Tennis Warehouse Playtest: Babolat Jet Shoes

TW Staff

Administrator
Attention Talk Tennis Members:

We will be sending out a very limited number of the new Babolat Jet shoes for a playtest. Playtesters will be responsible for wearing the shoes for the given time and writing a thorough review of the shoes. Playtesters who are picked will be notified via email. This playtest is open to both men and women in the USA only.

***Application period has ended. We will be sending out email confirmations in the next couple days.***

We select playtesters based on a number of factors, including past performance on playtests, user history, posting in topics similar to playtest, etc. Due to the very limited number of samples, we will not be able satisfy the large majority of requests. It is absolutely essential that everyone who receives a pair of shoes posts a review.

***This playtest is free of charge. Your review is due by April 22, 2016.***

If you do not post a review or if your review is clearly lacking effort, you will be excluded from future playtests.

Please use the following to write your review:

Tennis experience/background:
Describe your playing style (i.e. serve & volley):
Current shoe:
How many hours did you play with the shoe?
Normal Size:
Playtesting Size:

Comments on shoe performance:
-comfort:
-arch support:
-stability/support:
-ventilation:
-sole durability:
-toe durability:
-traction:
-weight:
General reaction/comments on overall performance:

As always, we ask that this thread to be used only for questions, discussion and playtest reviews. Extraneous comments will be deleted.

Thanks,
TW Staff
 
Last edited:

TW Staff

Administrator
Playtesters have been selected! Please check your emails! We had a great turn out for this playtest and had so many great playtesters to choose from. If you weren't chosen, don't fret! There will be another shoe playtest coming up shortly!

Thanks,
Brittany, TW
 

n8dawg6

Legend
Let me just say that these shoes LOOK awesome. i know that there are other less important things like comfort, stability, durability, etc. but the most important aspect of a shoe (or racquet/racket for that matter) is how it makes you look. and these shoes will make you look GOOD.
 

kvan

Semi-Pro
Got my pair earlier today and got to test them out on-court for a couple hours today on indoor hard courts.

First impressions are great---the shoes are light, fast, stable for the type of shoe it is, and comfortable. The uppers are definitely very soft so it'll be interesting to see how the fit holds up, but so far, so good.

These shoes are easier to slide in than my normal Nike LBs, which was actually a welcome change, and part of a certain trend with tennis shoes nowadays.

Can't argue with the colorway either; it looks fantastic (I use a Pure Strike so it's a perfect match) and the upper details are spectacular. Also appreciate the laces as they seem high quality and resistant to slippage/loosening over time.

Looking forward to a full review to come in soon.
 

appdach96

Rookie
Received my shoes today. Wore them around the house as tomorrow is match day and I wanted to get a feel of how they fit.

They are probably the lightest shoe I've ever tried. My go to shoe is the Asics GR6, so the difference is noticeable. They are out of the box comfortable.

Looking forward to doing a full review over the next couple of weeks.

Thanks again TW and Babolat!

Katie
 

lidoazndiabloboi

Hall of Fame
Just returned from a trip to New York, and what did I see, the first thing i opened my door. The awesome Babolat Jet shoes!! I can't wait to get these out to the courts to test them out. Thanks TW
 
First off - Thanks Babolat and TW for the opportunity to play test the JETS.

I received the shoes last Friday - Awesome looking shoes and very light.
Out of curiosity, I weighed the shoes:
Left - 347g
Right - 359g

I played 4 hours, which included 4 sets with the Jets over the weekend. These shoe are... I'll give a thorough review in a couple of weeks.


Tennis experience/background:
4.5. Been playing off and on for the past 10 years.

Describe your playing style (i.e. serve & volley):
Serve & Volley / All court

Current shoe:
Asics Gel Resolution 5

How many hours did you play with the shoe?

Played roughly 12 hours.

Normal Size:
9.5/10

Playtesting Size:
10

Comments on shoe performance:

-comfort:
I have slightly wide feet so these Jets were on the snug side. The left shoe was especially tight around the forefoot. They did loosen up a bit after a couple of sets. Even with the snug fit, I really didn’t notice any pain while playing. If the Jets came in a wide, they would be on my short list.

-arch support:
I also have a slightly low arch and was ready to throw in a set of SuperFeet into the shoes but I was pleasantly surprised with the arch support and didn’t have a need for the inserts.

-stability/support:
For such a supple and flexible upper the stability and support was outstanding. I was a little hesitant at first on my split steps and change of direction around the net but the stability was great.

