My knees love these shoes...
- Thread starter ricardo
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Well, I had my wife pick me up a pair over the weekend. I'll give it a try…but not for Flights tomorrow. Maybe during some practice with my son…using my PS97LS…
Actually, the soles feel really weird. Like home slippers. It'd probably last about a match. So I guess I'll transfer my insoles over from my other shoes.
I do suffer from PF and it's quite painful. So I need lots of cushioning…
I'm currently wearing ASICS Gel Revolution 6. Great shoe. No cushioning. Actually, I feel like I have too much grip. Wouldn't mind a pair of shoes that slide a bit. I only play on hard courts and it's brutal on my ankles and shins. Probably knee too...
Actually, the soles feel really weird. Like home slippers. It'd probably last about a match. So I guess I'll transfer my insoles over from my other shoes.
I do suffer from PF and it's quite painful. So I need lots of cushioning…
I'm currently wearing ASICS Gel Revolution 6. Great shoe. No cushioning. Actually, I feel like I have too much grip. Wouldn't mind a pair of shoes that slide a bit. I only play on hard courts and it's brutal on my ankles and shins. Probably knee too...
ByeByePoly
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Well, I had my wife pick me up a pair over the weekend. I'll give it a try…but not for Flights tomorrow. Maybe during some practice with my son…using my PS97LS…
Actually, the soles feel really weird. Like home slippers. It'd probably last about a match. So I guess I'll transfer my insoles over from my other shoes.
I do suffer from PF and it's quite painful. So I need lots of cushioning…
I'm currently wearing ASICS Gel Revolution 6. Great shoe. No cushioning. Actually, I feel like I have too much grip. Wouldn't mind a pair of shoes that slide a bit. I only play on hard courts and it's brutal on my ankles and shins. Probably knee too...
"Actually, the soles feel really weird. Like home slippers."
You are talking about the insole right
... the squishy memory foam insole? I'm used to my own insoles, that wouldn't work for me. But I replace all insoles in tennis shoes.
I would be careful with these shoes and pf. The soles/tread seem a little stiff ... at least stiffer than my NB 786. I am going to be watching that also. Jeeze ... hope they don't mark up the courts like @BlueB said. I doubt I do ... not a lot of sliding in my game.
ByeByePoly
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Just played 1.5 hours singles in the heat. Probably the most comfortable tennis shoes I have played in... way more comfortable than $100 New Balance. I have been icing my big toe joint after singles, and there was no need today. FYI ... the shoes did not leave marks on the court, at least my 162lbs and lack of foot movement didn't. 
I'm easy on shoes. Even in my tournament days, I would replace shoes mid-summer because they broke down internally, but tread and shoe still looked great. That said ... I get what @ricardo said about more wear around forefoot.
Some pics
I've never really thought about tennis shoe design, but that tread spanning the lower edge toe box on the big toe side is a good thing. I will watch and see how long the toe area holds up. I don't drag my toe on serve anymore, but looks like I do get some wear on the inside of the right shoe. Given the comfort, I would literally replace them once a month for $17. I played a singles match today with no break in ... totally comfortable. They do not feel like a cross trainer ... I felt solid support.
So if you don't have a frickin wide foot ... or if you are really hard on shoes ... probably not for you. I will post shoe wear along the way with this first pair.
I'm easy on shoes. Even in my tournament days, I would replace shoes mid-summer because they broke down internally, but tread and shoe still looked great. That said ... I get what @ricardo said about more wear around forefoot.
Some pics
I've never really thought about tennis shoe design, but that tread spanning the lower edge toe box on the big toe side is a good thing. I will watch and see how long the toe area holds up. I don't drag my toe on serve anymore, but looks like I do get some wear on the inside of the right shoe. Given the comfort, I would literally replace them once a month for $17. I played a singles match today with no break in ... totally comfortable. They do not feel like a cross trainer ... I felt solid support.
So if you don't have a frickin wide foot ... or if you are really hard on shoes ... probably not for you. I will post shoe wear along the way with this first pair.
