I originally posted this under the New Asics 2 thread, but thought this would be a better place for it.
I'm a 5-10, 195lbs guy so that would factor into the load bearing impposed on these shoes. My feet are nearly flat with a wide forefoot. My foot is not very rigid compare to other so my feet tends to "swim" inside the shoe. Probably a good reason why I am very picky with shoes then most.
For me the toe box is more comfortable,but I wear Thorlos. Ankle support is indeed better. Stability for me was slightly better(due to the mesh on the outer side, wish they included the mesh on the inner side too)
Stability(How the shoe is fitted/form to your feet-- the foot is not twisting in the shoe)
1) Bar V/Kswiss Mi-Soul(Both insoles are very stable-- Though the perormance one is better)
2) Yonex 305/306
3) Asics 2(more stability then I thought initially)
4) Vapor 5 (Suprisingly the mid-foot does twist around)
5) Yonex 304
6) Asics 1
I say stability between the above shoes is very very very close to each other, except between 5-6 where there is very slight more seperation in stability. If you think good stability influence
These opinions are based on a size 12 shoe fitted -- wide/flat footed 40+age player.
Stability 2(How the shoe is connected to the tennis surface)
1) Bar V
2) Vapor 5 /Kswiss Mi-Soul
3) Yonex 305/306
4) Yonex 304
5) Asics 2
6) Asics 1
I think for me, I feel more connected to the surface with the Barricades/Kswiss Mi-Soul/Vapor 5/Yonex 304. Don't get me wrong the Yonex(305/306)/Asics(even more so) when on the move seem to mold to the surface and make me feel I can make very quick adjustment(Like a running shoe with stability). Where the others feel planted/secured to the surface(Like a basketball shoe).
My foot type is flatten arch with a very soft(non-rigid feet). Hence I tend to need a shoe that has a more rigid feel more inside and moderately out side the shoe.
Cushion(when they were brand new)
1) Asics 2/Asics 1
2) Yonex 305/306
3) 2) Kswiss Mi-Soul(practice insole-softer)
4) Yonex 304
5) Vapor 5/Kswiss Mi-Soul(gamesday-insole-firmer lower to the ground)
6) B V
I say the amount of cushion between the shoes is the same for the Asics1 & 2, Yonex 305/306 & 304 are very very close. However, over the course of months the Asics 1 & 2 hold up much better than the rest of the line-up. The EVA used by the other manufacturer break down much faster.
Sole wear(best longevity)
1) B V
2) Kswiss Mi-Soul
3) Vapor 5
4) Yonex 304/305/306
5) Asics 1 & 2(because they look like the same pattern and material)
B V beats the rest by a wide margin in this group. Vapor 5 could drop down with the others, if you are a big toe dragger. Kswiss is slightly better for the toe dragger than the Vapor. Yonex do wear better than the Asics.
Best for Clay court users(gripping and sliding)
1) BV
2) Kswiss Mi-Soul(gameday insole & cushioned insoles)
2) Yonex 304/305/306
3) Vapor
4) Asics 1 & 2
Big gap between 3 and 4. ASICS are regretfully terrible on clay surfaces for me. Can't get that hard edge push off laterally. BV Rule. Kswiss, Yonex and Vapor V not far behind. I give a slight edge to the Yonex over the due to tread grip.
Best for Hard court(Speed)
1) Asics 1 & 2
2) Vapor V
3) Yonex 304/305/306/Kswiss Mi-Soul(gameday insole)
4) Kswiss Mi-Soul(cushioned-practice)
5) B V
One word: "SPEED" rules. Asics/Vapor are it. The Yonex are not far behind. Kswiss Mi-Soul is very close to the Yonex. ASICS/Vapors are hard to beat if you rely on pure speed/Footwork.
Width(Size 12- widest at the top of the list).
1) Kswiss Mi-Soul(even with the practice insoles)
2) Barricade V
3) Yonex 304
4) Vapor 5
5) Asics 2
6) Yonex 305
7) 306/Asics 1
Kswiss Mi-Soul is king. Yonex 304/BV and Vapor 5 are very close. The Asics 2 is close to the group(but noticeable different in the toe box) . And the 306/Asics 1 are the narrowest of the bunch.
Ankle Support
1) Yonex 305/306/BV/Kswiss Mi-Soul
2) Vapor 5/Asisc 2
3) Asics 1
They all seem to provide a high level of security to keep your ankles from rolling.
1) and 2) are very close in holding or keeping your heels planted in the shoe. The Asics Gel resolution 1 tends to allow you heel to pop out but not roll on a few occassions. Yes, I tighten my laces.
