The Dunlop Tortex review you are reading is about the orange .60mm, the pick that most players eventually settle on. It solves the tension between wanting a strumming pick that bends and a picking pick that holds. For six dollars for a dozen, it is the best introduction to serious pick buying you can get. Yes, the Dunlop Tortex .60mm Picks are worth it.
Excellent value for a trusted brand with consistent performance.
Price vs. rivals
Typical
CheaperTypicalPricier
Priced comparably to other standard 12-packs of similar picks, typical for the category.
Ease of use
Excellent 95/100
A standard guitar pick is extremely simple to hold and use, requiring no setup or instructions.
Overview – A Dunlop Tortex Review
The material is Tortex, which feels waxy when new and dries into a confident grip. The .60mm gauge is the thinnest of the medium picks, giving you a flexible feel that strummers love. This is a pick for rhythm guitarists who want a full tone without a harsh attack.
If you play a lot of lead guitar or need a rigid surface for fast alternate picking, this is not your pick. But for the songwriter, the strummer, or the garage band rhythm player, it is hard to beat.
Key Features – Dunlop Tortex Review
.60mm Gauge: This Dunlop Tortex .60mm thickness is the finest of the “medium” picks. It bends like a thin pick but springs back fast enough for articulate single-note runs.
Tortex Material: Dunlop’s signature polyetherimide. It wears down slowly and evenly. The Dunlop Tortex pick durability is a huge selling point compared to brittle celluloid or floppy nylon.
Low-Noise Profile: The matte finish cuts string squeak. You do not hear the pick, you hear the note. This matters more than most players admit.
Standard 351 Shape: A pointed tip with slightly beveled edges. Works for almost every style. No fancy contours, no sticky grips. Just the basics, done right.
Fit for You – The .60mm in the Real World
You like to strum an acoustic guitar with force, and you want the pick to absorb some of that energy so the strings do not sound thin or brittle.
You play electric rhythm guitar—jangly arpeggios or loose punk chords—and you need a pick that lets the amplifier do the work.
You are searching for the best guitar picks for strumming and want a middle-of-the-road gauge that is not a commitment to any specific style.
You are a beginner who wants a pick that will not punish your crude strumming with harsh noise.
You buy picks in bulk and want them all to feel exactly the same. Dunlop’s injection molding is famously consistent.
Uses – Where the Orange Pick Earns Its Keep
The .60mm Tortex is a rhythm specialist. It shines in open-position chords where you want the strings to ring out without interference from a hard pick edge. On an acoustic, it produces a woody, full tone. On an electric, it softens the attack on a crunchy amp, preventing that ice-pick treble.
It works surprisingly well for fingerpicking-style strumming hybrids. The flexibility lets you catch the strings without the pick skittering away. It is also a fantastic tool for learning to play dynamics: dig in and it bends but does not break; back off and it whispers.
Reggae and ska players like it for the gentle off-beat that does not overpower the drums. For rhythm players in a recording context, it produces less pick noise and more chord clarity, which makes an engineer’s job easier.
Experience – Living with the Tortex .60mm
The first thing you notice is the texture. It is waxy. It almost feels like it will slip out of your thumb. You need to play for about five minutes before the waxiness wears off and the pick’s surface warms up. At that point, it locks in.
The sound is a quiet chuff against the strings. Not a click. This makes it a favorite for bedroom players who do not want to annoy the rest of the house with pick noise. It is very quiet in terms of pick contact.
The wear is real. If you are a heavy strummer, the tip will round off in a few solid sessions. This changes the attack from a defined point to a softer, rounder strum. Some players love this worn-in sound. Others restock often to keep the sharp edge. The pick rarely breaks; it just gently abrades into a smooth curve. A hidden benefit is how it pairs with acoustic strings—the bronze winding wears the pick down slowly, giving you a sound that evolves over its life.
Pros and Cons of the Dunlop Tortex .60mm
Pros
Perfect strumming gauge: The .60mm bends to give you a dynamic, human sound that rigid picks can not match.
