My knees love these shoes...

chikoo said:
I hear you. I love my running shoes and used that to play too...that is until I twisted my ankle one day. A good reminder that the running shoes do not have the stability the tennis shoes have. In fact the best shoe would be my running shoes with the stability without all the excessive weight & sole stiffness that has made me less nimble :(
Just as a reference my New Balance 860 running shoes weigh 10.2 oz.
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running shoes do not have the stability the tennis shoes have.

I agree/disagree.

In general, wide shoes are more stable than narrow shoes for lateral (side-to-side) movements.

If I use my narrow Adidas Rod laver tennis shoe, my lateral moves are heavily compromised.
However, if I use my wide running shoes, my lateral movements are very stable.
If your running shoes are narrow/medium, you may have stability problems.

If you look at tennis shoes, you will notice that some of the outsoles are flared at the base of the pinky toe.
This flaring/widening of the outsole adds stability.
 
chikoo said:
Tennis shoes feel like these compared to the running shoes.

usnavyboots.JPG
Click to expand...

Looks like shoes you would wear in a steel foundry/smelting factory.
 
Ramon said:
They are not a shoe company. I shop there and I didn't even know they sold athletic shoes. It's a small fraction of their business, so I'm sure another company does the work of making it. Costco uses the name "Kirkland" for their store brands.
Click to expand...

Yeah, i got it, thank you. Did you ever try these Kirkland shoes, how is the quality?
 
Ramon said:
I agree. I alluded to it earlier. The young, sturdy pros want light shoes with good court feel, but older guys need more protection. The new technology usually doesn't give us more protection. It's used to make shoes lighter and lower to the ground while giving just enough protection for the pros.
Click to expand...

yeah, but i think this trend will take some tolls on young ones too. maybe takes longer.
for example, gino is pretty young. :D
 
ricardo said:
running shoes do not have the stability the tennis shoes have.

I agree/disagree.

In general, wide shoes are more stable than narrow shoes for lateral (side-to-side) movements.

If I use my narrow Adidas Rod laver tennis shoe, my lateral moves are heavily compromised.
However, if I use my wide running shoes, my lateral movements are very stable.
If your running shoes are narrow/medium, you may have stability problems.

If you look at tennis shoes, you will notice that some of the outsoles are flared at the base of the pinky toe.
This flaring/widening of the outsole adds stability.
Click to expand...

don't forget the sole on a tennis is also mucho stiffer. It does not bend/flexible which limits how quickly you can lurch forward as it holds the back of your feet down. That is the crux of my problem with tennis shoes along with the added weight of 3 to 6 oz extra.
 
So I checked out the Costco shoes today. I like what I see. Has a good heel trampoline support system. Much like a "air" system. The memory foam felt weird. Overall the shoe felt bulky because of the liberal use of thick leather upper.
 
chikoo said:
So I checked out the Costco shoes today. I like what I see. Has a good heel trampoline support system. Much like a "air" system. The memory foam felt weird. Overall the shoe felt bulky because of the liberal use of thick leather upper.
Click to expand...

So they should be heavy because of this thick leather.
 
chikoo said:
So I checked out the Costco shoes today. I like what I see. Has a good heel trampoline support system. Much like a "air" system. The memory foam felt weird. Overall the shoe felt bulky because of the liberal use of thick leather upper.
Click to expand...

liberal use of thick leather upper.

My wide feet love leather uppers.
Leather stretches to conform to your feet's unique contours/shape and will, after break-in, fit like a glove.
Synthetic uppers, on the other hand, do not stretch as much and will not adapt to your feet's unique contours/shape.
I bought shoes with synthetic uppers and no matter how much stretching I do with them (shoe stretchers, tennis balls, etc), they remain ill-fitting.
 
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I went to Costco today to get groceries, so I stopped by the shoe aisle to look at these shoes. I put one on out of curiosity. Just as I thought, definitely too big for me with my narrow feet to play tennis: too roomy, too clunky, etc. For $17 they would make good comfortable shoes for walking and doing stuff around the house, but I have a bunch of old tennis shoes for that anyway. I can tell the cushioning is very good. It has a very soft insole that feels like a pillow. As far as the looks, the picture doesn't do it justice. I feel like I've aged 20 years just by putting these shoes on! LOL It just goes to show how one man's junk is another man's treasure. Kudos to ricardo for finding a shoe that works for him and only costs $17. Guess I'll have to keep looking for tight, performance fitting $100+ shoes.
 
Overall sole durability update

My knees really love these shoes.
There is also no toe jamming and no toe pinching so far.

However, sole durability is an issue.
This is the least durable shoe I have ever used on tennis hard courts.

After about 40 hours on hard courts, the threads under the inner ball of my left foot is almost gone.
I figure I lost about 1/3 of the threads on this spot.

