Barricade is #1

gino

Legend
Update for the people
3 sessions in on the B13:
This shoe still works. Repetitor feels slightly softer than Boost. Subtle differences. Overall the shoe is still a performer and I am ahalf step faster in these vs other offerings while still maintaining foot protection and stability for the elite middle aged mover.

The NB CT rally is demonstrably inferior, IMO

If I could choose between these and the 2021 I would take the 2021 but with these you get tw fast shipping, sale price and 6 mo guarantee. Plus no eebbaayy shenanigans.

Its a no brainer, still the best shoe. I’m in these for the foreseeable unless Nike can pull a rabbit out the hat
Super interesting you like the repetitor cushion more than boost, I always felt boost was maybe a touch too soft. Not enough springboard effect, more pure compression
 

Fed Kennedy

Legend
Super interesting you like the repetitor cushion more than boost, I always felt boost was maybe a touch too soft. Not enough springboard effect, more pure compression
Sorry that is a typo. Softer than BOUNCE. Bounce has slightly more responsiveness and repetitor is a little more comfortable but they are in the same zone. Boost is like soft as hell
 

gino

Legend
Sorry that is a typo. Softer than BOUNCE. Bounce has slightly more responsiveness and repetitor is a little more comfortable but they are in the same zone. Boost is like soft as hell
I’m intrigued by the repetitor spec, the best barricades straddled being comfy and responsive like you say

Dual density foam is so damn good. Has me reminiscing about the lunar ballistec
 

Sardines

Hall of Fame
My experience with the 13s was bad. They are much hotter than the '23 version, less cushioning and energy return with the repetitor midsole, and my pet peeve...no heel strap! My favorite version is the '23, which eliminated the need to break in the shoe with your own foot!
 

SinneGOAT

Legend
It is my contention
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That the Barricade is the best shoe on the market. (Hard court)
Change my mind.

Nike: Vapor 11 is weak. Vapor Cage is B+

Asics: FF 3 too expensive. GR9 has funky dynawall and tongue straps that choke a wide footer.

Mizuno: Maybe. My goat baseball glove was a Mizuno.

Diadora: Maybe the Torneo. Some whiff of Guga swag. I question whether the fit can be customized as well as the ‘cade.

Lotto: swag is minimal. Official journeyman shoe? Could actually be a good shoe, the herringbone vibram sole looks good.

Wilson: Rush Pro looks good and comes in good colors. Clashes with my HEAD racquet. Uppers are too soft.

KSwiss: no swag. Nylon stiched to a futon. Just get the all white 5 stripers for after the match chilling.

New Balance: Tommy Paul rally car shoe has a good shape, looks like an Air Flare mated with a Penny Hardaway 1. I see good local players in these. This could be our runner up. The rest of the line looks like your Uncle Kent bought them at Big 5.

Barricade: Lacing system can be dialed in to fit foot shape. Wide forefoot sits low to the ground. Always on sale. Tons of colors. Six month guarantee, sturdy shank. These are actually the new vapors.
I also think that the current barricade and especially the 13 is highly underrated. I only use that and the gel res, but if I could I’d only wear barricade 13s.
 

Shaolin

Talk Tennis Guru
GR9 is definitely the people’s choice.

Its a quality shoe, no doubt.

I prefer Barricade for

Handling (more court feel)

Styling

Forefoot width (dont have to cut out those straps)

Price/Availability

Glad they work for you. I cant wear them, they fit me terribly. Horrible heel slippage and just uncomfortable in general.

I love the Ubersonic 4s though, apart for the durability.
 

Boomersooner

New User
I wonder if the Barricade naysayers have only tried the (horrible) 2021 version. Because the 2023 and v13 force me to agree with op. You can customize the fit with the laces and they simply have the best cushion/comfort/speed ratio I've ever used. And they look GREAT!
 

Shaolin

Talk Tennis Guru
I wonder if the Barricade naysayers have only tried the (horrible) 2021 version. Because the 2023 and v13 force me to agree with op. You can customize the fit with the laces and they simply have the best cushion/comfort/speed ratio I've ever used. And they look GREAT!

Ive tried the newest version and they are just as bad. Horrible heel slippage and fit.

Also not very comfortable. Ive heard that the durability isnt very good either which is supposed to be the whole point of the Barricade line.
 

Fed Kennedy

Legend
I wonder if the Barricade naysayers have only tried the (horrible) 2021 version. Because the 2023 and v13 force me to agree with op. You can customize the fit with the laces and they simply have the best cushion/comfort/speed ratio I've ever used. And they look GREAT!
I actually like the 21. Stiff AF racecar with no suspension. The staggered laces are on individual lycra bands that totally wrap the foot. Pretty uncompromising shoe.
The solar red with the carbon shank is money
 

Boomersooner

New User
I think shoes are more "personal" than even rackets. No 2 feet are alike. GR9 gave me stinging achilles pain which I never had with any shoes and seemed like the cushioning bottomed out quickly (btw loved GR8). My heel locks better in Barricade 23 and v13 better than any shoe I've ever owned. I do buy my Barricades a half size larger than other shoes.
 