Excellent value: At about fifty cents per pick, you can afford to scatter them across your house, car, and gig bag.
Great durability: The Dunlop Tortex pick durability means it will not chip, warp, or become sticky. It wears out gracefully.
Consistent factory finish: Every pack behaves the same. No sticky logos, no sharp burrs. Just a clean, playable edge.
Cons
Slippery when new: The waxy coating can feel precarious until your hand heat dries it out. Sweaty hands struggle here.
Fast tip wear: Players with heavy attack will dull the point quickly. It changes the sound and feel within an hour or two of hard play.
Too flexible for lead: If you play fast alternate picking or aggressive solos, the .60mm bends too much. Look at a .88mm or 1.0mm.
No grip pattern: The standard Tortex is smooth. If you need a guarantee against rotation, try the Tortex “T” or Nylpro lines.
Advantages – Dunlop Tortex vs Fender Picks
The Dunlop Tortex vs Fender picks comparison is inevitable. Fender celluloid mediums are iconic, but they are fragile. They warp in heat. They break. The Tortex is a durable, consistent evolution of the concept. It does not have the nostalgic zing of celluloid, but it is a better tool for daily use.
Compared to nylon picks, the Tortex .60mm is stiffer and smoother. A nylon pick of the same thickness feels like a wet noodle; it grabs the strings and produces a thuddy, slow sound. The Tortex releases cleanly and quickly.
Most importantly, the Tortex line is the standard by which other picks are measured because of its consistency. You know exactly what you are getting. This is the foundation of a Dunlop Tortex review—it is the pick you trust when you do not want to think about your pick.
Who Should Buy the Dunlop Tortex .60mm
Buy them if: You are a strumming-focused player who wants a flexible, forgiving pick for acoustic or electric rhythm work.
Buy them if: You are a beginner. The .60mm is the unbreakable starter pick that develops good technique without fighting your hand.
Skip them if: You mainly play high-speed metal or jazz. You need the precision of a Jazz III or a thicker gauge.
Skip them if: You have very sweaty hands. The slippery start compounds into a frustrating grip issue. Try the textured Nylpro or Cool picks instead.
FAQ – Dunlop Tortex .60mm Picks
Are Dunlop Tortex picks worth it?
Without a doubt. For the price, consistency, and performance, they are the default answer for “what pick should I buy?”. This Dunlop Tortex review gives them a full recommendation.
Is the Dunlop Tortex .60mm thickness right for strumming?
It is widely considered the best thickness for strumming. It bends just enough to absorb the attack of the strum without flapping loose. It gives chords a full, even sound without harshness.
Dunlop Tortex vs Fender picks: which is more durable?
Tortex is more durable. Fender celluloid wears down faster and can chip or warp. Tortex slowly abrades but maintains its flat shape and smooth edge throughout its life.
How long does a Dunlop Tortex pick usually last?
For a heavy strummer, the tip rounds off noticeably within a few hours of play. The pick does not truly fail or break; it just becomes smoother. Light players can use one for weeks.
Why is the Dunlop Tortex .60mm orange?
Dunlop uses standard colors for their gauges. Orange is the designated color for the .60mm. This makes it very easy to spot the gauge you want in a dark case or pick pile.
Is the Dunlop Tortex .60mm good for electric guitar?
Yes, it excels at electric rhythm guitar. It produces a smooth attack that prevents harsh treble from overdriven amps. It is less suited to fast lead shredding than thicker gauges.
Final Verdict – Dunlop Tortex .60 Review
The Dunlop Tortex .60mm is a master class in functional design. It does one thing—provide a reliable, consistent, forgiving picking surface—and it does it perfectly. It is not flashy. It is a tool that gets out of your way. If you play rhythm guitar, do yourself a favor and buy a 12-pack. Keep one in every guitar case.