-ventilation:
Didn’t’ experience any issues with the lack of ventilation, although I’ve been playing in fairly cool conditions.

-sole durability:
Surprisingly the sole is holding up pretty well for a lightweight shoe – comparable with the Asics Gel Solution and little better than Adidas Adizero Ubersonics.
There is some noticeable wear near the bottom/side of the right big toe but that’s normal for me

-toe durability:
Some wear on the top left toe area but nothing out of the ordinary.

-traction:
Tractions was ‘real’ good – little more than what I’m accustomed to.

-weight:
The Jets are super light. And the lack of weight doesn’t take anything away from stability and comfort.

General reaction/comments on overall performance:
Overall I had a good experience with the shoes even though they are slight snug on my wide feet. The performance and stability from these shoes definitely has me thinking about switching. If these came in a wide there wouldn’t be any second thoughts.
 
Last edited:

appdach96

Rookie
This review is only after 2.5 hours of play last night..I will review again after more hours on the court.

Tennis experience/background: 4.5 player, mostly doubles...played in HS and then after 17 years away picked it up again close to 6 years ago

Describe your playing style (i.e. serve & volley): I play mostly doubles but not always serve and volley...I tend to work my way up to the net. I am good at baseline rallies and enjoy setting up my part at the net

Current shoe: Asics GR 6 ( I wear the kids version)

How many hours did you play with the shoe? 2.5 so far and will update again

Normal Size: 7 (kids 5 1/2)

Playtesting Size: 7

Comments on shoe performance:
-comfort: This shoe is right out of the box comfortable...It took no break in for me...I noticed it was a tad tight on my right upper foot but that has already gotten better.

-arch support: I have a medium to low arch and this shoe did well...no pain in my arches like the Barricade Bounce I did a previous review on

-stability/support: Although a very light shoe, I was surprised at how much support I felt. It has great cushioning

-ventilation: My foot did not get hot...It was a night match in NC and the temp was 65.


-sole durability: Not enough time in the shoe to see...
-toe durability: I do drag my toe on my serve and haven't noticed anything yet but we will see after more time on the court.
-traction: great traction, loved how it felt when moving fast on the court.
-weight: very light shoe, almost as light as my Gel Kayano running shoes

General reaction/comments on overall performance: So far I am pleasantly surprised at how much I loved this shoe. I tried the Asics Solution Speed 2 last year and just was not a fan, preferring the GR6 cushioning...My feet did not hurt at all after playing nor once I got home to take the shoes off..This shoe may be a keeper for me.
 

sp1derman

Professional
Tennis experience/background:4.5 Player/Athletic 32 year old, 190lbs
Describe your playing style (i.e. serve & volley): All court game, 2HBH
Current shoe: Vapor 9.5/Ubersonic
How many hours did you play with the shoe? 4
Normal Size: 11
Playtesting Size: 11, The shoe fits true to size

Comments on shoe performance: Played indoors on a very fuzzy hard court. I slipped a few times while changing direction. I think the herringbone pattern of the vapors provides better traction on a fuzzed up court. I think these would be better suited for outside hard court because of the "flatter" pattern. The Michelin rubber is very soft and you can feel it flex as you twist your foot. Also, I have a thinner foot with a low arch and these fit this type of foot nicely.
-comfort: upper is very soft. Heel Cushioning is better than Vapors but not as plush as Ubersonics. Front foot cushioning is identical to vapors, less cushioning than Ubersonics.
-arch support: Low arch support which was nice for my low arches.
-stability/support: A lot of room for the ankle to roll. I didn't roll an ankle but they felt less supportive than vapors or ubersonics.
-ventilation: Good ventilation. very windy here in PA and walking into club I could feel wind whipping into uppers.
-sole durability: better than the vapors but only because of the traction pattern being smoother. The Michelin rubber is very soft and grippy, especially if the court is clean.
-toe durability: I drag outside of left toe during serve. I usually wear a hole in vapors here. The babolat upper does appear slightly more durable than the Vapor upper. It is scuffed but hasn't torn through.
-traction: above average traction. Better than my old Gel resolutions, Lunar ballistics, adizeros, very similar to vapors in this respect.
-weight: very light and fast shoe
General reaction/comments on overall performance: Fast shoe with good traction and good heal plushness for bigger guys. There was some heel slippage and ankle area doesn't build confidence if you have ankle issues. Plenty of room if you wear ankle braces which I don't. I think it's most similar to the vapor with a little more durability and less ankle support.

Thanks TW!
 

