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ASICS Speed FF2
- Thread starter Mr Backhand
- Start date
Takeitontherise
New User
I prefer the Speeds slightly more than the GR8. Speeds are definitely more narrow in the midfoot. I have a tiny amount of heel movement in the GR8, but not enough to worry me. Speeds feel faster just walking around, but honestly once I start playing, I’d say the difference is not extreme, although I’ve never been all that particular about this aspect. I actually like both shoes, with a slight preference for the speeds.
RedBeard
Rookie
After 4 hours of hardcourt use:
1. The arch is considerably lower than the predecessor. Have an aftermarket insole ordered.
2. The outsole just as squeaky as the the original on split steps and sharp stops.
3. Lateral support continues to impress...quite a bit better than predecessor.
4. Have jammed my toe twice stopping for a drop shot, which never happened with the original speed FF.
Hoping the added arch support/grip of an aftermarket insole keeps foot in place to give confidence on forward movement. But for my narrow foot this is a downgrade from the original Speed FF...toe box too wide now.
1. The arch is considerably lower than the predecessor. Have an aftermarket insole ordered.
2. The outsole just as squeaky as the the original on split steps and sharp stops.
3. Lateral support continues to impress...quite a bit better than predecessor.
4. Have jammed my toe twice stopping for a drop shot, which never happened with the original speed FF.
Hoping the added arch support/grip of an aftermarket insole keeps foot in place to give confidence on forward movement. But for my narrow foot this is a downgrade from the original Speed FF...toe box too wide now.
Nostradamus
Bionic Poster
What did you think about the cushioning and responsiveness of its cushion ? Better than the orginal speed FF ?
RedBeard
Rookie
Honestly, I can’t tell any difference in the cushioning.
Username_
Hall of Fame
To repeat/add on what RedBeard said...
Speed 2 vs predecessor:
Slightly Lower arch
Slightly lighter
Lateral stability is slightly better
Speed 2 has tiny more room in the forefoot
However...the biggest standout is it's traction.... it's miles better than its predecessor. I'm complaining about it having too much (I play on astroturf/mod grass). Actually finding it hard to slide on the surface unless I put conscious effort into it.
Speed 2 vs predecessor:
Slightly Lower arch
Slightly lighter
Lateral stability is slightly better
Speed 2 has tiny more room in the forefoot
However...the biggest standout is it's traction.... it's miles better than its predecessor. I'm complaining about it having too much (I play on astroturf/mod grass). Actually finding it hard to slide on the surface unless I put conscious effort into it.
JGads
G.O.A.T.
I had a similar issue and ended up going up a half size, which made it workable though not fully ideal.
Good shoe, but not epic like the SS2.
That is/was my dilemma. I purchased without trying on and the length was great in my regular size. But I'm concerned the 1/2 size up will create some other fit challenges. I'm going to try and find a pair locally and try before I buy this time.
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JGads
G.O.A.T.
I understand this dilemma quite well. It's so weird because the Gel Res 8, for example, I would even go half size down because there is extra room off the toe, so I would end up with a GR8 and a Speed a full size different. Often I do feel more secure with a thicker insole in my shoe anyway, so that helps to fill out the shoe more with sizing up and in fact this seems to work very well with the Speed. Only issue is the replacement insole I have is slicker than the stock insert Asics offers, which feels better and stops the sliding a bit more. But I will say that the sizing up 1/2 is better in this Speed than in most shoes where it just gets too roomy, because this Speed really does a good job of wrapping around the foot so you still feel pretty secure and cradled rather than swimming around. Similar situation for me with the Mizuno Exceed Tour 4s, which oddly enough have a different sizing ratio (size 44 asics is a size 10 US, size 44 Mizuno is a 10.5 US). Good luck.
That's exactly it. The forefoot truly does wrap around the foot (and unfortunately created that pinching..LOL). Thanks!
JGads
G.O.A.T.
No no, I get it. I meant that with upping a half size the shoe overall (midfoot and ankle) still hugged my foot securely enough to not make me feel like I was swimming. Going up a half definitely alleviated the toes protruding into the upper at the forefoot, though.
