Shoe dilemma, help please

r5d3

New User
Need a new pair, and a lot of forum favorites seem to be coming around on sale right now, so that's great. Hoping to get some advice about how these candidates would feel to me. A quick recent history. I bought Babolat Propulse 2's based on other TT opinions, and unfortunately could not play in them. Tried for about three weeks, but foot pain was ridiculous and never seemed to go away. The top of the shoe would stab my foot, and the bottom, like I said, just caused all sorts of discomfort when moving. I even tried getting my money's worth out of them by just using them as my everyday shoe, and even that was too painful. Bought a pair of Nike City Court VI to replace them with, and they have been a truly awesome revelation, especially considering the standard low price.

But, here are the candidates I am currently seeking out. These are all currently on sale, as I have to set a cap on shoes, right around $80.

Adidas Barricade 7.0
Adidas Adizero Feather II
Asics Gel Resolution 4
Nike Courtballistec 4.3
Yonex Power Cushion 308
Nike City Court VII


I'm wondering if the separation between the toe and heel on the Propulse 3's had to do with my discomfort. If so, it looks like the Yonex, Barricades and Asics have the most distinct separation, which would likely leave me with either Nike or the Feather. The Feather seems to be the leader in the clubhouse based on reviews and comments, but I could really use more info and advice. Thanks in advance.
 
Shoes are very subjective, even nuances in variation of one's foot will make a shoe that's perfect for someone be very uncomfortable for you. Best advice I can give is - go to a store and try out each one, then order it online from your favorite store, preferably TW :) :)
 

3fees

G.O.A.T.
Adidas Barricade 7.0 if you want long lasting shoes,Yonex Power Cushion 308 if comfort is top of your list.
 

WildVolley

Legend
You're going to need to try the shoes on yourself to see which are best, as others have previously noted.

Because there's a wide range of foot sizes and issues there's no such thing as a "best" shoe. Some shoes that are very well made and beloved I can't wear because they kill my feet.

I'm partial to Yonex shoes because I have a wider forefoot but normal heel. After bad experiences with Nike shoes pinching my feet I haven't worn them in a while, but I understand there's a fair amount of last variance among the current Nike lineup.
 

vandre

Hall of Fame
not really a commercial for tw, but i know that if you order from tw, they're always very good about accepting shoe returns IF you don't wear them on court (i.e. don't play in them for 15 sets and then send them back). just walk around your house with them on and you should be safe since your babolats didn't work for that either. if they're comfortable to walk around your house in they should be good to play in. if fact, if you wanted to shoot the moon, order everything on your list and try them all in the confines of your house and keep the pair that fits the best is as most comfortable. i have good luck with the feathers but i have narrow feet.
 

r5d3

New User
You're going to need to try the shoes on yourself to see which are best, as others have previously noted.

Because there's a wide range of foot sizes and issues there's no such thing as a "best" shoe. Some shoes that are very well made and beloved I can't wear because they kill my feet.

I'm partial to Yonex shoes because I have a wider forefoot but normal heel. After bad experiences with Nike shoes pinching my feet I haven't worn them in a while, but I understand there's a fair amount of last variance among the current Nike lineup.

My problem is local availability. Even though I live in "Tennis Town USA", finding tennis shoes around here is quite difficult. The club seems to really want to sell me K-Swiss', Wilson's, Prince's and Babolat's. I know they have a Barricade, so I'll try that on Wednesday, and I'm hoping they might still have a Feather and a CB around as well. The City I hope will fit like my current one, but if I don't find any shoes at the tennis center, I have to drive about 40 minutes to the Nike and Adidas outlets, or an hour to a Sports Authority that carries the City Courts.

But as far as Asics and Yonex, I pretty much have no shot at trying them on without ordering first.

not really a commercial for tw, but i know that if you order from tw, they're always very good about accepting shoe returns IF you don't wear them on court (i.e. don't play in them for 15 sets and then send them back). just walk around your house with them on and you should be safe since your babolats didn't work for that either. if they're comfortable to walk around your house in they should be good to play in. if fact, if you wanted to shoot the moon, order everything on your list and try them all in the confines of your house and keep the pair that fits the best is as most comfortable. i have good luck with the feathers but i have narrow feet.

I love the TW customer service, but A) I would feel like an ass buying 5 pair of shoes and returning 4 and B) can't really afford to go buy them all at once anyway. Thanks for the vote on the feathers. Think they may still end up the winners.
 

r5d3

New User
Well, that sucked. None of my choices were available at the Pro Shop. In fact, only one box of Adidas or Nike TOTAL, a Vapor 9 three sizes too small. Nothing but K-Swiss, Babolat, Prince and Wilson.

So, I think I'm going to order the Feathers, hopefully not to return them.

Edit: Damn I'm wishy-washy. Ordered the Resolutions instead. The TW review was too good to pass up.
 
Last edited:

bosssauce

Banned
Well, that sucked. None of my choices were available at the Pro Shop. In fact, only one box of Adidas or Nike TOTAL, a Vapor 9 three sizes too small. Nothing but K-Swiss, Babolat, Prince and Wilson.

So, I think I'm going to order the Feathers, hopefully not to return them.

Edit: Damn I'm wishy-washy. Ordered the Resolutions instead. The TW review was too good to pass up.

I would not recomend feathers unless you have skinny feet
 

Smasher08

Legend
Need a new pair, and a lot of forum favorites seem to be coming around on sale right now, so that's great. Hoping to get some advice about how these candidates would feel to me. A quick recent history. I bought Babolat Propulse 2's based on other TT opinions, and unfortunately could not play in them. Tried for about three weeks, but foot pain was ridiculous and never seemed to go away. The top of the shoe would stab my foot, and the bottom, like I said, just caused all sorts of discomfort when moving. I even tried getting my money's worth out of them by just using them as my everyday shoe, and even that was too painful. Bought a pair of Nike City Court VI to replace them with, and they have been a truly awesome revelation, especially considering the standard low price.

But, here are the candidates I am currently seeking out. These are all currently on sale, as I have to set a cap on shoes, right around $80.

Adidas Barricade 7.0
Adidas Adizero Feather II
Asics Gel Resolution 4
Nike Courtballistec 4.3
Yonex Power Cushion 308
Nike City Court VII


I'm wondering if the separation between the toe and heel on the Propulse 3's had to do with my discomfort. If so, it looks like the Yonex, Barricades and Asics have the most distinct separation, which would likely leave me with either Nike or the Feather. The Feather seems to be the leader in the clubhouse based on reviews and comments, but I could really use more info and advice. Thanks in advance.

Go for the asics. Imo they and New Balance make the best shoes for your feet.
 
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