Regarding the methodology: Each test player tested all 5 KIZUNA strings on his own rackets with the tension level of his personal preference. These ranged from 22 lbs to 26.5 lbs. As always with BADLAB, the test criteria were not just any laboratory measurements, but the personal impression of each individual string on every tester own racket. As usual over several weeks in a long-term test. Since we don't make our tests for professional players, but for ambitious recreational players, our testers are a well-mixed team of highly ambitious amateur players from lower leagues.

The character of each string was rated according to 8 criteria on a scale from 1 (does not apply) to 5 (fully applies). The maximum rating is therefore a 5. Let's start with the hard facts:

Evaluation: The KIZUNA Z58 Premium / Medium - 0.58 mm has received special attention from our testers due to its status as the thinnest string in the world. It exceeded all expectations and was the only string to achieve the unanimous top value of 5.0 in 3 categories - namely for "good feel (touch / feedback)", for "control during short play" and nothing else to be expected in the categories: "Sound". In the other disciplines, too, the KIZUNA Z58 only just missed the maximum values. But the weak point of extremely thin strings also came to light in the evaluation of “controlled power transmission with hard smashes”. Nevertheless, an impressive 3.8 was scored here. We can recommend this string to all players for whom good feedback and feel (with an incomparable sound!) is more important than extreme durability.

Evaluation: The KIZUNA D61 Duratech / Hard - 0.61 mm is technically and optically probably the most striking string in the KIZUNA string test. The KIZUNA D61 Duratech is a two-tone, ring-shaped twisted string in which Teflon has been processed. Our testers see the advantages of this slightly rough string in it´s grip, which enables very good "control in short play" and "controlled defense in underhand play". Apparat from that, the advantages of this very hard string are probably more important for very good players than for ambitious amateur players like most of our testers.

Evaluation: The KIZUNA Z63 X Premium / Medium - 0.63 mm achieved above average values ​​in almost all reviews. It is therefore no wonder that the KIZUNA 63 X is one of the top sellers of the KIZUNA string series in Asia. In our test results, there is no question that the string delivers a rich sound. It is rated 4.0 points, as is the very “good control in short play”. But the particular strength of the KIZUNA 63 X is it´s "rich, controlled power transmission for hard smashes" with a peak value of 4.2. An absolute top string that we can recommend to every type of player.

Evaluation: The KIZUNA Z65 Premium / Medium - 0.65 mm has emerged as a solid all-rounder in our test. The average values ​​are above the mean value for all test criteria. With top values ​​of 4 points each, the KIZUNA Z65 receives positive feedback, especially for "good feel" and "good length with clears".

Evaluation: The KIZUNA Z69 Premium / Soft - 0.69 mm is the thickest string in the KIZUNA series but nevertheless rates far above average in all test criteria. A particular strength of this string for our testers is its "long-lasting elasticity" and its "good length for clears". But the “full, controlled power transmission for hard smashes” was also given an impressive value by our testers, making this string a perfect all-rounder. The KIZUNA Z69 is also very forgiving when hitting off-center. Of course, this goes hand in hand with a few compromises in terms of sensitivity. Nevertheless: A real insider tip amongst the durable strings!

Conclusion: KIZUNA offers a very interesting range of badminton strings with a wide variety of characters - and from our point of view has rightly developed into one of the most popular string manufacturers in Asia in the amateur sector in recent years.

This test again shows that the choice of the “right” string is extremely individual. And that generally the choice of the string largely determines the character of a racket. Yes, it’s worth experimenting with strings! With this in mind, we recommend that you really look at the tables above in detail – although three strings particularly stood out for our testers: The KIZUNA Z58 is our top recommendation for every badminton player who wants to find out how the feel and the sound of your racket improve with a very thin string. For the highly demanding all-rounder, we recommend the KIZUNA Z63 X. And the KIZUNA Z69 is our new insider tip amongst the durable strings - especially for those who play with nylon balls.

KIZUNA is currently looking for a distributor in Europe / Germany. For all those who can't wait until then, here is a link to the Indian KIZUNA distributor.

Note: As always, the free "stringster" app was also used in this test to check the work of our stringers - and to
observe the loss of tension of the individual strings during the test. By the way, hundreds of thousands of badminton players around the world make use of this option. That’s probably why the “stringster” 1.3.0 update with pre-stretch function is available in the Apple App Store since the beginning of November.

NEWS 2022: KIZUNA has released a new string, here in the BADLAB test KIZUNA D66 Lusty Duratech 0,66 mm