A K-Swiss Shoe to get Excited About?

darklore009

Hall of Fame
The last K-Swiss shoe I wore was the big shot 2. It was near perfect, but the traction is what held it back for me as I slide more than often compared to other shoes that I wore. Hopefully this update will put it in the right track. I do love their styling compared to other big brand companies such as Nike/Adidas.
 

McLovin

Legend
The last K-Swiss shoe I wore was the big shot 2.
I think the last K-Swiss shoe I wore was...the Si-18...the original...circa 1990...

4ba9c7f31237a1e542a73b11777a9a2a.jpg


crap I'm old...
 
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SoccerGuy

New User
I’m really hoping that they keep the toe box that fit wide feet very well. I have a wider forefoot and it’s hard to find speed oriented shoes now after the solution speeds became narrower. Hopefully these will be the ones! :)
 

WildVolley

Legend
I’m really hoping that they keep the toe box that fit wide feet very well. I have a wider forefoot and it’s hard to find speed oriented shoes now after the solution speeds became narrower. Hopefully these will be the ones! :)

They are claiming "slightly wide" in the forefoot. I'm hoping that means at least as wide as the BS light 2.5s.
 

Chotobaka

Hall of Fame
They are claiming "slightly wide" in the forefoot. I'm hoping that means at least as wide as the BS light 2.5s.

The shape looks pretty similar, if not the same, from the shot looking straight down on the shoe. Big Shot 2.5 is not rounded at the toe but widens where it counts for my foot.
 

Chace

Hall of Fame
I think the last K-Swiss shoe I wore was...the Si-18...the original...circa 1990...

4ba9c7f31237a1e542a73b11777a9a2a.jpg


crap I'm old...

I must be right there with you Mclovin. I wore the KSwiss SI18 back in the 90s as well. The only reason I haven’t tried any of the new KSwiss is because there’s no 6 month warranty. The Ultrashots look like a nice shoe.
 

srvnvly

Hall of Fame
I think the last K-Swiss shoe I wore was...the Si-18...the original...circa 1990...

4ba9c7f31237a1e542a73b11777a9a2a.jpg


crap I'm old...

I wore these once upon a time as well (I’m old, but I’m mentally 12), and I wore the Big Shot. It seems they went lightweight with no warranty, so this could be a good direction to go.
 

SoccerGuy

New User
Chance and srvnvly, what did you guys think about shoes back then compared to now? I’ve heard that some people believe that there hasn’t been a major change in shoe technology for years, unlike strings or racquets. I don’t know as my tennis shoe experience doesn’t go back as far as you guys. I’ve been hitting a lot of different more modern shoes, and I’m curious about how older shoes stack up.
 

Icsa

Semi-Pro
I love everything about K-Swiss except their durability of the outsole: I can burn through their Aosta 7.0 in 3-4 hard matches. Their shoes particularly excel in comfort and my slightly wider forefoot fits great in them. I wish I could say the same about GR7 which are just too tight in the toe box.

Interesting that the ultrashot is coming with a 6 month guarantee without mentioning a change in tech for a better durability. I'm really hoping for a change there.

PS. I'm using Hypercourt Express now.
 
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srvnvly

Hall of Fame
Chance and srvnvly, what did you guys think about shoes back then compared to now? I’ve heard that some people believe that there hasn’t been a major change in shoe technology for years, unlike strings or racquets. I don’t know as my tennis shoe experience doesn’t go back as far as you guys. I’ve been hitting a lot of different more modern shoes, and I’m curious about how older shoes stack up.

The SI18 was a cushioned shoe, albeit a bit clunky, but it was more cushioned than many other shoes. Today’s shoes are more technical and offer more benefits, but the price is at least 3x that of past shoes. I currently wear the Asics GR 7s, and my knees and hips are better off. I think modern shoes have 1) better cushioning; and 2) better rubber for longer wear.
 

SoccerGuy

New User
Interesting, I would have thought that shoe cushioning would have remained the same. New cushioning technology and lower to the ground shoes might have cancelled each other out, out leaving cushioning relatively similar across the board.
 