GoSurfBoy

Semi-Pro
Shoe arrived when we had some weather here, so I opened them up to see and try on.

First impression was that they were longer than my normal 11.5's, and these were, a bit, but more 'visual' due to the longer, narrower toe box. However, the shoe seems to use that fast-taper toebox shape that has been kind of moved away from in other shoes, save Asics - which I can't wear.

In trying the shoes on, I noticed that I indeed had more room at the big toe, but that my last 2 toes were snug up against the shoe, due to that rapid taper. At this point, they didn't seem all that comfortable, so I decided to use them in the house, only, so that I could at least send them back as 'new' for another tester, or....

In my entire tennis career, I have never had a 'break-in period' - EVER - with any shoe. I simply went out and played, never having felt any need. THESE DID. I basically used them as 'kicks' for 3 or so hours, trying to get them to feel better. I was actually unsure if I would even spend time on-court with them.

After 3 hours or so, I decided to go ahead and play them.


Tennis experience/background: Open/ITF Tour player. 6' 2"/190

Describe your playing style (i.e. serve & volley): All court, attacking......hate to say it, but a 'Fed-like' game.

Current shoe: Diadora Speed Pro ME

How many hours did you play with the shoe? About 5 hours, so far

Normal Size: 11.5

Playtesting Size: 11.5. If I liked this shoe, I would maybe try a 12, to give me more room on the little toes, but might have too much slop in front of the big toe, which can lead to the shoe folding on you.

Comments on shoe performance:

-comfort: First shoe ever that actually needed a break-in. After that, they became better, but I MUST be honest. This is the ONLY shoe I have ever taken off after play, and likened it to getting out of a pair of racing ski boots after a 6 hour day.

-arch support: I have never had an issue in this department, in any shoe, and these shoes felt good from an 'underneath the feet' aspect.

-stability/support: For such a light shoe, the support was impressive, BUT..... the tongues kept rolling off to the outside of the shoe, and I was unable to tighten the laces much as the uppers were painful on the tops of my feet. This is with stock insoles, but I normally use a thicker insert, which couldn't be used here, even to test.

-ventilation: Weather was off, but I've rarely experienced any discomfort in any shoe, save for locations in the world when I've played tourneys in over 100 degree conditions, and then EVERYTHING is cooking, sooooo.... Given the material here, for those who do experience discomfort, I would imagine these shoes to be outstanding in this area.

-sole durability: Not enough time, but I see zero evidence of even a slight wear. However, at IW, I was talking to a guy I know who's high on the ATP, and he told me to throw my shows out or give them away after 2 months, as the cushioning is dissipating rapidly, and at this level, damaging shins, knees, hips, low back, etc., isn't worth milking a shoe's life for, so 'longevity' isn't a factor to me (I'm on-court 2-5 hours per day, 5 or 6 days a week).

-toe durability: I'm not a toe-dragger, as when I wear through a shoe, it's generally right on the ball and a bit on the inside edge. Not a mark, so far. A+

-traction: Superb, yet I was able to 'break' the grip and slide when I wanted. I DO like this sole!

-weight: I'm actually used to not 'thinking' about my shoes, at all, so I have to have conscious moments. They almost felt a little too light, if I can say that? Almost like not there. I'm used to something a bit more substantial, but I have never considered the weight to be a factor in long matches, anyway, but like GOOD EQUIPMENT, you should never be thinking about it at all.

General reaction/comments on overall performance: There are many aspects I like, but the shoe design wasn't quite to my foot shape. I did NOT experience any jamming, and they may have stretched a bit for me, as I am wearing them as I type, and my little toes do not feel so tight against the shoe as they did when I had to 'break them in', so I would stay with 11.5.

FINAL COMMENT: I really liked several aspects of this shoe, but sadly, my foot did not. The tops of my feet feel 'sprained', while the bottoms are fine, cushioning was good, and playability in so light a shoe was outstanding at this level. (I played 2 more hours this morning in them, about 7 total. They continue to feel better and better, but the tops are just not comfortable over the laces).

The tongue-thing sliding off to the sides was bothersome. My Fila's did that on my European circuit last year, driving me nuts, but they didn't hurt. Never could figure out WHY, though.

I just took these Jets off.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

I WILL try them again in a few days, and perhaps modify this feedback if I have new/other thoughts.

Thank you, TW and Babolat, for this opportunity.
 
Last edited:

kvan

Semi-Pro
So, after about 12 hours of court time with the Jets, here's my review: They're pretty awesome.

