fuzz nation
G.O.A.T.
I spotted some very negative feedback on the Mirage 100's in another thread and instead of adding a reply there, I figured I'd submit a vote of confidence for this shoe, since it's worked nicely for me. I'm another one of the lost souls who had a fantastic experience with Lotto's Raptor Ultra IV only to have them discontinue that excellent shoe. Looking elsewhere for something to replace that specific model was a rough ride for me.
The Wilson Kaos Comps were too roomy in the toebox for my foot and they blistered my toes badly, so I went with a pair of Wilson's Rush Pros. The dimensions of those sneaks were much better for my foot profile and I think I used at least two pairs of those. But then it got ugly when they came out with a new generation of the same shoe (probably the 2.5). I quickly learned what the unpleasantness of plantar fasciitis is about and had to dump those right away.
I'm not going to trash Wilson for putting out a horrible shoe. These just didn't work for my feet. I know several folks who have done great with both the Rush Pro's and also the Kaos Comps. Unless a shoe feels like it's fundamentally hostile to having a foot laced up inside it (lined with barbed wire?) or the sole wears through after only a couple of weeks of reasonable use, I can only write it off as a not-so-good match-up for me.
When the Mirage line showed up at our shores, I tried to keep expectations under control - that Raptor IV gave a LOT of us some serious perma-grin. I ordered a pair of both the Mirage 100 and Mirage 200. The 200 is more of a lean, lightweight build that I've appreciated for having that bedroom slipper sort of comfort, including a rather supple feeling sole. The 200 probably wasn't meant to be a heavy duty shoe with a lot of reinforcement that higher level players often use. I see it as more of a decent rec. players shoe that's rather supple and cozy, but there's moderate support through the heel. I can change direction with confidence wearing those and also spend lots of hours teaching and coaching in them.
The Mirage 100 has a little more "solidness" and stability to it compared with the 200. I followed the recommendation to get the 100's in a half-size larger than normal and that has worked fine for me (I got the 200's in my regular size - also fine). The 100's have benefited from some breaking in - I've tried to walk them around six or eight different times before running around on the courts with them. Then after four or five outings on the courts, my 100's are much more dialed in and "hold onto my feet" really well.
It's been more than a few years since I had my Raptors. Those were durable, stable, and also gave me really good ankle alignment without needing custom orthodics, etc. My oldest set of Mirage 100's is at least two years old and I can say that they're holding up similar to my old Raptors. Super comfortable and also still quite stable for my needs. One of my newer pairs have been in service for at least a couple months and they're also well beyond their initial break in - also doing great. My third pair are ready for use on the courts after several walk-arounds and I'm psyched to be stocked up on a shoe that I can trust for a while.
Even if the Mirage 100 gives me hypothetically 75% of everything I got with my Raptors, they'll go down in my book as a big success. I love a shoe with a low-to-the-ground feel - I first found that feature with a pair of Diadoras from a long time ago - and these Lottos have got it goin' on for me.
The Wilson Kaos Comps were too roomy in the toebox for my foot and they blistered my toes badly, so I went with a pair of Wilson's Rush Pros. The dimensions of those sneaks were much better for my foot profile and I think I used at least two pairs of those. But then it got ugly when they came out with a new generation of the same shoe (probably the 2.5). I quickly learned what the unpleasantness of plantar fasciitis is about and had to dump those right away.
I'm not going to trash Wilson for putting out a horrible shoe. These just didn't work for my feet. I know several folks who have done great with both the Rush Pro's and also the Kaos Comps. Unless a shoe feels like it's fundamentally hostile to having a foot laced up inside it (lined with barbed wire?) or the sole wears through after only a couple of weeks of reasonable use, I can only write it off as a not-so-good match-up for me.
When the Mirage line showed up at our shores, I tried to keep expectations under control - that Raptor IV gave a LOT of us some serious perma-grin. I ordered a pair of both the Mirage 100 and Mirage 200. The 200 is more of a lean, lightweight build that I've appreciated for having that bedroom slipper sort of comfort, including a rather supple feeling sole. The 200 probably wasn't meant to be a heavy duty shoe with a lot of reinforcement that higher level players often use. I see it as more of a decent rec. players shoe that's rather supple and cozy, but there's moderate support through the heel. I can change direction with confidence wearing those and also spend lots of hours teaching and coaching in them.
The Mirage 100 has a little more "solidness" and stability to it compared with the 200. I followed the recommendation to get the 100's in a half-size larger than normal and that has worked fine for me (I got the 200's in my regular size - also fine). The 100's have benefited from some breaking in - I've tried to walk them around six or eight different times before running around on the courts with them. Then after four or five outings on the courts, my 100's are much more dialed in and "hold onto my feet" really well.
It's been more than a few years since I had my Raptors. Those were durable, stable, and also gave me really good ankle alignment without needing custom orthodics, etc. My oldest set of Mirage 100's is at least two years old and I can say that they're holding up similar to my old Raptors. Super comfortable and also still quite stable for my needs. One of my newer pairs have been in service for at least a couple months and they're also well beyond their initial break in - also doing great. My third pair are ready for use on the courts after several walk-arounds and I'm psyched to be stocked up on a shoe that I can trust for a while.
Even if the Mirage 100 gives me hypothetically 75% of everything I got with my Raptors, they'll go down in my book as a big success. I love a shoe with a low-to-the-ground feel - I first found that feature with a pair of Diadoras from a long time ago - and these Lottos have got it goin' on for me.
