Babolat SFX vs. Prince T22 vs. Adidas Barricade 8

K

kalop

New User
Hi,

I’m looking to change tennis shoes. I've been playing with New Balance 656 2E for the longest time. Comfortable, but no durability at all.
My main criteria are comfort (narrow shoes don’t work for me AND I get plantar fasciitis easily – flat feet), and durability!
I'm an intermediate player, and play 3 times a week.

Looking at these threads, I've narrowed it down to 3 shoes (Babolat SFX vs. Prince T22 vs. Adidas Barricade 8), which would you recommend for comfort and durability?

Votes/Comments (or alternatives) welcome. Thanks!
 
the barricade holds the best durability shoe in the market. but people have reported that there is some discomfort.

the SFX is the most comfortable shoe. it has tons of shock absorber in the midsole. however it runs a bit wide for those who has narrow feet

never tried the T22, but i heard the plastic part of the shoe causes a problem.
 
Thanks. On the T22, have you heard it’s an issue with discomfort, or does that plastic part of the shoe break or something?
 
kalop said:
Thanks. On the T22, have you heard it’s an issue with discomfort, or does that plastic part of the shoe break or something?
Click to expand...

I have used the T22 for several years now. I have never had discomfort of any kind. This shoe fits me perfectly and has excellent support and traction. Cushioning is also good. What I like most about the fit is that it is roomy in the toe box and forefoot, but is narrower at the heel, giving me a locked-in feel that other wider shoes do not.

I also am on my first pair of SFX. I will be buying these again due to the amazing comfort and cushioning. These run big and I had to go down a size (10 to 9.5). Even in the smaller size they are very roomy in every direction, I have to wear Thorlo Level 3 to not move around too much. Alternatively, I will wear Eurosocks (also a well padded sock) with another pair of socks underneath them.

Differences: T22's have very good cusioning. SFX's are ridiculously good in the cushioning department. The upper support on the SFX's are just adequate. The upper support on the T22's are superb. The SFX does not provide anywhere near the same lateral support as T22's. The heel on the SFX's is just as roomy as the rest of the shoe, unlike the narrower T22 heel. The T22 is a faster and better performance shoe for me, but I wear the SFX's just as much due to the ultra plush feel. I don't wear the SFX for hardcore play. If I had to pick only one shoe, I would go with the T22 for its overall performance. The SFX is an indulgence for me.

T22 is a better value, too, especially if you buy two at $79.00 each (SFX was $115.00 when I bought mine, it is down to $105.00 now). Both have a 6 month durability warranty.

I've worn just about every performance shoe that fits my wide forefoot and have not found anything better that these two.

You cannot go wrong with either.
 
I've worn the T22 and never had any problem with the plastic support strap, but if you read the reviews, some players have found this a problem. I found that I fit better in the T22 by going up a 1/2-size, but haven't heard this from other wearers.

The T22 is fairly wide in the toe box, but the toe box is also pointed which caused a problem for me. Something with a straighter toe box like a Yonex 304 fits my foot better. I prefer a lighter shoe than the T22 for matches, but this is mostly subjective. Cushioning seemed good.
 
FYI

I sometimes wonder if the "plastic strap rubbing" that people talk about on reviews for the t-22's is in fact the plastic piece that is on the t-24's. like people were getting them both mixed up?

I have never had any discomfort on the t-22's - best value in tennis imho BUT when i bought a pair of t-24's i literally took them off on the court and threw them over the fence :) Huge rubbing from the from plastic piece.
 
Out of the list T22's are definitely the best for comfort. I have never had an issue with discomfort or plastic pieces.
 
Thanks. So it seems that the Adidas are the most durable of the bunch, but the T22 and SFX are both much more comfortable. Is there a big difference with durability between the latter 2, or is it negligible?
 
kalop said:
Thanks. So it seems that the Adidas are the most durable of the bunch, but the T22 and SFX are both much more comfortable. Is there a big difference with durability between the latter 2, or is it negligible?
Click to expand...

Not really, unless you are talking about the original V's (now that was a durable and uber-supportive shoe). Barricade 8 does not have an advantage over the T22 or SFX in durability. If you are looking for durability (particularly when it comes to toe dragging) you might check out the V re-issues. Haven't tried them since I still have a couple of pairs, but there are threads here that could tell you how faithful they are to the originals.
 
Last edited:
I have also been a user of the T22's and the SFX. They both have excellent cushioning but to me, the T22's feel clunkier and heavier and more "mushy". I do like them but prefer the SFX's. I also love the Nike Zoom Vapor Tour 9's. I wear them for performance and the SFX's for practice and casual matches.
 
T22 or Barricade 8

Barricade 8 is hands down the most durable

SFX is probably the most comfortable

T22 combines the best of both worlds and an all around great shoe


hope i could help...
 
T22 plastic stuff not good with thin socks, but with sport thick socks they are great. I have extra wide front part of feet and T22 are o.k. for that unlike all terrible Nikes and Adidasses etc.

Also T22 have incredible stability, you wont expect that from huge cusioning oriented shoes - absolutely no problem regarding ankles...
 
I wore Barricades for a long time. Yes, the soles do last, but truthfully....the inside of the shoe breaks down on most shoes. What I mean is that they lose their cushioning and while you may still have tread, you may also have sore knees to go with it.

I moved to the T22's and except for a brief dalliance with the new Nike Lunar Vapor (2X the price and not as good a shoe) I have been in these. To me, they are better than the Barricades, the Big Shots, and the LV's. A doctor I play with wore the Babolat shoe and complained about his Achilles. He changed to the T22 and hasn't looked back.

IMO, they are the total package and that package doesn't cost nearly as much!!!!
 
The T22 is my favorite shoe. It's the total package. Oddly enough I have a narrow foot and it fits fine. I read on another post that the newer T22's are narrower than the old ones. If that's true I probably have a new one. My feet are too narrow for many of the tennis shoes out there.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

D
Prince shoes/ which model has most stability?
Replies
0
Views
775
dberke
D
S
scotus' review: adidas barricade 5 & 7 vs babolat SFX
Replies
6
Views
2K
scotus
S
A
How does support & stability of the Prince t10/t9/t22 compare to Adidas Barricade ?
Replies
0
Views
718
AndrewD
A
TripleB
T22, T22 Lite, or Speed FF for Knee Comfort?
Replies
7
Views
1K
a10best
a10best
D
Widest shoes available on market
Replies
6
Views
806
Shaolin
Shaolin
Back
Top