SoccerGuy

New User
Interesting, I would have thought that shoe cushioning would have remained the same. New cushioning technology and lower to the ground shoes might have cancelled each other out, out leaving cushioning relatively similar across the board.
But I guess that it does depend on the type of shoe that is being made, like the Asics GR 7's are built for exceptional cushioning and durability, and the solution speeds are made for speed.
 

Heidi Tennis

New User
I love everything about K-Swiss except their durability of the outsole: I can burn through their Aosta 7.0 in 3-4 hard matches. Their shoes particularly excel in comfort and my slightly wider forefoot fits great in them. I wish I could say the same about GR7 which are just too tight in the toe box.

Interesting that the ultrashot is coming with a 6 month guarantee without mentioning a change in tech for a better durability. I'm really hoping for a change there.

PS. I'm using Hypercourt Express now.
The outsole is the same as their high-end shoe, the Knitshot which is more durable than they Hypercourt Court Express, Bigshot Light etc. so this should help. Looks like Donald Young switched from the Knitshot to the Ultrashot and plays Novak tonight.
 

mpournaras

Hall of Fame
I am excited for it as they tend to have a fit that caters to a more club level player (wider lol)

I look forward to trying it on. I also kinda dig the color
 

Icsa

Semi-Pro
The outsole is the same as their high-end shoe, the Knitshot which is more durable than they Hypercourt Court Express, Bigshot Light etc. so this should help. Looks like Donald Young switched from the Knitshot to the Ultrashot and plays Novak tonight.

I noticed that too - the outsole pattern is the same as in Knitshot, so that is a positive sign. However, Knitshot is pretty new and I haven't seen enough real world reviews on durability.
 

SoccerGuy

New User
I noticed that too - the outsole pattern is the same as in Knitshot, so that is a positive sign. However, Knitshot is pretty new and I haven't seen enough real world reviews on durability.
Looks like Kswiss is pretty confident about durability because they are giving a 6 month durability guarantee.
 

KaiserW

Hall of Fame
The last K-Swiss shoe I wore was the big shot 2. It was near perfect, but the traction is what held it back for me as I slide more than often compared to other shoes that I wore. Hopefully this update will put it in the right track. I do love their styling compared to other big brand companies such as Nike/Adidas.

This, I had a pair of Big Shots that I liked, were real comfortable but as they worn some I started sliding a lot. Was worried I would hurt myself so ditched them.

When I was younger KSwiss was my go to shoe and I never remember having that problem. If the can fix the traction problem I would be interested in trying.
 

Jimbud

Semi-Pro
I have messed up feet -- flat and the joint between my big toe and right foot is enlarged and very limited range of motion. Found the KSwiss HE and they are fantastic. I can play with my orthodic in without removing the padding. Not exactly low to the ground feel, but the most comfortable shoe I've found across several brands and enables me to play 4 or 5 times a week. Admittedly, they aren't easy on the eyes, but such is life. It is odd that competitors have new colorways out for the HE but TW does not. This new offering looks pretty cool though.....
 
So i took the plunge on picking up a pair (since i was not selected to be a playtester :(). has anyone else purchased these yet? I have tried them on - they feel slightly short, maybe not quite a full half size, but close. Since i wear size 12 and it does not look like anyone sells half sizes above 12, not sure if i keep them or just send them back. as far as initial impressions, like many lighter weight shoes (eg Asics Gel Solution Speed) foot feels closer to the ground, support feels decent, the tongue is interesting, fairly thin, but well cushioned (at least for a thin tongue). while the color is described as red and the picture may lend more to a pinkish red in person, these look more orangish-pink. if i decide to keep these i will give them a go tomorrow. one other thing to note, the inside heel cup is slightly textured i assume to mitigate heel slippage.
 

