Best Crossbow Strings and Cables 2026: 6 Sets Compared

A tired string will cost you speed, accuracy, and eventually safety, long before it looks worn out. I have learned to treat strings and cables as consumables, not lifetime parts, and to replace them on a schedule rather than waiting for a failure in the field.

The Short Answer

If you shoot a TenPoint, buy the TenPoint factory string, and read the warranty warning below before you buy anything else. TenPoint states that non-factory strings may void your warranty, so saving a few dollars on a third party string is a poor trade on a bow that cost you over a thousand dollars. If you shoot an Excalibur recurve, buy the Excalibur factory string for your model, because recurves have no cables and the job is simple. If you shoot a Ravin, buy the factory R190, R191, or R192 set, because it is string and cables in one factory kit. If you shoot anything else, 60X Custom Strings is my first custom pick, with Vapor Trail as the premium custom option. If you shoot a Barnett on a budget, the Blackheart string and split cables are the cheapest honest route, bought as separate parts. Whatever you buy, replace the string and cables together on a compound bow, and check your fit by model and part number before you order.

Comparison Table

Best OEM for TenPoint/Wicked Ridge: TenPoint Factory Replacement String

Type: String-only | Price: ~$40 | Fits: TenPoint and Wicked Ridge models, part number varies by model and serial number

I put this one first because it is the pick where getting it wrong costs the most. The TenPoint factory string is a string only. Cables are sold separately, at $65.99 to $120.99 depending on the model, so a full OEM set effectively runs about $105 to $160 once you add cables to the roughly $40 string.

The part number is the part that trips people up. It varies by model and, on the Viper S400, Turbo S1, and Stealth 450, by serial number as well. Do not order by bow name alone. Check the model and serial number on your bow, then match it against the TenPoint listing before you buy.

TenPoint does not publish the fibre material for this string. The company describes it as an optimum combination of materials and design, and I am not going to guess beyond that. What I can say is that the factory string is built to factory length, serving, and loop specification for each model, which is exactly what a narrow, high draw weight TenPoint needs. A string that is a fraction long or short changes timing, changes point of impact, and puts uneven load on the limbs.

Here is the warning, stated plainly and early. TenPoint states in its maintenance guide that non-factory strings may void your warranty. If your bow is still under warranty, that settles the argument. Buy the factory string. A custom string may shoot fine once a bow is out of warranty, but I would not risk warranty cover on a premium bow to save twenty dollars.

Who this is for: any TenPoint or Wicked Ridge owner, and especially any owner whose bow is still under warranty. Horton owners should note that Horton is now under TenPoint, and Horton strings are sold through TenPoint’s shop at the same $40.99 price. Do not treat Horton as an independent brand when you are shopping for parts.

Bottom line: buy the factory string, confirm the part number by model and serial number, and budget for cables separately. On a TenPoint under warranty, there is no better option.

Check Price on Amazon

Best OEM for Excalibur Recurves: Excalibur Factory Replacement String

Type: String-only | Price: ~$35 | Fits: Excalibur Micro, Matrix, and Cub recurves

This is the simplest pick on the page. Excalibur recurves have no cables. There is no cable set to buy, no cable timing to set, and no press needed for a string change. You buy one string, you fit it, you check brace height, and you shoot.

The part numbers are straightforward. The Micro string is part number 1993, and it fits all Micro and DualFire series bows. The Matrix string is part number 1992, and it fits the Matrix 405, 380, 355, and 310, plus the Grizzly, GRZ2, and Bulldog 400, 380, 440, and 330. The Cub uses part number 2036.

The material is published and specific. This is a BCY DynaFlight 97 string, pre-twisted to factory specification, with proprietary centre serving. DynaFlight 97 is a proven recurve string fibre, and the factory pre-twist means you are starting from the brace height Excalibur intended.

Price is about $35, retailer verified, because Excalibur has no manufacturer shop price to quote. The Micro string was $36.99 at MidwayUSA and in stock, and other retailers have listed it at $29 to $33 on sale.

