Prince T22: I am glad I bought these shoes

[ricardo]

I have been looking for a wide and well-cushioned tennis shoes at an affordable price for a long time.

I tried the following tennis shoes:

• NB 656 9.5 4E (Width is generous but cushioning is too hard. Will not buy again)
• NB 806 10 4E (Width is generous but cushioning is too hard. Will not buy again)
• Asics GR5 10.5 Med (cushioning is very good but width is a little bit snug. Discontinued. GR6 is narrower)
• Lotto Viper Ultra 10.5 Med (cushioning is very good and width is comfortable. Will buy again!!)
• Prince T22 10.5 Med (cushioning is very good and width is comfortable. Will buy again!!)

I also tried on the following shoes at the local store:

1. Asics GR6 10.5 Wide - I did not like the fit.
2. Babolat SFX 10 Medium - I did not like the fit
3. Prince T22 10.5 Medium - I liked the fit so I bought it.

Width
Prince T22 fits me comfortably.
It is wider than Asics GR5.
It is a little less wide than Lotto Viper Ultra. Lotto is actually longer by 1/4 inch.

On first use, I felt some pinching on both my left/right pinky toes, more so on my right pinky toe.
Could be due to the 'plactic claw' on the side of the shoe near the forefoot.
I hope it goes away over time.

Cushioning
Prince T22 heel/forefoot cushioning is comfortable.
I think this is primarily due to the insole. Prince calls this 'Shock Eraser'.
There is also a hole in the midsole on the heel part (about 2 inches diameter) that is filled with a soft material.
This 'hole' technology provides noticeable cushioning. This is the same technology that running shoes provide but located on the outside of the heel.

Lotto Viper Ultra is more cushioned than Prince T22 but I prefer T22's cushioning because it is firm while Lotto Viper is mushy.

Insole
Prince T22 insole is comfortable.
This is the most comfortable insole of all the shoes I have bought.

Insoles make a lot of difference in terms of heel/forefoot cushioning.
I put the Prince insole into the NB 806W 4E.
It made a significant difference in term of heel/forefoot cushioning.

Like Prince, other shoe manufacturers should put premium insoles into their shoes.

Initially, Lotto Viper's insole was good. However, after a few sessions, the cushioning disappeared.

NB 806W insole is not very good.

Traction
Prince T22 has the best traction of all the shoes I have used.
It grips the hard court even when it is wet.
If you like to slide on hard courts, these shoes are not for you.

The next is NB 806W.
I find the Lotto and Asic GR5 to be a little slippery, especially on wet courts.

Glove-like fit
I think most shoes expands over time, some more than others. Leather uppers expands more than synthetic uppers.

If you want glove-like fit, start with a fairly snug shoe. It will expand over time and mold to your feet.

Built like a tank
Prince T22 feels like a tank.
It is the heaviest shoe I have ever bought (16.7 ouces 10.5 Med).
I feel secure wearing these shoes.

Outsole
Prince T22 outsole is hard like NB 806W while Lotto Viper's outsole is soft.
Asics GR5 outsole is in-between.

 

[Ramon]

There are a lot of reasons why the T22 has been a best-selling shoe for so many years, and you hit on a lot of them. Out of all the shoes I've worn, they seem to give me the least pain in my feet, ankles, and knees. Compared to performance shoes like my GR6's (my game day shoe), the T22's feel a little sluggish, but they are definitely a speedier option than wearing neoprene knees sleeves, which I would have to wear with other shoes.

I have 2 pairs: a mid top and a low. I prefer the low because of the faster feel, and it still gives better ankle support than most tennis shoes out there. They are both Cambodian versions that have the "accidentally" narrow fit that was discussed in other threads, so they are good for my narrow feet. You mentioned that the present version is wider than the GR5. Well, the GR5 was too wide for me, but my narrow T22's fit me great with only one pair of socks, so the difference between the narrow and wide versions is huge. I wish Prince would continue making 2 widths and indicate that on the box, but evidently they've abandoned their customers with narrow feet.

