Best shoes for cushioning on hard court?

McEnborg

Semi-Pro
Have had some arthritis issues with my knees. Want to get the most cushioned tennis shoes available, especially for hard courts.

Suggestions? Thanks. What about the Yonex "Power Cushion"?
 

imajica77

Professional
Yonex are by far the best shoes for cushioning. And yes I have been thru the arthritis bit. In fact have had both knees replaced. So just go with them. Forget the Nike and Adidas fanboys. "They know not of what they speak"

Asics has some decent cushioning also. But my knees hurt when I play in them though.
 

ultradr

Legend
Generally more shoes seem to adopt "low to the ground" feel, especially
forefoot area. I agree Yonex shoes tend to come with ample cushioning.
But you can just use cushion soles available.
 

ArliHawk

Hall of Fame
Hmm, not sure. Lunalite is an excellent cushioning material but Lunar lite
in Lunaballistec is thiner and more low to the ground application of it
compared to previous shoes with lunarlite.

It's one of the best cushioned shoes I've owned.
 

Gtech

Rookie
Another vote against the Lunar Ballistec cushioning. Absolutely nothing special. True that the Lunar cushioning is not flimsy like the Vapors, where I could feel my heel bottom out at times, but it is definitely not "cushy" comfortable.

It does feel softer than the hard Air Max type cushioning on the CB 4.3.

I tried two types of replacement insoles to try to save my Lunar Ballistecs but those insoles create their own set of problems.

I have to say that Nike is universally the worst in terms of the basic insole they provide in their shoes. They might as well just put a piece of paper, extremely thin and just poor, lousy, cheap quality.

Back to Asics for me.
 

Fintft

G.O.A.T.
Another vote against the Lunar Ballistec cushioning. Absolutely nothing special. True that the Lunar cushioning is not flimsy like the Vapors, where I could feel my heel bottom out at times, but it is definitely not "cushy" comfortable.

It does feel softer than the hard Air Max type cushioning on the CB 4.3.
.......

Back to Asics for me.

So you'd prefer the cushioning from the CBs 4.3 over Lunar's?

Asisc GR5 had their own problems for me: pains in the balls of my feet and toes (metatarsalgia) and a friend got shin pains, etc. Plus lack of lateral stability.

Addidas B8 were the worst in terms of cushioning (it may have something to do also with running half a size larger/toe jamming and compensating from a knee injury on the other leg), they gave me plantar fasciitis ( a first). Went back to CB 4.3 for now.
 

ultradr

Legend
It's one of the best cushioned shoes I've owned.

I love Lunalite cushioning too and have owned a few shoes with Lunalite cushioning.
For example, Nike Air zoom breathe's.

Just cautionary comments to potential buyers that Lunalite cushioning in
Lunaballistec is somewhat "low to the ground" application of it (and somewhat
less cushioning compared to other Lunalite shoes).
 

Gtech

Rookie
So you'd prefer the cushioning from the CBs 4.3 over Lunar's?

Asisc GR5 had their own problems for me: pains in the balls of my feet and toes (metatarsalgia) and a friend got shin pains, etc. Plus lack of lateral stability.

Addidas B8 were the worst in terms of cushioning (it may have something to do also with running half a size larger/toe jamming and compensating from a knee injury on the other leg), they gave me plantar fasciitis ( a first). Went back to CB 4.3 for now.

Good questions. No, I didn't get along with the CB 4.3 cushioning either, it is too hard and gives me pain in my knees. I bought the Lunar Ballistecs frankly based on the TW review which gave it the most effusive of praises. I found them to be mediocre.

For the past 2 months I have been using the Diadora Star K V. These shoes have great heel cushioning, but the forefoot cushioning is thin. And since the upper is just soft leather without any type of technical material reinforcements they don't have the best of support. For clay they work fine, I would not trust them on hardcourt, too little support.

I didn't like the cushioning on the GR5's either, I had pain in the ankles with those and felt like my feet were on top of the shoe not in the shoe.

The Adidas B8 which I also had, gave me shin splints just like the B7. Something about the geometry of those shoes do not work for me. Shin pain is the worst for me, I rather have knee and ankle pains.