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Thanks for the review. I want to think that I still move around quite a bit. What I lack in skill, I have to make up in mobility.Just played 1.5 hours singles in the heat. Probably the most comfortable tennis shoes I have played in... way more comfortable than $100 New Balance. I have been icing my big toe joint after singles, and there was no need today. FYI ... the shoes did not leave marks on the court, at least my 162lbs and lack of foot movement didn't.
I'm easy on shoes. Even in my tournament days, I would replace shoes mid-summer because they broke down internally, but tread and shoe still looked great. That said ... I get what @ricardo said about more wear around forefoot.
Some pics
I've never really thought about tennis shoe design, but that tread spanning the lower edge toe box on the big toe side is a good thing. I will watch and see how long the toe area holds up. I don't drag my toe on serve anymore, but looks like I do get some wear on the inside of the right shoe. Given the comfort, I would literally replace them once a month for $17. I played a singles match today with no break in ... totally comfortable. They do not feel like a cross trainer ... I felt solid support.
So if you don't have a frickin wide foot ... or if you are really hard on shoes ... probably not for you. I will post shoe wear along the way with this first pair.
I walked around the family room with the Costco shoes and did notice the wider and roomier feel. The stock insoles seemed too soft cushiony to be of any use while "running" and "cutting"?
Still, I'll give it a try during practice sessions at outdoor courts.
Does the soles mark up the court? I'd be banned from our club if it does.
ByeByePoly
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Thanks for the review. I want to think that I still move around quite a bit. What I lack in skill, I have to make up in mobility.
I walked around the family room with the Costco shoes and did notice the wider and roomier feel. The stock insoles seemed too soft cushiony to be of any use while "running" and "cutting"?
Still, I'll give it a try during practice sessions at outdoor courts.
Does the soles mark up the court? I'd be banned from our club if it does.
No marking. My guess is @BlueB played with a different model.
The squishy insoles that came with the shoe have to go. I walked around in them this morning with those memory foam slippers, and they squeaked. I think it was bugging the dogs.
No chance you are getting banned from your club. You are feeding it juniors $ ... you are golden.
Edit: we should play ... I like watching guys run.
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Yeah, I have a bad habit of hitting right back to my opponent on ROS. Puts me on the defensive...if I can survive two more hits, I can usually counterpunch.No marking. My guess is @BlueB played with a different model.
The squishy insoles that came with the shoe have to go. I walked around in them this morning with those memory foam slippers, and they squeaked. I think it was bugging the dogs.
No chance you are getting banned from your club. You are feeding it juniors $ ... you are golden.
Edit: we should play ... I like watching guys run.
ByeByePoly
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Wawrinka block/slices ROS back to his opponents.
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Ok, tried out the Kirkland shoes last night. I must say, they do scream, "old man" shoes compared to the neon yellow/green of my ASICS Gel Resolution 6.
I warmed up with the stock insoles. Seems fine enough for walking. But not ideal for sprints and cuts. Changed them out to my Spenco Polysorb insoles from my ASICS for actual play.
Lots of room. Almost too much. I think I needed to wear my synthetic socks. My cotton socks started to create some hotspots. With my ASICS, my feet have no room to move, so there seems to be less friction. With the Kirkland shoes, my feet were moving around a bit.
I was still stiff and sore from the previous days activities, so I didn't really move very fast. My son was laughing that I wasn't digging some of the balls I normally do and I was really telegraphing my direction of motion.
But the upside is, these shoes do not encourage super fast motion and I think that's helpful for my joints and PF especially during practice. So for casual practice, I think I'll wear these. But for match play and tournaments, I'll stick with my ASICS.
I warmed up with the stock insoles. Seems fine enough for walking. But not ideal for sprints and cuts. Changed them out to my Spenco Polysorb insoles from my ASICS for actual play.
Lots of room. Almost too much. I think I needed to wear my synthetic socks. My cotton socks started to create some hotspots. With my ASICS, my feet have no room to move, so there seems to be less friction. With the Kirkland shoes, my feet were moving around a bit.
I was still stiff and sore from the previous days activities, so I didn't really move very fast. My son was laughing that I wasn't digging some of the balls I normally do and I was really telegraphing my direction of motion.
