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So recently posted a thread about trying shoes and at the end I ordered a bunch to try out and figure out what works-- a lot of online descriptions are only a starting point. Foot Dr. Zach's videos also help establish a baseline for what to expect from shoes, although there were quite a few he hadn't reviewed that I wanted to try.
Objectives:
Replace my very very old New Balance shoes that had worn through. These were originally bought for durability. I found them heavy and hot. (Feet soaked when done with couple sets)
Find a new shoe that is cooler wearing and lighter. Mostly focused on less than 15oz shoes.
The shoes:
K-Swiss Hypercourt Supreme (my size, and a half size up)
K-Swiss Hypercourt Express 2 (my size)
K-Swiss Hypercourt Express 2 Wide/2E (my size)
Babolat SFX3 (my size)
Yonex Sonicage 2 Wide/2E (my size)
1) K-Swiss Hypercourt Supreme
I first tried this in my size. Length was good, found it snug but overly so. Wasn't sure it would stretch out after breaking in. Took out insert and it was indeed a 1-2mm narrower than my very comfy running shoes (Nike Free).
Next, tried the half size up. Now, width was ok, but did feel a bit of heel lifting even when tied down tighter. Not sure I like the inner extra ankle wrap thing, it didn't make the shoe more comfortable or more secure feeling IMO. The insert was noticeably denser and thinner than the one for the Express, which made it feel stiffer/harder and closer to the ground. Apparently a lot of people replace their inserts but I haven't done that before.
The "Durawrap" on the upper does seem like it will be durable, but it also makes the upper much stiffer and less forgiving. It did seem to give more after a few hours of wearing it around the house, but still tight.
Shoe felt a bit clunky, stiff, and restrictive, but that might be because it hadn't been broken in on the court. Lateral support good.
2) K-Swiss Hypercourt Express 2
For some reason, the Express is wider in the same size than the Supreme, by about 1mm judging by the insert. The wide version was another maybe 0.75-1mm wider. The regular version in my size fit my feet pretty well.
I found the Express overall to be similar feel in terms of clunkiness and stiffness and weight, but with more comfortable cushioning due to the insert being thicker and more springy, and the standard ankle collar to be more comfortable as well. Ankle felt supported.
Between the Express and Supreme I would choose Express.
3) Babolat SFX3
I got this one because I read that it was a relatively light shoe that was also super comfortable. That is an accurate description. I actually got a women's size because there weren't any colors that I liked in my size for men's. The one I got was 1.5 US sizes up, and it was pretty spot on. The upper is very flexible and is a mesh fabric like you might find on a running shoe (with a bit more support/stiffness). I believe this shoe would probably be the most breathable simply due to surface area of the mesh compared to the other shoes. The flexible upper also meant that your foot has a ot of room since it stretches more.
That flexiblity was also the main con, since it felt less sturdy laterally. Walking around in it felt like walking on pillows however.
4) Yonex Sonicage 2 Wide
I read that the Sonicage ran narrow so I went for the wide. The wide I would say is maybe a medium on wider side. This shoe felt tight at first, but after some hours trying and then trying the others, and coming back, it seemed to mold nicely to my feet. The toebox at the very top is a little snug due to the taper on the pinky toe side.
Not as much cushion as the other shoes, but not terrible. Very lightweight, seems similar or maybe more breathable than the Hypercourts. Good support all around, without feeling clunky. Will have to see if that holds up on court.
Conclusion
As you might be able to tell, I decided on the Yonex Sonicage 2 Wide. To sum up how it felt wearing the different shoes, the Babolat SFX3 was like a Ford Taurus, very cushy ride, but also some movement (if you all remember the bench seating in front). The Hypercourt Supreme was like a larger hatchback, a little clumsy but sturdy, while the Express more like a minivan, also clumsier but more cushy. Finally the Sonicage was like a sports car on my feet. Felt light, molded to my foot, with minimal cushioning. Hopefully the Yonex will stand up to court time!
If not the Yonex, the Hypercourt Express would probably work fine-- but between the two the difference in weight and feeling of maneuverability is very noticeable. I would expect the K-Swiss to last longer just due to the amount of rubber and the upper Durawrap though.