Tennis experience/background: College Student; played varsity high school singles, currently in club tennis and works at a country club as an assistant professional over the summers.

Describe your playing style (i.e. serve & volley): I mostly rely on my big serves and forehands to finish points, though I'm fairly comfortable at net. Baseliner with a OHBH.

Current shoe: Nike LB 1.5
How many hours did you play with the shoe?: 12 hours
Normal Size: 11.5
Playtesting Size: 11.5

Comments on shoe performance:

-comfort: Easily one of the Jet's strong suits. I'm used to bigger, heavier shoes with a good amount of cushion, but I felt really comfortable out on court with these. The super soft uppers were a bit tight at first, but soon they fit my feet like a glove. There was also this odd bending that was happening at the top of the uppers which pinched my toes for the first hour or two, but it soon went away. There's a tiny bit of a fit adjustment period, but my feet were pretty much happy all the time in these.

-arch support: Arch support, I found was pretty low to medium, which I found perfect for my feet. If you have high arches, you might want to consider insoles. No pain or compression.

-stability/support:
For a super light shoe, I found the stability to be top-notch as well. My feet felt locked in and the heel cup was soft and deep enough to keep any heel slippage from happening, which I found was a problem with the Propulse BPM when I tried those. These, even without the velcro straps, felt much more stable. The slightly asymmetric lacing system also worked nicely, and as I mentioned before, the laces on these shoes are great. They're hard to describe, but are pliable yet stiff enough to provide for a very tight knot, and I felt little loosening over the course of a set.

-ventilation:
Another benefit of these compared to shoes like the LB 1.5s, Barricade 7s, and even Lotto Raptors, (which I've worn extensively,) which are more durability-oriented shoes, the Jets offer an upper that's both soft and breathable. The kevlar mesh upper was a good choice, and the shoe pulls it off well. My feet never got excessively hot, even in very humid indoor weather. We'll see how they hold as it starts to warm up outside, but I have a feeling my feet will be thanking me later.

-sole durability: I'm hardest on my shoes near the back of the heel and under my left toe, and though some slight signs of wear are noticeable on the heel area, these shoes are doing pretty well for a speed, "match day" shoe. Hard to compare with my other shoe experiences considering most of my shoes come with a warranty and hold out for a while.

-toe durability:
As a slight toe-dragger on my left foot, I'm used to those ugly blue-green spots that appear on the tip of your shoes from lunges or slides. The gray and red colorway makes it hard to notice any excessive wear from my dragging, and there's a good amount of rubber in the toe area (both on the sides and top) to keep any premature "toe leaking" from happening. Nice to see, and so far, so good.

-traction: I'd say there was a good bit less traction from what I'm used to. Especially compared to some really tacky outsoles like those on the B7s or Lotto Raptors, these are a different breed of sole. Babolat always uses some unorthodox tread patterns, and I haven't gotten used to the more slippery soles 100%, but I'm starting to enjoy it more. Don't get me wrong, though, there's still plenty of traction to feel comfortable changing direction, but on those sprints to save a potential forehand winner from whizzing past you, you might need to slide a bit.

-weight: So incredibly light compared to what I'm used to, and looking at the specs, it's incredible what a shoe Babolat's produced in terms of stability and comfort in such a feathery package.

General reaction/comments on overall performance:
I loved the playtest, and will continue to love these shoes! They're a great match for my Pure Strikes, too. The softness, comfort, and lightweight feel are handily balanced by their surprising stability. I'm thoroughly impressed and I may just have to move away from my "type" of shoe. Great job Babolat, and thanks a bunch to them and TW for making this possible!
 

appdach96

Rookie
UPDATE: I have now played in these shoes for 12 hours. Updated info is in RED

Tennis experience/background: 4.5 player, mostly doubles...played in HS and then after 17 years away picked it up again close to 6 years ago

Describe your playing style (i.e. serve & volley): I play mostly doubles but not always serve and volley...I tend to work my way up to the net. I am good at baseline rallies and enjoy setting up my part at the net

Current shoe: Asics GR 6 ( I wear the kids version)

How many hours did you play with the shoe? 12 hours

Normal Size: 7 (kids 5 1/2)

Playtesting Size: 7

Comments on shoe performance:
-comfort: This shoe is right out of the box comfortable...It took no break in for me...I noticed it was a tad tight on my right upper foot but that has already gotten better. This shoe is still very comfortable after 12 hours of wear. I did not feel the need to take them off right after playing like some shoes I have worn in the past. I did notice the short fit but it was not significant enough to go up a 1/2 size.