But the upside is, these shoes do not encourage super fast motion and I think that's helpful for my joints and PF especially during practice. So for casual practice, I think I'll wear these. But for match play and tournaments, I'll stick with my ASICS.
ByeByePoly
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I won the first 5 out of 6 games I played with those old man shoes. And no ... my opponent wasn't wearing Kirkland's also.
All kidding aside ... unless you have a super wide foot (mikeler called our feet Hobbit feet), not a good choice. Your feet would be bouncing side to side like a bobsled. Maybe two pair of Thorlos ...
I play hard courts and use New Balance shoes. Tried a pair of the Kirkland shoes from Costco, and have to say they are very comfortable and wide and stable. Great shoes, out the door price was $17. New balance I wear 11 1/2, Costco shoes all they had were 12's and they fit very well. Insoles are to thick for me, took the spenco total supports ones out of my New Balance shoes and they work perfect. Cheap, but I wear shoes out about every 2 months.
ByeByePoly
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@5 hours ... feet are very happy. Looks like they will hold up ... the wear pattern on the toe box (pic above) is still not bad. I will post if that changes. My right toe (hallux limitus) doesn't hurt at all after singles ... no more icing. @ricardo might keep me from the foot surgeon. Now that is a good tip.
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I'm sure I have more hours on my shoes than my last Velocity stringing. Holding up better than I thought. And the shoe soles seem to have a little give to it after it broke in a bit. The leather upper is still a bit stiff though.
All in all, my PF feet are a little less sore after tennis than my ASICS GR6 using the same insoles. I think the slight reduction in mobility might also be letting my body have a little less stress.
ByeByePoly
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If you are having to break in Kirklands ... you do have feet issues. Actually, I almost left you a comment regarding foot issues. Right before I switched to the Kirkland I had a PF type twinge (not right in the bottom of the arch, but more on the side ... long tendon that runs from big toe down through the foot). I haven't had any foot issues for 20+ years, so that got my attention. What I started doing ... daily if I remember, but for sure before every match is lightly roll my archs (both feet) over a tennis ball. I used to do that when I had PF in my 20s in the mornings to loosen the arch up (with PF, that is actually tearing so you can walk ... nice). Since my twinge was more on the side (right foot) ... I also tilt my right knee in so I can roll over the tennis ball more in the inside edge of the arch. You might try it ... it seemed to really loosen up the arch. Then ... about the same time, I switched to the Kirlands, and I haven't felt the twinge again. It actually was more than a twinge, I had two singles matches where it looked like I wouldn't be able to play. It took 10-15 minutes to loosen up.
I use my fingers along the tendon marked A. I don't think you can stretch a tendon, so I put enough pressure where I think it's massaging the muscle underneath. Who knows if it helps ... but it feels like it helped my feet those days it was hurting.
https://www.google.com/search?q=foo...i=HtxKWcyoB46QjwPsoqfABw#imgrc=asSN-r4H1BKMKM:
ByeByePoly
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Everyone's feet/arches are different, and some like stiffer support, others more cushion ... but these saved my achilles, and totally comfortable for my foot. I have a high arch ... which I think now is settled more to a medium arch (at least one store measured it as medium). I was going to try something lighter ... but decided my feet were happy, why take a chance.
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/SofSole_AIRR_Orthotic_Mens_Insoles/descpageSOFSOLE-MSSAIRO.html
Which ones are you using ... link?
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http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Spenco_Polysorb_Cross_Trainer_Insoles/descpage-SPCT.html
I'm almost flat footed. My lower back ache has been non-stop these days so I have a stand-up work station at work. So now I have PF to deal with. Wearing running shoes at work now for extra cushioning.
I think the Kirkland shoes leave my feet (mostly heel area) feeling less painful. Not pain free, but better. I've gotten used to the "lower mobility" on the court. Actually, it's time I acted my age and don't sprint to dig every single ball. Just let it go, if it's IN, give my opponent a racquet clap and move onto the next point. I think my body will appreciate it. Not getting paid to win.
My ASICS GR6 collecting dust in the garage. It's a half size larger than my son. I think I'll donate that pair to youth tennis footwear...
