Prince Premier Touch is an exceptionally soft multifilament tennis string built from twisted polypropylene ribbons. Prince designed the structure to reproduce some of the ribbon-like organization associated with natural gut, giving the string a plush, highly elastic and muted response.
Within the Prince Premier family, Touch places comfort and pocketing ahead of control and spin. It is softer and more powerful than Premier Control, but its response is less crisp and less predictable for players who take very fast cuts at the ball.
Premier Touch targets beginners, recreational players, doubles players and anyone who prefers a deeply cushioned stringbed. It can also appeal to players moving away from firm polyester, provided they understand that no string can diagnose or treat an injury. The Tennis String Finder can help compare it with other soft options.
Prince Premier Touch Rating
| Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Power | 8.5/10 |
| Spin | 5.5/10 |
| Comfort | 9.5/10 |
| Control | 7/10 |
These ratings reflect the broader string market and align with the product’s priorities. Premier Touch excels in comfort and easy depth, while spin and control are secondary.
Prince Premier Touch Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| String type | Premium multifilament |
| Main material | Polypropylene ribbons |
| Construction | Spiraled and twisted ribbon bundles |
| Profile | Round and smooth |
| Common gauges | 16 / 1.30mm and 17 / 1.25mm, depending on availability |
| Common color | Clear or Natural |
| Set length | Approximately 12.2m |
| Reel length | Approximately 100m in some markets |
Premier Touch availability is limited in some regions, and package formats can differ. Buyers should verify the gauge and length shown by the retailer.
Material and Construction
Premier Touch is not a conventional nylon multifilament made from hundreds of very fine straight fibers. Its defining material is polypropylene formed into flat ribbons, which are spiraled and twisted together.
Prince developed this arrangement to resemble the twisted serosa ribbons found within natural gut. The comparison concerns structural inspiration, not material identity. Premier Touch remains a synthetic string and does not reproduce every performance property of natural gut.
Polypropylene is a low-density polymer that can produce a soft, dampened response. The ribbon bundles flex and pocket the ball, creating considerable dwell time and vibration absorption.
The finished string is round and smooth. It does not use shaped edges for ball bite, and its surface is not designed around the firm, low-friction snapback behavior of co-polyester. Spin must come primarily from technique, dwell time and ordinary string movement.
Prince Premier Touch Performance
Power
Premier Touch is a powerful string. Its flexible ribbon construction stretches readily at impact, helping players achieve depth without the long, fast swing required by a low-powered polyester.
Independent playtesting rated its power very highly. This makes it particularly useful for compact strokes, doubles exchanges and players whose priority is easier length rather than maximum control on full swings.
The response is not identical to natural gut. Natural gut combines high energy return with exceptional tension stability, while Premier Touch can feel softer and more muted as a synthetic ribbon string.
Players using powerful rackets or open patterns may need the thicker gauge or a modestly firmer reference to manage launch. Large tension increases can reduce the comfort that defines the product.
Power rating: 8.5/10
Spin
Spin is Premier Touch’s weakest area. The round profile lacks geometric edges, and the soft surface can notch as the mains and crosses move against one another.
Once notching develops, the mains may remain displaced instead of snapping back efficiently. This does not prevent topspin, but it places more responsibility on racket-head speed and swing path.
Independent playtesting found limited spin compared with modern co-polyester. The 17 / 1.25mm gauge can improve ball interaction slightly, but it also wears faster.
Players who use moderate topspin, slice and touch should find adequate versatility. Heavy-spin baseliners should consider a shaped polyester or a hybrid that adds a suitable spin-oriented main.
Spin rating: 5.5/10
Control
Premier Touch provides functional control at moderate swing speeds. Its long dwell time can help with touch, drop shots and placement when the player values pocketing.
Control becomes more demanding as swing speed rises. The highly elastic response can create a higher launch and more depth than an advanced player expects, particularly in a powerful racket.
The muted feel may also reduce the direct feedback some players use to judge contact. Those who prefer a firmer, more connected response are likely to find Premier Control easier to target.
Control can decline after tension loss and permanent string movement. Gauge, pattern and reference tension should be selected to manage the lively response without eliminating comfort.
Control rating: 7/10
Comfort and Feel
Comfort is Premier Touch’s defining strength. Tennis Warehouse playtesting gave it an exceptionally high comfort score, reflecting its soft ribbon construction and deep pocketing.
The sensation is plush, dampened and noticeably muted. Some players will appreciate the reduced impact feedback, while others may consider it less connected than a crisp synthetic gut or natural gut.
The string can be a useful option for players who dislike the firmness of polyester. It should not be described as protection against injury, and persistent elbow, wrist or shoulder pain requires evaluation beyond a string choice.
Players seeking maximum softness should consider a full bed. A firmer hybrid component will change the feel and can increase wear at the intersections.
Comfort rating: 9.5/10
Durability and Tension Maintenance
Premier Touch has moderate physical durability for an extremely soft multifilament. The twisted ribbons can withstand normal recreational play, but repeated friction causes surface wear, notching and eventual separation.
The 16 / 1.30mm version provides the best resistance. The thinner gauge offers more sensitivity but is a poor choice for frequent string breakers or very open patterns.
Physical durability must be separated from playability duration. The string can remain unbroken after tension loss and permanent movement make the launch less predictable.
Independent evaluation found respectable playability duration for such a soft string, but it does not match natural gut’s combination of elasticity and long-term tension stability. Replace it when notching is deep, response becomes inconsistent or strings require frequent straightening.
