markwillplay
Hall of Fame
How does the cushioning on these two shoes compare. I ordered a pair of t22 lites but thought I might try the gel res 7's as some are on sale.
compare asics gel res 7 vs T22 lite
- Thread starter markwillplay
- Start date
As far as I know, neither shoe has any more or less cushioning than their predecessors, the T22 and the Gel Res 6, both of which I've worn extensively. On those shoes, there is no comparison because they are completely different shoes. The Gel Res is a high performance shoe made for high level players. It has a low to the ground profile for responsiveness and court feel. So even though it feels soft, it sacrifices impact protection, which is ok for young, sturdy high level players. It's one of the best overall performance shoes out there, but there are other shoes with better impact protection. If they beefed up the cushioning, their followers would complain bitterly because it would lose responsiveness, court feel, and speed. The T22 was a best seller for several years, for good reasons: it appeals to a more general audience, including older club players who make up the majority of tennis sales. The cushioning is both comfortable and protective. You feel more isolated from the court and less stable than you do on the Gel Res, but it's great for your joints. I don't think I ever had sore knees after playing in the T22's. I did with the Gel Res 6.
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AllTennis01
Rookie
I think Ramon above put out the proper comparison with T22 regulars, not Lite version. The Lites actually are a bit more like the GR shoes as they are meant to be a bit faster and lighter shoe. They have great comfort like regular T22, but the cushioning is a bit weaker, probably more like the GR. They are also a bit wider in the toe box just as regulars, so that might be good or bad depending on your needs. I have GR6, but assume GR7 are very close, and these are little long feeling vs the Lites. While I like the Lites a lot, I can’t see myself buying another pair because of weaker stability compared to the regulars. While wider toe box and overall feel when on my toes made me feel stable in the Lites, GR are a bit more stiff and felt better than Lites in that department. If you’re young with healthy joints then either shoe is fine.
I've seen an tried on the T22 Lites but never actually played in them. I did notice the thin generic looking insoles that are spartan in comparison to the thicker insoles in the regular T22, but the midsole looks identical. I know the insole in the regular T22 adds to the comfort, but I doubt that adds much actual protection. What's your take on it? Is the midsole on the Lite the same as on the original?
tennytive
Hall of Fame
I'm on my fourth pair of T22 lites and the only complaint I have would be the aforementioned insoles, which seem to wear out quickly. Never tried the T22s but may give them some consideration now that I've read some of the thoughts here. I'm alternating between 2 pair now hoping that extends the insole life of each. I tried some PF insoles, but they don't go to the full length of the shoe and my little toes sometimes can slide and compress which is both annoying and painful, so I ditched them. (insoles, not my toes) Anyone have a go to replacement insole that would work for the Lites?
AllTennis01
Rookie
It’s possible midsole is the same in both, I haven’t bought any newer T22 for a while but they do look very much alike. Like I said, I didn’t feel there wasn’t enough cushion in the Lites, even if the insole is thinner than in regulars. I liked the soft upper of the Lites, the way they allow to wrap around your foot. On the flip side, because the upper is this soft material I felt I needed more stability when going side to side as there was more potential of lateral issues. Mind you I never actually ran into the issue playing in them, this was just my concern and since I’ve had some other problems in the past with my knees I need somewhat stiffer uppers to help in the lateral cuts on the court.
markwillplay
Hall of Fame
I have a pair of lites and have played the Bab SFX 2's as well. Those are good shoes and very cushiony but I am between sizes in them. My knock on the lites is that they do not provide much arch support. I bought a pair of Barricade Boosts and they hurt my feet on the outside of my pinky toe. They were the 16s. It is possible that I could have worn an 11 instead of a 10.5 in that shoe. I am looking for most cushioning.
markwillplay
Hall of Fame
OK, do they fit true to size? I assume I could get some at Amazon or ******.
It's typical Adidas sizing. About the same length as Barricades but the fit is more relaxed. As always, if I order online I make sure they have a good return policy.
