Need new shoes - suggestions please!

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GaryB

Guest
Hi, time to hang up my Asics Gel resolutions which I have really enjoyed and purchase a new pair or two of tennis shoes.

I found the Asics to be very hard-wearing and comfortable. I play on synthetic grass courts mainly and find that the inners of the shoes wear out faster than the soles with higher-end shoes (on cheaper shoes, they wear out the same)

So, can anyone suggest what are the absolute BEST shoes on the market in your own opinion of course :)

Thanks in advance
 

elkwood

Hall of Fame
I heard great things about the Yonex Power Cushion Pro. This will be the next shoe i try.

I am coming off a set of Asics Gel Resolution 5.
 
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GaryB

Guest
I heard great things about the Yonex Power Cushion Pro. This will be the next shoe i try.

I am coming off a set of Asics Gel Resolution 5.
Cool. Never tried Yonex shoes, will check them out thanks
 

LeeD

Bionic Poster
I have Asic's Speed Solutions, very good.
But, my K-Swiss Bigshot's are better. More support, more solid, equal cushioning, a touch heavier, higher heel cup for adding insoles, and the bottom's last longer.
 
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GaryB

Guest
Haven't worn k-Swiss in a while. Yeah, good shoes from what I remember
 

Gemini

Hall of Fame
I heard great things about the Yonex Power Cushion Pro. This will be the next shoe i try.

I am coming off a set of Asics Gel Resolution 5.

The Yonex PCP is a great shoe but I don't think it's in the same league as Gel Resolution. It's billed as being comparable to Ballistec 4.3 but my experience says otherwise.

1.) It's lighter. My pair are even lighter than my Vapor 9 Tours in the same shoe size.

2.) It's much more flexible/soft than you would expect. My Vapors are more flexible but the PCPs are not far off. I can twist the shoe pretty easily without much effort.

3.) Surprisingly, I felt only slightly more disconnected from the court than with the Vapors.

In contrast, my Ballistec 4.3s are heavier, stiffer and more elevated than the PCPs. I would say the PCPs are probably the best compromise you'll find between the Vapors and the Ballistecs. The Gel Resolution 5s, from experience, play like more comfortable Ballistec 4.3s.

As for new shoe, the OP might want to share what he's looking for in a shoe.
 
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GaryB

Guest
I'm just looking for an alternative to the GR5 for a change I suppose, without going down in quality. If that makes sense?
 
Get another pair of GR5's ;)

If you want to try another, definitely get the Nike Vapor 9's or 9.5s, they are also amazing and very similar to the GR5.
 

Ramon

Legend
Out of all the shoes I've worn, here are the one that I think are worth a try:

Adidas Barricade (I have the 7) - This is a must try just because it's so unique. It has rock solid stability and support. Cushioning is great too as long as you don't expect a pillowy ride. It's the one I trust to protect my feet and ankles. They are stiff and not the most comfortable shoe in the world, but now that I've been wearing them it really doesn't matter; kind of like a sports car, you expect a stiff ride, so it's ok. They run a bit long, but don't go down a size. I think they did that to address the toe jamming. The fit is on the narrow side, which works for me because I have a narrow foot.

Prince T22 - Most comfortable shoe that I would trust to play in a serious match. The fit is medium with ample room in the toe box. It's so comfortable and soft I love wearing it when I'm not on the court.

Lotto Raptor Ultra III - They now make the IV's. I would describe it as a lighter weight lower to the ground Barricade. Also has a narrow fit. Good shoe that a lot of people love, but for me, the nod goes to the Barricade.

Prince Rebel - I mention this one just because I think it's an awesome game day shoe. It hugs my feet, it's stable, and it's light weight. Prince really got it right on this one. So what did they do? They discontinued it! Arghh!!
 

Gemini

Hall of Fame
I'm just looking for an alternative to the GR5 for a change I suppose, without going down in quality. If that makes sense?

The Yonex Power Cushion Pro is definitely worth a look then. It's a quality shoe. The construction is solid though they aren't the most attractive shoe visually. They do perform well on court but as I mentioned the upper is deceiving in that it is pretty flexible. You're definitely not going to get the stiffness of Barricade or earlier Balistecs, but it provides a glove-like fit that I enjoy.
 
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ArliHawk

Hall of Fame
KSwiss ultra express is my new shoe of choice. It is a speed shoe on a very stable platform. And they are on sale here for a very good price.
 

Fintft

G.O.A.T.
I'm just looking for an alternative to the GR5 for a change I suppose, without going down in quality. If that makes sense?

