socallefty
G.O.A.T.
I am long-time user of Barricade 7 (aka Novak) shoes in size 10.5 and used them for seven years as I like durable shoes that offer the best support. Last year, I used Barricade 2018 shoes (size 11 as 10.5 was too small) and they were good too although I had to lace them a bit looser as they were more narrow. Now that Adidas has stopped making Barricades, I am yet to find a replacement that I like a lot and am wondering if I can get advice and comments from others who have made a good replacement for Barricade Novak or 2018. I play singles or doubles daily on hard courts and the Barricades used to last 70-90 hours before I felt that the support became too soft.
I’ve tried Asics Court FF2 and Gel Resolution 8 shoes this year and both have some cons compared to Barricades at least for my feet which are medium width, medium arch. The arch support of the Court FF2 shoes (size 10.5) causes slight pain on the sole of my feet in the middle near the arch especially during the first 10-15 hours when the shoe is more rigid and this happens even with looser lacing. Also, they last only about 50-60 hours for me before I feel that the support gets too soft. I do like the glove-like feel of the design and can stick with them if I don’t find something better as I move well in these shoes. With the GR8 (size 10.5), I have heel-slippage unless I use a runner’s knot in the last eyelet and then the laces are too short and I feel slight discomfort due to the tighter lacing I have to do. Also, I don’t like the support as much as the Court FF2 or Barricades as it feels softer and I like a more rigid fit.
Any other suggestions or comments on durability-guaranteed shoes or those with more rigid/heavier designs from other makers would be very helpful from other players in the same situation. I’m particularly interested in feedback on the Sole Court Boost also on sizing differences with either of the Asics models or Barricades. I am not interested in lightweight shoes (like Ubersonics, Speed Solution, Vapor) as they last me only about 30 hours before I feel they are too soft. Thanks.
I’ve tried Asics Court FF2 and Gel Resolution 8 shoes this year and both have some cons compared to Barricades at least for my feet which are medium width, medium arch. The arch support of the Court FF2 shoes (size 10.5) causes slight pain on the sole of my feet in the middle near the arch especially during the first 10-15 hours when the shoe is more rigid and this happens even with looser lacing. Also, they last only about 50-60 hours for me before I feel that the support gets too soft. I do like the glove-like feel of the design and can stick with them if I don’t find something better as I move well in these shoes. With the GR8 (size 10.5), I have heel-slippage unless I use a runner’s knot in the last eyelet and then the laces are too short and I feel slight discomfort due to the tighter lacing I have to do. Also, I don’t like the support as much as the Court FF2 or Barricades as it feels softer and I like a more rigid fit.
Any other suggestions or comments on durability-guaranteed shoes or those with more rigid/heavier designs from other makers would be very helpful from other players in the same situation. I’m particularly interested in feedback on the Sole Court Boost also on sizing differences with either of the Asics models or Barricades. I am not interested in lightweight shoes (like Ubersonics, Speed Solution, Vapor) as they last me only about 30 hours before I feel they are too soft. Thanks.