The Asics I just bought are the Speed 2's and so far I like them but it is too early to tell.

I don't like the bulky, high off the ground type shoe like the Prince T22 or the Yonex style.

One last data point. I have flat feet so I need both good heal cushioning, but also some cushioning under the big toe since my foot will naturally pronate and put a lot of force in that area.

I have running shoes that work fine for me, but finding the right tennis shoe over the past 2-3 yrs has been frustrating.
 

hugo

New User
I also have arthritis issues with my knees:
I use insoles from https://sofsole.com/category/insoles

Fantastic cushioned heel support, your feet literally will love you for treating them so nice. I should have used insoles years ago... what a fool I was not to.

sorry if this sounds at bit mushy :)
 

Nostradamus

Bionic Poster
I also have arthritis issues with my knees:
I use insoles from https://sofsole.com/category/insoles

Fantastic cushioned heel support, your feet literally will love you for treating them so nice. I should have used insoles years ago... what a fool I was not to.

sorry if this sounds at bit mushy :)

are you saying this is better than superfeet orange ?? or Dr. Sholl's athletic gel insole Sport ???
and which one do you recommend from sofsole website ? Which one is best for Tennis and Maximum cushioning and arch support ??????????? thank you in advance
 

Rabbit

G.O.A.T.
So far for me, nothing beats the Prince T22. I'm 55 years old and a long time Barricade wearer. I changed to the T22 about 2 years ago and haven't looked back. My feet/knees do not hurt playing on hard courts. I have converted many to the shoe. It really is an unbelievable performer for the money.

A great shoe, no regrets at all.

I've also bought and tried ASICS Gel 5's and Nike Lunar Ballistics. They simply don't compare. I've not worn the Yonex shoes.
 

imajica77

Professional
All yonex shoes have great cushioning. Some weigh more and some hold up better than others on hard courts. But you can't go wrong with any Yonex shoes.
 

Dan Z

Semi-Pro
I've owned various vapours then barricades and recently switched to Yonex power cushion D and cannot believe the difference in comfort. no sacrifices on movement and huge gains on comfort. durability seems good so far (3 weeks of heavy use)
 

Drivay

New User
I have pretty bad calluses on the ball of my feet, side of my big to and i have wide and flat feet, finding shoes for me is a nightmare.

I currently play in Adidas B7, 1/2 size bigger than my normal shoes and they are comfy for me. I'e used them with custom gel insoles and my orthopaedic insoles but reverted back to the standard adidas ones as they help with all round comfort and locking your foot in.

I've also got a pair of Wilson tour vision and they are MEGA comfy, the padding in is so thick and soft its great and really nice too walk in - only downside is if i rated the B7's 10/10 for playability, the Wilsons would only get a 6, and they are fairly narrow on the toe box, i played in them for the first time in about 6 months a couple of days ago and after an hour my feet were screaming and had to stop and take them off, so if you have narrow feet they are worth a look into.

I've heard nothing but good things about the Asics Gel 5's too so if you can get near a pair to try out its gotta be worth a shot!
 

AndI

Rookie
Imajica77, Dan Z, thank you for your comments, it is great to have this end-user feedback! I placed an order for Yonex shoes through Tennis Warehouse, hope they will fit my feet well, and I cannot wait until they arrive in two days. My knees do not like when I run on concrete, hope these shoes will make my life easier.
 

Rozroz

G.O.A.T.
Imajica77, Dan Z, thank you for your comments, it is great to have this end-user feedback! I placed an order for Yonex shoes through Tennis Warehouse, hope they will fit my feet well, and I cannot wait until they arrive in two days. My knees do not like when I run on concrete, hope these shoes will make my life easier.

i had my second practice with the Yonex shoes.
you won't regret getting them.
they're so cushiony and fun :)
 

AndI

Rookie
Thanks to all for the recommendation of Yonex! There might be other brands of shoes with equivalent cushioning, I have to tried those, but Yonex definitely feels good. I got Yonex Power Cushion D and used them for 3 days in a row. I hurt one of my knees while skiing some 10-12 years ago, and even though I got away without surgery, that knee reminds me about itself each time I run on concrete in regular shoes for any extended period of time. So far, in these shoes, my knee did not complain, so I am happy about the purchase.

