Please help me pick a pair of new shoes...

[Winners or Errors]

So,

Here's my shoe history. Nerve damage in both my feet from about four years ago makes it hard to pick shoes. Here's what I've worn and what I'm looking for...

Worn (since the injuries):

• Asics GR6 - didn't like the stiffness of the sole all the way to the front or the shape of the shoe.
• Adidas Ubersonic 3 - I can work out in them, but they don't do anything special for my feet on the tennis court. I need a little more help from my shoes.
• Nike Zoom Zero - pretty much my go to shoe, though one pair fit the width just right and the other is a bit too tight - cushioning and support were solid for me, though.
• Yonex Fusion Rev 3 - fits my foot shape, which is on the narrow side with a high arch, better than the previous three, but the cushioning wore out pretty quick - I know, speed shoe.

Interested in:

• Barricade 2021 - is the forefoot cushioning enough, though? I'm hoping Adidas went back to some more supportive last here.
• Yonex Eclipsion 3 - maybe the front-runner based on the Fusion Rev 3 fit - if it's a similar last, could be a very good shoe for me - and it has some more cushioning.
• GR8 or FF2 - reluctant to go GR8, because I worry that the shank design will be the same as the GR6, and am reluctant to spend the extra $$ on the FF2.
• Nike GP Turbo or Cage 4 - both have great cushioning, but if the Turbo is narrower than the Zero it'll be a no go - leaning Cage 4 here, because of the air in the forefoot and a fit that sounds closer to what I want.

Priority is to find something with a little extra forefoot cushioning that'll allow me to be out there for 3-4 hours without fading in the end. Right now, I'm leaning toward the Yonex or the Cage 4. Anyone with ideas is welcome to contribute. Prior to injuring myself, the shoes that worked best on my feet were the CC Genius II and the Raptor IV, if that helps with shape.

Thanks in advance for your input.

 

[Grizzy]

I tried the Zoom Zero in the past and had to take it back because it was too narrow. The GP Turbo fit me a bit wider in the midfoot than the ZZ but the height of the toebox is shorter so you feel the material on the tops of your toes. I literally just got a pair yesterday so I haven't broken them in to see if they loosen up.

 

[Winners or Errors]

I tried the Zoom Zero in the past and had to take it back because it was too narrow. The GP Turbo fit me a bit wider in the midfoot than the ZZ but the height of the toebox is shorter so you feel the material on the tops of your toes. I literally just got a pair yesterday so I haven't broken them in to see if they loosen up.

Thanks. Low toe box will equal black toenails for me, so that one's probably out unless I'm willing to go up more sizes than I'd like to.

 

[Rosstour]

Cage 4 is my current shoe and the best I've ever worn.

 

[Winners or Errors]

Cage 4 is my current shoe and the best I've ever worn.

Out of curiosity, have you worn any of the other shoes on my list?

 

[TopspintheTerrible]

Have you checked out the new Lotto Raptor?

 

[Rosstour]

Out of curiosity, have you worn any of the other shoes on my list?

I haven't. I've been a Nike guy since around 2015, before that I was wearing old Prince T22.

 

[Winners or Errors]

Have you checked out the new Lotto Raptor?

No, pretty exclusively a TW shopper, so will likely stick with a shoe they are stocking.

 

[TopspintheTerrible]

No, pretty exclusively a TW shopper, so will likely stick with a shoe they are stocking.

TW Europe stocks them if that makes a difference.

 

[Winners or Errors]

TW Europe stocks them if that makes a difference.

Well, if I was in Europe. Unlikely to order shoes from the European site here in the USA.

 

[Uncoil]

New Balance

 

[JOSHL]

Just got the NB 996v4.5 and I’ve worn some of the shoes on the list-Cage4, GP turbo, GR8 and including the blue shield 5. Will be using the NB for the first time today. I’ll report initial thoughts. The GP would be perfect if they had a higher toe box and were more breathable. They could also use some durability on the toe area.

 

[dr325i]

So,

Here's my shoe history. Nerve damage in both my feet from about four years ago makes it hard to pick shoes. Here's what I've worn and what I'm looking for...

Worn (since the injuries):

• Asics GR6 - didn't like the stiffness of the sole all the way to the front or the shape of the shoe.
• Adidas Ubersonic 3 - I can work out in them, but they don't do anything special for my feet on the tennis court. I need a little more help from my shoes.
• Nike Zoom Zero - pretty much my go to shoe, though one pair fit the width just right and the other is a bit too tight - cushioning and support were solid for me, though.
• Yonex Fusion Rev 3 - fits my foot shape, which is on the narrow side with a high arch, better than the previous three, but the cushioning wore out pretty quick - I know, speed shoe.

Interested in:

• Barricade 2021 - is the forefoot cushioning enough, though? I'm hoping Adidas went back to some more supportive last here.
• Yonex Eclipsion 3 - maybe the front-runner based on the Fusion Rev 3 fit - if it's a similar last, could be a very good shoe for me - and it has some more cushioning.
• GR8 or FF2 - reluctant to go GR8, because I worry that the shank design will be the same as the GR6, and am reluctant to spend the extra $$ on the FF2.
• Nike GP Turbo or Cage 4 - both have great cushioning, but if the Turbo is narrower than the Zero it'll be a no go - leaning Cage 4 here, because of the air in the forefoot and a fit that sounds closer to what I want.

Priority is to find something with a little extra forefoot cushioning that'll allow me to be out there for 3-4 hours without fading in the end. Right now, I'm leaning toward the Yonex or the Cage 4. Anyone with ideas is welcome to contribute. Prior to injuring myself, the shoes that worked best on my feet were the CC Genius II and the Raptor IV, if that helps with shape.

Thanks in advance for your input.

I suggest you include Head Revolt Pro 3.5. Great cushioning, stability and durability as well as very light shoe + 6-month warranty. I have used the Barricades 2021 and I prefer the Revolts over Adidas for cushioning and on-par the rest.

 

[lim]

The GPs soften up dramatically. If you size up the .5 recommended the toe box thing goes away in a few hours of matchplay

 

[recreationalplayer]

K Swiss Ultrashot. Great shoe, ventilation/breathability isn't great. With plastics and artificial fabrics in all shoes ventilation isn't super great in any.

 

[Winners or Errors]

The GPs soften up dramatically. If you size up the .5 recommended the toe box thing goes away in a few hours of matchplay

Size up like in the Cage 3?

 

[cortado]

Ubersonic 4?

 

[Winners or Errors]

Ubersonic 4?

Enough cushioning? I'm fairly confident that the fit will work, but...

 

[cortado]

Enough cushioning? I'm fairly confident that the fit will work, but...

Lots of cushioning in the heels, not as much in the toes. Narrow fit, I have a narrow foot and they are snug on me.
I like them, but I am surprised they cost what they do. They are essentially the Nike Airmax Wildcard HC (budget shoe) but with much better sole grip.

 

[lim]

Size up like in the Cage 3?

not a cage wearer but I got the same size as I wore in vapor x. having said that they are roomy now that the footbeds have settled in. will probably need to double sock them

 

[jeep2008]

Wilson Rush Pro 3.5

 

[JOSHL]

initial impressions of the NB 996v4.5 are pretty good. It’s a great lightweight shoe, there’s not a ton of cushioning, it seems quite durable for a lighter shoe as well. I really like the fit as well. I did have some heel pain on my left foot but overall I’m pleased so far. Time will tell though.