Tennis Warehouse Playtest: Diadora Speed Blushield 4

appdach96

Rookie
Attention Talk Tennis Members:

We have a very limited number of Diadora Speed Blushield 4 shoes for a playtest.

This playtest is for USA Talk Tennis members only.

Application period is now closed. Selected playtesters will be notified via email by Wednesday, October 14th.

If you are selected, you must reply to our confirmation email and confirm that you are able to perform this playtest.

We select playtesters based on a number of factors, including past performance on playtests, user history and postings in topics similar to playtest category.

*** Your review is due by [check back if selected ]***

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:

We encourage a lively discussion on Diadora shoes. We will remove extraneous posts, e.g., “email sent”.

Thanks,
TW Staff
Above it states check back if tested for the date review is due but it doesn’t have a date. Could you post it again, want to make sure I have my review in on my time.
 

Injured Again

Hall of Fame
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.

uc


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.

uc


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.

uc


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.

uc


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.
 
I received the shoes yesterday and tried them on this morning. I have medium - wide feet and currently play with the Adidas Solecourt Boost. They felt comfortable right out of the box. I wore them in the house for about 30 minutes and felt like I didn't really need to break them in before taking them to the court. I played for 2 hours in them today and the shoes felt great. I didn't have any discomfort and forgot that I was trying new shoes after warming up which is definitely a good thing. They provided adequate support, lot better than the SFX3 but may be a little less than the SCB. I did not hesitate to run / cut hard and go for balls out wide when I was playing a set.

I will write a detailed review when after putting more time in these. Anybody with medium-wide feet should definitely give these a shot.


I have about 8 more hours in these Shoes totalling 10 hours so far. Shoes broke in a bit and I needed to use the upper holes to keep the shoes fitting snug to my feet. I think using a thicker insole will fill the shoes nicely to make them snug again. I felt some pain in my forefoot when I used the powerstep pinnacle insoles but when I used the original insoles again, the shoes felt as comfy as before.

Stability has been slightly lesser than my SoleCourt Boosts but this did not make me hesitate making cuts side to side or back to front on defense. I would have totally happy with the stability if I was not used to the rock solid SoleCourt Boosts.

Durability has been on par with other Shoes I have used so far, so quite happy with the durability.

All in all, Great shoe so far. I plan to put a few more hours with these shoes before writing my detailed review. @TW Staff Please let me know if there is a deadline before which you would like the detailed review. I don't see one in the OP. Again. Thanks for the opportunity to playtest these Shoes.
 

mctennis

Legend
I do like the look of those shoes. I am big fan or K-swiss shoes but I think I might try these ones soon.
Try these out. I REALLY like Diadora shoes. I tried them a while back and they fit great and feel great. I bought three pair.
 
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Larry Duff

G.O.A.T.
I have always loved the look of Diadora but never worn them due to my very high arches. I havent read much here that will change that.
 

appdach96

Rookie
Tennis experience/background:
I have played tennis off and on for over 35 years...I played juniors until I was 18 and then picked it back up when I was 36 & that was 10 years ago. I am a 4.5 rated player and play mostly womens and mixed doubles.


Describe your playing style (i.e. serve & volley):
I am a strong baseliner who works way into the net, as well as setting my partner up at the net. I have a good first serve and consistent groundstrokes. I am aggressive at the net and have a strong overhead.


Current shoe:
KSwiss Hypercourt Express 2


How many hours did you play with the shoe?
Around 20 hours


Normal Size:

7 (ladies)

Playtesting Size:
7 (ladies)


Comfort: I noticed right away this shoes were comfortable. I did think they seemed heavy but zero break-in period, and very comfy. I felt like the shoe has very nice and plush cushioning which made it so comfortable. The shoes continued to be comfy while playing on the court. I played on artificial turf and clay.

Arch support:
I have a fairly low arch and felt like I got decent support with this shoe. I did not switch out the insoles but do feel after some more playtime I will have to replace them for my insoles to provide better arch support.

Stability/support
: I felt like this shoe lacked in this department as I could not get the laces tight enough to feel secure in the heel and ankle area. I did use the extra eyelet and still could not get the feeling of support and stability that I enjoy with my KSwiss shoes. I have a medium foot and felt like it was a bit on the wide side which may have been the reason I could not get the secure feeling. Moving side to side was my main issue although I never did roll an ankle or felt the need to wear any extra support.