My only complaint is that laces are very long and synthetic-slippery, i.e., I have to tighten them more often then I'd like to. Perhaps there is a trick to tightening them it which I still have to learn...
 

Ramon

Legend
So far for me, nothing beats the Prince T22. I'm 55 years old and a long time Barricade wearer. I changed to the T22 about 2 years ago and haven't looked back. My feet/knees do not hurt playing on hard courts. I have converted many to the shoe. It really is an unbelievable performer for the money.

A great shoe, no regrets at all.

I've also bought and tried ASICS Gel 5's and Nike Lunar Ballistics. They simply don't compare. I've not worn the Yonex shoes.


I second the Prince T22. It's a great all-around shoe, especially if you don't like painful feet.
 

Chotobaka

Hall of Fame
isn't babolat SFX made for light weight purposes ? can they still have great cushioning even if it is light ?

They are not a particulalry light shoe. They are big on cushioning. Traction and sole durability are also excellent. Decent, but not great, lateral support. Very plush feeling shoe.
 

NoChance

Rookie
There are some choices out there, and everyone's foot is different. I will simply add that I cannot tell you when I last used the insole that came with the shoes I purchased. The insole is by far the weakest part of most any shoe. I've been using a Spenco Polysorb insole for a couple of years, and it works for me. There are plenty of other alternatives.
 

bad_call

Legend
I second the Prince T22. It's a great all-around shoe, especially if you don't like painful feet.

not good for quick direction changes since the uppers are somewhat lacking in support. but yeah comfortable other than performance issues. still searching for shoes here.
 

onehandbh

G.O.A.T.
Have had some arthritis issues with my knees. Want to get the most cushioned tennis shoes available, especially for hard courts.

Suggestions? Thanks. What about the Yonex "Power Cushion"?

How light on your feet are you when you run /move on the court?
If you land "heavy" /loudly this is not good for your knees.
Are you on your toes/forefoot a lot when you move?
 

Fintft

G.O.A.T.
Asics GR 5 are best suited for clay, because the lack of cushioning in the front can cause you pain in the balls of your feet and toes aka metatarsalgia, on hard courts. I prefer Nike CBs for cushioning but have yet to try Babolat sfx, yonex power cushion, nor prince t22

I wanted to buy the Banolat sfx yesterday during the happy hour but they wouldn't ship to Canada...
 
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QuadCam

Professional
I really wanted to try on the Yonex Power cushions but no one in my area or in the surrounding 100 miles carries these shoes. frustrating. It sounds like a great shoe for forefoot cushioning.
 

hray4clay

Rookie
You cannot b serious! May you only wear Stan Smiths 4 life

wearing Babo SFXs is like wearing an a pair of empty shoeboxes with strings attached. Horrendous. Asics Gel Resolution, Addidas Barricade, and Lotto Raptor have all been more COMFORTABLE for me personally. It's a shame that Brooks, the running shoe company, does not make tennis shoes. I have a pair of Brooks Transcend running shoes that are like Rolls Royces for your feets;)
 

West Coast Ace

G.O.A.T.
Have had some arthritis issues with my knees...
I don't think tennis is something you should be doing. That unfortunate. But tennis is a lifetime sport - ONLY if someone's body holds up. You should look for a leg friendlier way to stay in shape. If you want to stay involved in the game, volunteer to help at kids tournaments. Good luck.
 

Ramon

Legend
wearing Babo SFXs is like wearing an a pair of empty shoeboxes with strings attached. Horrendous. Asics Gel Resolution, Addidas Barricade, and Lotto Raptor have all been more COMFORTABLE for me personally. It's a shame that Brooks, the running shoe company, does not make tennis shoes. I have a pair of Brooks Transcend running shoes that are like Rolls Royces for your feets;)

I heard somewhere that Brooks does make tennis shoes. They just have the name "Prince" on them.
 

purple-n-gold

Hall of Fame
Barricade7s > CB4.3s for me in every way, just a very stable supportive shoe. I tried on a pair of T22s and had a walk around, they felt like I had on boots or a high heeled sneaker.
 
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