One trap to avoid: the Excalibur Standard string at $45.99 is a Dacron string for pre-2001 carved-tip models only. It was out of stock at Sportsman’s when checked, and it is not a substitute for a modern string. Do not put Dacron on a modern Excalibur.

Who this is for: any Excalibur recurve owner who wants the factory string at a fair price with no fuss. See our Excalibur reviews if you are still choosing between Micro and Matrix models, and our maintenance guide for string care between changes.

Bottom line: the factory Excalibur string is cheap, correct, and easy to fit. Buy the right part number, skip the Dacron trap, and keep a spare in your kit.

Check Price on Amazon

Best Full OEM Set: Ravin String and Cable Set

Type: Full set | Price: ~$130 | Fits: Ravin R9, R10, R10X, R15, R20, R29, R29X, R26, R26X, R5X, R500, R470

Ravin sells one factory kit with the string and cables together, built to work as a matched set. On a bow as narrow and as highly strung as a Ravin, that matched timing matters more than it does on a wider, more forgiving bow.

The kits are split by model family. The R190 fits the R9, R10, R10X, R15, R20, R29, and R29X. The R191 fits the R26, R26X, and R5X. The R192 fits the R500 and R470. The R193 is for the R18 only, so do not mix it in and do not buy it for any other Ravin.

Ravin does not publish the fibre material for these sets, so I will not invent one. What matters is that the string and cables in the kit are the factory lengths and the factory serving specification for your model. That is what keeps the cams in time and the point of impact where you left it.

Price is about $130 at MSRP, listed at $129.99, with street prices around $105 to $110. KY Gun Co listed a set at $105.54. That makes the Ravin set good value for a full factory set, because you are getting string and cables together for roughly what TenPoint charges for a string plus one cable.

Two warnings, and both are strict. First, Ravin replacement requires a Ravin Press only. Do not improvise with a generic press. Second, Ravin specifies a 400-shot replacement interval, which is stricter than the generic two year rule. If you shoot a lot, you will hit 400 shots well before two years.

Who this is for: any Ravin owner who wants the factory set without guessing at lengths or mixing brands. See our Ravin reviews for the models these kits cover, and our tuning walkthrough after you fit a new set.

Bottom line: buy the kit that matches your model family, have it fitted with a Ravin Press, and replace it at 400 shots or two years, whichever comes first.

Check Price on Amazon

Best Custom / Best for Any Model: 60X Custom Strings

Type: Custom, string-only or full set | Price: ~$40 string-only; ~$120 full set | Fits: Any model, made to order

If your bow is not a TenPoint, Excalibur, or Ravin, or if the factory part is hard to find, this is where I would start. 60X Custom Strings builds strings to order for just about any model, including the Barnett XP-380, Excalibur Matrix and Mag 340, Wicked Ridge, Rocky Mountain, TenPoint Titan, and Parker models.

You can buy string-only or a full set, and you should keep those two prices apart. String-only is about $40, at $39.95. A full set is about $120, at $119.95.

The materials are published where it counts. The Barnett XP-380 page verifies BCY D97, and 60X uses BCY 452X and Dyneema generally, with BCY braided centre serving. Those are modern, low creep fibres suited to compound crossbows. Crossbow strings carry a 30-day warranty from 60X, which is short but honest for a custom consumable.

Two notes on brands that no longer exist. Parker is out of business, but 60X still makes Parker strings at about $120 for a full set. That is useful if you own a Parker and thought you were stuck, but do not present Parker as a current brand, because it is not. Scorpyd closed in May 2026, and I have not included Scorpyd compatibility here.

Who this is for: anyone whose bow has no easy factory option, anyone who wants a custom build, and anyone who wants one maker who can cover several bows in the household. Lead time is the trade, because custom strings are made to order, so order before you need the string, not after yours fails.

Bottom line: the most versatile custom pick on this page. Order the string-only or the full set deliberately, confirm your model, and allow time for the build.