 

[ricardo]

Out of all the shoes I've worn, they seem to give me the least pain in my feet, ankles, and knees.

The T22 insole is thick and cushiony and I think it is a premium insole.
It has the thickest and most cushiony insole so far.

In spite of the thick insole, it still provides that low-to-the-ground feeling, which I like.

I have used after-market insoles in the past and some insoles are so thick that I lost that low to the ground feel.

Which after market insole have you tried that retains that low-to-the-ground feel?

Thanks in advance.

 

[forthegame]

I like Prince, had a T9 years ago and wish I had bought two from TW!

Waiting for the T22s to go on sale here or elsewhere and I'll try them out.

 

[mrc]

I think the New Balance 996 is as good in as many categories and MUCH faster lighter than the T22. I have not tried the new T22 Lite before and may give them a try. However, love the New Balance 996V2 and TW has a great deal right now on the green/gray for 49$. Its a steal...I bought 2 and should buy more at that price. Both of them need a premium insole. The T22 feels good and comfy at first but gets hard after the first 10-12 hours and hurts my feet. The 996V2 is the same and needs an insole. I use a Dr. Scholl's that is less than 20$ and lasts pretty good.

 

[ricardo]

I think the New Balance 996 is as good in as many categories and MUCH faster lighter than the T22. I have not tried the new T22 Lite before and may give them a try. However, love the New Balance 996V2 and TW has a great deal right now on the green/gray for 49$. Its a steal...I bought 2 and should buy more at that price. Both of them need a premium insole. The T22 feels good and comfy at first but gets hard after the first 10-12 hours and hurts my feet. The 996V2 is the same and needs an insole. I use a Dr. Scholl's that is less than 20$ and lasts pretty good.

Why do you think it got hard right away? Was it due to to insole going dead so quickly?
I noticed that the outsole is very hard but it has excellent traction.
The midsole is so-so in terms of cushioning.
So most of the cushioning is provided by the insole, which I think is a premium insole.

 

[AllTennis01]

I haven't noticed them getting harder at all, but I might just not be that sensitive as previous poster.

Just wanted to say I also love these shoes. I also recently purchased T22 Lite and they seem just as good. Yes, possibly not as stable as regular T22's as these have much softer
uppers, but that gives them the lighter feel. Comfort, fit and cushioning for me seem just as good in both. Since I've had good luck with T22's both the narrower and the wider versions,
it makes me wonder if I should also give the Warriors a shot, since my feet seem to have preference towards Prince shoes, lol.

 

[ricardo]

I haven't noticed them getting harder at all, but I might just not be that sensitive as previous poster.

Just wanted to say I also love these shoes. I also recently purchased T22 Lite and they seem just as good. Yes, possibly not as stable as regular T22's as these have much softer
uppers, but that gives them the lighter feel. Comfort, fit and cushioning for me seem just as good in both. Since I've had good luck with T22's both the narrower and the wider versions,
it makes me wonder if I should also give the Warriors a shot, since my feet seem to have preference towards Prince shoes, lol.

The Warriors do look nicer and they have good reviews as well, except for the toe jamming, experienced by most of the playtesters.
It is also cheaper by $10 bucks compared to the T22 ($89).

Give it a shot.
You can always return it to TW if you are not completely satisfied.

 

[Ramon]

The T22 insole is thick and cushiony and I think it is a premium insole.
It has the thickest and most cushiony insole so far.

In spite of the thick insole, it still provides that low-to-the-ground feeling, which I like.

I have used after-market insoles in the past and some insoles are so thick that I lost that low to the ground feel.

Which after market insole have you tried that retains that low-to-the-ground feel?

Thanks in advance.

My feet are different from yours, so what works for me, may not work for you. For the T22, I use SofSole FIT on top of the factory insole. This gives me extra arch support, and I still get the comfort and cushioning from the factory insole. It probably won't work for you because it will take up extra space.