The leather uppers though are still brand-spanking new, and they now molded to my feet like a glove, providing the best comfort so far.
My hitting partner said that I am running more and faster.

I am also playing almost every day now, sometimes 4 hours a day.

These shoes may not be as durable as I would like it to be,
but it makes my knees more durable so I will keep buying it.

I doubt Costco will come up with a shoe that can compete in terms of look to other tennis shoes,
but I always listen to my knees and my knees love these shoes.
 
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Bender said:
Is there anything that Kirkland cannot do?
Click to expand...

I think Costco is doing everything it can to provide the most value to its members.

4 years ago I bought from Costco a down-filled winter coat for $16.
This is 90% goose down.
This winter coat cost as much as 10x more at other retail stores and the only difference is that
they have labels like Northface, Nike, HH, Eddie Bauer, Columbia, etc. instead of Kirkland.

I am still using it and will continue to use it maybe for another 10 years or more.

Costco also provides excellent snacks for free.
Everytime I feel hungry, I drop by a Costco warehouse and have
some of their free/tasty food samples: hotdogs, sausages, steaks, jerkys, etc.

I am a happy camper as far as Costco is concerned.
 
I'm gonna try painting these shoes.
I'd be happy if i can use these shoes 3+ months.
i'm also trying out cheapo shoes around $30 with cushy midsoles.
high tech material of yester-years, like "EVA", now seem to be used in cheaper shoes and I am fine with EVA's...
 
Bougth 2 more pairs...

https://www.costco.com/Kirkland-Signature-Men’s-Athletic-Shoe,-White.product.100281319.html

I was at Costco today (June 6, 2017) and they had these shoes on sale for $12.99 (from $16.99).
So I bought 2 more pairs.
The first pair I bought and used since Sept 2016 is still usable (maybe more than 6 months of hard court heavy use).
The forefoot outsole are mostly wornout, but the heel is still holding up.
The uppers are still in very good condition.

They are comfortable, cushioned, no pain, no pinching, no complaint.

I have worn Prince T22, Lotto Ultra Viper, Asics GR5, NB 806, Babolat SFX, Nike City Court Wide 4E, etc.
The Costco shoes will be my go to shoes for a while...
 
I can't buy them. They do not come in my size. Typical of so many shoes. I would have liked to have given these a try.
Plus I also think the Costco membership is way too expensive unless you go there a lot. I wouldn't go there that often, or so I think.
 
Awesome that you are able to find your holy grail shoes for such a price. You should share this in the "lucky me nice find" thread!!
 
Mr.Lob said:
A $12 pair of shoes as comfortable and supportive as $100-$140shoes? Amazing.
Click to expand...

They are. They just are not made for Pros or high performance recreations. Amateur to middling recreational players will love it. More than half of the players in my club come wearing regular nike running shoes and they do well.
 
mctennis said:
I appreciate the link. I guess I should have clarified my statement. I would like to know a long term review compared to how long the other shoes lasted you. Some less expensive shoes seem to wear out, usually support wise, for me.
Click to expand...

The outsoles (forefoot) wears out much faster than the other expensive shoes I have. However, the uppers are still very good.
For $12-17 bucks, I am completely satisfied even if they only last 6 months. I have been using them for more than 6 months.
I also applied Shoe Goo on the outsoles to make them last a little longer. They are so comfortable I hate to throw them away just because of worn outsoles (forefoot).

What is more important to me is that there is no pain, no discomfort, no pinky toe pinching, no blistering, no toe jamming while wearing these shoes.
Cushioning is also superb, compared to my NB 806 4E shoes, which feels like a pair of wooden clogs.
These shoes allows me to focus on my game and not be bothered by pain/discomfort.
 
ricardo said:
The outsoles (forefoot) wears out much faster than the other expensive shoes I have. However, the uppers are still very good.
For $12-17 bucks, I am completely satisfied even if they only last 6 months. I have been using them for more than 6 months.
I also applied Shoe Goo on the outsoles to make them last a little longer. They are so comfortable I hate to throw them away just because of worn outsoles (forefoot).

What is more important to me is that there is no pain, no discomfort, no pinky toe pinching, no blistering, no toe jamming while wearing these shoes.
Cushioning is also superb, compared to my NB 806 4E shoes, which feels like a pair of wooden clogs.
These shoes allows me to focus on my game and not be bothered by pain/discomfort.
Click to expand...

