Asics most comfortable shoe ever in my playing career

christo · 08-30-2012, 12:05 PM

I have spent literally thousands of $ on tennis shoes in my life and have suffered with achilles tendonitis, bursitis and a myriad of various ailments.
I've had x-rays, even an MRI. I do have relatively flat feet and that does contribute. 3 months ago I was about to pack it in, every match was an exercise in tedium, I just had no spring in my step, my feet hurt, my legs hurt. I had 3 pairs of Nike Breathe Free shoes, I had a pair of Vapors and a pair of 3.3 Ballistecs. I think they were part of the problem. A fellow player suggested Asics, he loves them and he runs all day. I bought a pair 5 or 6 weeks ago and wow, the results are for me, magical. My left achilles which I could barely touch after a match is now as soft as butter.
The swelling has all but gone, the bursitis in the right ball of my foot is getting better every day and I'm playing 3 times a week. You cannot put a price on this. I pulled the insert out of my GR4's and the entire center of the insole is something called SOLYTE 55, it's kind of spongy and I think is the secret of this shoe. I am hooked for life, thank you Asics!

Rozroz · 08-31-2012, 02:45 AM

good to hear.
these will definitely be my next after i finish the Barricades.

ACDC · 08-31-2012, 04:16 AM

...and Speed seems a little better than GR4 too!

Fletch · 08-31-2012, 05:15 AM

What about KSwiss Big Shot's, those seem to get positive reviews? I'm going through the exact same thing now, very painful.

TennisLovaLova · 08-31-2012, 05:45 AM

The gel tech Asics uses is awesome indeed
In Asics models (or Mizuno's), you always have to look for the shoe that fits your feet's shape and the way you run/walk (pronation/neutral/supination).
I guess you fond the perfect model for you with those GR4.

Now, I used to run a lot wearing my old Asics Gel, with the former sole cushioning tech (called SpEVA)
it seems now that "Solyte 55" is working for asics, but it doesnt appear to be as strong and durable as SpEVA, so Asics customers made serious complains about this, most of them runners actually who returned the shoes
When you buy asiscs for running, and you can check it on their website, there's a model for each type and running lenght/duration... with specific solyte width for each shoe

As I'm not a fan of asics' design for their tennis shoes, I stick to Nike and use shock absorbers containing gel: you just have to insert them under the sole (under the heel actually)

it's just magical, it works for me: you truly get the feeling of wearing asics but with the awesome nike design

Fletch · 08-31-2012, 06:04 AM

[quote=TennisLovaLova;6850533]

As I'm not a fan of asics' design for their tennis shoes,

I know what you mean, I am trying to figure out which shoe is the least ugly, and I will order that one.

niktub · 08-31-2012, 06:12 AM

which one is more narrow GR4 or Speed?

airdupont · 08-31-2012, 06:35 AM

I find the GR4 more attractive then the Nike shoes.....Nike has gotten boring and they feel very uncomfortable....never Nike again for me....not for running nor tennis.

Racquet Daddy · 08-31-2012, 07:20 AM

Without a doubt, the GR4s are comfy and light. I sent my Barricades in for warranty and got the Red/Black GR4s to wear in my 6-month warranty cycle. I run in Asics, but I wish they made their tennis shoes a little less like their running shoes. For me, Barricades still have better heel/ankle stability. But to make a lighter shoe, you have to make cuts somewhere. I go the B7s in about 3-4 months, so it'll be interesting to see how the GR4s hold up. Main part I'm worried about is the section on top of the toe.

jmverdugo · 08-31-2012, 07:39 AM

I agree, the Resolution 4 are awesome and have the 6 month warranty, you wait until they go on sale and you cannot find a better deal. I also use Ascis Running shoes, I love to run but I have flat feet and after 20 years of skateboarding me knees are kind of sensitive but with the Kayanos I can run my 5k at least 3 times a week which is awesome! - I was not able to do it more than 1 time per month.

By the way do you really have a tennis "career"?

niktub · 08-31-2012, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by niktub

which one is more narrow GR4 or Speed?

Bump please

soysauce · 08-31-2012, 09:08 AM

Are the asics any good in durability?

NJ1 · 08-31-2012, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soysauce

Are the asics any good in durability?

TW did a full review, go check it out. They basically said it's great in the toe but rest of sole wears much quicker than Barricades but with 6 month warranty it still works out well.

