Cushioned, stable shoes

Rob209

Rookie
I’m currently wearing the Nike Court Zoom NXT and React Vapor NXT. Not especially impressed with either. Zooms are just a bit firm underfoot and the React Vapors are unstable (got them because I had an amazing deal on them).
Been getting foot and to a lesser extent knee pain with both. Foot pain better with some Superfeet green insoles but still struggling with a lack of cushioning.
I’m a 4.5 all court player, usually play on hard or carpet. Chase everything, don’t slide on HC. I am heavier at around 100kg (all muscle - I wish!! ).
I’m looking for shoes that have really plush underfoot cushioning. I dislike the GP Turbos. I know many people swear by them but I just found them uncomfortable. I’ve also owned Raptors but did feel like I was wearing a pair of canal barges and the cushioning bottomed out quite quickly.
I was wondering what people recommended for a very cushioned and stable shoe? I’ve watched “Foot doctor Zach’s” videos but most of those shoes are unavailable in the UK.
I’ve tried a pair of the new Barricades and thought they were pretty plush underfoot but was put off by the heel collar sticking in my Achilles and the various reports of poor durability. However, I could be persuaded.
I’m also considering Revolt Pro 4s but heard that they’re not that well cushioned either and Zach mentioned they were a bit unstable too. Any and all advice about the shoes gratefully received. Thanks
 
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dkmura

Professional
For cushioning on hard courts, I don't think you can beat the Asics Gel Resolution line. I like the GR7, as I can fit my orthotic footbed in them. I'm also experimenting with the Mizuno Wave 3 series and think they offer good heel cushioning. Perhaps the current wave 5 series is even better.
 
I second Asics Gel Resolution.
Since I couldn't find any GR8, I tried GP Turbos (too heavy, clunky, squishy = great as clown shoes), KSwiss Hypercourt Supreme and Express 2 (both lacking lateral support).
I found GR7 on Asics website. Although not my favorite color (white with black and orange accents), GR7 reminded me of why I wore GR2 to GR8.
GR7 is stable, quick, cushioned and comfortable. I stocked up on 6 pairs at $99.99 per pair and received 10% discount by signing up as a new member at Asics.com.
GR7 > GR8 for me as I don't like wearing girdles for my feet.
 

antony

Hall of Fame
Gel resolution all day everyday

I second Asics Gel Resolution.
Since I couldn't find any GR8, I tried GP Turbos (too heavy, clunky, squishy = great as clown shoes), KSwiss Hypercourt Supreme and Express 2 (both lacking lateral support).
I found GR7 on Asics website. Although not my favorite color (white with black and orange accents), GR7 reminded me of why I wore GR2 to GR8.
GR7 is stable, quick, cushioned and comfortable. I stocked up on 6 pairs at $99.99 per pair and received 10% discount by signing up as a new member at Asics.com.
GR7 > GR8 for me as I don't like wearing girdles for my feet.
Check racquet guys
 

dkmura

Professional
Just finished playing today in some Mizuno Wave Exceed 3 shoes and really noticed the difference in shock absorption and cushioning from my GR7s. My knees and hips are more sore, although the Mizunos were lighter and stable on court. Hard court play is tough on the 'ol joints!
 

antony

Hall of Fame
Just finished playing today in some Mizuno Wave Exceed 3 shoes and really noticed the difference in shock absorption and cushioning from my GR7s. My knees and hips are more sore, although the Mizunos were lighter and stable on court. Hard court play is tough on the 'ol joints!
That just goes to show the fundamental differences different shoes can have when fitting your body’s needs. Telling that older and presumably used GR7’s strains your body less than new tennis shoes of a different Japanese brand.
 

OldManStan

Rookie
I have a few friends swear by the Prince T22s. They use a rubbery gel insole which looks way more comfortable than the typical foam ones inside Nike and Addidas shoes.
 

antony

Hall of Fame
GR7 still sold today while the WET3 has been out of production for years... so how did you come to that conclusion?
why specify nationality?
Really? Where?
And it sounds like it was his first time wearing WET3’s, so I assume they are a new pair. I know nothing of Mizuno shoe product lines.

Because presumably another Japanese brand would be of similar quality, considering Japanese brands are generally reputed to be high quality
 

Rob209

Rookie
Thanks everyone.
I’m aiming for something really cushioned for practice/training and then a separate game day shoe too.
Have GR8
Lav V2
Barricade
Rage
Revolt Pro 4
Jet Mach 3
all coming over the next few days.
I’ll report back if people are interested. Would that be something people want to hear about?
 