Ventilation: This shoe has great ventilation. My foot never got overheated. Although it is fall here in NC, it has been unseasonably warm and I had no issues with the ventilation of this shoe. They get an A in this department.

Sole durability:
I played on either artificial turf of clay and noticed after my 20 hours the sole showed hardly any wear. It seems as if this sole would last a long time.

Toe durability: I am a toe dragger and this is another area where Diadora gets an A. Other than a few marks I saw no actual wear on the toe guard.

Traction: The traction seemed standard on this shoe. I do not slide (on purpose, lol) and had no issues with starting and stopping. I felt like they were great on the sand of the omni court and felt the traction was great.

Weight:
I noticed immediately these shoes are much heavier than my KSwiss shoes. This did not make much difference while I played since I play mostly doubles. The one singles time I did play, there was some fatigue in my foot but not enough to matter.

General reaction/comments on overall performance: I enjoyed the comfort of this shoe. I was not a huge fan of the look, mainly because I like colorful shoes. This shoe performed better than the previous version, and was much more comfortable. The main dislike was the fact I could not feel stable in them, the cinching of the laces did not make me feel anymore stable. If you are a person w/ wide feet, I think you will enjoy this shoe every much. The toe box is roomy and again, as I have said multiple times, I felt like this is a very comfortable shoe.

Many thanks to Diadora and Tennis Warehouse for allowing me to playtest these shoes. I did enjoy this playtest and did not have any foot pain which is great! Thanks again!!
 

c-had

Rookie
Tennis experience/background
I'm a 41 year old male 4.5. I played competitively as a junior, took my 20s off, and have played 2-3 times a week for the last 10 years (initially as a 4.0, then 4.5).

Describe your playing style (i.e. serve & volley)
I'm an all-court player, aggressively trying to get to the net though most often not serving and volleying. I play more doubles than singles these days, though I play both. I tend to move aggressively and change directions quickly. I do not grind much, but rather look to end points within 5-6 shots.

Current shoe
Adidas Ubersonic 3

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

Normal Size
10.5-11

Playtesting Size
10.5, and I still had a tiny bit of room to spare. I might have tried on a 10 given the opportunity.

Comfort
Comfort is an area where these shoes really shine. They have plenty of cushioning under foot, both in the heal and the forefoot. I have a somewhat wide forefoot, and these still had a bit of room to spare. There was lots of padding around the heal collar. My one complaint about comfort is that the toe comes to a bit too much of a point for me. I prefer a broader toe (like my Ubersonic 3 has). But that didn't bother me too much.

Arch support
I never really have problems with arch support, and that was true of these as well.

Stability/support
On the stability side, I'd give them an OK grade. I had a couple times where I tried to make an aggressive lateral stop and they turned over, which I attribute to a combination of stability and traction (more on that later).

On the support side, I found them a bit lacking. I felt I could lock the laces down well enough, but the material still seemed to give too much. On aggressive movements, it felt like my foot would spend the first fraction of a second pushing the upper out rather than pushing my body in the opposite direction.

Ventilation
Ventilation seemed fine to me. Perhaps not as good as some thinner uppers, but that seems to be the price you pay for thick, comfortable padding. But they were still good.

Sole durability
Durability seems pretty great so far.

Toe durability
I'm not a toe dragger, so I have no opinion here.

Traction
These have a lot of traction, particularly in the first few hours of play. I'm not a real hard court slider, but I do a tiny bit of it. Twice in the first few hours of play, I tried to make an aggressive lateral stop the way I usually do, which would involve a couple inches of slide. Instead, the shoe stopped and rolled over. This problem went away as the playtest progressed, in part because the shoes seems to be a little less sticky and in part because I adjusted my movement.

Weight
These felt a bit heavy. Not the most clunky I've worn, but the weight was noticeable. This meant I felt slower than I do in a speed oriented shoe. Which should not surprise anyone.

General reaction/comments on overall performance
This seems like a great shoe for someone who wants a bit of a roomier fit and prioritizes comfort. For me, I'd prefer something that works better for aggressive movements and is lighter weight/faster feeling. That said, I'm happy to use these in block time, hitting on a ball machine, or hitting with kids.
 

martyr444

Rookie
Tennis experience/background: 30 Years of Tennis. A Combination of Leagues and Tournaments. Singles and Doubles.