Check Price on Amazon

Best Budget Barnett Option: Blackheart Crossbow String + Split Cables

Type: String-only and cable-only, sold separately | Price: ~$30 string; ~$40 cables; ~$70 total | Fits: Barnett models, model-specific by length

This is the budget pick. Blackheart sells the string and the split cables separately, not as a bundled set, so you buy the string for about $30 and the cables for about $40, for about $70 in total. Retailer sale prices were $31.49 for strings and $38.99 for cables at Bud’s, which lines up with those round figures.

The catch is compatibility. Blackheart parts are model-specific by length, and you cannot guess. The string is 39.75 inches on the Ghost 375 and 38.875 inches on the Ghost 410, and the split cables are 21.5 inches on the Ghost 410 CRT. Match the listed length to your exact Barnett model before you order.

The materials are DuraWeave synthetic fibre with GlideLock centre serving. DuraWeave is Blackheart’s own synthetic fibre name, and GlideLock is its centre serving. I am not going to translate those trade names into a BCY equivalent, because the maker has not done so, and guessing would mislead you.

One stock warning: many Bud’s listings for Blackheart strings and cables showed out of stock on 2026-11-07. That may change by the time you read this, and it may vary by model and length, so re-check stock at publish time and at order time. A budget pick is only a bargain if you can actually buy it, and I would not plan a pre-season change around a part that is out of stock.

Who this is for: Barnett owners on a budget who are willing to do the homework on length and model. See our Barnett reviews for the models these parts cover, and read the compatibility finder below before you add anything to a cart.

Bottom line: the cheapest honest Barnett refresh, provided you match the length to your model and confirm stock before you plan around it.

Check Price on Amazon

Best Premium Custom / Speed Pick: Vapor Trail Custom Crossbow Strings

Type: Custom, full set or individual string/cable | Price: ~$160 full set; string-only from ~$40 | Fits: Any make and model, made to order

Vapor Trail is the premium custom pick. A full custom set is about $160, at $157.99 on the custom form. That is more than the 60X full set at about $120, and more than the Ravin factory set at about $130, so you should have a reason to pay it. The reason is the build: proprietary fibre blends with machine-tensioned serving, made to order for your exact bow.

I want to be precise about the fibre, because this is where shoppers get misled. Vapor Trail does not name a specific fibre, so do not claim BCY 452X for this string. The maker describes proprietary fibre blends and machine-tensioned serving, and that is all I will claim.

Ordering is by form. You enter the make, model, and lengths, and the form lists a Compound 5 Piece Set for Ravin, TenPoint, CenterPoint, and others. You can also buy an individual string or cable if that is all you need.

There are cheaper ways in. Clearance TenPoint sets were listed at $75, and a Fury 410 string-only was $40. Those are clearance and model-specific, so do not treat the $75 clearance price as the standard price. The standard full set is about $160.

Who this is for: the hunter who wants a premium custom build or has a bow with an unusual specification. If you are on a budget, 60X gives you a custom string for less.

Bottom line: pay the premium only if you want a premium custom build. For most hunters, 60X is enough, but Vapor Trail is the step up when you want it.

Check Price on Amazon

Honourable Mention

Winner’s Choice Custom strings use BCY-X fibre in a 32-strand build with Flex-Flite serving. I found no US crossbow price for them, so I list them as custom quote only. GAS Bowstrings makes a crossbow string and cable set at about $140 at Kenco Outfitters, a viable alternate, but several variants were sold out when checked, so confirm availability for your model.

String vs Cable: What Is What

The string runs from limb tip to limb tip, holds the nock, and drives the bolt forward when you pull the trigger. The cables run through the cams and pulleys on a compound bow, and they control cam timing, limb load, and let-off. They are under constant tension, they wear at the cable slide and the cam tracks, and they matter just as much as the string.