WYK

Hall of Fame
I would suggest the Diadora B Icon. Great support and cushioning

This, the Diadora's are so well cushioned I can only use them on hard courts. On other surfaces, they are actually too cushioned for my liking.
I use a pair of Pinnacle Powerstep green insoles as well, and they make a huge difference since I have such a high arch.
With those insoles, I found I could use a cheap pair of Nike Court Lite II's on softer surfaces just fine so long as I run it 1/2 size larger.
 

Rob209

Rookie
So both the Babolat, GR8 and Barricades have arrived. Clearly I’ve only worn them in the house but this is my take so far.

Jet Mach 3: Lightweight. Incredibly comfortable uppers. Lovely feeling cushioning underfoot. Have a decent wrap of outsole around high drag areas. Definitely keeping these as a game day shoe. Will have to be very disciplined and not wear them all the time, I’ll certainly want to due to the comfort and how light they feel in my feet. However, I have read stuff about the cushioning bottoming out relatively quickly and I think my wife will kill me if I try to buy more shoes too soon.
Have an almost unworn pair of Vapor Pros that I just won’t wear anymore because there’s so little padding. As lightweight shoes go they’re night and day and the Babolats seem to win in all areas. I found the Vapor Pros slightly unstable too, in my kitchen at least the JM3s are not.

Rage: Lightest of the three durability shoes. Quite like the booty fit. Bit of heel slippage just walking around though.
Pressure on the inside of my right big toe just over the MTPJ (big toe “knuckle”) is pretty uncomfortable. Nothing particularly wrong other than that, they just don’t feel as pleasantly snug as the other two durability shoes. Not going to be an option for me.

GR8: Soft uppers are pretty comfy from the outset. Plush underfoot. Maybe feel slightly bulky….. Nothing really wrong with them and I’m sure they’d be an excellent shoe. But they don’t feel amazing either.

Barricades: These are the ones causing me the greatest dilemma. The good is better than the GR8 I think (and I’ve managed to get them for £80, admittedly it’s the fairly offensive bright pink). Feel really comfortably locked in. Great underfoot feel of plushness. However, on the left shoe the high heel collar is irritating my Achilles and have a bit of pressure in the same place as the Rages in the right. Nowhere near as bad though. Definitely feel sleeker and less bulky than the GR8. Although actual weight difference is a few grams.
I’ve read some stuff about the elastic lace loops being a weak spot.

So my dilemma is… Do I hope that the lace loops on the Barricades last and the break in continues to the point where I’m not irritated on my Achilles/big toe? Or do I go for the GR8, which I’m sure will be great, but don’t quite have the same amazing locked in feeling fit that the Barricades do (apart from in the two places they’re rubbing)?

hope to have the Revolt Pros tomorrow or Wednesday and the Lav V2s but the end of the week.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
BW
 
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Rob209

Rookie
This, the Diadora's are so well cushioned I can only use them on hard courts. On other surfaces, they are actually too cushioned for my liking.
I use a pair of Pinnacle Powerstep green insoles as well, and they make a huge difference since I have such a high arch.
With those insoles, I found I could use a cheap pair of Nike Court Lite II's on softer surfaces just fine so long as I run it 1/2 size larger.
Sadly I can’t find the B Icons in my size in the UK.
 

Rob209

Rookie
Inside as in between the big toe and the 2nd biggest toe right?
No inside as in the medial aspect - the bit closest to my other foot. Thought for ages about how to describe it and still managed to confuse people -
Sorry
This is why medical language for describing bits of the body is so precise I guess.
 

Rob209

Rookie
Yes I suppose it was a bit narrow. Became particularly apparent over that bit of my foot because that’s where some of the drag guard was.

Medically medial means closer to the midline of the body when in the anatomical position (stood with palms facing forward with little fingers by your side) - the opposite is lateral.
 

d-quik

Hall of Fame
because that’s where some of the drag guard
UGH. I am particularly annoyed by this specific problem. I have a low arch but my MTPJ is so tall (heightwise). Thanks for the input. I can't ever find much info about the PRage anywhere.

Question though, if you go by U.S. sizing, we're your old Nikes and the rages the same size(s)?
 

Fintft

G.O.A.T.
I love Nike Court Zoom when ocassionally I play on hard courts, but I would ditch your insoles for Dr Scholl's Active ones.

In the past I prefer Court Ballistecs.

On clay nothing beats Asics Gel Resolutions (where you don't need so much cushioning).
 

