Yonex Nanogy 98 Badminton String

The Yonex Nanogy 98 (NBG95) is a premium, thin-gauge performance string engineered for players who crave effortless, high-speed power and smooth defensive maneuverability.

While its thicker counterpart, Nanogy 95 (0.69mm), focuses heavily on maximum durability, Nanogy 98 drops down to a slender 0.66 mm gauge. By infusing this thin structural baseline with advanced nanotechnology, Yonex managed to create a string that delivers elite repulsion and high clears while maintaining a longer lifespan than typical ultra-thin tournament filaments.

Core Construction & Technology

Nanogy 98 relies on an advanced coating matrix to minimize string friction and maximize elasticity:

1. Compound Cup-Stack Carbon Nanotube Coating: The outer layer of the string is integrated with a specialized nanotube composite. These microscopic structures are highly elastic, allowing the intersecting main and cross strings to slide effortlessly past one another rather than cutting or notching into each other. This drastically extends the string's life despite its thin profile.
2. 0.66 mm Thin Gauge Core: A slender diameter that significantly reduces wind resistance when cutting through the air. This thin multifilament nylon core optimizes elastic energy transfer upon hitting impact.

Playing Characteristics

1. Effortless Repulsion & Clears (9.5/10): This is the defining characteristic of Nanogy 98. It offers an incredibly active trampoline effect. Players who struggle to get deep, baseline-to-baseline clears or those trying to conserve energy during long matches will find that the string does a massive amount of the heavy lifting.
2. Exceptional Defense & Retrieval: Because the string bed is highly reactive, it excels at defensive counter-play. When absorbing a heavy smash, a simple, relaxed block or flick of the wrist is enough to send the shuttle deep back over the net into the opponent's court.
3. Sharp, Medium Feel: Officially categorized as a Medium feeling string, it balances a crisp, sharp response with a slightly plush, forgiving impact. It doesn't feel as brutally stiff or harsh on the arm as classic BG80, nor does it feel as soft and mushy as a thick utility string.
4. Enhanced Durability for its Gauge (7.5/10): Relative to other ultra-thin strings, Nanogy 98 is surprisingly durable. The carbon nanotube jacket shields the thin 0.66mm core from peeling or fraying early. However, it is still a thin performance string—it will not outlast heavy-gauge workhorses like BG65 or Nanogy 95 if you frequently mis-hit near the frame.

Who is it for?

1. Defensive & All-Round Players: Excellent for singles or doubles players who focus on tactical placement, quick midcourt drives, and defensive retrieval.
2. Players Seeking Effortless Power: If you want premium, crisp speed but lack the raw physical forearm strength or ultra-fast wrist snap required to activate stiff, hard-feeling strings (like BG80), Nanogy 98 provides immediate, accessible pace.

The Nanogy Family Dilemma: 95 vs. 98

1. Nanogy 95 (0.69mm): Built for the durability seeker. It feels slightly thicker and heavier, prioritizing structural longevity while adding a bit more snapback than basic nylon.
2. Nanogy 98 (0.66mm): Built for the speed and power seeker. It cuts air resistance, offering significantly faster repulsion and a lighter, livelier touch at the net, with a modest trade-off in absolute durability.

Specifications

• Color Options: Blue, Silver Grey, Cosmic Gold, Yellow.
• Gauge / Thickness: 0.66 mm.
• Length: Available in 10 m (single string) or 200 m (reel).
• Material Core: High-Intensity Nylon Multifilament.
• Recommended Tension: 19-24 lbs.
• Outer Coating: Compound Cup-Stack Carbon Nanotube Coating.
• Feel: Medium Feeling (Balanced, sharp yet steady feedback).
• Main Characteristic: High Repulsion Power & Effortless Clears.
• Country of Origin: Japan.