Describe your playing style (i.e. serve & volley): Back Court Basher hitting a variety of spins and pace. Mostly rely on hard and heavy topspin and semi flat shots depending on the Courts Texture. Very good on put away volleys and overheads, but not near as good with the soft drops.

Current shoe: S.Star K Elite AG, Speed Blueshield 2AG and Gel Challenger.

How many hours did you play with the shoe? 20+

Normal Size: 13

Playtesting Size: 13

Comments on shoe performance: I knew coming in these would be heavy but very good with cushioning. For me it’s not a speed Shoe so I use them more for training and practice hitting. Then for game day, my other shoes seem much lighter and quicker which is what I want. It’s not meant to be a high performance Shoe.

-comfort: Very comfortable from the first step. Very good cushion and just enough width for my wide feet and thick Thorlo Socks. No red Toes from getting squeezed from Shoes too tight. I can wear them once I get Home the rest of the Day around the House. There are other Shoes I have worn that cause my Feet to beg me to take them off before I get Home.

-arch support: I have flat Feet so I never pay much attention to that area of a Shoe.

-stability/support: Plenty of both stability and support. Since they fit me snug I don’t feel any extra movement inside. No ankle rolling or coming out of the Shoe on a fast take off. This has happened to me with other Shoes in the past.

-ventilation: Nothing stands out here good or bad. Summer time is always a better test for this.

-sole durability: Seems very durable even on rough textured Courts. They have been wearing very little and on par with other tough wearing Soles. Sometimes with soft riding Shoes you end up with rapid wear. Not with these.

-toe durability: I don’t ever drag my Toes so I cannot comment in this area. Eventually I do where some Soles out at the front of the Shoe but not during this short of a test period.

-traction: Very good traction and no slipping what so ever. I haven’t tested them on a damp Court which would be a better final test for traction.

-weight: This is what they are which is heavy. 1lb 3.6oz right Foot with my Spenco Insoles. 1lb 3.7oz left Foot aka Moon Boots. My Son held one of them in his hand to compare to his Shoe and his response was “OMG”.

General reaction/comments on overall performance: No surprises with these Shoes for me. I’ve worn many Diadora Tennis Shoes along with other brands of heavy Shoes. They will help protect your Feet and Joints without a doubt. Do not plan on winning any 50 Yard dashes with these. For me, I use this category of Shoe for practice and Training which protects my Body. The other benefit is on Game Day you go to your lighter Shoes and they will feel much lighter and you will feel much faster.

A big thanks to TW and Diadora for the Shoe test! Where else can you get such a great opportunity and experience? Different Players giving you their review on equipment to help others make choices on whether the Equipment being tested will fit their Game or not.
 
Tennis experience/background
I only started playing tennis in 2018 and have been able to get to a strong 4.0 rating. Now I am trying to transition from 4 to 4.5 by working on the weaker aspects of my game.

Describe your playing style (i.e. serve & volley)
I started out as a defensive baseliner counting on my consistency and speed to force my opponents into errors. As I have developed my skills over the last 2.5 years, I am try to be more aggressive and approach the net whenever I find chances. I can still grind and defend when I need to but prefer playing aggressive whenever I can. My defense is the strongest part of my game followed by my forehand. I like playing players above my skill level and usually get close matches when hitting with higher skilled players (0.5 higher).

Current shoe
Adidas Solecourt Boost

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

Normal Size
11 - 11.5

Playtesting Size
11.5, and I still had a tiny bit of room to spare. I might have tried on a 11 given the opportunity. There is no need to size up to get a roomier fit in the toe box.

Comfort
I have medium - wide feet and currently play with the Adidas Solecourt Boost. They felt comfortable right out of the box. I wore them in the house for about 30 minutes and felt like I didn't really need to break them in before taking them to the court. I played for 2 hours in them without breaking them in and the shoes felt great. I didn't have any discomfort and forgot that I was trying new shoes after warming up which is definitely a good thing. They provided adequate support, lot better than the SFX3 but may be a little less than the SCB. I did not hesitate to run / cut hard and go for balls out wide when I was playing a set. I have put about 15 hours in them so far and after the initial break in, I needed to use the upper holes to keep the shoes fitting snug to my feet. I think using a thicker insole will fill the shoes nicely to make them snug again. I felt some pain in my forefoot when I used the powerstep pinnacle insoles but when I used the original insoles again, the shoes felt as comfy as before.