-arch support: I have a medium to low arch and this shoe did well...no pain in my arches like the Barricade Bounce I did a previous review on Again with my arch, this shoe was great! No pain!

-stability/support: Although a very light shoe, I was surprised at how much support I felt. It has great cushioning I never felt as if I was going to turn an ankle in this shoe. They glove like fit provided me with plenty of stability & support.

-ventilation: My foot did not get hot...It was a night match in NC and the temp was 65. Again great ventilated shoe. My feet did not get super hot.

-sole durability: Not enough time in the shoe to see...The sole looks great, I put in a good 12 if not more hours in this shoe and the sole still looks almost new.

-toe durability: I do drag my toe on my serve and haven't noticed anything yet but we will see after more time on the court. Toe durability is still good. It did show some red and green from the hard courts I was playing on, but no real damage.

-traction: great traction, loved how it felt when moving fast on the court. Again as before, loved the traction of this shoe. Felt like it gripped the court great.

-weight: very light shoe, almost as light as my Gel Kayano running shoes The weight of this shoe is very light...almost like a running shoe.

General reaction/comments on overall performance: So far I am pleasantly surprised at how much I loved this shoe. I tried the Asics Solution Speed 2 last year and just was not a fan, preferring the GR6 cushioning...My feet did not hurt at all after playing nor once I got home to take the shoes off..This shoe may be a keeper for me.I definitely love this shoe. It will be in my rotation for sure. Love that it is light & still has good cushioning.

Thanks again SO much TW and Babolat.
 
Last edited:

TW Staff

Administrator
Attention playtesters:

The comments due date will be extended to April 22nd due to the shoes arriving slightly later than anticipated.

Thanks,
TW Staff
 

DrewRafter8

Professional
Attention playtesters:

The comments due date will be extended to April 22nd due to the shoes arriving slightly later than anticipated.

Thanks,
TW Staff

Thanks for that! Now I'll log some more court time and give a thorough review.

I have some initial comments before I complete a more detailed review. When these shoes came, I wore them around for a few days before I could actually get on court. I typically do that with all the shoes I play tennis in. I found these to be incredibly comfortable and a joy to wear as a daily shoe to run around town in. My major concern is stability and support. I've had multiple issues with my left heel (achilles tendinopathy, stress fracture, plantar fasciitis) and can't wear certain shoes to play tennis in. Currently I have 3 left over pairs of Propulse 4's. They provided enough stability that I bought as many as I could. The Jet's reminded me a little of the Asics Speed Solution 2, but those gave me some pain. I have logged some court time with the Jets and I'm really blown away thus far. I consider the Propulse 4 one of the best shoes of all time for my feet. The Jet seems to give them a run for their money. To be continued...
 

sp1derman

Professional
Tennis experience/background:4.5 Player/Athletic 32 year old, 190lbs
Describe your playing style (i.e. serve & volley): All court game, 2HBH
Current shoe: Vapor 9.5/Ubersonic
How many hours did you play with the shoe? 4
Normal Size: 11
Playtesting Size: 11, The shoe fits true to size

Comments on shoe performance: Played indoors on a very fuzzy hard court. I slipped a few times while changing direction. I think the herringbone pattern of the vapors provides better traction on a fuzzed up court. I think these would be better suited for outside hard court because of the "flatter" pattern. The Michelin rubber is very soft and you can feel it flex as you twist your foot. Also, I have a thinner foot with a low arch and these fit this type of foot nicely.
-comfort: upper is very soft. Heel Cushioning is better than Vapors but not as plush as Ubersonics. Front foot cushioning is identical to vapors, less cushioning than Ubersonics.
-arch support: Low arch support which was nice for my low arches.
-stability/support: A lot of room for the ankle to roll. I didn't roll an ankle but they felt less supportive than vapors or ubersonics.
-ventilation: Good ventilation. very windy here in PA and walking into club I could feel wind whipping into uppers.
-sole durability: better than the vapors but only because of the traction pattern being smoother. The Michelin rubber is very soft and grippy, especially if the court is clean.
-toe durability: I drag outside of left toe during serve. I usually wear a hole in vapors here. The babolat upper does appear slightly more durable than the Vapor upper. It is scuffed but hasn't torn through.
-traction: above average traction. Better than my old Gel resolutions, Lunar ballistics, adizeros, very similar to vapors in this respect.
-weight: very light and fast shoe
General reaction/comments on overall performance: Fast shoe with good traction and good heal plushness for bigger guys. There was some heel slippage and ankle area doesn't build confidence if you have ankle issues. Plenty of room if you wear ankle braces which I don't. I think it's most similar to the vapor with a little more durability and less ankle support.