On my GR6's I replaced the factory insole with Superfeet Greens, and I still get a low to ground feel. However, I prefer to keep the factory insole on the T22 because the cushy ride is one of the best reasons to buy the shoe. I don't think of the T22 as a low to the ground performance shoe. I have the GR6 for that. I think the T22 is more of an comfortable, plush shoe with enough support and stability for most serious tennis players.

BTW...I've had about 3 years of experience with this shoe (on my 3rd pair) and a year with it's predecessor, the T10 (the T22 is really a T10 update). I play mostly on clay so my shoes tend to last long. I've noticed no hardening at all. It's still the only shoe I'll wear when I play on hard courts.

 

[ricardo]

My feet are different from yours, so what works for me, may not work for you. For the T22, I use SofSole FIT on top of the factory insole. This gives me extra arch support, and I still get the comfort and cushioning from the factory insole. It probably won't work for you because it will take up extra space.

On my GR6's I replaced the factory insole with Superfeet Greens, and I still get a low to ground feel. However, I prefer to keep the factory insole on the T22 because the cushy ride is one of the best reasons to buy the shoe. I don't think of the T22 as a low to the ground performance shoe. I have the GR6 for that. I think the T22 is more of an comfortable, plush shoe with enough support and stability for most serious tennis players.

BTW...I've had about 3 years of experience with this shoe (on my 3rd pair) and a year with it's predecessor, the T10 (the T22 is really a T10 update). I play mostly on clay so my shoes tend to last long. I've noticed no hardening at all. It's still the only shoe I'll wear when I play on hard courts.

Thank you.

I will take note.

 

[mrc]

I think the New Balance 996 is as good in as many categories and MUCH faster lighter than the T22. I have not tried the new T22 Lite before and may give them a try. However, love the New Balance 996V2 and TW has a great deal right now on the green/gray for 49$. Its a steal...I bought 2 and should buy more at that price. Both of them need a premium insole. The T22 feels good and comfy at first but gets hard after the first 10-12 hours and hurts my feet. The 996V2 is the same and needs an insole. I use a Dr. Scholl's that is less than 20$ and lasts pretty good.

Not sure. I just don't love the cushioning and feel like it may be something to do with how hard the sole is.

 

[ricardo]

I am getting 'side-jamming' from Prince T22.

Instead of 'toe jamming', I am getting 'side-jamming' from Prince T22.

When I move/hop sideways and suddenly stop, the base of my pinky toe jams against the 'plastic claw'.
There are two of them. They are the gray plastic.
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Prince_T22_White_Blue_Green/descpageMSPRINCE-PT22MWG.html.

Have anybody experienced this?

I welcome any suggestion on how to fix it.

Thank you in advance.

 

[GoSurfBoy]

I am getting 'side-jamming' from Prince T22.

Instead of 'toe jamming', I am getting 'side-jamming' from Prince T22.

When I move/hop sideways and suddenly stop, the base of my pinky toe jams against the 'plastic claw'.
There are two of them. They are the gray plastic.
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Prince_T22_White_Blue_Green/descpageMSPRINCE-PT22MWG.html.

Have anybody experienced this?

I welcome any suggestion on how to fix it.

Thank you in advance.

I took a razor and CAREFULLY trimmed the stitching, then made a bend-and-cut across (several light passes), top and then along the sole, bottom, until I could removed a small area. Viola'. No more pressure on that bone on the side.

When I sent back to Prince, I told them what I had to do. Did not effect 6 Month warranty, in my case.

 

[Chotobaka]

Have any of you long-time T-22 wearers noticed any change in the sizing/fit? The last pair I bought fit more snugly than previous pairs. I may have to try going up a size in the future, as the T-22's have been the mainstay of my shoe rotation since they came out, and I will continue to wear them. Cannot beat the price-performance, especially when buying a couple of pairs.