Low to the ground feeling
1) Vapor 5
2) Asics 1/2
3) Yonex 304/305/306
4) Kswiss Mi-Soul(gameday insoles)
5) B V(The Heel is very high)/Kswiss Mi-Soul(cushioned-practice insoles)
Break-in period(From none to a lot)
Asics 1/Vapor 5
Asics 2
Kswiss Mi-Soul
Yonex 304
Yonex 305
Yonex 306
Barricade V
All of them have very little break-in time. Starting with the Yonex 305/306 needing an hour or so. Barricade require you to walk in them first before playing for a few hours.
Best Shoe?
Well you have to decide on a few things that are important in your shoe:
Need a more cushion ride, need more stability, outer sole wear, joint pain
My personal conclusion: My knee problems are a non-issue with the Asics. New out of the box -- the same goes with the Kswiss & Yonex. Vapor are not quite as soft as the Yonex, but there enough there in cushioning to please many. The Barricade are not terrible, but they are not very soft at all. The Yonex, Vapors, Adidas, KSwiss provide a more rigid outer sole then say the Asics and oddly is better for my foot type. However, because my chronic knee pain, it is not on my personal list--if I was 25 year younger(YES! they would be). On the other hand the Asics provide a softer but not too mushy outer sole(Like the Prince T-20). What the Asics 2 brings to the table is very plush ride with a decent level of lateral stability-- wish they included the mesh on the inner side of the shoe. The ASICS 1 hold up longer in the cushion side more than the sole, probably the same is true for the ASICS 2. Essentially, they offered a softer ride at the expense sole wear. For lighter weighted folks, the comfort level may be much better for you across the shoes listed above. Hope this helps.
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Addedum
Based on my trial with the Ksiwss Mi-Soul...Gosh, I really love these shoes. They are like Barricade V but with cushion with the practice insoles. They really helped out my knee tremendiously. The biggest grip for me is how long the EVA will last in these shoes AND the weight(practice insoles). The lighter(gameday) insoles were quiet a bit lighter. These are by no means speed demon shoes. If that's what you are looking for then look at the Vapors/Ascis/Yonex. If you want the Barricade feel with some additional comfort then these are it. If you wear out your barricades V's quickly, these will not wear as well. But the wear much better than the Vapor/Asics/Yonex. Speed-wise they are a bit faster than the Barricades.
I'm a 5-10, 195lbs guy so that would factor into the load bearing impposed on these shoes. My feet are nearly flat with a wide forefoot. My foot is not very rigid compare to other so my feet tends to "swim" inside the shoe. Probably a good reason why I am very picky with shoes then most.
For me the toe box is more comfortable,but I wear Thorlos. Ankle support is indeed better. Stability for me was slightly better(due to the mesh on the outer side, wish they included the mesh on the inner side too)
Stability(How the shoe is fitted/form to your feet-- the foot is not twisting in the shoe)
1) Bar V/Kswiss Mi-Soul(Both insoles are very stable-- Though the perormance one is better)
2) Yonex 305/306
3) Asics 2(more stability then I thought initially)
4) Vapor 5 (Suprisingly the mid-foot does twist around)
5) Yonex 304
6) Asics 1
I say stability between the above shoes is very very very close to each other, except between 5-6 where there is very slight more seperation in stability. If you think good stability influence
These opinions are based on a size 12 shoe fitted -- wide/flat footed 40+age player.
Stability 2(How the shoe is connected to the tennis surface)
1) Bar V
2) Vapor 5 /Kswiss Mi-Soul
3) Yonex 305/306
4) Yonex 304
5) Asics 2
6) Asics 1
I think for me, I feel more connected to the surface with the Barricades/Kswiss Mi-Soul/Vapor 5/Yonex 304. Don't get me wrong the Yonex(305/306)/Asics(even more so) when on the move seem to mold to the surface and make me feel I can make very quick adjustment(Like a running shoe with stability). Where the others feel planted/secured to the surface(Like a basketball shoe).
My foot type is flatten arch with a very soft(non-rigid feet). Hence I tend to need a shoe that has a more rigid feel more inside and moderately out side the shoe.
Cushion(when they were brand new)
1) Asics 2/Asics 1
2) Yonex 305/306
3) 2) Kswiss Mi-Soul(practice insole-softer)
4) Yonex 304
5) Vapor 5/Kswiss Mi-Soul(gamesday-insole-firmer lower to the ground)
6) B V
I say the amount of cushion between the shoes is the same for the Asics1 & 2, Yonex 305/306 & 304 are very very close. However, over the course of months the Asics 1 & 2 hold up much better than the rest of the line-up. The EVA used by the other manufacturer break down much faster.
