kswiss approach or speedster users?

[JGads]

Have a gift certificate to get some Kswiss shoes -- I've tried the Big Shots in store as well as the Approach IIs, and of the two I like the Approach IIs more; more cushioned, more form fitting around my foot. Anyway...

Also intrigued by the Speedster (as I like light shoes for tennis), though, and wondering if any users of either of these shoes have any comments. I can't find any Speedsters to try on locally, so if I went with them I'd be ordering so any comments appreciated.

Also wondering: someone on another site said something about the Approach II insole not being removable -- is this true? I like the option of putting my Superfeet Blue insoles into the shoe, so this worries me but I didn't think to check when I tried them on.

 

[MAX PLY]

I have been a K-Swiss wearer for some time now and have worn many of their shoes through the years. Currently I primarily wear the Big Shot but I got a pair of Speedsters (liked the traditional look and they are at a good price point) a couple of weeks ago and will tell you I was very impressed. They are super light, have pretty good support and don't make your feet too hot. The also have a good pattern for traction. But they are not built for durability (of course that is not the point of this shoe). I have been wearing them quite a bit lately and will definitely buy another pair (unlike the K-Swiss Tubes which I did not like at all). If you get them, sizing is consistent with the Big Shot.

If you want a really light shoe with good support and aren't too concerned about a long lasting sole, the Speedsters are a good choice.

 

[JGads]

Thanks a lot man, that helps. Would you describe the shoe as being narrow/wide/normal?

I tried the Tubes and didn't like them at all -- weird tightness toward the inside of the shoe, like my foot was in a funnel.

I'm currently wearing the New Balance 851s, which sound just like the Speedsters -- super fast and light without the durability. I prefer this and am ok with replacing more often, since clunky shoes just make me think too much about my shoes during the match.

 

[MAX PLY]

The Speedster is normal to wide. I have a fairly wide foot and it fits fine (actually why I generally have worn K-Swiss, as I find others too narrow, except for the Barricade incarnations, which I have never cared for). I find durability is the least of my worries--I really want good traction and more importantly, support--shoes you can replace, hard to get new feet.

Agree on the Tubes, clunky, weird break, hot and heavy (The last two are fine attributes --but not in a shoe). Plus, the "tubes" don't do anything--big K-Swiss fan but the Tubes, at least in the tennis shoe version, are not up to par.

 

[Jim A]

Thanks a lot man, that helps. Would you describe the shoe as being narrow/wide/normal?

I tried the Tubes and didn't like them at all -- weird tightness toward the inside of the shoe, like my foot was in a funnel.

I'm currently wearing the New Balance 851s, which sound just like the Speedsters -- super fast and light without the durability. I prefer this and am ok with replacing more often, since clunky shoes just make me think too much about my shoes during the match.

I like the 851's in the more loud colors, but was surprised when i took a good look at the bottom at how much outsole there actually is on the shoe
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/viewlarge.html?pcode=NB51WD
and with the Diamond in the middle, doesn't look like there is a lot of support with regards to the outsole resisting torsion and stopping/back and forth

Is the 851 more of a doubles shoe?

 

[JGads]

I've run mine into the ground with a month's worth of very hard singles play (3-5x per week).

Regarding the 851:

It's a speed shoe that you completely forget about during play because it's so light and smooth. Not a support shoe that will necessarily make you feel 'secure'. Just kind of a decision you have to make. I've posted this before but I'll post it again: I've given up on a shoe actually preventing me from turning an ankle. I've seen a guy in Barricades do it. I've seen a guy wearing an ASO Ankle Brace do it (and horribly) regardless of the brace. So I just go for a shoe that makes me quicker, that I don't have to think about. I hate clunkers that I constantly think about during play or don't have a smooth back-to-front feel on the sole. The 851s have been the best shoe for me because I forget about them when I'm playing and am as quick as I can be on a court, and to be honest, I feel more secure in them than a lot of other more 'secure' shoes just because of their low-to-the-ground feel. Also have great court grip. (for the record, I wear superfeet blue insoles inside) ... So after a month, very happy. Won a league title with them. Never felt like I was close to turning an ankle. ... That said, the tread on the bottom is now worn on the insides and the cushioning has flattened entirely, so they're too tough to wear anymore. All in all, still happy with the shoe.

But since I have a KSwiss gift certificate I'm going to try the Speedsters. Just tried them on and they feel really good and light as well. And if they're good enough for Mardy Fish and one of the Bryan brothers, then they're certainly good enough for me.