No worries. I understood what you meant. I was just saying that you "nailed it" when you mentioned that it does a good job of wrapping around the foot. Those words described how the shoe behaves perfectly.
For me, that supportive wrapping in my normal size resulted in the pinching. I get that you're saying that even in a half size up, the shoe still supportively wraps but without the pinching.
JGads
G.O.A.T.
Yeah, it's better. Secure but not as severe. Like a hug from your grandma vs your father.
Or something.
JGads
G.O.A.T.
As per the convo in the posts just above, true if you don't have a wide foot, but wider footers may feel the need to go up a half.
RedBeard
Rookie
Although I think the Speed FF2 will be an improvement for most, I'm giving up on them. Just can't gel with the wider toe box and can't make the low arch work for me. Was tempted to order 1/2 size down, but figured the low arch would still be an issue.
So went back to the Court FF2s (half size down) last night and played great. Will miss the court connection of the Speeds, but the comfort of the Court FF2 is outstanding.
So went back to the Court FF2s (half size down) last night and played great. Will miss the court connection of the Speeds, but the comfort of the Court FF2 is outstanding.
JGads
G.O.A.T.
No luck with an insole? A half size up with a Powerstep Pinnacle insole has proved a good compromise for me overall. Presently rotating these with Mizuno Exceed 4s and pretty much happy with both at this point.
RedBeard
Rookie
I actually tried the Powerstep in my normal size (12) and, for my foot, the arch support was a little too far forward in the Speed FF2. Tried Superfeet and arch is in the right spot, but they took away too much cushion. Did not try 1/2 size up though as I was concerned that would make my issue with the wider toe box worse.
I think it's a really great shoe that will probably work for more people than its predecessor. Just not for my narrow, high arched feet.
the_faceless_player
Hall of Fame
I got a pair of Speed FF2 recently to compare to my go to Uber 4. Enjoy them and they definitely feel better cushioned in the forefoot. Did get a little heel slippage but that was solved by heel locking the laces. What I am put off by though is the fact I have only worn them 2 times and there are already spots going bald toward the toe of the sole. I get they are not a durability shoe but my Uber 4 are a few months old and are not wearing at this rate.
JGads
G.O.A.T.
Are the ubers more stable or about the same?
the_faceless_player
Hall of Fame
I think they're similar in terms of forefoot stability. Toward the back, the FF2 heel feels a bit more curved to me and I think the Uber 4 plants a bit better at the back of the shoe. I can see why the FF2 is a good fit for someone like De Minaur as it really wants to slide. But for me, I prefer the Uber 4 as the FF2 feels a little wobbly in the heel shape comparatively. Both are great fast shoes and I easily would use them interchangeably in doubles. For an aggressive singles match I'd probably stay in the Uber 4 just for that extra smidgen of stability in the rear of the shoe.
JGads
G.O.A.T.
Yeah the outsole is pretty narrow on the Speeds and I think that's why I'm getting a tad more stability out of the Exceed 4s - that planting, and transition, there's just a bit more surface area on the heel and forefoot sections anchoring to the ground. Just a smidgeon more, but it seems to make some difference. The Ubers seem really great for court feel though I'm worried about that lack of forefoot cushioning. May be a good fit for soft clay though, and if I can get them on sale somewhere I may pick up a pair. They're certainly good looking.
JGads
G.O.A.T.
If you sized down to 9.5 due to the annoying added toe length in the GR8, then 10 should be your go to here as this one doesn't have that. I actually went up a half to 10.5 to accommodate my wider foot, but if you're a normal foot then the 10 should be perfect.
PistolPete23
Hall of Fame
Solution Speeds are more stable than the Vapor X's for me, and also has better cushioning response from the midsole.
Paul-tennis
New User
any new colorways coming out? thanks.
Stepanek2020
New User
Great shoes! However after 2 months and 3 hours per week my toe box is kinda done.