The T-22 fan looking for a faster, lower shoe might like the Yonex Power Cushion Fusion Rev. Super comfortable and fit my wide forefoot as good as the T-22, just a little less supportive laterally with a slightly less durable sole (no wear guarantee). They are a higher performance shoe for me, making the trade offs well worth it.

 

[ricardo]

I took a razor and CAREFULLY trimmed the stitching, then made a bend-and-cut across (several light passes), top and then along the sole, bottom, until I could removed a small area. Viola'. No more pressure on that bone on the side.

When I sent back to Prince, I told them what I had to do. Did not effect 6 Month warranty, in my case.

Thank you.

I also cut the plastic claw using a seam ripper and a cutting tool pliers:
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/prince-t22-side-jamming.553022/#post-10051524

Pinky-toe jamming is gone.

 

[ricardo]

Have any of you long-time T-22 wearers noticed any change in the sizing/fit? The last pair I bought fit more snugly than previous pairs. I may have to try going up a size in the future, as the T-22's have been the mainstay of my shoe rotation since they came out, and I will continue to wear them. Cannot beat the price-performance, especially when buying a couple of pairs.

The T-22 fan looking for a faster, lower shoe might like the Yonex Power Cushion Fusion Rev. Super comfortable and fit my wide forefoot as good as the T-22, just a little less supportive laterally with a slightly less durable sole (no wear guarantee). They are a higher performance shoe for me, making the trade offs well worth it.

Yes.
There was a temporary change of width between the Made in China (wider version) vs Made in Cambodia (narrower) versions.

It has now been corrected.
Both are now back to the Wide version or originally wide version.
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/inde...er-than-made-in-cambodia.549968/#post-9855334

 

[Chotobaka]

Yes.
There was a temporary change of width between the Made in China (wider version) vs Made in Cambodia (narrower) versions.

It has now been corrected.
Both are now back to the Wide version or originally wide version.
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/inde...er-than-made-in-cambodia.549968/#post-9855334

Mine are made in China, though -- old box and all. Not just more snug on the width, but in the toe as well. Not severe (like the half-size difference with Babolat SFX) but noticeable nonetheless. None of my other replacement shoes had an issue. Maybe just an "off" run. I stock up on these when there are sales, so I am not sure exactly when they were purchased. We'll see with the next pair.

 

[ricardo]

Mine are made in China, though -- old box and all. Not just more snug on the width, but in the toe as well. Not severe (like the half-size difference with Babolat SFX) but noticeable nonetheless. None of my other replacement shoes had an issue. Maybe just an "off" run. I stock up on these when there are sales, so I am not sure exactly when they were purchased. We'll see with the next pair.

I have been buying shoes all my life and I still have to learn how to get the best fit.

When I tried on the Prince T22 at my local sport store, it felt really good.
I walked around the store for a few minutes and decided to buy it.

As soon as I got home, I went out again to play tennis to try out my spanking new T22 like an impatient little kid.
After 15 minutes of play, I felt some pinching on my right pinky toe.
I kept playing and the pinching got worse.

I must have played for 1 hour before I stopped playing because of the pain.

I googled T22 and I found out what was causing the side-pinching: The plastic-claw.
This is a known problem with these shoes but I did not do my due diligence.
I bought because it was on sale.

Lesson learned:
Whenever I buy a new pair of shoes, I put them on for about 2 days just walking around the house
making sure I maintain the pristine and returnable condition of the shoes.

What I notice is that after an hour of just wearing a new shoe, you can feel the pinching if it is too snug.
Sometimes they stretch over time, but sometimes they don't stretch, specially the synthetic uppers.

If after 2 days they don't loosen up I return them.

 

[AllTennis01]

As previously stated, I never had an issue with the side claws digging into the foot, but apparently some people experience that so there must be something to it. I think it's a great supportive shoe and at a good price. Feeling secured and safe is of great importance to me after undergoing ACL surgery and rolling my ankle. For slightly lighter version the T22 Lite is a good option as well. I recently got GR6, and while I think it's a good shoe, my preference is still with the Prince variations. Eventually, once there are some discounts I want to try new SFX2 or maybe even Yonex for the fun of it. But if I had to stick with just one shoe, T22 would be just fine.

