Tennis Man
07-05-2008, 08:58 AM
I picked up the Repels at Lacoste store in NYC. I have a lot of Lacoste apparel and love Lacoste quality and design but I never had their real tennis shoes. My main shoes are Adidas Barricades V. My feet are narrow with high arch and underpronation. They are the best shoes for me so far. So here's my little review (to be continued):
http://i29.tinypic.com/2vxok91.jpg
Design
I wouldn’t even compare these two if it wasn’t for Lacoste exceptional looks and design. Got to love the croc. Repels are the first Lacoste real tennis shoes I’d ever tried on and I wasn’t disappointed. The behive pattern is really cool and it feels like it does great job airing the shoes. My feet stayed dry longer in Repels.
Barricades on the other hand are famous for the performance characteristics, versatility and exceptional durability which is very important for playing on different surface
Comfort
Both shoes are designed for narrow feet. Barricades have a little bit bigger toe box (medium width) and I get blisters sometimes after a prolonged play. Lacoste Repel fits just like a glove. The toe box is really snug and well reinforced for more controlled movements.
Still Barricades are more comfortable with more cushioning and more ergonomic design. Repels feel a bit underdressed but wick the moisture away much better due to its beehive wall design.
Arch Support
Barricades have a more pronounced arch support but I found it a bit off balance with thicker socks (Thorlos). I tried different socks in both shoes and found the medium thickness (Puma performance socks) works well in both. Otherwise, there is enough cushioning in Barricades to offset any discomfort.
Lacoste Repels have neither much arch support nor cushioning as compared to Barricades V. Maybe it’s because they are designed for clay courts which are easier on the feet.
Foot Support/Stability
Barricades have much higher side walls. During the break-in period I thought that would be an issue as I would have blisters on my ankle bones. Actually it didn’t happen. After the break-in the shoe became very comfortable. The ankle support on them is the best of all shoes I ever tried on. Lacoste shoes are a bit lower but still quite stable. They don’t have as big of a heel as Barricades which kind makes them more comfortable walking shoe (off the court) but for the court it could be beefed up a bit more.
Overall Sole Durability/Toe Durability
I haven’t worn them long enough to tell. In addition I’m playing mostly in har-tru courts. So the sole durability is less of an issue here.
Traction
Both shoes provide very good traction. I couldn’t even slide in Repels on har-tru maybe because they are very light and snug. Barricades are much heavier and although they provide good traction I could slide in them a bit more.
Weight
Barricades are much heavier shoes that I don’t mind given all the advantages of the design and comfort. Lacoste are naturally more suited for playing on clay/har-tru and are much lighter.
Overall
I loved both shoes out of the box. Barricades V are almost perfect for me. I wish I could have the option to have the toe box a bit narrower. Lacoste needs to improve its shoes design to include more cushioning, arch and heel support. However the moisture management is the best on Repels. Love the looks. They are great walking shoes too. :)
http://i27.tinypic.com/24grfwk.jpg
http://i29.tinypic.com/2vxok91.jpg
Design
I wouldn’t even compare these two if it wasn’t for Lacoste exceptional looks and design. Got to love the croc. Repels are the first Lacoste real tennis shoes I’d ever tried on and I wasn’t disappointed. The behive pattern is really cool and it feels like it does great job airing the shoes. My feet stayed dry longer in Repels.
Barricades on the other hand are famous for the performance characteristics, versatility and exceptional durability which is very important for playing on different surface
Comfort
Both shoes are designed for narrow feet. Barricades have a little bit bigger toe box (medium width) and I get blisters sometimes after a prolonged play. Lacoste Repel fits just like a glove. The toe box is really snug and well reinforced for more controlled movements.
Still Barricades are more comfortable with more cushioning and more ergonomic design. Repels feel a bit underdressed but wick the moisture away much better due to its beehive wall design.
Arch Support
Barricades have a more pronounced arch support but I found it a bit off balance with thicker socks (Thorlos). I tried different socks in both shoes and found the medium thickness (Puma performance socks) works well in both. Otherwise, there is enough cushioning in Barricades to offset any discomfort.
Lacoste Repels have neither much arch support nor cushioning as compared to Barricades V. Maybe it’s because they are designed for clay courts which are easier on the feet.
Foot Support/Stability
Barricades have much higher side walls. During the break-in period I thought that would be an issue as I would have blisters on my ankle bones. Actually it didn’t happen. After the break-in the shoe became very comfortable. The ankle support on them is the best of all shoes I ever tried on. Lacoste shoes are a bit lower but still quite stable. They don’t have as big of a heel as Barricades which kind makes them more comfortable walking shoe (off the court) but for the court it could be beefed up a bit more.
Overall Sole Durability/Toe Durability
I haven’t worn them long enough to tell. In addition I’m playing mostly in har-tru courts. So the sole durability is less of an issue here.
Traction
Both shoes provide very good traction. I couldn’t even slide in Repels on har-tru maybe because they are very light and snug. Barricades are much heavier and although they provide good traction I could slide in them a bit more.
Weight
Barricades are much heavier shoes that I don’t mind given all the advantages of the design and comfort. Lacoste are naturally more suited for playing on clay/har-tru and are much lighter.
Overall
I loved both shoes out of the box. Barricades V are almost perfect for me. I wish I could have the option to have the toe box a bit narrower. Lacoste needs to improve its shoes design to include more cushioning, arch and heel support. However the moisture management is the best on Repels. Love the looks. They are great walking shoes too. :)
http://i27.tinypic.com/24grfwk.jpg