ByeByePoly
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This should probably be in health tips ... but I have something that helps with my occasional lower back soreness. I actually had it often last summer ... I think due to big toe issue. Hadn't had any this year until last 2 weeks ... maybe it's the Kirklands.
That's just kidding ... support feels great in them.Obviously if it's spine/nerve pain ... might be time to see a doc. But even then ... muscle knots could cause the "pulling" ... so maybe try this:
If you can find knots/major sore spot with your fingers ... try this. Lay on your back on the floor/mat. Slide a tennis ball between the mat and your back at the knot. Let your body weight put pressure on the tennis ball, using your legs/feet to temper how much weight/pressure is applied. With the pressure applied, make a bike pedalling motion with the leg on the knot side of the spine. Sometimes you can feel the knot release ... other times not so much but you feel better afterwards. I actually just did this with a knot that was pretty much where the back meets the buttock. Didn't feel it release this time, but felt much better after.
That said ... with backs ... when in doubt see a doc. I never get spine/nerve pain, so I feel fine working out knots/muscle on my own.
ByeByePoly
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Update:
Over 20 hours on Kirkland ... and holding up great. I'm no longer a toe dragger, but did have the initial wear at the big toe area (see pics and post above). That never got any worse after initial wear ... so my guess is 3+ months easy. Tread still looks new.
Over 20 hours on Kirkland ... and holding up great. I'm no longer a toe dragger, but did have the initial wear at the big toe area (see pics and post above). That never got any worse after initial wear ... so my guess is 3+ months easy. Tread still looks new.
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Yup. My shoes are holding up well. Actually, feeling more comfy as the uppers took a while to really break in. Soles holding up surprisingly well.
Been using NB 14 EE, and stepped into the Kirkland 13. Fit is good, shoes are very stiff. Took out the foam crap, put regular insoles in and used them for evening walks to break them in.
Now have about 5 hours of doubles, on them. Shoes are still stiff, nothing is sore or red after I take them off. I think I,m good to go.
Thanks for your guys feedback.
The tip I really need, is which shoe will give me more spin on my forehand!!!!
Now have about 5 hours of doubles, on them. Shoes are still stiff, nothing is sore or red after I take them off. I think I,m good to go.
Thanks for your guys feedback.
The tip I really need, is which shoe will give me more spin on my forehand!!!!
ByeByePoly
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27 hours (mostly singles) ... 6 weeks ... and just now had the rubber on the toe guard wear through (small spot). Down low, just below toe box area. Other than that, shoes look great. A little wear in the ball of the foot (tread). My guess is I get another 4 weeks out of them.... but 2 months if fine with me. $9 a month for fresh tennis shoes... WINNING.
@steve s ... sorry, no new Kirkland topspin on my FH that I have noticed.
Edit: Here is the wear at 6 weeks. I use to be a major toe dragger on serves, but don't do that anymore as far as I know. I switched to the platform serve a couple of years ago. But I'm dragging it some somewhere. I had quick wear at the front in the pic, and thought the shoe was going to last 2 weeks. But after the initial wear happened, it took another 4 weeks or so to final wear through. If you were a major toe dragger ... you can forget these shoes. I'm so happy with the shoes, I am going to order another 6 pair. I'm tired of shoes continually changing on me ... and who knows if these disappear ... or the price changes. They are a bit heavy with the Sof Sole Airr Orthodic insoles .... 15.5ish oz total weight. But that is pretty much where I was with New Balance anyway.
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You are in luck.
Right now, they are only $12.97 a pair (https://www.costco.com/Kirkland-Signature-Men’s-Athletic-Shoe,-White.product.100281319.html).
I will go to Costco myself this w/e to get 2 more pairs.
14OuncesStrung
Professional
They are hideous. Don't you people have any self respect???
ByeByePoly
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If my Kirkland's bother you ... my calf sleeves and sweat gutter on my forehead will kill you. Total freakshow.
SteveI
Legend
Just ordered a pair.... will post my review.. very soon. My outlay was $14.27. I am willing to take a shot on these. Heck.. I bought a spin effect frame... LOL
There used to be a thread here labeled ... "Cheap Players Club". These shoes would be a great fit for that thread...