I may order some white GR4s when they are reduced, they sound like good shoes.

NJ1 · 08-31-2012, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Racquet Daddy

I go the B7s in about 3-4 months, so it'll be interesting to see how the GR4s hold up. Main part I'm worried about is the section on top of the toe.

TW review gave 5/5 in toe score. Not sure if Chris drags on to the uppers or not.

As regards the width question, I've heard GR4s are wide but that's only per reviews I've read. Once I've tried them I'll report back.

TennisLovaLova · 08-31-2012, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NJ1

TW review gave 5/5 in toe score. Not sure if Chris drags on to the uppers or not.

As regards the width question, I've heard GR4s are wide but that's only per reviews I've read. Once I've tried them I'll report back.

All Asics neutral shoes are wider than other brand's shoes. In running it's actually the case I dont know about tennis shoes

Racquet Daddy · 08-31-2012, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmverdugo

By the way do you really have a tennis "career"?

jmverdugo - not sure if you're referring to something in my post, but if coaching tennis 8 hours a day, 5 days a week constitutes a "career" then...yes. I love playing in B7s, but my feet are happier at the end of the day in the GR4s.

Rozroz · 09-01-2012, 01:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmverdugo

you wait until they go on sale and you cannot find a better deal.

sale?? waiting for a few months now.. they don't go lower than 114$

Tyler91 · 09-01-2012, 06:25 AM

I agree the G4 is a nice shoe. Too bad the colorways aren't better. I like the red/black. The other colors are not great, IMO.

Overheadsmash · 09-01-2012, 07:09 AM

I just picked up a pair of the yellow Gel Game (3?). Anyway - I love them - I mean love them. My feet felt great. I've been a long time Adidas wearer but I think I am switching to asics.

parasailing · 09-01-2012, 08:43 AM

I got a pair of Speeds and they are just plan fast. It's like wearing a pair of running shoes with good lateral support. It doesn't has as much support as the GR4s but still the lightest tennis shoe you can get that offers decent support.

08-30-2012, 12:05 PM	#1
christo Hall Of Fame Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 1,701	Asics most comfortable shoe ever in my playing career I have spent literally thousands of $ on tennis shoes in my life and have suffered with achilles tendonitis, bursitis and a myriad of various ailments. I've had x-rays, even an MRI. I do have relatively flat feet and that does contribute. 3 months ago I was about to pack it in, every match was an exercise in tedium, I just had no spring in my step, my feet hurt, my legs hurt. I had 3 pairs of Nike Breathe Free shoes, I had a pair of Vapors and a pair of 3.3 Ballistecs. I think they were part of the problem. A fellow player suggested Asics, he loves them and he runs all day. I bought a pair 5 or 6 weeks ago and wow, the results are for me, magical. My left achilles which I could barely touch after a match is now as soft as butter. The swelling has all but gone, the bursitis in the right ball of my foot is getting better every day and I'm playing 3 times a week. You cannot put a price on this. I pulled the insert out of my GR4's and the entire center of the insole is something called SOLYTE 55, it's kind of spongy and I think is the secret of this shoe. I am hooked for life, thank you Asics!

08-31-2012, 05:45 AM	#5
TennisLovaLova Hall Of Fame Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 2,302	The gel tech Asics uses is awesome indeed In Asics models (or Mizuno's), you always have to look for the shoe that fits your feet's shape and the way you run/walk (pronation/neutral/supination). I guess you fond the perfect model for you with those GR4. Now, I used to run a lot wearing my old Asics Gel, with the former sole cushioning tech (called SpEVA) it seems now that "Solyte 55" is working for asics, but it doesnt appear to be as strong and durable as SpEVA, so Asics customers made serious complains about this, most of them runners actually who returned the shoes When you buy asiscs for running, and you can check it on their website, there's a model for each type and running lenght/duration... with specific solyte width for each shoe As I'm not a fan of asics' design for their tennis shoes, I stick to Nike and use shock absorbers containing gel: you just have to insert them under the sole (under the heel actually) it's just magical, it works for me: you truly get the feeling of wearing asics but with the awesome nike design __________________ It rubs the lotion on its skin or else it gets the hose again Last edited by TennisLovaLova : 08-31-2012 at 05:57 AM.

08-31-2012, 09:08 AM	#12
soysauce New User Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 1	Are the asics any good in durability? __________________ 'I fear no one, but respect everyone.' - Federer

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