Wilson Trance All Court Review (Great Shoe-Highly Recommend)

[Babb]

Shoes got here today! When I posted earlier, I hadn't yet checked my front door.

After trying them on, they do feel a little more substantial than my Open I's, but are initially more comfortable and my feet feels pretty locked in. And also, the laces of the Trances are the same as the Open I's, which is not good news to me. I always shred those kinds of laces up really quickly. But that's just a minor little issue...

So far I've worn them for about an hour and a half, but I've spent the majority of that time sitting on my lazy butt, so I'm not doing such a great job breaking them in... lol. I have practice in the morning and will wear these. I'll give you all my thoughts when I get back to my computer chair sometime tomorrow afternoon.

[tbini87]

recently played a team that wore that shoe... and i liked them. hadn't seen them before... but looked like a nice shoe. seems like a good shoe at a fair price, especially with the warranty.

[Babb]

Haven't gotten to try them yet . It has stormed almost all day.

[Babb]

Ugh. I hate my life. It's STILL raining sporadically.

[Babb]

Finally got to try them out today! I'm very impressed. Of course they are not as low to the ground and light as my Open I's, but they are the same in almost every other aspect. I often forgot that I was wearing different shoes. The traction is very good with these shoes, much better than the Open I's, which I actually slide in (this is on hard court!). I kind of like being able to slide a little, but I'm pretty sure I'm the only one. I have a feeling that I'll be sticking with them for a long time.

[drakulie]

^^Thanks for the update Babb. I'm still wearing mine, and they show hardly any wear. they have also become much more comfortable.

For the price, these shoes compared to the others out there are a steal.

[supermario343]

those shoes look pretty sweet for being Wilsons : )

[Babb]

Well, I'm incredibly ticked off. I don't know if it was the shoes or what, but now I have an ingrown toenail and can't hardly walk correctly. I'm so upset. Our team has a match today, tomorrow, and Thursday. Ugh. This is worse than having a blister, because the problem can't be fixed with some New Skin and tape. Ugh...

[drakulie]

^^Babb, sorry to hear about that. If you just got the ingrown toe-nail I doubt it was the shoe. How long were you using the shoe before you noticed the nail??

Hope you get better soon and it doesn't affect your play this coming week.

Good luck.

[Babb]

^^^
Thanks man. I don't know anymore. It's weird. I played in the Trances Sunday and Monday. Then I woke up at 1:30 AM Tuesday morning with some pain in my left big toe (coincidentally, I wear shoes out on the left first?). It hurt me all day long yesterday until I actually played tennis. I wore my old Open I's that afternoon just because they're more lightweight and not yet entirely worn out. And I haven't had any problems since. I'm so confused. I don't believe it's the shoes, but if it was an ingrown toenail, wouldn't I still be in pain???

[drakulie]

^^Yeah, if you have an ingrown toenail it is very painful and you would most likely still be in pain.

As for me, the shoes are awesome. I have had no problems getting use to them or any discomfort. And like I said in my review, the toe guard really helps with all the bumping of slamming your toes into the ground.

Let us know how your tourney went and if you switched back to these shoes.

Good luck.

[AndrewD]

drakulie,


When you say that the Trance runs true to size do you mean for Wilson shoes in particular or shoes in general? I'm a 12 US in Adidas but when trying a pair of Wilson ETF shoes found them to run very large and wasn't sure if that was typical of the brand or just that particular shoe. Also, I think Goober felt the flex/bend point on the shoes was up near the toe, did you find something similar (assuming you looked for the flex/bend point) ? Lastly, how would you rate the Trance in relation to 'gold standard' shoes like the Barricade and Oscillate?

Thanks very much.

[drakulie]

AndrewD, as Goober mentioned, it is fair to say the flex is more near the toe area of the shoe.

In relation to "true to size">>> Whenever I use Nike, I have to order a half size larger. With these shoes, I took a chance and told TW to send me my exact shoe size, and they fit perfectly. Keep in mind everyones feet are different. If you are thinking of ordering them, perhaps you should go to a local store and try them on before you order them online to make sure you get the right fit.

Lastly, I would rate them just as high, if not higher than Adidas, Nike, K Swiss, etc. These are damn good shoes, and for the price as well as the fact they hardly have any wear on them, I would rate them higher than other manufacturers shoes.

If it wasn't for the fact I have so many Oscillates remaining, I would switch to these shoes permanently.

Good luck.

[AndrewD]

Drakulie,

Thanks very much. Rating them just as high as the Barricades is a pretty big compliment and, as you say, the price is excellent. I see they're also quite a bit lighter than the Barricades, which would be an added bonus (especially in summer).

Main reason I'm so curious is that the tennis programme I help out with is being assisted by Wilson for the next 12 months and I think that, as well as their racquets, they'll expect us to use their shoes. So I thought I could get a 'heads up' on what to expect before having to select one. Sounds like the Trance might be the ideal candidate.

[Babb]

Thanks for the show of interest, Drak. The matches I referred to earlier were just team matches. We lost Tuesday night 2-3. We stacked our team, so the number one singles spot was a loss. We won second singles (that's my hitting partner and rival) and also won third singles (that was me, since we stacked. I'm normally one). Both doubles teams lost, one of which in a really long 3 setter. It was pretty upsetting. We got rained out Wednesday, and then we won yesterday 4-1. I won in first singles, my rival won in second, third lost, and both doubles teams won.


But getting back to the topic, I haven't played in the Trances since I got that pain. Not because of the pain (which I still don't if it came from them), but because I absolutely ADORE my Wilson Open I's. Like I said earlier, I'm only switching because of durability, and my Opens aren't entirely gone yet. I'll give you another update next time I wear them, which will probably be Monday or so, because I'm taking a few days off to recover from having so many matches lately. My brain is fried, my playing has gone down, I'm sore, and I have one blister that is almost healed and am developing another. I'm just burned out mentally and physically right now.

[Babb]

I ended up practicing yesterday. No pain, no nothing. I still don't like them like my Open I's, but I probably never will. I'll say again, the shoes have great traction. I haven't slid once when wearing them. And I am still impressed with the comfort level.

[drakulie]

Babb, although your team lost the first set of matches, great job coming back and winning 4-1. Congrats!

Yeah, if you are burnt out that is your body telling you to rest. >>SO REST!

As for the shoes, yes, the traction is really great, and for me, the comfort level is very good. I'm amazed they show hardly any wear. I'll be wearing them in the tourney coming up in April. can't wait.

BTW, what ever happened to that ingrown toenail?? false alarm???

[Babb]

^^^
It seems to be just that, a false alarm. I don't understand at all. It's like it never happened...

But yes, I rested Friday and just hit groundies on Saturday (I finally found my backhand, which had been pretty off ever since I got a bad blister on my left hand. The main weapon is back! ). I went out and hit three hoppers full of kickers last night. I didn't practice today as it was below 40 once you factor in the wind chill (wtf? it's March!!! lol).

So I'm all rested up and ready to go for tomorrow. Since I easily beat that team's number one last time, they'll probably stack which makes it easier for me . Maybe I'll double bagel someone again (I've already done it twice this year! ).

[drakulie]

^^^LOL, I woke up this morning and it was freezing. This is south florida mind you. I was like wtf??? is up with this weather. Anyway, was able to hit for about two hours so it was all good. Have to get ready for that tourney.

[Babb]

I love how conversations almost always turn away from the thread title... lol.

I won yesterday 6-3, 6-1, and I only got broken once . Same score as last time I played the guy. I have a USTA tournament this weekend and then the school regional tournament next Thursday and next Friday.

Anyway, what is your current racquet/string/tension set up? Just curious