Arch support
I have neutral arches and arch support was very neutral in these shoes, I didn't really notice it. Adidas SCB needed some getting used to since it has a more pronounced Arch but these shoes fit me perfectly.

Stability/support
Stability has been slightly lesser than my SoleCourt Boosts but this did not make me hesitate making cuts side to side or back to front on defense. I would have totally happy with the stability if I was not used to the rock solid SoleCourt Boosts. Like I already mentioned, I needed to use the upper lace holes to get a snug stable feel.

I did have moments where I felt the upper of the Shoe give a bit. It is too soft for my liking for very aggressive side to side cuts. My current Shoe SCB triumphs in both stability and support. I have tried plenty of Shoes in the last 2.5 years and these only come behind the SCB and Gel Resolutions. So I wouldn't hesitate playing in these.

Ventilation
Ventilation seems good and I didn't have any issues here. I am used to playing in heavy stiff upper shoes , so these performed better than the shoes I have played in so far.

Sole durability
Durability seems pretty good and on par with other shoes in the same category/weight class. Especially with the 6month outsole warranty, I would give them 10/10 for sole durability.

Toe durability
Not a toe dragger, so I have no opinion here.

Traction
Plenty of traction. I sometimes play on very dirty courts and the shoes performed very well even in dirty courts with leaves and twigs. I had no hesitation in trusting the grip level of these shoes for the entire playtest.

Weight
Although these shoes are supposed to be heavier, they are lighter than my current shoe and I didn't really feel their weight. I was moving as fast as I do in my current shoe and didn't really feel the weight. I am sure if I played with a lighter speed shoe, I would notice a difference but I prefer stability and comfort over speed and the only way to get that is more material, so no complaints from me in the weight department.

General reaction/comments on overall performance

All in all, these are a solid pair of shoes for anyone with medium to wide feet. Comfort and durability was top notch. Stability is the only department where I found the shoe to be lacking just a tiny bit but if I can get a half size smaller, I think the stability issues would be gone. I recommend these shoes for anyone looking for a comfortable ride right out of the box and have medium to wide feet. If you are between sizes like me, go for the smaller size since there is plenty of room in the toe box. I did not have any foot pain in these shoes which is quite rare for me after having tried close to 10 different shoes in the last 2.5 years.

Many thanks to Diadora and Tennis Warehouse @TW Staff for giving me the opportunity to playtest these shoes. I did enjoy this playtest and did not have any foot pain which is great! Thanks again!!
 

TW Staff

Administrator
REMINDER PLAYTESTERS:

Friendly reminder, for those of you who have not submitted your reviews, they are due by Friday, November 20th at 5 PST.

Thanks,
TW Staff
 
Tennis experience/background: I am a 23 year old, 4.5 NTRP player. I have played semi-competitively on/off for 10 years with the most recent few years playing very consistently.


Describe your playing style (i.e. serve & volley): I am an aggressive mover who focuses on counter punching. I will chase down every ball and pick my spots carefully. Quick, smart movement is integral to my game and my ability to slide on hardcourts is often used. I play mostly on outdoor and indoor hardcourt.

Current shoe: Adidas Ubersonic 3/Asics Gel Resolution 8

How many hours did you play with the shoe (10+ hours)? 15-20 hours

Normal Size: 8 Men’s

Playtesting Size: 8 Men’s

Diadora Speed Blueshield 4 Performance Review:

Comfort: The Diadora Speed Blueshield 4 is absolutely a plush shoe. Cushioning and padding was plentiful, but it did flatten out relatively quickly (specifically around the ankle/heel area). That is not to say that the shoes were uncomfortable after the cushioning lost some of its volume, but it was something I noticed and it does change the fit of the shoe from when you first try it on. I should also mention that the shoe definitely needs some break in time for the upper. I found that it creased strangely and aggressively over my big toe joint for the first hour or two of play.

Fit: Shoes fit on the wider and long side, so you may want to go down half a size. I am typically an 8 Men’s, but if I would probably fit into a Men’s 7.5 without any discomfort after breaking them in. As mentioned previously, the cushioning does flatten out causing the shoe to fit a little bigger, but the upper also softens up allowing you to cinch the upper to your foot a little tighter. That being said, I tied down the laces as tight as they would allow, but I did not feel that my heel was locked down completely.