.
Like someone posted above... worst case I have a nice lawn mowing shoe!!!
There used to be a thread here labeled ... "Cheap Players Club". These shoes would be a great fit for that thread...
.Like someone posted above... worst case I have a nice lawn mowing shoe!!!
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ByeByePoly
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Good tip ... thx ... just ordered 6 more pair (that was the wife limit ... no more room in the closet
). That gets me up to 8 ... that should get me through 2-3 seasons. With tax ... $14 a shoe ... cracks me up. It's a sweatfest in our summer tennis, so replacing a shoe every 2-3 months has it's upside.Edit: $84 for 6 pairs of shoes, and $27 for 1 new Sof Sole Airr Orthodic insole
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This is so true. But I've checked my self respect in the garage. That's where my neon yellow with green ASICS GR6 sit...
Besides, my Kirkland brand shoes are just broken in...
ByeByePoly
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This is so true. But I've checked my self respect in the garage. That's where my neon yellow with green ASICS GR6 sit...
Besides, my Kirkland brand shoes are just broken in...
I almost asked 14oz if he wore those manly neon colored tennis shoes.
My 6 pair should get here in the next 2 days. So I will have 8 in inventory (closet
). Looks like I will get 3 months per pair, so 3 pair per year (3 months winter off). I have 2-3 years of tennis shoes ... LOL.Just got new Sof Sole Airr Orthodic insoles. Weighed them ... 3.2 oz per insole. I would love lighter insoles, just not willing to risk foot issues. These have worked great for me forever.
The name brand shoes coming out of China probably cost between $20-$25. We buy them for $60- $130
HIDEOUS AND SELF RESPECT
Think I will order two more pair.
vsbabolat
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Classic. They would last a week on hard courts.Soles you wish would wear out, eh?
Ronaldo
Bionic Poster
A week? Back in the early 80s, never saw a pair of these Pumas worn with a hole in the toe. Not the re-issued Vilas shoe with the poly sole. Btw, Reebok, in the 90s, made a street b-ball shoe called the Blacktop series. Guy wore them 4 yrs and did not wear them out.
vsbabolat
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The original Puma Vilas Special was a polyurethane sole. As was the adidas Grand Prix and Diadora Super Star, maverick, Kings Cup
Ronaldo
Bionic Poster
Wore them. The Puma sole was unlike any polyurethane shoe sold at that time. Especially the Bata shoes. Puma was just such a wide shoe.
ByeByePoly
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Just got my pair today.. will be testing this week...
Me too
I got some black ones also ... maybe @14OuncesStrung thinks they are more respectable
Ronaldo
Bionic Poster
Black version is only at the clubs?
ByeByePoly
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I tried to make them neon yellow ... but my MS Paint skills were not good enough.
You should have seen the expression on my two tennis buddies faces when I told them I just bought 6 pair of tennis shoes for $84. For the first time having a 4E foot was helpful. Which is weird if you think about it. If they were going to sell only one width ... surely it made more sense to sell a medium width. 4E has to be a small niche.
ByeByePoly
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Could you dye leather tennis shoes ... and would that dye drip on hot summer tennis courts?
letplaytennis
Semi-Pro
You do know about Costco's return policy, right? You're better off returning them and exchanging for a new fresh pair since they are not meeting your standards, or even standards of a tennis shoe in the durability department. I used to work for Costco.
ByeByePoly
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ByeByePoly
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Oh ... missed your point about getting a "new pair". I could buy a $12-17 pair, and take it back in two months and average my cost down to $6-8 per pair.
How many times can you do that? Does that work for every new pair purchased even if you bring them back every time? If so ... I don't have 8 pair in reserve, I really have 16. . These suckers would be like rabbits.
letplaytennis
Semi-Pro
Buy the tennis shoe, play with it as normal. Then, when they wear down to where your toe protrudes (preferably a lot sooner than that), take them back and state that they simply didn't hold up or meet your expectations of a tennis shoe. They'll give you your money back. If you do this your 5th time or 6th time, they might give you an unpleasant look, but the shoe nowadays should last longer than this shoe is currently lasting you.
