Oliver Squash String Test
Posted 21st April 2025
Oliver is a racket sports equipment manufacturer founded in 1938 that has established itself worldwide as one of the top brands for badminton and squash rackets. Oliver also offers a range of badminton and squash strings.
We recently play-tested three squash strings produced by Oliver:
- MX1-F8
- SQ-X5
- SQ-X9
From left to right: MX1-F8, SQ-X9 and SQ-X5
For the test, three identical Dunlop Evolution Pro 120 rackets were strung at the same tension (26 lbs). The rackets weigh 120 g (unstrung) and are head light, with a standard 14x18 string pattern and a head size of 490 sq. cm. The only difference between the rackets (aside from the grip colours) was the string, allowing us to easily compare the relative performance of each string used in the test.
Three identical Dunlop squash rackets were strung with the Oliver strings
MX1-F8
The MX1-F8 is a low-cost multifilament synthetic string and comes in white. Oliver market the string with an emphasis on its durability – the gauge of 1.30mm is as thick as it gets for a squash string – and its high resilience, suggesting it will maintain its performance for longer than other strings. Oliver also claims the string has a ‘low stretch factor’, which it equates to giving precise ball control.
Racket strung with Oliver MX1-F8
Our verdict is that this string is a great choice for beginners and recreational players who perhaps value reliability and want a long-lasting, economic string while still looking to benefit from the playability of multifilament string technology. The cost of the MX1-F8 is very reasonable and similar to other ‘budget’ multifilament strings on the market.
For those squash players that compete at a higher level, the MX1-F8 is probably not recommended. Although it provided good power, we found it to be a little mushy and unresponsive – feedback from the strings felt very dampened, so the strings lacked in feel and touch on drop shots into the front of the court.
SQ-X5
The SQ-X5 is a braided synthetic string that comes in two colour options: green & black, and grey & black. Oliver claims that the SQ-X5 offers a ‘perfect combination of playability and durability’ with high tension stability. With a gauge of 1.25mm, the SQ-X5 is slightly thinner than the MX1-F8; squash strings with this gauge typically still provide high durability without compromising on performance, which can often be the case with thicker strings.
Racket strung with Oliver SQ-X5
We found that the SQ-X5 provided a good balance of power, control and feel. From the back of the court, the strings had a satisfying ‘pop’ from the sweet spot when hitting drives, which gave a sense of effortless power. The SQ-X5 was also more responsive than the MX1-F8 and had a sharper feel, which we felt makes it superior to the MX1-F8 and therefore more suited to intermediate and advanced players. The colour options and crossing pattern are quite unique and look great, and the price is also very competitive – the SQ-X5 is cheaper than most Ashaway and Tecnifibre strings – which for the impressive performance it offered, seems like a bargain. It is in fact slightly cheaper than Ashaway SuperNick XL, which we think is a comparable string in terms of performance (the SQ-X5 is identical in gauge but has a smoother coating compared with the SuperNick XL). For this reason, the SQ-X5 is our pick of the three strings we tested.
SQ-X9
The SQ-X9 features a multifilament co-polymer core with a titanium coating and comes in black. The SQ-X9 is the same gauge as the SQ-X5 and similarly marketed by Oliver with the claim of providing a perfect combination of playability and durability. Compared with the SQ-X5, however, the durability of the SQ-X9 is enhanced by the titanium coating and Oliver also highlights the string’s ball control – the textured surface is similar to the braided jackets of Ashaway strings, which helps create more bite on the ball. The SQ-X9 was used for several years on the international tour by Simon Rösner, the former world No. 3.
Racket strung with Oliver SQ-X9
We found that the SQ-X9 offered a crisp feel and was stiffer and less lively than the other two strings tested. It provided excellent ball control and the extra bite helped to cut the ball on volleys and drop shots at the front of the court. The SQ-X9 is not a cheap string, however, and features at the top end of the squash string price range, but is comparable in price to the premium Ashaway and Tecnifibre strings. We’d therefore recommend the string for higher level, all-court players that prioritise control over power in their choice of string.
Many thanks to Oliver Squash UK for providing the strings, and to the players at Nottingham Squash Rackets Club who participated in the play test.