Jimbud

Semi-Pro
So i took the plunge on picking up a pair (since i was not selected to be a playtester :(). has anyone else purchased these yet? I have tried them on - they feel slightly short, maybe not quite a full half size, but close. Since i wear size 12 and it does not look like anyone sells half sizes above 12, not sure if i keep them or just send them back. as far as initial impressions, like many lighter weight shoes (eg Asics Gel Solution Speed) foot feels closer to the ground, support feels decent, the tongue is interesting, fairly thin, but well cushioned (at least for a thin tongue). while the color is described as red and the picture may lend more to a pinkish red in person, these look more orangish-pink. if i decide to keep these i will give them a go tomorrow. one other thing to note, the inside heel cup is slightly textured i assume to mitigate heel slippage.
Interesting. Question for you -- would you describe the toe box as large? More specifically, I need a toebox that is deep/tall. Width is nice but less important for my foot. Right now I play in the KSwiss Hypercourt Express. Thanks!
 

Icsa

Semi-Pro
Interesting. Question for you -- would you describe the toe box as large? More specifically, I need a toebox that is deep/tall. Width is nice but less important for my foot. Right now I play in the KSwiss Hypercourt Express. Thanks!

Someone (Pat) posted a review on the product page and it brings bad news:
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/feedback-MKUSRBK.html

" I ordered these based on the width description as "slightly wide in the forefoot". I just tried them on and could barely get my feet into them. I'll stick with the Hypercourt Express for now. Bums me out -- I had high hopes for these. From: Pat, 1/15/18"

Very disappointing if this is the case, KSwiss' advantage over the other brands was the roomier forefoot box.
 
Interesting. Question for you -- would you describe the toe box as large? More specifically, I need a toebox that is deep/tall. Width is nice but less important for my foot. Right now I play in the KSwiss Hypercourt Express. Thanks!

i am not an expert on everything tennis shoes, but as a mode of comparison - i have sitting with me a pair of Asics Solution Speed 3, New Balance 996 and i would say the toe box is more similar to the Asics with the New Balance being larger. I am assuming the New Balance would not be considered a roomy or large toe box, but perhaps average.
 
Interesting. Question for you -- would you describe the toe box as large? More specifically, I need a toebox that is deep/tall. Width is nice but less important for my foot. Right now I play in the KSwiss Hypercourt Express. Thanks!

Not to threadjack, but @Jimbud- keep an eye out for the new diadora’s, I had a chance to try them on today and the toe box felt pretty roomy. I don’t have a ton of experience with Diadora, and the last round of shoes we’re not that highly reviewed by the TW play testers but (granted this was just in the store) these felt pretty comfortable, good cushioning and support. Not super light, but did not feel like I was wearing cement shoes either.
 

Jimbud

Semi-Pro
Not to threadjack, but @Jimbud- keep an eye out for the new diadora’s, I had a chance to try them on today and the toe box felt pretty roomy. I don’t have a ton of experience with Diadora, and the last round of shoes we’re not that highly reviewed by the TW play testers but (granted this was just in the store) these felt pretty comfortable, good cushioning and support. Not super light, but did not feel like I was wearing cement shoes either.
Great! Thanks for the tip. Will keep an eye out.
 

Jimbud

Semi-Pro

Jimbud

Semi-Pro
Video review is up on you tube - check out it out at the 2:00 mark - Troy's comments on larger toe box...
Yup, thanks! Saw it this morning. Have a pair in my cart with some Yonex apparel from the AO. Will likely cash out Monday morning in case I see anything else I want :) I guess the Babolat Propulse or SFX2s would likely also have tall toe boxes, but I played in the first version of the SFX briefly and they were really bad — heavy and unwieldy. Felt like playing with boxes on my feet. And, hell, the Diadora’s look cooler and not every other guy at the club is wearing them. Shallow, I know.....
 

AlxThm

Rookie
I've never tried K-Swiss because the 6 month is a must for me, but, i'm thiking that this might be the ones, they look sweeet
 

McLovin

Legend
So are you going to buy the updated version? Really wish Nike would do the sa,e with the air tech challenge.
I just saw the announcement the other day. Was a bit disappointed as I had hoped they would resemble the ones I wore. But still, I may give them a try.
 
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