Thanks TW!

I wanted to provide an update on the upper durability as I've had a chance to play in the Jet's a few more times now. As I mentioned ,I drag my outside left foot. I wear a holes through vapors and the ubersonics at this spot. Well, babolat's upper is comfortable against the top of the foot and considerably more durable than the two aforementioned shoes. This is one aspect of the shoe that really stands out along with the soft yet durable Michelin rubber sole.
 

lidoazndiabloboi

Hall of Fame
Tennis experience/background: 4.5 Player, likes playing singles more than doubles.
Describe your playing style (i.e. serve & volley): All court player, likes to take time away from opponents
Current shoe: Nike Zoom Vapor 9.5
How many hours did you play with the shoe? 20 hours
Normal Size: 9-9.5
Playtesting Size: 9

Comments on shoe performance:

-comfort: The shoe is very comfortable right out of the box. No break in time at all. Soft mesh upper allows the shoe to bend easily. The heel support is a little stiff, not as comfy as the Vapors.

-arch support: The shoe has a low arch support, which was just right for me. Having worn them for about a month, there has been no pain at all. Whereas, when I use Vapors, I need to buy special insoles to provide some arch support or else my feet would hurt after tennis.

-stability/support: I felt like my foot sat a little high up inside the shoe. Compared to the Vapors, I feel they wrap my foot up a little better than the Jet. Because of this, I only started sliding in the shoes my last session out. I was hesitant at first. Once I got over that fear, the shoe was great. For being a light and fast shoe, it was easy for me to stop and turn and change directions. I didn’t feel like my feet lagged.

-ventilation: After my sessions, my feet weren’t burning up and felt cool. The Kevlar mesh allow of good ventilation.

-sole durability: After about a month of playing, I’ve only seen some slight wear on the heel of the shoes. No noticeable wear anywhere else.

-toe durability: I don’t drag my toe much. From the design, I can tell Babolat has added extra support to this area.

-traction: I’ve always like Babolat shoes when it comes to traction. The Jet is no different. Once reason I was hesitant to slide was because of the grippy traction. But at high speeds, the shoe slide very well, yet when I needed it to stop, it could stop on a dime, and chance directions.

-weight: The shoe is very light. It allowed me to speed through the court without having to worry about the weight on my feet.

General reaction/comments on overall performance:
I would definitely rank this shoe as a high performance shoe. Great for match days. It feels like a hybrid of the Vapors with the traction of the Barricades. If I were to use these shoes permanently for match days, I would get half size up. It would allow for greater comfort when I use thicker socks. Thank you TW and Babolat @Babolat Official for this great playtest. I will continue to update my review with new info.
 

DrewRafter8

Professional
Tennis experience/background:
Former 4.5 coach/player. I've retired from coaching and haven't played nearly as much in the past two years. Making a return at 4.0 but still playing 4.5.

Describe your playing style (i.e. serve & volley):

First strike tennis. Big serve and looking to blast the return. If I play points out, I'm looking to get to net as quick as possible. I've been a better doubles player then singles at different points.

Current shoe:
Babolat Propulse 4

How many hours did you play with the shoe?
Around 14 hours on court, but I wore them around a lot just running around town. I mentioned this above, but I always like to break in my tennis shoes by wearing them around a couple days before I hit the court.

Normal Size:
12.5

Playtesting Size:
12.5

Comments on shoe performance:
-comfort: Ridiculously comfortable. They remind me of Vapors, but the Nike hurt my foot. The cushioning in this Jet stayed consistent. I have a very sensitive left foot with achilles tendonitis, plantar fascitis, and a freshly healed stress fracture. For instance, the Asics Solution Speed 2 was incredibly harsh on me and I had to hang those up quickly. I was concerned because this shoe isn't as beefy as the Propulse 4 (and I'm used to having the straps!). Babolat knocked this out of the park. I've played with no pain coming from the shoes! Very comfortable, just as good as the Gel Res 5 and the Propulse 4!

-arch support:
Lower arch support, but it seems to fit my foot very well. I don't have much of an arch and I've had some issues in these lower profile shoes (see Solution Speed 2 comments). No pain coming from these shoes and they seem to fit a lower arch incredibly well.