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markwillplay
Hall of Fame
Figured I might as well ask about the Yonex shoes as well. I have read mixed reviews on them. Seems TW did not like them a lot. Some here say they have great cushioning. What gives?
markwillplay
Hall of Fame
Allow me to respond to my own topic. I got a new pair of T-22 lites in to try. They are stiff but I can tell plenty of room in toebox as usual. I have become used to my Bab SFX2's fitting my foot like a glove. Those shoes feel too short although they have never really hurt my toes. I have a pair in 11 and they feel to big but don't slip...go figure. One thing I can tell you is that the insoles in the Babs are the bomb. That shoe may be best cushion I have tried and I think much of it is in their insole. The Prince felt harder. I put the Bab insole in the prince and ...damn. Felt great. I feel like the prince shoes are a bit wider on the bottom of the forefoot and may provide better stability. Not sure what I will do actually. I have a pair of regular T-22's coming to compare but that is a waste of time. If I go Prince, this lite is the shoe. Might just get a different insole.
markwillplay
Hall of Fame
yes, it's me again. I will continue to post on this thread in case others are reading. I have worn the t22 lites around the house and I can at least say that the 10.5 princes fit at the length the 11's in bab SFX2. Just goes to show you...I thought the 11's in the bab shoe were a little too long but the 10.5's were a tad short..my toes too close to the end. When I compared the t22 lites to the 11's in the bab, they felt almost the same in length. The SFX2 has a mmore glove like feel that I really like. The only reason going away from them is that the last time I played in the 11's, I got pain in my arch near the ball of my foot. I had an older pair of the t22 lites in the closet and don't remember them bothering me. Anyway these shoes feel very different to me. The lite feels like it may have less cushion in the heel and maybe more in the forefoot. Surprisingly enough, when I tried on the new lites, they felt like they were pinching my pinky toe on the side. The more I have walkerd around in them, the less I have felt that. I will say that the SFX shoes never did that. I know that my older lites do not do that so I am pretty sure that if these break in, they won't continue to do it. The SFX's feel slightly higher off the ground to me as well...maybe less stable even though I have never had any issues with stability with them on the court. Big difference in the shoe is the insole I think. If the fit is good for you, the SFX 2 is REALLY hard to beat if you want cushioning. I am going to compare the regular t-22's to both of these when I get them and then make a decision....I suppose. I have to admit that I almost always play on hartrue and I am ber intrigued by the yonex blue clay shoes...but no response on them so far so I will probably stop looking for a while after I get one of these......famous last words.
tennytive
Hall of Fame
Interesting about the pinky toe. Over the last month or so that's been happening to me too, to the point of having to wear a callous cushion on my left pinky. Shoes are theoretically broken in and didn't bother me for the break in period. I think it's more a matter of them gripping the floor too much and making my feet slide inside the toe area. I didn't notice this at all with my first 2 pair, so most likely it's not the shoe's fault but my playing ping pong on a hard linoleum floor in winter when my feet shrink a little bit too.
markwillplay
Hall of Fame
still looking. The T-22 lites felt good around the house but as they began to lossen up I realized that they were longer than they used to be (at least this pair). They had too much room for me. I got the regular T22's in to compare and the lites felt much better to me. I know they were not broken in but I sent the regulars back. I don't think I will wear that shoe again. I may try the lite in a 10 but I am not sure. Still hunting.
Have you tried the New Balance 806? I remember the 804's (previous model) were well cushioned and never gave me knee problems. They were a bit clunky for my taste, but maybe you'd like the fit better. They come in different widths, which is nice. They run short. I needed to go up half a size
Tommy Haas
Hall of Fame
Does anyone know why Asics stopped making shoes in wide widths? Their Gel Resolution 6 was the last that came wide. Not enough wide width shoe sales? NB is pretty much the only player in the game with true wide (2E/4E) shoes. God bless them.
markwillplay
Hall of Fame
I will look at those new bal