Sole wear(best longevity)
1) B V
2) Kswiss Mi-Soul
3) Vapor 5
4) Yonex 304/305/306
5) Asics 1 & 2(because they look like the same pattern and material)
B V beats the rest by a wide margin in this group. Vapor 5 could drop down with the others, if you are a big toe dragger. Kswiss is slightly better for the toe dragger than the Vapor. Yonex do wear better than the Asics.
Best for Clay court users(gripping and sliding)
1) BV
2) Kswiss Mi-Soul(gameday insole & cushioned insoles)
2) Yonex 304/305/306
3) Vapor
4) Asics 1 & 2
Big gap between 3 and 4. ASICS are regretfully terrible on clay surfaces for me. Can't get that hard edge push off laterally. BV Rule. Kswiss, Yonex and Vapor V not far behind. I give a slight edge to the Yonex over the due to tread grip.
Best for Hard court(Speed)
1) Asics 1 & 2
2) Vapor V
3) Yonex 304/305/306/Kswiss Mi-Soul(gameday insole)
4) Kswiss Mi-Soul(cushioned-practice)
5) B V
One word: "SPEED" rules. Asics/Vapor are it. The Yonex are not far behind. Kswiss Mi-Soul is very close to the Yonex. ASICS/Vapors are hard to beat if you rely on pure speed/Footwork.
Width(Size 12- widest at the top of the list).
1) Kswiss Mi-Soul(even with the practice insoles)
2) Barricade V
3) Yonex 304
4) Vapor 5
5) Asics 2
6) Yonex 305
7) 306/Asics 1
Kswiss Mi-Soul is king. Yonex 304/BV and Vapor 5 are very close. The Asics 2 is close to the group(but noticeable different in the toe box) . And the 306/Asics 1 are the narrowest of the bunch.
Ankle Support
1) Yonex 305/306/BV/Kswiss Mi-Soul
2) Vapor 5/Asisc 2
3) Asics 1
They all seem to provide a high level of security to keep your ankles from rolling.
1) and 2) are very close in holding or keeping your heels planted in the shoe. The Asics Gel resolution 1 tends to allow you heel to pop out but not roll on a few occassions. Yes, I tighten my laces.
Low to the ground feeling
1) Vapor 5
2) Asics 1/2
3) Yonex 304/305/306
4) Kswiss Mi-Soul(gameday insoles)
5) B V(The Heel is very high)/Kswiss Mi-Soul(cushioned-practice insoles)
Break-in period(From none to a lot)
Asics 1/Vapor 5
Asics 2
Kswiss Mi-Soul
Yonex 304
Yonex 305
Yonex 306
Barricade V
All of them have very little break-in time. Starting with the Yonex 305/306 needing an hour or so. Barricade require you to walk in them first before playing for a few hours.
Best Shoe?
Well you have to decide on a few things that are important in your shoe:
Need a more cushion ride, need more stability, outer sole wear, joint pain
My personal conclusion: My knee problems are a non-issue with the Asics. New out of the box -- the same goes with the Kswiss & Yonex. Vapor are not quite as soft as the Yonex, but there enough there in cushioning to please many. The Barricade are not terrible, but they are not very soft at all. The Yonex, Vapors, Adidas, KSwiss provide a more rigid outer sole then say the Asics and oddly is better for my foot type. However, because my chronic knee pain, it is not on my personal list--if I was 25 year younger(YES! they would be). On the other hand the Asics provide a softer but not too mushy outer sole(Like the Prince T-20). What the Asics 2 brings to the table is very plush ride with a decent level of lateral stability-- wish they included the mesh on the inner side of the shoe. The ASICS 1 hold up longer in the cushion side more than the sole, probably the same is true for the ASICS 2. Essentially, they offered a softer ride at the expense sole wear. For lighter weighted folks, the comfort level may be much better for you across the shoes listed above. Hope this helps.
=======
Addedum
Based on my trial with the Ksiwss Mi-Soul...Gosh, I really love these shoes. They are like Barricade V but with cushion with the practice insoles. They really helped out my knee tremendiously. The biggest grip for me is how long the EVA will last in these shoes AND the weight(practice insoles). The lighter(gameday) insoles were quiet a bit lighter. These are by no means speed demon shoes. If that's what you are looking for then look at the Vapors/Ascis/Yonex. If you want the Barricade feel with some additional comfort then these are it. If you wear out your barricades V's quickly, these will not wear as well. But the wear much better than the Vapor/Asics/Yonex. Speed-wise they are a bit faster than the Barricades.
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