-stability/support: I normally take out the original insoles for my superfeet green. I've yet to do this with the Jet. This is pretty amazing and this Jet is the first I've been able to do this with in years. When I looked at the shoe and wore it around for a few days, I was concerned because I'm used to the beefy Propulse 4. The Propulse 4 isn't the most comfortable shoe I've worn, but it is probably the most supportive. This Jet is right on par in terms of support and I'm still shocked! Looking at the shoe's low profile, I would never have believed it is as supportive as it is.

-ventilation:
It hasn't been ridiculously hot, but I think these will breathe incredibly well. The kevlar mesh is super and I did not have a single problem with my feet overheating. Versus conventional mesh, I think this kevlar stuff may be the future of shoes.

-sole durability: I think this is the only real concern I have for the shoe. When I played open tournaments several years ago, I could fry a pair of shoes quickly. I blew out a pair of courtballistecs in one weekend tournament (I'm a hard court slider, but I played a ton making the finals of singles and doubles!). I didn't get a chance to really put these through this type of test, but I'm pretty sure the durability would not be at the level of a Propulse 4 or Gel Resolution. Considering both of those shoes are some of the top in the durability category, this isn't the biggest criticism. I think they outlast the Vapor and Speed Solution 2, but not some of the hard court monsters.

-toe durability: Babolat made this shoe for me. I drag my toe on my serve and can really burn out a pair of shoes with subpar toe durability. They've built the toe just like the Propulse so it has some beef. I've not noticed any major wear yet.

-traction: I did not get a chance to hit on clay courts, but I wonder how they might do. I think the tread pattern would allow for them to work fine, but I saw there is a clay court version (may have to look into those as I get back into hitting more on clay). Traction on the hard court was excellent. I felt comfortable changing directions and could slide into the net at times to hit volleys. They seem to have the same type of material as the other Babolat shoes which I am quite fond of.

-weight:
Ridiculous! These are Jets and they are fast. They feel as they are lighter than any other shoe I've ever used.

General reaction/comments on overall performance:

Babolat has a winner here. I'm probably going to switch over to these from my favorite Propulse 4's. I have 3 pairs of Propulse 4's I've hoarded as I couldn't find another shoe I like as well, but I think my decision is made. I've never liked the lower weight shoes because manufacturers seem to cut out support and cushioning. Babolat didn't do that here. The colorways are really nice too, which doesn't matter as much. Thanks to Babolat and TW for the opportunity! This was a really enjoyable playtest for me!
 

pfchang

Professional
Tennis experience/background: 4-4.5 player. Singles and Dubs
Describe your playing style (i.e. serve & volley):
Big serve, baseliner.
Current shoe:
Nike Vapor 9.5
How many hours did you play with the shoe?
Around 20 hours of playing, far more for teaching purposes.
Normal Size:
10-10.5
Playtesting Size:
10

Comments on shoe performance:
-comfort: Shoes definitely have top notch comfort, very comparable to vapors, which are in the upper echelon of comfort shoes. Slight break in to get the upper material to mold to my foot. My feet run wide, so I was worried about the width in a size 10, but the matryx material only took an hour to mold and make the shoe very comfortable.

-arch support:
I have a lower arch, and found no issues with support here. Nice low to ground feeling.

-stability/support: There does seem to be something a little lacking stability/support wise, as the shoe runs a bit lighter compared to most on the market, and the upper material doesn't quite help with support since it is so flexible. The heel area offers a decent amount of support however, and holds up the shoe to an adequate level of stability and support.

-ventilation:
Haven't been in the situation where weather issues have caused ventilation concerns, but I find no discernible difference between these and the vapors. Would be nice if the jets at least offered some visible holes for ventilation.

-sole durability: The sole has held up well enough for the time on the court, but this could definitely be a concern for a good amount of people. Of course, this is also coming from a lightweight performance shoe, and its trademark is not durability. But I am impressed with the durability for the time used so far.

-toe durability: These shoes have a beefed up toe guard, which is a very welcome addition to a lightweight performance shoe. I usually have issues with toe durability, but once again, very impressive durability for the time used so far.

-traction:
Traction was top notch. Shoes stick to the ground. However, I prefer shoes that offer a little give so I can slide on courts. Either way, top end traction performance from a shoe in recent memory.

-weight:
Compared to vapors, about an ounce and a half lighter on paper, and you can definitely feel it. Shoes perform ridiculously light.