Arch support: There is arch support, but not overly aggressive. I am not someone who needs a large amount of arch support in my shoe, so the middle to low arch support on this shoe felt quite comfortable. I would not change anything about it.

Stability/support: The Diadora Speed Blueshield 4 somehow manages to be both a stable shoe, but not a shoe I have my full confidence in. I was able to slide, cut, and move in these shoes fantastically most of the time. Heel cup felt good, laces never really felt tight enough, but the upper wouldn’t stretch too much when making harsh moves and the outrigger was a perfect size to help with some extra surface area for stability. I had a few too many scary and disconcerting moments in this shoe though. My heel never felt fully locked in and this was evident by my heel shifting or rotating suddenly when hitting a hard slide or coming to a quick stop. It was jarring enough that I would purposefully change my footwork and movement to avoid having it happen and risk injury. I don’t believe I should change my playstyle for the shoe.

Ventilation: There really isn’t too much to say about the ventilation of this shoe. It did its job well. Feet were never soaked or too hot during play, and if they were a little wet, they dried off well. I admittedly unable to put the shoe through its paces though as I don’t have very sweaty feet and I always leave my shoes out to air dry in a well ventilated space. Even tennis shoes that I have worn for years don’t have a unpleasant odor.

Sole durability: Sole durability seems great! There is definitely some thinning and wearing of the treads after 15-20 hours, but it is specific to points that are under constant and consistent duress when I am sprinting/sliding/cutting. Again, I am an aggressive mover so the fact that I see little wear is quite impressive.

Toe durability: Fantastic toe durability. I am not someone who toe drags on every shot, but my toe definitely sees some wear from some slides, some one-handed backhand strokes, and some forehand returns. There is a thick rubber cap extended from the sole, as well as, a rubber cap dedicated on the upper. Toe draggers may want to consider this shoe as they do not skimp on material on the toe. I would also like to add that the portion of the upper that makes contact with the ground when you slide is reinforced well. I have am just now getting close to breaking through the upper completely. For context, it took me less than 8 hours to wear through the upper of the Gel Resolution 8’s.

Traction: (Please note that all of my play occurred on indoor and outdoor hardcourt) This shoe really has the ideal traction set up for me. With a thick herringbone pattern running along the bottom, this shoe manages to always give you grip when you need it, while still allowing for slides to occur. My Ubersonic 3’s suffer from being a little too sticky, while my Gel Resolution 8’s have caused me to slip and slide over simple moves. This traction level really reminds me of the Nike Cage 3, and looking at the tread, you can clearly see that a very similar pattern and thickness is why.

Weight: My Men’s size 8 Diadora Speed Blueshield 4 came in at 371 grams (13.09 oz). This puts it in a similar class as the Gel Resolution 8’s (373 grams size 8), but the Blueshield 4’s almost feel a little heavier. It may have to do with the shoe profile being a little bulkier and some of the weight not being directly underfoot, but I did feel a little clunky from time to time. I am someone who prefers much lighter weighing shoes, but I didn’t find the weight to be too obtrusive; just took some getting used to.

General reaction/comments on overall performance: The Diadora Speed Blueshield 4 is a comfortable, durable shoe that has room for improvements, but will definitely find a group of fans. The white and black colorway of the shoe is not aesthetically pleasing in my personal opinion, and minimal wear on the upper will reveal a natural colored rubber that clashes with the thin white venier of the upper. The on court performance of durability and traction should be emulated by other companies, but the inability to guarantee a fully locked down foot can cause confidence to waver. This issue may perhaps be solved by going half a size down as these shoes will run a little long and wide, but you will find that you will need to really cinch down on your laces, especially during the first few hours of play. I would have liked to have seen a better lacing system that allowed for easy tightening on the midfoot and a place to tuck laces in as there is much excess when you have to tie down so tight. I am happy I had the opportunity to playtest these shoes and will definitely recommend these shoes to someone who needs a high durability shoe with a comforting feel.

Thanks Tennis Warehouse and Diadora for the opportunity. This was my first playtest ever so if there are any critiques, advice, comments, or questions you have about my written review, please let me know. Thanks!
 