The top Nike Ballistecs (Lunarites now that the CourtBallistecs 4.3 are out)- or the Max Cage (w/e the exact model is- the Nike's with the most support).
 

donquijote

G.O.A.T.
If you don't have wide feet (narrow or medium) then you can try Yonex Power Cushion Pro or Adidas Barricade 7 (or get another pair of Resolution). Those are the best all-around durability shoes but Asics Resolution Speed is probably the best of all if you put the durability aside.
 

bl14

Rookie
Get a pair of lunar ballistecs that are on sale and you can claim a 6 month warranty after you break through to the midsole. They are really comfortable and light.
 
Don't get the Vapors 9.5 my second pair (grey) lasted only two matches before the upper (sides) ripped from stopping for a shot. The toe bumper pulled the fabric and tore them. I was hoping that they would be better than the 9.0 Vapors but they are still garbage for durability. I've given up on Nike shoes since they have given up on making a quality top tier tennis shoe.

I've decided to try the 2014 Tennis Magazine Editors Choice Award shoe the Asics Gel Solution Speed 2. I've heard very, very good things and many A division players at my club are moving to them because the Vapors rip like tissue paper. Plus the Asics are almost a full ounce lighter than the Vapors and quality is way better.

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Asics_Gel_Solution_Speed_2_Navy_Green/descpageMSASICS-AMGS2NG.html
 

Ramon

Legend
I think Tennis Magazine awarded the Asics Gel Solution Speed 2 as the Best Game Day Shoe. Best Shoe was the Yonex Powercushion Pro, and Best Light Weight Shoe was the K-Swiss Ultra Express.
 

kc571

New User
I've gone from the Barricades to the GR5. I'm not going back. I am searching for the best pair of socks though. I've tried a bunch, but can't seem to get rid of a blister / callous on the outside of my big toe.
 

emagnifique

New User
I had the Barricade 8 and as everyone would agree they were so uncomfortable so I had to stop wearing them.

I bought a pair of Adidas Rally Court CC and I'd recommend them, really light comfortable, the only thing I've noticed is that sole durability is not as good as the Barricades
 

Ramon

Legend
I had the Barricade 8 and as everyone would agree they were so uncomfortable so I had to stop wearing them.

I bought a pair of Adidas Rally Court CC and I'd recommend them, really light comfortable, the only thing I've noticed is that sole durability is not as good as the Barricades

You went from their top-of-the-line performance shoe to a casual player's shoe. Don't you notice the difference in support when you have to make quick stops and turns?
 

purple-n-gold

Hall of Fame
I recently snagged a pair of Nike Lunarballistecs. Initial impressions are great. I've worn just about every brand and the Nike Vapor has been a great performance shoe for me many years. Play on clay and hard and with shoes such as Adi Barricade and Nike CBs, Asic Res. Must say that these new Nike LBs seem like the perfect hybrid of the CB and Vapor combined.
 

Qubax

Professional
Out of all the shoes I've worn, here are the one that I think are worth a try:

Adidas Barricade (I have the 7) - This is a must try just because it's so unique. It has rock solid stability and support. Cushioning is great too as long as you don't expect a pillowy ride. It's the one I trust to protect my feet and ankles. They are stiff and not the most comfortable shoe in the world, but now that I've been wearing them it really doesn't matter; kind of like a sports car, you expect a stiff ride, so it's ok. They run a bit long, but don't go down a size. I think they did that to address the toe jamming. The fit is on the narrow side, which works for me because I have a narrow foot.

Prince T22 - Most comfortable shoe that I would trust to play in a serious match. The fit is medium with ample room in the toe box. It's so comfortable and soft I love wearing it when I'm not on the court.

Lotto Raptor Ultra III - They now make the IV's. I would describe it as a lighter weight lower to the ground Barricade. Also has a narrow fit. Good shoe that a lot of people love, but for me, the nod goes to the Barricade.

Prince Rebel - I mention this one just because I think it's an awesome game day shoe. It hugs my feet, it's stable, and it's light weight. Prince really got it right on this one. So what did they do? They discontinued it! Arghh!!
Came in here to say this. Prince T22 are the best.
 

emagnifique

New User
You went from their top-of-the-line performance shoe to a casual player's shoe. Don't you notice the difference in support when you have to make quick stops and turns?

Not really, maybe because I wear double socks and Aircast A60 ankle braces (the ones Murray uses) I don't feel any lack of support.

I've worn Barricades for years but with the Rally Courts I've fallen in love of their light weight, the next pair I buy will be the Feathers
 

Ramon

Legend
Came in here to say this. Prince T22 are the best.

I usually wear Barricade 7's now, but today I tried on the old T22's again, this time with my new Superfeet Green insoles. What a combination! The Superfeet Greens really complement the T22's. The extra support and stability from the Superfeet, plus the comfortable midsole of the T22's worked out great. Now I'm confused as to what to wear on court next time.
 
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