 

[ricardo]

As previously stated, I never had an issue with the side claws digging into the foot, but apparently some people experience that so there must be something to it. I think it's a great supportive shoe and at a good price. Feeling secured and safe is of great importance to me after undergoing ACL surgery and rolling my ankle. For slightly lighter version the T22 Lite is a good option as well. I recently got GR6, and while I think it's a good shoe, my preference is still with the Prince variations. Eventually, once there are some discounts I want to try new SFX2 or maybe even Yonex for the fun of it. But if I had to stick with just one shoe, T22 would be just fine.

I fully agree.
These are very good shoes for people with medium to narrow feet.
However, if your feet is wider than medium, like me, these shoes may not be for you.

There is no more side pinching for my wider feet since I cut the claws.
My concern now is will the uppers continue to hold without the claws?
Continued usage and time will tell.

 

[GoSurfBoy]

Don't get me wrong; The shoe is one of the best there is, regardless of price.

Ricardo - NEVER had a problem cutting the claw. Never unraveled, or came apart from where seams or plastic were cut. Never felt a difference save for no more pain.

Right foot only, for me.

EDIT: Just wish they'd come up with some cooler colors/designs. I think this shoe, with a bit more 'curb appeal', could beat out a LOT of other brands.

 

[ricardo]

Don't get me wrong; The shoe is one of the best there is, regardless of price.

Ricardo - NEVER had a problem cutting the claw. Never unraveled, or came apart from where seams or plastic were cut. Never felt a difference save for no more pain.

Right foot only, for me.

EDIT: Just wish they'd come up with some cooler colors/designs. I think this shoe, with a bit more 'curb appeal', could beat out a LOT of other brands.

Thank you.
That is very comforting to know.
I just don't want it to become no more claw, no more pain, and no more shoes.

I will keep playing with it until it breaks.

I will try the T22 Lite next time in half size bigger.
I think Prince removed the claw from T22 Lite.

 

[Ramon]

Thank you.
That is very comforting to know.
I just don't want it to become no more claw, no more pain, and no more shoes.

I will keep playing with it until it breaks.

I will try the T22 Lite next time in half size bigger.
I think Prince removed the claw from T22 Lite.

Prince didn't remove the claw from the T22 Lite, but they did make it softer, so there's a good chance that it won't bother you the way the old claw did. However, the new claw is integrated into the fabric, so removing it will either be much harder or close to impossible.

 

[AllTennis01]

Yes, the Lite's have the claw but is more of an integrated part rather than separate plastic so removing it might not be possible without damaging the shoe.
The good thing for you is that the claw part is much thinner than on regular T22's as per Ramon's comment, so that might not bother you anymore.
Also, I noticed Lite's being slightly longer than regular ones, as such going half size longer for your feet might not be needed with them,
but you'd need to see how that fits i guess. I personally like the Lite's a lot, uppers are fairly thick but the material is all very soft and light with that extra thickness
giving it a nice plush feel.

 

[M Pillai]

How is the side of the T22 where the side of the foot touches the shoe. I do break these areas of the shoe more often than I like, and so need shoes which have good support here when I do side to side moves and quick stops.

 

[MisterP]

The T22's cushioning and durability are top notch. It loses marks for high weight and clunky feel. Also not a fan of the old geezer aesthetic. The newer colors are better, though.

BTW, The NB 996 has the worst durability of any shoe I've ever worn. 3 weeks!

 

[ricardo]

How is the side of the T22 where the side of the foot touches the shoe. I do break these areas of the shoe more often than I like, and so need shoes which have good support here when I do side to side moves and quick stops.

If you are referring to the 'plastic claw', it is gone. I cut it out because it is pinching the side of my feet near the base of my pinky toe.
The plastic claw is supposed to provide support for lateral movement and quick stops. So this may be what you are looking for.