I play about 5 times per week in my KSwiss shoes and they're showing wear and tear, but that's because I've owned them for 2 months already and will replace them by years end. I say I got my monies worth out of these and would not consider returning these as they are made more rigid and have additional rubber where needed.
Looking back on Costco.com, it is listed as an athletic shoe, not a tennis shoe, and therefore it is not made specifically for tennis where a shoe requires additional engineering.
But if you are needing to buy 4 pairs to last you the duration of one tennis shoe, I'd say keep going back to that return counter. 100% member satisfaction guarantee for any reason.
As a veteran ex-Costco employee at the corporate level, we accepted returns on fresh cut roses after member would state that they died too soon. Just last week I saw a family return 10 childrens books after the child read them. Half drank bottles of wine that did not meet the members standard. I can keep going all day.
I play about 5 times per week in my KSwiss shoes and they're showing wear and tear, but that's because I've owned them for 2 months already and will replace them by years end. I say I got my monies worth out of these and would not consider returning these as they are made more rigid and have additional rubber where needed.
Looking back on Costco.com, it is listed as an athletic shoe, not a tennis shoe, and therefore it is not made specifically for tennis where a shoe requires additional engineering.
But if you are needing to buy 4 pairs to last you the duration of one tennis shoe, I'd say keep going back to that return counter. 100% member satisfaction guarantee for any reason.
As a veteran ex-Costco employee at the corporate level, we accepted returns on fresh cut roses after member would state that they died too soon. Just last week I saw a family return 10 childrens books after the child read them. Half drank bottles of wine that did not meet the members standard. I can keep going all day.
Ronaldo
Bionic Poster
Bought boxes of Pull-Ups. So far, so good but glad to know about the return policy.
letplaytennis
Semi-Pro
TV's and certain electronics are now 90 days due to the technology changing so rapidly with decreasing costs, but everything else is pretty much game. Don't have your receipt? No problem. All receipt are stored within their system.
Could you dye leather tennis shoes ... and would that dye drip on hot summer tennis courts?
Good idea.
I'll use a black Sharpie Permanent marker (jumbo size) on my worn-out (outsoles) Kirklands.
I think the black color will last for a few days, then they will become greyish, which may not be too bad.
Thanks for the heads up, but I don't think I can do it. I have a very thin face.
However, I will ask my granny if she can do it for me.
I just hope granny doesn't call me a weasel and smack me on the head.
ByeByePoly
Talk Tennis Guru
I played doubles today, and cracked everyone up with my pic of 8 Kirkland boxes. When I told them I was going to take them back and cost avg to $8 they almost died.
Thanks for the laugh. I won't be taking them back.
I got 40 hours out of this first pair, 30 hours of that was singles. Fresh shoes every couple of months at $17 is a bargain. But that was secondary, I need a true 4E and NB has narrowed their 4Es to much for me. These are comfortable and wide enough ... solved a big problem. They look a lot better than the NB mesh did after a month in the summer. Tennis shoes are typically $100. I would normally go through 2 ... so $200. Say I go through 4 Kirklands a year ... $60-65. Fresh shoes every 2 months. Nice ... don't need them to last longer ... $8 a month for tennis shoes. Cheaper than $100 6 months shoes. FYI ... if I only played doubles, it would be a 4-6 month shoe for me I'm sure.
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ByeByePoly
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Thanks for the heads up, but I don't think I can do it. I have a very thin face.
However, I will ask my granny if she can do it for me.
I just hope granny doesn't call me a weasel and smack me on the head.
hahaha ... returning a $17 atheletic shoe is guaranteed bad karma
Ronaldo
Bionic Poster
Seriously, have you discovered duct tape to add life to these shoes?I played doubles today, and cracked everyone up with my pic of 8 Kirkland boxes. When I told them I was going to take them back and cost avg to $8 they almost died.
Thanks for the laugh. I won't be taking them back.
FYI ... if I only played doubles, it would be a 4-6 month shoe for me I'm sure.