A Dunlop Tortex review can only end one way: buy the pack. The Dunlop Tortex .60mm Picks earn their 4.8-star reputation by being the friendliest, most honest pick in the rotation. The only catch is the wear and the initial slipperiness. If you can live with those, you will never need to look for another pick brand again.
Dunlop Tortex .60mm Picks vs the Competition in 2026
The Tortex .60mm occupies a sweet spot. It’s thin enough for fast acoustic strumming but has that crisp, slightly textured attack that Tortex is known for. At this price and thickness, it’s arguably the defining pick for anyone who plays mostly strumming-based music and wants a disposable tool that sounds consistent out of the packet. The main question isn’t really if it’s a good pick — it’s whether its specific feel fits your hand, your strings, and your tolerance for a little click.
Product
Price Range
Key Strength
Key Weakness
Best For
Dunlop Tortex .60mm (Standard 12-pack)
Budget (~$5-6)
Durable, consistent matte texture, precise bevel.
Can feel a bit rigid for a .60; minor pick noise on wound strings.
Acoustic strumming, rock rhythm, punk.
Fender Medium 351 (.73mm)
Budget (~$5-7)
Ultra-smooth slide, flexible, warm tone.
Wears down fast; sticky when sweaty.
Classic rock, blues, smooth jazz.
Dunlop Nylon .60mm
Budget (~$4-6)
Extreme grip even when wet, softer attack, very flexible.
Wears quicker than Tortex; grippy surface can create string scratch.
Sweaty gigs, aggressive rhythm, beginners.
Clayton Acetal .60mm
Budget (~$3-5)
Velvety smooth finish, very warm tone, cheapest.
Very slick, warps over time, less durable than Tortex.
Budget bulk buys, players who sand picks.
Dunlop Tortex .60mm Picks vs Fender Picks (Medium 351 .73mm)
This is the classic tortoise versus celluloid duel. The Fender bends more and feels almost greasy on the strings in a good way—smooth, warm, and organic. The Tortex is stiffer and brighter. If you strum hard on an acoustic, the Fender will wear a flat edge on you within a couple of hours. The Tortex shrugs that off for weeks. You get more control with the Tortex, but you lose that “played-in” feel that celluloid gets. If you change your pick every song, get the Fenders. If you buy one pack a year, get the Tortex.
Dunlop Tortex .60mm Picks vs Dunlop Nylon .60mm
Staying within the Jim Dunlop family, this comparison comes down to grip versus glide. The Nylon has that stippled surface that locks onto your thumb. It’s great if you have sweaty hands or play fast punk downstrokes. But that grip creates friction on the string as you release, which adds a slight scratch to the attack. The Tortex is slicker, brighter, and rigid. The Nylon feels a little dead in the hand by comparison. For strumming, where the pick needs to shed the string cleanly, the Tortex wins. For screaming solos where the pick might fly out of your hand, the Nylon is safer.
Dunlop Tortex .60mm Picks vs Clayton Acetal .60mm
The Clayton Acetal .60mm is the budget king, often a dollar or two cheaper than the Tortex. It has a lovely, velvety texture that feels more expensive than it is. So why does the Tortex dominate? Because the Clayton’s surface is so slick it demands a death grip. And if you push it hard, the material fatigues, leaving a wavy edge that creates a fluttering attack. The Tortex stays flat and predictable. For a loose, lazy strum at home, the Clayton is lovely. For a rehearsal where you need dynamics that don’t drift, the Tortex is the professional tool.
So who should buy the Dunlop Tortex .60mm Picks? Anyone who strums. Specifically, anyone who values a predictable, bright attack and can’t be bothered with picks that wear down between songs. The durability and that subtle matte texture are the whole reason this is a standard. Credit to the Fender Medium for its classic feel, and the Dunlop Nylon for its secure grip, but for a crisp, lasting strum, the Tortex .60 is the best guitar pick for strumming rhythm you can buy standard. If you want a warmer, softer attack and don’t mind replacing picks often, the Fender Medium is your better choice.
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