 

[M Pillai]

Yes that is exactly what I was looking for. Glad to see that intended to have that support by design. But is it a bad design, causing more issues with feet, or is it just that you don't like/need such extra lateral supports in general?

If you are referring to the 'plastic claw', it is gone. I cut it out because it is pinching the side of my feet near the base of my pinky toe.
The plastic claw is supposed to provide support for lateral movement and quick stops. So this may be what you are looking for.

 

[ricardo]

Yes that is exactly what I was looking for. Glad to see that intended to have that support by design. But is it a bad design, causing more issues with feet, or is it just that you don't like/need such extra lateral supports in general?

If your feet are narrow to medium, I don't think you will have a problem with the plastic claw.

I have wide feet and it is rubbing/pinching against the plastic claw.
The rubbing/pinching is gone now after I cut out the plastic claw.

BTW, the plastic claw is a known problem.
Most people with wide feet have a problem with the plastic claw.

 

[Ramon]

Yes that is exactly what I was looking for. Glad to see that intended to have that support by design. But is it a bad design, causing more issues with feet, or is it just that you don't like/need such extra lateral supports in general?

The T22 has been a best-seller for several years. If the claws were that much of a problem, people wouldn't be buying them again and again. I have narrow feet. For me, the claws are fine, and they help with support. It's unfortunate that some people have problems with the claws. We all have different feet, and it's tough for any shoe manufacturer to come up with a design that pleases everybody.

 

[bluetrain4]

I've had a couple of pairs of T22s over the years. Really like the fit and look (the color options are usually to my liking). But, for me they were just TOO cushioned. I just couldn't get used to that feel on court. Admittedly, I like low-riding, harder, "flatter" shoes. Usually not a fan of the "lite" or "speed" shoes from a manufacturer

I'm at a shoe crossroads with the end of the Kwiss Big Shot 2s. I tend to find something and then use it until I can no longer find it (Adidas a3 Prevails, Prince T10s, Big Shot 2s) - and I'll search high and low - got 3 pairs of Big Shot 2s from Amazon secondary sellers well after the mainstream tennis equipment sites stopped selling them. Don't like the new Kswiss flagship, Barricades have never worked for me, the Babolat propulse were okay, but nothing great. Looks like it's going to have to be Asic Gel Resolutions - in some color that I really don't want lol, cuz I rarely pay full price for shoes.

 

[AllTennis01]

^^^^T22s are just that type of shoe for me as well, I will be sticking to them for as long as possible. I try different pair here and there to keep things interesting. I recently got GR6 that I do like, I am even tempted to get some left over GR5's at my local store at decent price as the older version being slightly more roomy felt very comfortable. But in the end, at the price level and what they provide, T22 are a great fit for me.

 

[Chotobaka]

I've had a couple of pairs of T22s over the years. Really like the fit and look (the color options are usually to my liking). But, for me they were just TOO cushioned. I just couldn't get used to that feel on court. Admittedly, I like low-riding, harder, "flatter" shoes. Usually not a fan of the "lite" or "speed" shoes from a manufacturer

I'm at a shoe crossroads with the end of the Kwiss Big Shot 2s. I tend to find something and then use it until I can no longer find it (Adidas a3 Prevails, Prince T10s, Big Shot 2s) - and I'll search high and low - got 3 pairs of Big Shot 2s from Amazon secondary sellers well after the mainstream tennis equipment sites stopped selling them. Don't like the new Kswiss flagship, Barricades have never worked for me, the Babolat propulse were okay, but nothing great. Looks like it's going to have to be Asic Gel Resolutions - in some color that I really don't want lol, cuz I rarely pay full price for shoes.

Try replacing the stock inserts with Superfeet Blue. This is not going to make the shoes any lighter, but you will ride lower and feel faster because of it. They will also feel less cushioned/more connected and get your feet in a better ergonomic position. The Blue are the lowest riding Superfeet, the Green are not quite as low but have a little more support.