want to combine natural-gut feel with polyester control and spin.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Babolat Touch VS made from?
Touch VS is made from natural collagen fibers derived from cow intestine. The fibers are processed, twisted together, dried and finished with a protective lacquer.
Is Touch VS made from cats?
No. Babolat has never used cat intestines to manufacture its strings.
The term “catgut” is historical and does not describe the animal source. Babolat states that its modern natural-gut strings are made from cow gut.
Is Touch VS a multifilament?
No. Touch VS is natural gut, not a synthetic multifilament.
Both materials use multiple fibers, but Touch VS uses animal-derived collagen. Multifilament strings use synthetic fibers such as polyamide.
Is Babolat Touch VS powerful?
Yes. Touch VS is one of the most powerful tennis strings available because its natural fibers provide exceptional elasticity and energy return.
Players using powerful rackets may need to manage this response through gauge, tension or a hybrid setup.
Is Babolat Touch VS comfortable?
Touch VS provides exceptional comfort and a soft impact response. It is considerably more elastic than polyester and remains comfortable across a broad tension range.
It can reduce stringbed stiffness, but it should not be treated as a cure for tennis elbow or another injury.
Does Touch VS provide good spin?
A full bed provides good spin but normally less than shaped polyester. Its spin performance depends on technique, racket-head speed, surface condition and string movement.
Touch VS mains with polyester crosses can produce considerably stronger spin and snapback.
Does Touch VS maintain tension well?
Yes. Tension maintenance is one of its greatest strengths. Touch VS generally retains tension and useful elasticity longer than polyester and most multifilaments.
Is Touch VS durable?
Its physical durability depends heavily on the player and setup. Flat hitters and players using dense patterns may receive a long lifespan, while heavy topspin players can break it much faster.
Fraying is normal and does not automatically mean that the string has lost its playability.
Which Touch VS gauge should I choose?
Choose 1.25mm for maximum feel and response, 1.30mm for balanced performance, or 1.35mm for greater stability and resistance to breakage.
The 1.30mm version is the most practical starting point for most players.
Can Touch VS be used in a full bed?
Yes. A full bed maximizes comfort, power, feel and tension maintenance.
Players with fast swings or powerful rackets may need to manage its liveliness through tension, gauge or racket selection.
Should Touch VS be placed in the mains or crosses?
Touch VS in the mains produces more natural-gut power, comfort and feel. Polyester crosses add control and spin.
Polyester in the mains creates a firmer, more control-oriented response. Touch VS crosses then add some comfort, feel and power.
Can Touch VS get wet?
Its lacquered finish provides limited environmental protection, but natural gut should not be considered waterproof.
Avoid playing with it in rain and store the racket away from prolonged moisture, excessive heat and rapid temperature changes.
Does Touch VS still use Thermogut and BT7?
Thermogut and BT7 appear on older packaging and retailer descriptions. Babolat’s current product information does not prominently use those names.
Current official information describes Touch VS through its twisted natural fibers, collagen elasticity, tension maintenance and lacquered finish.
Is Touch VS suitable for vegan players?
No. Touch VS is an animal-derived product made from cow intestine. Players avoiding animal materials should choose a synthetic multifilament or another non-gut alternative.
Is Babolat Touch VS worth the price?
It can provide good value for players who rarely break strings because its tension and useful playability can last significantly longer than many synthetic strings.
Frequent string breakers may receive better value from a hybrid, thicker gauge or synthetic alternative.