If the Yonex doesn't work out or when it's time to get new shoes, I want to try Mizunos, and the Diadora Torneos.
Objectives:
Replace my very very old New Balance shoes that had worn through. These were originally bought for durability. I found them heavy and hot. (Feet soaked when done with couple sets)
Find a new shoe that is cooler wearing and lighter. Mostly focused on less than 15oz shoes.
The shoes:
K-Swiss Hypercourt Supreme (my size, and a half size up)
K-Swiss Hypercourt Express 2 (my size)
K-Swiss Hypercourt Express 2 Wide/2E (my size)
Babolat SFX3 (my size)
Yonex Sonicage 2 Wide/2E (my size)
1) K-Swiss Hypercourt Supreme
I first tried this in my size. Length was good, found it snug but overly so. Wasn't sure it would stretch out after breaking in. Took out insert and it was indeed a 1-2mm narrower than my very comfy running shoes (Nike Free).
Next, tried the half size up. Now, width was ok, but did feel a bit of heel lifting even when tied down tighter. Not sure I like the inner extra ankle wrap thing, it didn't make the shoe more comfortable or more secure feeling IMO. The insert was noticeably denser and thinner than the one for the Express, which made it feel stiffer/harder and closer to the ground. Apparently a lot of people replace their inserts but I haven't done that before.
The "Durawrap" on the upper does seem like it will be durable, but it also makes the upper much stiffer and less forgiving. It did seem to give more after a few hours of wearing it around the house, but still tight.
Shoe felt a bit clunky, stiff, and restrictive, but that might be because it hadn't been broken in on the court. Lateral support good.
2) K-Swiss Hypercourt Express 2
For some reason, the Express is wider in the same size than the Supreme, by about 1mm judging by the insert. The wide version was another maybe 0.75-1mm wider. The regular version in my size fit my feet pretty well.
I found the Express overall to be similar feel in terms of clunkiness and stiffness and weight, but with more comfortable cushioning due to the insert being thicker and more springy, and the standard ankle collar to be more comfortable as well. Ankle felt supported.
Between the Express and Supreme I would choose Express.
3) Babolat SFX3
I got this one because I read that it was a relatively light shoe that was also super comfortable. That is an accurate description. I actually got a women's size because there weren't any colors that I liked in my size for men's. The one I got was 1.5 US sizes up, and it was pretty spot on. The upper is very flexible and is a mesh fabric like you might find on a running shoe (with a bit more support/stiffness). I believe this shoe would probably be the most breathable simply due to surface area of the mesh compared to the other shoes. The flexible upper also meant that your foot has a ot of room since it stretches more.
That flexiblity was also the main con, since it felt less sturdy laterally. Walking around in it felt like walking on pillows however.
4) Yonex Sonicage 2 Wide
I read that the Sonicage ran narrow so I went for the wide. The wide I would say is maybe a medium on wider side. This shoe felt tight at first, but after some hours trying and then trying the others, and coming back, it seemed to mold nicely to my feet. The toebox at the very top is a little snug due to the taper on the pinky toe side.
Not as much cushion as the other shoes, but not terrible. Very lightweight, seems similar or maybe more breathable than the Hypercourts. Good support all around, without feeling clunky. Will have to see if that holds up on court.
Conclusion
As you might be able to tell, I decided on the Yonex Sonicage 2 Wide. To sum up how it felt wearing the different shoes, the Babolat SFX3 was like a Ford Taurus, very cushy ride, but also some movement (if you all remember the bench seating in front). The Hypercourt Supreme was like a larger hatchback, a little clumsy but sturdy, while the Express more like a minivan, also clumsier but more cushy. Finally the Sonicage was like a sports car on my feet. Felt light, molded to my foot, with minimal cushioning. Hopefully the Yonex will stand up to court time!
If not the Yonex, the Hypercourt Express would probably work fine-- but between the two the difference in weight and feeling of maneuverability is very noticeable. I would expect the K-Swiss to last longer just due to the amount of rubber and the upper Durawrap though.
If the Yonex doesn't work out or when it's time to get new shoes, I want to try Mizunos, and the Diadora Torneos.