Rob209

Rookie
We’ll decision made…….
I found the Lav V2 to feel really stiff. Again putting lots of pressure on my 1st MTPJ on the right where the duraguard bit is. I don’t know why I struggle with that so much on my right foot - my right is slightly smaller and looks completely normal. ‍♂️‍♂️ They do look awesome to my eye in the blue and orange, but they’re just so stiff.
the Revolt Pro 4.0s are incredibly comfy and are the lightest shoe of the lot - despite still being marketed as a durability shoe. They feel well cushioned underfoot And have Head’s unique ventilation system.
They don’t fit in quite such a glove like way as the Barricades but that can be improved significantly with a runners’ knot.
If money was no object I’d keep the Barricades ad see if I could wear them in. But, that’s not the case. I’ve just heard and read too many worrying things about The Barricades. Therefore, the Revolt Pros are the ones. Hoping the mid foot cushioning lasts - if you watch Zach’s review he seems fairly optimistic that the cushioning is fairly Robust.
 

Tranqville

Professional
I found Lotto Raptor Hyperpulse 100 to be super stable and maneuverable. Best tennis shoes I ever had. As I have chronic Achiless tendonitis and an assortment of other foot pains, cushioning is important for me. The level of cusioning is medium-high. The sides and uppors are also comfortable and well-padded.
 

d-quik

Hall of Fame
I don’t know why I struggle with that so much on my right foot
I have this issue on both feet so not only must I be concerned with toe box length and width, but also HEIGHT.

Glad you eventually found one after running the gauntlet! Finding shoes shouldn't be this hard, to be frank.
 

Rob209

Rookie
Indeed.
First session with the Revolt Pros today - was working all weekend sadly.
they lived up to everything I hoped they would. Comfy, not a mark on them yet (two hours of hard court tennis).
Very happy with my choice!!
 

Rob209

Rookie
Well….. problem! After almost exactly a month the outsole has started to peel off of the shoe. Every time I push off my right foot the sole folds underneath the shoe. I’ve fallen once as a result.
clearly I’m sending them back. Sadly the company doesn’t have any in my size so I’ve asked for a refund. Think I’m going to try the Eclipsion 4s….
 

Rosstour

G.O.A.T.
Well….. problem! After almost exactly a month the outsole has started to peel off of the shoe. Every time I push off my right foot the sole folds underneath the shoe. I’ve fallen once as a result.
clearly I’m sending them back. Sadly the company doesn’t have any in my size so I’ve asked for a refund. Think I’m going to try the Eclipsion 4s….

Nike GP Turbo
 

d-quik

Hall of Fame
I found the Lav V2 to feel really stiff. Again putting lots of pressure on my 1st MTPJ
Pressure on the inside of my right big toe just over the MTPJ (big toe “knuckle”)
Wait when you said these things, you mean DOWNWARD pressure from the roof of the toebox right? On the medial side, the top of the toebox pushes downward really hard right?
 

Rob209

Rookie
The Eclipsion PC 4s arrived today and ai’ve played a couple of sets of doubles in them. First impressions are pretty positive.
Ankle collar and tongue are very plush and comfortable. Bit of pressure in the toe box, medial part into my left big toe (which is a bit deformed after I dislocated it years ago playing rugby). Also a fold in the right forefoot that got a bit uncomfortable after two sets. I am certain both will break in nicely - my PC3s certainly did. Feel pretty lightweight but stable. Mesh is very breathable.
I’ve got them in the white and I think they look awesome too.
Overall I’m hoping these do better than the Revolts…..
 

d-quik

Hall of Fame
The Eclipsion PC 4s arrived today and ai’ve played a couple of sets of doubles in them. First impressions are pretty positive.
Ankle collar and tongue are very plush and comfortable. Bit of pressure in the toe box, medial part into my left big toe (which is a bit deformed after I dislocated it years ago playing rugby). Also a fold in the right forefoot that got a bit uncomfortable after two sets. I am certain both will break in nicely - my PC3s certainly did. Feel pretty lightweight but stable. Mesh is very breathable.
I’ve got them in the white and I think they look awesome too.
Overall I’m hoping these do better than the Revolts…..
You never tried the 2s right? You went 1-3-4?
 

d-quik

Hall of Fame
The Eclipsion PC 4s arrived today and ai’ve played a couple of sets of doubles in them. First impressions are pretty positive.
Ankle collar and tongue are very plush and comfortable. Bit of pressure in the toe box, medial part into my left big toe (which is a bit deformed after I dislocated it years ago playing rugby). Also a fold in the right forefoot that got a bit uncomfortable after two sets. I am certain both will break in nicely - my PC3s certainly did. Feel pretty lightweight but stable. Mesh is very breathable.
I’ve got them in the white and I think they look awesome too.
Overall I’m hoping these do better than the Revolts…..
Are you able to give the FILA Premios a try?
 

janelgreo

Professional
Sounds like the EPC4’s are working great… was gonna say go with Barricades man, I switched over to them after using GR8’s, FF2’s, and B.Icons, for me they’re the best overall fit and just feel great. I have no issues with the loops snapping and I pull the laces pretty tight to get that locked in feel. I also think Barricades look so badass compared to the others.
 
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