My review of the Diadora Blushield 4 shoes
Tennis experience/background:
I'm currently a 59 year old USTA 4.5 rated player. After about a twenty year period of playing about once a year on average, I started playing seriously in 2004 at the 4.0 level, and reached 4.5 level in my early 50's. Currently playing about five times a week, primarily singles, on indoor and outdoor hardcourts, and intending to be competitive in open age group tournaments in the coming years.
Describe your playing style (i.e. serve & volley):
I'm an aggressive, baseline-oriented player who is more than willing to attack the net when I have the advantage, though I rarely serve and volley even when playing doubles.
Current shoe:
My current shoe is the Wilson Rush Pro 3.0. I don't have a favorite shoe and switch brands often as I find sales on various shoes. Shoes I've used in recent years are Asic Gel Resolutions, K-Swiss Hypercourts, Prince T-22s, Adidas Barricades, and Wilson Rush Pro 2.5's. Because I use a replacement insole, most shoes tend to fit well.
How many hours did you play with the shoe?
Since receiving the Blushields on October 22nd, I've played approximately 20 hours in the shoes.
Normal Size:
Size 11
Playtesting Size:
I received size 11 in the Blushield 4's. The shoes ran larger than expected, with a very roomy forefoot and extra width in the inner arch area. Though I have never worn a size 10.5 in any recent tennis shoe, I feel I could have easily fit a size 10.5 in the Blushield.
Comfort:
The Blushield 4's are comfortable shoes. The footbed is constructed of a compressible rubbery material that provides significant cushioning, which is necessary because the Ortholite insoles are very thin and seem to be made of an open cell, 5mm thick foam that easily compresses down to paper thinness and provides almost non-existent support or cushioning. All of the cushioning seems to be designed into the footbed.
Arch support:
Arch support is on the low side out of the box, and the insole provides minimal additional arch support. I had to use a custom insert and padding to create the arch height necessary to play without developing plantar fasciitis.
Stability/support:
Stability is very good. The sole is wide and flat, and the outsides of the forefoot are sharply edged to prevent the shoe from rolling towards the outside with lateral movement. The shoe feels of medium height in stock configuration, but with my custom insoles felt a little taller than average, making the shoe as a whole a little bit tippy feeling despite the configuration of the sole.
Support was lacking in stock configuration, due to the shoe being too roomy for my slightly wider than normal feet. It wasn't possible to lace up the shoes tightly enough with the stock insole to allow the shoe to work properly. With my custom insoles that are significantly thicker and denser, I was able to lace up the shoes tightly and then support felt good, with better fore and aft retention than side to side, where the roomy nature of the shoe and a shape that didn't perfectly fit my feet made it feel a bit less secure. The fit was most problematic around my arch, where the shoe seemed to be constructed too large to hug the inside of my foot at that location. The shoe material bulged outward as a result.
Ventilation:
Ventilation seemed adequate as the entirety of this test was conducted in cooler weather, never exceeding 65 degrees F. There were times when my feet still got fairly sweaty but never to a significant degree. The Blushield do have a feeling like they may have some issues with ventilation and heat retention in hotter conditions.
Sole durability:
Sole durability appears average. After about 20 hours of play, there is noticeable wear on both the inside and outside edges of the forefoot, on the outside part of the heel where footstrike occurs, and on my right toe where I drag my foot on my forehand.
My right shoe shows more wear than my left, which is typical. I normally cheat a bit to my backhand side so I have to run hard to my forehand where I hit open stance forehands and use my right foot to reverse direction. Also when running to my backhand, I'll also swing with my right foot planted and use it to reverse direction as well. Both situations wear the right shoe more.
I only purchase shoes with a durability warranty and always wear through the outsole in that time, and the Blushield are no different. It appears I will wear through these shoes in approximately three to four months.
Toe durability:
Toe durability is also about average. I've worn the toe area on my right foot to the point where the groove is about to disappear. This is from dragging my foot as I rotate on my forehand follow through.
Traction:
Traction has never been an issue on either the indoor or outdoor hardcourts I have played on. I don't intentionally side on hardcourts, but also have never slipped even when moving hard and stepping on the lines. Traction is excellent.
Weight:
The Blushield 4's are among the heaviest shoes I can remember using. They are 75 grams or about three ounces heavier, per shoe, than the Wilson Rush Pro 3 that I was currently using. My right shoe was also 0.4 ounces heavier than the left shoe. It was noticeable at first but after a couple of times out, I don't sense the extra weight.
General reaction/comments on overall performance:
The Blushields tend to leave a lot of sole material on the hardcourt. The very white nature of the sole makes it very noticeable on our dark blue courts.
The effect has diminished over time but they still leave marks where ever I drag the shoes.
In summary, the Diadora Blushield 4's are a sturdy, supportive shoe that runs longer and roomier than typical for my size 11. Players with wider and/or thicker feet will find the shoe fits better than someone with a typical "D" width foot. A replacement insole is necessary to gain additional arch support, and this is especially important for older players whose feet have started to flatten out.
Thanks to Diadora and Tennis Warehouse for allowing me to participate in the test of the Blushield 4.