Thx for heads up ... I just bought 3 pair. :p:p:p FYI ... for others needing 4E ... and pissed because NB narrowing 4Es ... these are legit 4E toebox width. I popped in my Sof Sole orthodic insoles in Costco and jogged down the aisle. :eek: I bought a 1/2 size bigger ... but plenty of room in toebox. Seems lighter , which I will like. Will post more later ... thanks sir @ricardo
 
ricardo said:
The outsoles (forefoot) wears out much faster than the other expensive shoes I have. However, the uppers are still very good.
For $12-17 bucks, I am completely satisfied even if they only last 6 months. I have been using them for more than 6 months.
I also applied Shoe Goo on the outsoles to make them last a little longer. They are so comfortable I hate to throw them away just because of worn outsoles (forefoot).

What is more important to me is that there is no pain, no discomfort, no pinky toe pinching, no blistering, no toe jamming while wearing these shoes.
Cushioning is also superb, compared to my NB 806 4E shoes, which feels like a pair of wooden clogs.
These shoes allows me to focus on my game and not be bothered by pain/discomfort.
Click to expand...
I wish they had my size in these shoes. I'd make sure to try them out. If they last 6 months they are well worth it. Thanks for your reply and review.
 
ricardo said:
The outsoles (forefoot) wears out much faster than the other expensive shoes I have. However, the uppers are still very good.
For $12-17 bucks, I am completely satisfied even if they only last 6 months. I have been using them for more than 6 months.
I also applied Shoe Goo on the outsoles to make them last a little longer. They are so comfortable I hate to throw them away just because of worn outsoles (forefoot).

What is more important to me is that there is no pain, no discomfort, no pinky toe pinching, no blistering, no toe jamming while wearing these shoes.
Cushioning is also superb, compared to my NB 806 4E shoes, which feels like a pair of wooden clogs.
These shoes allows me to focus on my game and not be bothered by pain/discomfort.
Click to expand...

Gal at Costco said ... "wow, you must go through shoes" :p

8Hybxwj.jpg


I have been playing NB 4E for years. I need a true 4E, and now with mild case of hallux limitus in right big to joint, it's even more important to have room in the toe box. I am currently playing in NB 786 8.5 4E. If only I had a 10 Medium ... shoes would be much easier. The NB 786 8.5 4E fit great. I use the Sof Sole Airr Orthodic insoles ... these ( https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004VF5QJK?ref_=ams_ad_dp_asin_1 ). I recently tried two different NB shoes. The NB 786V2 8.5 4E, and the NB 806 8.5 4E. Both were much more narrow than NB 4Es of the past, and both were a 1/2 size short compared to previous NB. I sent the 786V2 back, and tried to make the 806 work with a thinner insole replacement, and thinner socks. Still to narrow ... but waited to long to send the shoes back... now I have $100 casual shoes. :confused:

I bumped up a 1/2 size to 9 with the Kirkland, and the Sof Sole Airr Orthodic insoles fit great in them. I have much more room in the toe box than the new 806, even a little more than the old NB 786 which was about as wide a toe box as I have found.

They feel good ... but the test will be playing in them. I think with my Sof Sole inserts, there isn't likely to be a cushioning issue. The bottom/tread of the shoe feels pretty stiff, which might actually work in my favor. With the big toe joint issue, the doc said a stiffer sole would be best (minimize the bending up of the big toe). The flip side, is that I have had issues with stiff soled shoes in the past when I was young with plantar fasciitis. After wasting a lot of $ with a podiatrist, and custom orthodics, solved the pf with softer (more flexible) soles. I will have to watch how these feel on that front. The bigger issue is the toe joint ... I'm betting these shoes will help.

Along with the thick Sof Sole insole, I also use thick socks. BCG from Academy Sports, which IMO is a cheaper (and better) Thorlo. Like these... but crew ( http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/bcg-mens-coolmax-trainer-low-cut-socks-3-pair#repChildCatid=3396501 ). So I have thick socks, thick insole and still have plenty of room in the Kirkland.

I thought the Kirkland was going to be lighter, but just a fraction heavier.

NB 786 + Sof Sole Airr Orthodic = 15.48 oz

Kirkland + Sof Sole Airr Orthodic = 15.84 oz

The Sof Sole Airr Orthodic is a heavy insole (3.17 oz), so I could reduce some weight with a lighter insole replacement. I am reluctant to change because I am convinced this particular insole saved my Achilles years ago. I have no idea how you guys with size 12 shoes manage that weight. :rolleyes:

I should get to play a match with them soon ... will report back how they play. I'm not hard on shoes ... other than my serving toe dragging years.

Jeeze ... at $17 ... you could replace shoes weekly. :D
 
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Dunno, they look flimsy to heavy me (who prefers Nike Lunars and the likes and not even running shoes on a tennis court).
 
Fintft said:
Dunno, they look flimsy to heavy me (who prefers Nike Lunars and the likes and not even running shoes on a tennis court).
Click to expand...