Injured Again

Hall of Fame
My BluShield 4's wore through after the equivalent of about four months of play consisting of 6-8 hours per week on indoor and outdoor hardcourts, which is typical of the more durable shoes that I have used.

uc


Even now, the shoe itself has held up well. It has maintained its shape and fit, and the cushioning provided by the midsole seems to have only mildly degraded.

Even with the wear, it is a heavy shoe. I notice the extra weight every time I wear them, with the trade off being above average support and cushioning, even if the shape still doesn't exactly fit my feet. At my 200 pound weight, this is a good training shoe which should minimize repetitive stress injuries for other heavier players. For competition, I'd prefer a shoe which fits my foot shape better, and is also lighter.

Thanks again to Diadora and Tennis Warehouse for allowing me to test this shoe.
 

c-had

Rookie
After about 65 hours on court, I've gone through the outsole. That's quicker than normal for me, though not totally awful.

BlushieldWear1.jpg


BlushieldWear2.jpg
 

mctennis

Legend
After about 65 hours on court, I've gone through the outsole. That's quicker than normal for me, though not totally awful.

BlushieldWear1.jpg


BlushieldWear2.jpg
That is how mine looked after while as well. I wish I would have kept track of the number of hours I used them. I probably replaced mine after about that many hours, roughly. I played 2-5 hours a week for about a year and replaced them twice in a year. Then after the 2nd pair I bought another pair and rotated using them. So they lasted me longer since I split the time between the two pair. They feel great though. My main shoe now. I have three pair.
 

mctennis

Legend
TW suggests to order 1/2-1 size smaller. I don't get why shoe companies do this!!!!!!
I agree with you. WHY do shoe companies do this with the next versions of their shoes. Same name except the "new" version yet they are constantly tinkering around with something about the shoe to make people hate it. If people like the prior version why do they mess around and change something so many people like? It makes no sense to me nor any marketing person I know. If you want to tinker around with a shoe you make then come out with another model shoe and tinker the hell out of it. Just leave the model people like alone. Come out with other colors or accent colors on the shoe versions people like but leave the way they are made alone!
The quickest way to lose sales and existing customers is to make a product different than the one they currently like. Example " New Coke", where are those people at now when they signed off on that failure?
 

djNEiGht

Legend
I agree with you. WHY do shoe companies do this with the next versions of their shoes. Same name except the "new" version yet they are constantly tinkering around with something about the shoe to make people hate it. If people like the prior version why do they mess around and change something so many people like? It makes no sense to me nor any marketing person I know. If you want to tinker around with a shoe you make then come out with another model shoe and tinker the hell out of it. Just leave the model people like alone. Come out with other colors or accent colors on the shoe versions people like but leave the way they are made alone!
The quickest way to lose sales and existing customers is to make a product different than the one they currently like. Example " New Coke", where are those people at now when they signed off on that failure?

like make subtle changes. SMH. And make a size 12 a size 12. Stop making a size 12 but it's actually a 13
 

FloridaAG

Hall of Fame
I never tried the 4s. Cannot tell on size as they were out of 10 and 10.5 - could only try 11s on which are not my size and were too big. Will probably have to get both a 10 and 10.5 and see which os best and return other. Normally a 10.5 but expect the 10 will be the one like my Gel Res 8s
 

mctennis

Legend
like make subtle changes. SMH. And make a size 12 a size 12. Stop making a size 12 but it's actually a 13
I agree, the size should be the size. Not sure how a size 12 is not a size 12. Makes no sense to me. I thought we had these shoe sizes standerized many years ago. Sort of a King Edward era type thing.
 

FloridaAG

Hall of Fame
Well I ordered the 5's today. Will see when/if they actually arrive. I am normally a 10.5 and ordered a 10 - based on what I read and how large the 11s I tried on seemed. Hoping that they work
 

jeep2008

Rookie
Well I ordered the 5's today. Will see when/if they actually arrive. I am normally a 10.5 and ordered a 10 - based on what I read and how large the 11s I tried on seemed. Hoping that they work
Waiting for a feedback.I especially want to know how flexible they are at the middle.If they are too flexible they tend to aggravate my plantar fasciitis
 
TW suggests to order 1/2-1 size smaller. I don't get why shoe companies do this!!!!!!