Choosing the Right Gauge
Gauge affects both the plush response and the string’s ability to resist wear.
| Gauge | General characteristics |
|---|---|
| 16 / 1.30mm | Greater stability, resistance and launch control |
| 17 / 1.25mm | Greater pocketing and sensitivity, with faster wear |
Most players should begin with 16 / 1.30mm. The thinner version is best reserved for dense patterns, occasional players or those who rarely break strings.
Full Bed or Hybrid Setup
Full Bed
A full bed maximizes Premier Touch’s softness, power and muted pocketing. It is the clearest choice for beginners and recreational players who do not need polyester control.
The thicker gauge can keep the response more stable. Players should assess launch before making large tension changes.
Prince Premier Touch in the Mains With Softer Crosses
Premier Touch is already among the softest synthetic options. Natural-gut crosses could add resilience and tension stability, but the cost is high and the improvement may not justify using gut away from the mains.
A soft multifilament cross creates an extremely plush all-multifilament hybrid. This is useful only when the player wants to blend subtle differences in feel or use available half sets.
Softer Mains With Prince Premier Touch in the Crosses
Natural gut mains with Premier Touch crosses emphasize natural-gut power and feel while using a softer, less expensive cross. The ribbon cross may notch and restrict main-string movement over time.
Premier Touch can also soften a polyester-main hybrid. That setup adds control and spin relative to a full bed, but the polyester can cut into the ribbons and the overall response remains firmer.
General Tension Guidance
Premier Touch can start near the middle of the racket manufacturer’s recommended nylon range. Its high elasticity means players should not copy a low polyester reference without considering the change in launch.
Players prioritizing maximum depth and pocketing can move modestly lower. Those who need more control can increase slightly, use 16 / 1.30mm or choose a less powerful string.
Open patterns and powerful frames amplify the lively response. Dense patterns can make the thinner gauge more practical and may benefit from a modest reduction.
Use the Tennis String Tension Calculator as a starting point, then adjust in small steps within the frame manufacturer’s approved range.
Who Should Use Prince Premier Touch?
Premier Touch is best suited to:
- Beginners and recreational players seeking easy depth
- Players who prioritize a very soft, muted stringbed
- Doubles players who value pocketing and touch
- Players moving away from full polyester
- Players with compact or moderate swing speeds
- Occasional string breakers who want premium multifilament comfort
Who Should Avoid Prince Premier Touch?
Premier Touch is less suitable for:
- Heavy topspin players who break strings frequently
- Advanced hitters seeking a firm, low-powered response
- Players who want maximum snapback and geometric bite
- Players who dislike muted feedback
- Users expecting natural-gut tension stability
- Players who need a highly abrasion-resistant polyester hybrid cross
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Exceptional comfort | Limited spin specialization |
| Easy access to power and depth | Can launch too lively for fast swings |
| Deep ball pocketing | Muted feel will not suit everyone |
| Ribbon structure inspired by natural gut | Moderate resistance to notching |
| Useful for compact swings | Strings may remain displaced with wear |
| Suitable as a soft hybrid component | Less tension stability than natural gut |
Prince Premier Touch Compared With Other Strings
Premier Touch vs Prince Premier Control
Prince Premier Control uses three central cores to limit excessive stretch. Premier Touch is softer and more powerful, while Premier Control provides firmer feedback and a more predictable launch.
Premier Touch vs Prince Premier Power
Prince Premier Power uses more than 900 flexible fibers and also emphasizes power and comfort. Premier Touch has a more muted ribbon-based response, while Premier Power feels more like a conventional premium multifilament.
Premier Touch vs Wilson NXT
Wilson NXT uses bonded nylon fibers and offers a more familiar premium-multifilament balance. NXT is crisper and more versatile, while Premier Touch prioritizes maximum softness.
Premier Touch vs Luxilon Natural Gut
Luxilon Natural Gut uses genuine serosa fibers and provides superior tension stability, feel and broad performance. Premier Touch borrows ribbon-structure inspiration but remains a less expensive synthetic alternative.
Final Verdict
Prince Premier Touch is a specialized comfort string. Its twisted polypropylene ribbons create an unusually plush, dampened response with easy power and deep pocketing.
That construction also defines its limitations. It is not designed for sharp geometric bite, firm polyester control or maximum resistance to notching. Advanced players with fast swings may find the launch too lively and the feedback too muted.
For beginners, doubles players and recreational users who prioritize softness over spin, Premier Touch remains distinctive. The 16 / 1.30mm gauge is the most practical starting point because it adds stability and physical resistance to an exceptionally elastic design.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Prince Premier Touch made from?
It is made from polypropylene ribbons that are spiraled and twisted into a multifilament string.
Is Premier Touch natural gut?
No. Its ribbon structure is inspired by aspects of natural gut, but Premier Touch is a synthetic string.
Is Premier Touch powerful?
Yes. It supplies easy depth and is one of the more powerful strings in the Prince Premier family.
Is Premier Touch comfortable?
Yes. Independent playtesting identified comfort as its strongest quality, with a very soft and muted response.
Does Premier Touch provide strong spin?
Spin is limited compared with shaped polyester. The round surface and eventual notching reduce specialized snapback.
Which gauge should most players choose?
The 16 / 1.30mm version offers the best balance of stability and physical durability. The 17 / 1.25mm version favors sensitivity.
Can Premier Touch be used with polyester?
Yes. It can soften a polyester hybrid, but the firmer string can accelerate wear and the setup will not feel as soft as a full bed.