Are you talking about these Kirkland's? If so, that isn't how they feel to me. I tried playing with NB cross trainers two summers ago, because I wanted to try lighter shoes. That was a bad idea ... the cross trainer flexed to much in the toe box, and really didn't feel like they supported enough laterally. These don't feel that way to me ... at least before I have played in them.
 
ByeByePoly said:
Are you talking about these Kirkland's? If so, that isn't how they feel to me. I tried playing with NB cross trainers two summers ago, because I wanted to try lighter shoes. That was a bad idea ... the cross trainer flexed to much in the toe box, and really didn't feel like they supported enough laterally. These don't feel that way to me ... at least before I have played in them.
Click to expand...

Well enjoy and let us know after about a month or so please.

To me Vapor's support gives up in short time, GR maybe in about a month (especially frontal one), Barricades are the best but too stiff, while Lunars are the only ones that strike just about the right balance on hard courts (b/c on clay GR's seem fine as well).

I also replace the stock insoles with Dr Scholl's active.
 
Fintft said:
Well enjoy and let us know after about a month or so please.

To me Vapor's support gives up in short time, GR maybe in about a month (especially frontal one), Barricades are the best but too stiff, while Lunars are the only ones that strike just about the right balance on hard courts (b/c on clay GR's seem fine as well).

I also replace the stock insoles with Dr Scholl's active.
Click to expand...

I literally have been in fear of being knocked out of tennis because of dwindling 4E choices. I have been forced into NB for decades, they were the only 4E choice. And the NB 4E choices have narrowed to 4 shoes on the TW website. On top of that, NB decided ... for no apparent reason (other than many a sneaky way to get out of making 4E shoes) to make their new releases a 1/2 size shorter, and 2Es even though they call them 4E. Look at the toebox on the brand new 806 above ... and that's after I stuffed the toe box with packing paper for a week. This loyal 30 year NB customer just lost all respect for them. So I had sent back NB 786V2 (lie, not a version 2 of the 786, completely different shoe), and should have sent back the 806. I appeared to be out of choices ... I Google like crazy to find any old version NB 786 that was still out there. I would have bought everyone I could find. Then I saw Adidas had a 4E ... and that is the next $100 shoe I was going to try. ( http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/adi...Bk_Gy_Mens_Shoe/descpageMSADIDAS-AMBCWBG.html ) . I have never had an issue with the prices of racquets ... I more than get my value out of them. I have a big problem with $100 tennis shoes, with cr@p insoles. What a rip off.

So yeah ... I'm hoping $17 tennis shoes (hahahahahahahaha) work for me. Seriously ... $17 ... I could replace these semi-weekly if I had to. :p:p:p
 
Fintft said:
Based only on that image I would go with Kirkland myself.
Click to expand...

So you liked the Adidas? That is my next stop if the Kirkland fix doesn't work. Those nasty 786 (mesh in summer is not a good look ... and those aren't that old) will be good for the rest of the summer. I will work the Kirkland into the mix, and see how they compare. Other than the nasty 786 mesh summer non-white look ... I actually like the shoe. It's very comfortable.
 
ByeByePoly said:
So you liked the Adidas? That is my next stop if the Kirkland fix doesn't work. Those nasty 786 (mesh in summer is not a good look ... and those aren't that old) will be good for the rest of the summer. I will work the Kirkland into the mix, and see how they compare. Other than the nasty 786 mesh summer non-white look ... I actually like the shoe. It's very comfortable.
Click to expand...

No, got burned many times with the Barricades: too stiff, plantar fasciatis etc But who knows about the latest model?
 
Fintft said:
No, got burned many times with the Barricades: too stiff, plantar fasciatis etc But who knows about the latest model?
Click to expand...

Sorry to hear that about pf. I had that in my 20s ... not good. I remember waking up and rolling my arch over a tennis ball. I assumed we were past the "to stiff" soles. I got it when the shoe manufacturers had come out with "indestructible" soles. Turns out the foot wasn't indestructible.
 
ByeByePoly said:
Sorry to hear that about pf. I had that in my 20s ... not good. I remember waking up and rolling my arch over a tennis ball. I assumed we were past the "to stiff" soles. I got it when the shoe manufacturers had come out with "indestructible" soles. Turns out the foot wasn't indestructible.
Click to expand...

Well, even a nice young sales person from TW told me that "Barricades are for good athletes, not for US"!
 
ByeByePoly said:
Thx for heads up ... I just bought 3 pair. :p:p:p FYI ... for others needing 4E ... and pissed because NB narrowing 4Es ... these are legit 4E toebox width. I popped in my Sof Sole orthodic insoles in Costco and jogged down the aisle. :eek: I bought a 1/2 size bigger ... but plenty of room in toebox. Seems lighter , which I will like. Will post more later ... thanks sir @ricardo
Click to expand...

You are very welcome...
 
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