Anyone use the 3s? and able to compare to the 4s/5s?
I have several pairs of the 3s, and they seem true to size in length. Bought a pair of the 4s but ended up selling them because they seemed long, at least 1/2 size larger than listed size.
 

jeep2008

Rookie
would you say that size 11 blushields would have been as wide (if not wider) than size 11.5 SoleCourt Boosts?
I have both so I think no.BS5 is as wide as the SCB on the opening part of the shoe.In the middle and front they are a tad narrower.So a half size smaller BS5 is certainly narrower
 

d-quik

Hall of Fame
I have both so I think no
Yes, I would think so.
always get contradicting info regarding these shoes and it is just driving me nuts. Literally like these posts from Florida's thread:
I suspect if I sized down to 8.5 they would be too snug for me, so in the Blue Shield, I have to wear 9s.
In general, that's the order (GR8-SCB-Blushield) from narrowest to widest, in the sizes you cited. I've worn all three.
@erikm says the blushield is wider than both the SCB AND the 2E GR8, while @Power Player says the BS5 will be "too snug" while the 2E GR8 "fits perfect" in the same size.

Only thing that keeps me still marginally interested in these is the rave reviews. Can't find them locally so can't try them or anything, either that or order 2 pairs and pay return postage. They must be good though, based on what I'm reading, considering how ugly they are.

But yeah just contradictions-galore :(
 

Power Player

Bionic Poster
always get contradicting info regarding these shoes and it is just driving me nuts. Literally like these posts from Florida's thread:
@erikm says the blushield is wider than both the SCB AND the 2E GR8, while @Power Player says the BS5 will be "too snug" while the 2E GR8 "fits perfect" in the same size.

Only thing that keeps me still marginally interested in these is the rave reviews. Can't find them locally so can't try them or anything, either that or order 2 pairs and pay return postage. They must be good though, based on what I'm reading, considering how ugly they are.

But yeah just contradictions-galore :(

Dude we all have different feet. I don't understand what you want me to say.
 

d-quik

Hall of Fame
Dude we all have different feet. I don't understand what you want me to say.
Feet are, indeed, all different. Perfectly normal.

But shoes being different is totally not though, as they are literally supposed to be copies

Don't expect anyone to say anything just venting my frustrations at the lack of consistency in what seems to be a highly desirable pair of shoes
 

jeep2008

Rookie
Feet are, indeed, all different. Perfectly normal.

But shoes being different is totally not though, as they are literally supposed to be copies

Don't expect anyone to say anything just venting my frustrations at the lack of consistency in what seems to be a highly desirable pair of shoes
I hope these pictures will help you










 

erikm

New User
always get contradicting info regarding these shoes and it is just driving me nuts. Literally like these posts from Florida's thread:
@erikm says the blushield is wider than both the SCB AND the 2E GR8, while @Power Player says the BS5 will be "too snug" while the 2E GR8 "fits perfect" in the same size.

Only thing that keeps me still marginally interested in these is the rave reviews. Can't find them locally so can't try them or anything, either that or order 2 pairs and pay return postage. They must be good though, based on what I'm reading, considering how ugly they are.

But yeah just contradictions-galore :(
I no longer have a pair of either SCBs or GR8 2Es to compare against my pair of size 11.5 Diadora's, but I do have a pair of size 12 Wilson Rush Pro 3.5s on hand. The Blus are wider at the forefoot, but they taper more towards the toe box. The heels are very close to the same width. The Blus also longer than the Wilsons, even though they're a half size smaller. The Blu uppers are stiffer and have more plastic, similar to the GR8 uppers, so they allow for less give and stretching than the Wilson shoes do. The tongue is much more padded than that of the Wilsons, although the foam is not dense, so it compresses down when the laces are tightened.
The diadoras follow the width profile of my particular feet, from heel to forefoot to toe pretty well. The Wilsons did too, but mainly because the uppers give so much. In fact, the uppers have torn on one foot at the forefoot area because of the amount of lateral pressure my feet have put on them. That wouldn't happen with either the GR8s or the Diadoras. The GR8s, from what I remember, were too loose in the heel area in the 2E width but too narrow in the forefoot in the regular width. The SCBs also fit pretty well throughout, without needing to stretch the uppers to accommodate my forefoot. I remember them feeling very similar to the Blus, but with a wider toe box.
The Wilson midsole foam and outsole rubber both seem to be denser than their Blu equivalents. The Blue are definitely plusher, but the Wilsons didn't cause any back or foot issues, so the padding is adequate, at least for me. I think the Wilsons are more durable, even though I wear through al of my shoes before the 6 month warranty period. The Wilson outsoles feel about as dense and durable as the GR 7s, from what I remember. All three are more durable than the SCBs.
I hope that helps - but maybe it'll just muddy things even more.
 