Here’s an image link as I wasn’t able to paste image directly:
https://ibb.co/wCtPDH7
Is this normal wear these days? Only played on indoor hardcourt (Greenset).
Here’s an image link as I wasn’t able to paste image directly:
https://ibb.co/wCtPDH7
Is this normal wear these days? Only played on indoor hardcourt (Greenset).
Rozroz
G.O.A.T.
ouch! lol
well that's not a problem for me personally, unless the outsoles go as fast (how are yours)
JGads
G.O.A.T.
If your foot is at all wide, definitely go up a half from your normal. Works for me. These are very good shoes in the light and speedy category.
DJTaurus
Hall of Fame
Same thing happened to me. It’s the best ASICS shoe right now but durability wise the worst. I was thinking to have resolution 8 for training sessions and keep speed ff 2 only for matches.
FIRETennis
Professional
I do the same. Good setup.
Rozroz
G.O.A.T.
so in that case why the GR8 and not the CourtFF?
DJTaurus
Hall of Fame
I used the court ff 2…. best lockdown but not bendable at all on the midfoot area. Also it has the least feedback from the ground of all the 3 ASICS. I know that it’s hard to believe but speed ff 2s have amazing cushioning/padding for a lightweight shoe…. they are so freaking comfy. And they are by far the most responsive of them…..my toe box sole can wear out in only 2 months….. so i am thinking to protect them and use them only for competitive games/matches and for training to use Res8 which is the most comfy (but Bulky) ASICS right now. Speed FF 2s have nothing in common with SFF 1s and to me it’s the best ASICS since the legendary speed 2s.
Rozroz
G.O.A.T.
so let me ask you this - i'm only concerned about the bottom outsole durability VS let's say the GR8 - if i'm not too aggressive and play 4 hrs a week on hard court.
because i'm totally into the lightweight fast shoes atm and less into these bulky tanks. i have no concern with the mid-upper toebox durability,
FIRETennis
Professional
I believe only the GR8 has a 6-mo outsole warranty.
I feel much quicker with the Speed FF2s.
Decide depending on what is more important to you....
I go up half size on the Speed FF2s if you have wide-ish feet.
Rozroz
G.O.A.T.
tnx
i have narrow feet and high ark which needs a different insole.. AND 2 socks. so not sure about going up a half.
DJTaurus
Hall of Fame
You can’t do anything mate with speed ff 2s. Unfortunately the part of the toe sole will be gone in a maximum of 2 months. I would have switched to res 8 fully but ff2s are miles better shoes in terms of performance,lockdown,stop n goes,side steps and reaction.
Rozroz
G.O.A.T.
what's your weekly hrs time? and what level are you? aggressive sliding and grinding?
DJTaurus
Hall of Fame
Don’t be afraid of it. It only takes the hit on the edge… the rest of the sole holds pretty normal. So in theory it will last for 4-6 months. I play 4 hours each week. I don’t slide at all.
Stepanek2020
New User
Outsoles are pretty much slicks already. Great for sliding though! I guess it's another two months and the outsole has a hole too.
Rozroz
G.O.A.T.
4 months is not too bad for "un-warrantied" outsole.. i guess it's ok. tnx!
Stepanek2020
New User
Yeah, 4 months would be nice, but I'm afraid the hole in the shoebox will become too big before the outsole is gone. I used to put some ventilation tape on top of the hole back in the younger days, so maybe I'm able to extend the shoebox a bit longer!
Rozroz
G.O.A.T.
no, you have a more serious problem, lol
i never scratch the middle/top of my shoebox for some reason
JGads
G.O.A.T.
Agree with your take on the Court FF2. Here in Europe Asics has a return policy like Nike does in the US, can test a shoe plenty and still return, and so I've gotten to try the three different Asics as the Court FF just kind of feels 'dead' in terms of the cushion, spring, and energy return I get from it compared to both Gel Res and Speed FF2. None of these shoes is perfect for me but the Court FF2 is in the rear, yet the most expensive. Hoping the Court FF3 is a good update and more like the original Court FFs which were fantastic.
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