General reaction/comments on overall performance:

A really awesome shoe from babolat. This is genuinely a top end lightweight performance shoe, that likely trumps the vapors in every category except for stability and brand recognition. The jet has a very unique upper that molded well to my wider foot and offers very attractive cosmetics, top notch traction, all in a ridiculously light and fast chassis. Kudos to Babolat for the ingenuity and letting me get the chance to playtest these shoes!
 

srvnvly

Hall of Fame
Tennis background:
Describe your playing style (i.e. serve & volley): s-n-v doubles; more all-court on singles
Current shoe: Asics Gel Res 6
How many hours did you play with the shoe? 5
Normal Size: 10.5
Playtesting Size: 10.5

Comments on shoe performance:
-comfort: ok, not as cushioned as my AGR 6's
-arch support: seemed normal, no problems with it
-stability/support: good, if you are younger (under 35), but could use more
-ventilation: fine, no issues
-sole durability: durability was good, better than expected
-toe durability: same - I was more surprised at this due to the low weight
-traction: traction and durability were the best parts of the shoe
-weight: a bit light, but traction and durability could offset the weight issue, depending on the user

General reaction/comments on overall performance
Overall, the durability and traction were great aspects of the shoe, but I will stay with my Asics GR6 for the cushioning and stability, since I have a left knee meniscus issue. However, if I was younger and more nimble, I would give the Babolat Jet a serious look. I could stop on a dime to hit tough half-volleys, and I was able to change direction quickly to chase down lobs (over my or my doubles partner's head) easily.

Great job on this new shoe, Babolat, and thank you to TW for the play test!
 
Tennis experience/background: 4.0, played throughout high school
Describe your playing style (i.e. serve & volley): Serve and volley when playing doubles; baselining until I get an opportunity to come to net in singles.
Current shoe: Nike Ballistec Advantage
How many hours did you play with the shoe? 6 hours
Normal Size: 12
Playtesting Size: 12

Comments on shoe performance
-comfort: These shoes required about a two hour break-in before they became comfortable. Initially, the shoe felt a bit narrow, but it stretched out by the end of my playtest. These shoes are a little more plush than my Ballistec Advantages.
-arch support: Arch support was a little bit higher the Ballistec Advantage, but I have low to medium arch, so it wasn't an issue.
-stability/support: Compared to previous Babolat shoes that I've worn (Propulse 1, 2, and 4, and the V-Pro), there was more room in the heel. I didn't notice this too much while I was playing, but when I was standing around I could tell that the Jet wasn't as secure as those shoes. The shoe felt stable enough when I would make stops and starts, and I never doubted my movements.
-ventilation: Ventilation was good and it reminded me of the Propulse line of shoes. The Babolat Jet is a better ventilated compared to Nike Ballistec Advantage.
-sole durability: I haven't noticed any wear yet.
-toe durability: I generally wear the toe area out first, but I haven't seen any wear yet.
-traction: I liked the traction of this shoe, it's not overly sticky, so you can slide when you need to and it won't happen on accident.
-weight: I was surprised to see that this shoe weighs more than the Nike Ballistec Advantage (12.9 oz vs 12.4 oz at size 10.5).
General reaction/comments on overall performance: This shoe caused me shoe discomfort initially. However, once it broke in I found it to be a comfortable and a good performing shoe. The ventilation was also another strong point of this shoe. If I was in the market for new shoes, I wouldn't buy the Jet. At $135, it's a bit too expensive. I was able to get my Ballistec Advantages for about $70 and that includes a six-month durability guarantee.
Thank you Tennis Warehouse for another playtest opportunity!
 

DrewRafter8

Professional
@Babolat Official

Just a follow up... The Babolat Jet is the best shoe I've ever worn! I've found that dependent on the shape of one's foot, a shoe can work and feel very differently. With this understanding, the Jet is the perfect shoe for my foot. After having foot pain in my left heel for years, I'm playing tennis with no problems. I'm still in the factory insoles and have not thought about putting in my aftermarkets. I've enjoyed these so much, I'm wearing these pretty much exclusively on and off the court. Normally, I wear Brooks Adrenaline shoes when I'm running around town. Those are being left on the side as I go to the Jets every time. There's only one other shoe I've enjoyed wearing as much as the Jets, the Adidas Ultra Boost. That's pretty high competition for a tennis shoe to compete with the expensive running shoes. For my feet, the Babolat Jet is simply outstanding!
 

DrewRafter8

Professional
And one more thing...

I hope Kevlar mesh is the future for tennis shoes. I prefer it over flyknit and primeknit. The Jet upper is the perfect material!
 
Top