Recurves have no cables. An Excalibur recurve is a string and two limbs, and nothing else in the power train. That is why the Excalibur pick above is string-only, and why it needs no press. Compounds need both, because the cams need cables to function. That is why the Ravin pick is a full set, and why the TenPoint and Blackheart picks sell string and cables separately.

Replace both together on a compound bow. A new string on old cables will not hold timing, because the old cables have already stretched and worn. An old string on new cables is the same problem in reverse.

OEM vs Custom: How to Choose

Choose OEM when warranty, fit, and simplicity matter most. A factory string or set is built to the exact length and serving specification for your model, it keeps your warranty intact where the maker requires factory parts, and it removes guesswork. That is why I recommend OEM for TenPoint, Excalibur, and Ravin owners, especially while the bow is under warranty.

Choose custom when the factory part is hard to find, when you own a discontinued brand, or when you want a specific fibre or build. Custom makers like 60X and Vapor Trail can build for almost any bow, including Parker models that have no factory support left. The trade is lead time, because custom strings are made to order, and the need to supply the correct model and specification yourself.

Creep is permanent stretch under load. A string that creeps changes brace height, changes timing, and changes point of impact over time. Modern fibres like D97, 452X, and BCY-X are chosen because they creep very little. Dacron creeps a lot, which is one reason it does not belong on a modern compound. Re-zeroing after a string change is normal, not a sign of a bad string.

When to Replace Your String and Cables

Do not look for one blended number here, because the makers do not agree, and blending them would mislead you. TenPoint specifies two years. Ravin specifies two years or 400 shots, whichever comes first. 60X specifies 1,000 shots or two years. Other sources quoted 200 to 300 shots at the low end and 800 to 1,000 shots at the high end, and one to two years as a general range. Those numbers conflict because bows, fibres, and shooting volumes differ. Your manual wins over any general rule, and the earlier limit wins when your maker gives you two.

Replace sooner if you see warning signs, whatever the calendar says. Frayed or separated serving, especially at the centre serving where the rail and latch wear it, is the most common sign. Broken strands, a fuzzy string, visible nicks or cuts, a brace height that keeps dropping, cams that will not stay in time, or a point of impact that drifts without explanation are all reasons to stop shooting and inspect. A string that fails under full draw can damage the bow and injure the shooter.

Storage and care stretch the interval, but they do not remove it. Keep the string waxed, keep the rail lubed where your manual calls for it, store the bow uncocked in a cool dry place, and inspect the serving every time you shoot. For more on care between changes, see our crossbow care guide and our bolt guide.

Material Guide

Dacron is for old bows only. It is a soft, stretchy fibre suited to wood limbs, steel cable bows, and pre-2001 carved-tip models like the early Excaliburs that used the Standard string. It is forgiving on old limbs, but it creeps, it stretches, and it robs speed on a modern bow. Do not put Dacron on a modern compound or a modern recurve.

BCY D97 is a proven modern fibre for crossbows, verified here on the 60X Barnett XP-380 string. It is low creep, durable, and well suited to compound strings and cables. BCY 452X is a step up in the same family, a Dyneema and Vectran blend used widely in custom crossbow strings for low creep and high strength. BCY-X is the newer blend in that line, used by Winner’s Choice in a 32-strand build. If a maker names no fibre, as TenPoint, Ravin, and Vapor Trail do not, do not invent one for them.

BCY DynaFlight 97 is the Excalibur factory fibre, specific to recurves. It is a proven recurve string fibre, pre-twisted to factory specification, and it is the right material for the bows it was built for.

Centre serving is the part that wears first, whatever the fibre underneath. Look for braided centre serving, like the BCY braided serving on 60X strings or the GlideLock serving on Blackheart strings, and inspect it regularly. Serving wear is normal, but once the strands underneath are damaged, re-serving will not save it.

Compatibility Finder

Check your bow’s model and serial number before you order. Part numbers and lengths are the only safe match.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related: our top-rated lubes and waxes guide covers what keeps a fresh string alive, and our best nocks guide covers the other end of the bolt.

Browse Crossbow Strings and Cables on Amazon