d-quik

Hall of Fame
GR8s, from what I remember, were too loose in the heel area in the 2E width but too narrow in the forefoot in the regular width. The SCBs also fit pretty well throughout,
so you take back what you said before about the GR8 2E being thinner than the SCBs in the same size then? @erikm
 

erikm

New User
so you take back what you said before about the GR8 2E being thinner than the SCBs in the same size then? @erikm
Sorry, should have been more clear. The GR82E, if I remember correctly, was less wide in the forefoot, had less taper towards the toe box, and felt wider in the heel when compared to the Blu. It felt about as wide as the Rush Pro in the forefoot, but because the upper has more plastic and is not as pliable, it felt more binding. The Rush pro fit my feet better than the GR82E.
 

d-quik

Hall of Fame
Sorry, should have been more clear. The GR82E, if I remember correctly, was less wide in the forefoot, had less taper towards the toe box, and felt wider in the heel when compared to the Blu. It felt about as wide as the Rush Pro in the forefoot, but because the upper has more plastic and is not as pliable, it felt more binding. The Rush pro fit my feet better than the GR82E.
Ty for fulfilling my request for a ridiculously nuanced/detailed explanation but you initially stand with this order (thinnest to widest):

Size 12 2E Asics GR8
Size 12 Adidas SCB
Size 11.5 Diadora BS5

But then you also say:
The SCBs also fit pretty well throughout, without needing to stretch the uppers to accommodate my forefoot. I remember them feeling very similar to the Blus, but with a wider toe box.
Which would make SCBs wider than BS5? Did you mean thats the order from widest to thinnest? I am kind of going nuts here
 

erikm

New User
Ty for fulfilling my request for a ridiculously nuanced/detailed explanation but you initially stand with this order (thinnest to widest):

Size 12 2E Asics GR8
Size 12 Adidas SCB
Size 11.5 Diadora BS5

But then you also say:
Which would make SCBs wider than BS5? Did you mean thats the order from widest to thinnest? I am kind of going nuts here
Yes, that's the order that I remember. Maybe the way to put it would be this:
Forefoot, from narrow to wide: Asics GR82E - Wilson Rush Pro 3.5 - Adidas SCB - Diadora BS5
Heel, from narrow to wide: Wilson = Adidas = Diadora, with GR2E being the widest
Toe box, narrow to wide: Diadora - Wilson = SCB = GR82E. The Diadoras taper the most and come to the most pointed toe box at the tip
All the equal signs mean approximately equal. Maybe off a millimeter or so.
Again, I no longer have the SCBs or the GR8s here with me, so I'm going off of memory.
 

d-quik

Hall of Fame
Forefoot, from narrow to wide: Asics GR82E - Wilson Rush Pro 3.5 - Adidas SCB - Diadora BS5
Heel, from narrow to wide: Wilson = Adidas = Diadora, with GR2E being the widest
Toe box, narrow to wide: Diadora - Wilson = SCB = GR82E. The Diadoras taper the most and come t
:love:

So are you going to try the Blushield 6, LCS_T01, SFX 4, or Zoom Pro next year or nah?
 

erikm

New User
:love:

So are you going to try the Blushield 6, LCS_T01, SFX 4, or Zoom Pro next year or nah?
In general, I go for durability shoes with the warranty, and if they're on sale, even better. I would jump on the Blu6 so long as it's reasonably priced.
The other thing to add is that Diadora's warranty service is pretty abysmal. It took them close to 3 months to fulfill the approved warranty request. Some of that delay must be due to COVID-related supply chain problems, but some other part must be the inefficiency of having to run everything through the Italian main office. Of all the shoe manufacturers, ASICS has been the most responsive to warranty claims, in my experience. Nothing is perfect, and there are tradeoffs for everything.
 

d-quik

Hall of Fame
fulfill the approved warranty request
Did they end up giving you another pair of BS5s? Or Fly 3? Or voucher?

If I buy BS5 now and in 6 months, they don't have any more BS5s what do they do?

And was it 3 months of back and forth, or just waiting? 3 months is long time
 
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