Obnavox

Rookie
I think shoes are more "personal" than even rackets. No 2 feet are alike. GR9 gave me stinging achilles pain which I never had with any shoes and seemed like the cushioning bottomed out quickly (btw loved GR8). My heel locks better in Barricade 23 and v13 better than any shoe I've ever owned. I do buy my Barricades a half size larger than other shoes.
I agree. I find both the barricade and ubersonic just fit my feet well. Asics feels shapeless to me.
 

California

Semi-Pro
Ive tried the newest version and they are just as bad. Horrible heel slippage and fit.

Also not very comfortable. Ive heard that the durability isnt very good either which is supposed to be the whole point of the Barricade line.
I have several gripes with the Barricade. My biggest by far is that it has almost zero forefoot cushioning. It’s super thin and you can feel the court too much, not much impact protection. The stack height in the forefoot should be a couple millimeters thicker, the heel is fine. IMHO.
 

Shaolin

Talk Tennis Guru
I have several gripes with the Barricade. My biggest by far is that it has almost zero forefoot cushioning. It’s super thin and you can feel the court too much, not much impact protection. The stack height in the forefoot should be a couple millimeters thicker, the heel is fine. IMHO.

Yes I agree. I hope the next iteration has a little more cushioning and better heel fit.

The latest version is basically unwearable for me.
 

Fed Kennedy

Legend
I have several gripes with the Barricade. My biggest by far is that it has almost zero forefoot cushioning. It’s super thin and you can feel the court too much, not much impact protection. The stack height in the forefoot should be a couple millimeters thicker, the heel is fine. IMHO.
Do you wear orthotics? I might not be feeling this as much because I use superfeet orange which have an extra later of forefoot foam
 

California

Semi-Pro
Do you wear orthotics? I might not be feeling this as much because I use superfeet orange which have an extra later of forefoot foam
I do wear custom orthotics. I am 55 and played a lot of sports in my life so my feet are a little more susceptible to forefoot pain. This shoe really was noticeable to me to be lacking in that area. I am a longtime adidas wearer and this was one of the weakest in that area in quite some time. Barricade 2 is my all time favorite Barricade.
 
I wore Barricade's all my junior years. Can vouch for them every day. I did now switch to Wilsons Rush Pro 3.0 (99€ at the pro shop) and have no complaints about them either. Next time I'll have to do some bargain hunting and see if I can get back to Barricades cheaply.
 

1hander

Rookie
My favorite of the more recent Barricades is the 2023. Felt it had way more cushioning than the 11 and 13. I had to migrate away from it because I wrecked the outsole in around 2 weeks. The GR9 has similarish qualities but more durability.
 

tennis3

Hall of Fame
Addidas (Barricades and the like) and Nike are overpriced garbage.
Barricades certainly aren't what they used to be "back in the day". I used to think it was just because they wanted to cheap them out and make more money. But I still have some older Barricades that I wear (I have some 4's, 5's, 7's and 8's). Some of the younger guys I play with comment on how bulky they are. "Old man shoes". So I've come to realize that the younger crowd like the lighter (cheaply made, crap) shoes. Give me the old "built like a tank" Barricades from 15+ years ago any day.
 

Alcawrath

Professional
You get two pair though. So thats four months. Four months is pretty good no?
I would agree that four months is good, but coming from Asics gel res, I can't understand why adidas can't make a more durable shoe. Its also a pain to have to send in for a warranty because of low quality materials
 

MaverickTennis

New User
Barricades last me 2months. Toe dragger here (backhand). This is with 3 pairs of Barricades in rotation.

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Have you thought about just changing your form not to toe drag so much? I used to do it on my serves 20 years ago. Went through shoes every month. I then decided to change up my serve form a little and it's been the best thing ever since financially. lol
 

iLuveKetchup

New User
Have you thought about just changing your form not to toe drag so much? I used to do it on my serves 20 years ago. Went through shoes every month. I then decided to change up my serve form a little and it's been the best thing ever since financially. lol
I am more conscience about not dragging my toe. I was worse before where holes were forming on the top, not the sole.

On another note, I decided to drill yesterday not on Barricades but on Adidas Ubersonic. While they are 'tennis' shoes, I usually use them for the gym. Welp... I ended up rolling my ankle and now suffering a sprain.

The only reason I use Barricades is for the support. Don't know what I was thinking not playing with them yesterday. ugh
 

Fed Kennedy

Legend
I am more conscience about not dragging my toe. I was worse before where holes were forming on the top, not the sole.

On another note, I decided to drill yesterday not on Barricades but on Adidas Ubersonic. While they are 'tennis' shoes, I usually use them for the gym. Welp... I ended up rolling my ankle and now suffering a sprain.

The only reason I use Barricades is for the support. Don't know what I was thinking not playing with them yesterday. ugh
Locked and loaded
 

bobeeto

Hall of Fame
I am more conscience about not dragging my toe. I was worse before where holes were forming on the top, not the sole.

On another note, I decided to drill yesterday not on Barricades but on Adidas Ubersonic. While they are 'tennis' shoes, I usually use them for the gym. Welp... I ended up rolling my ankle and now suffering a sprain.

The only reason I use Barricades is for the support. Don't know what I was thinking not playing with them yesterday. ugh
Switch to a one hand backhand, you will both never drag your toe, and never make a backhand so you solve two problems!
 
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