Tennis Warehouse Playtest: KSwiss Ultrashot Shoes

[TW Staff]

Attention Talk Tennis Members:

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

Application process is now CLOSED. Playtesters will be selected and notified shortly.

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 March 16th.***

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

PS: We request you not post "Email Sent" posts to this thread. All of those posts will be deleted. Feel free to post questions or comments.

 

[mhkeuns]

I was an avid fan of K-Swiss shoes in the 90’s because they provided the comfort I seeked but have only been wearing the Nike, Adidas, New Balance and Asics since. Hoping K-Swiss becomes relevant in tennis again with more appealing shoes.

 

[Doc Hollidae]

Definitely one of the best looking shoes from KSwiss. They've always had a bulkier look imo. The UltraShot's look very sporty.

 

[woodje12]

I was an avid fan of K-Swiss shoes in the 90’s because they provided the comfort I seeked but have only been wearing the Nike, Adidas, New Balance and Asics since. Hoping K-Swiss becomes relevant in tennis again with more appealing shoes.

Really? I am currently wearing, along with a couple of my ALTA/USTA teammates, the Hypercourt Express. I wouldn't exactly call K-Swiss a niche provider. I'm now wearing through my sole below the big toe but otherwise a very solid shoe -- stable, wide, breathable, comfortable, not clunky, even attractive (in red & black like my Dawgs).

 

[bigserving]

Definitely one of the best looking shoes from KSwiss. They've always had a bulkier look imo. The UltraShot's look very sporty.

The designer said that the design process was functionality first, then look. They do look good. If the performance holds up, KSwiss could be back in the game of tennis in a very big way.

 

[Icsa]

... I am currently wearing, along with a couple of my ALTA/USTA teammates, the Hypercourt Express. I wouldn't exactly call K-Swiss a niche provider. I'm now wearing through my sole below the big toe but otherwise a very solid shoe -- stable, wide, breathable, comfortable, not clunky, even attractive (in red & black like my Dawgs).

The outsole under the big toe is where I get the fastest wear as well on my Hypercourt Express. And I agree with all the rest, the HE are great shoes, very fast too. Their seamfree design keeps me blister free after hours of play on hot days.

 

[samprasbackhand]

Never tried a K-Swiss shoe but this one looks very appealing, especially since it is slightly wider

 

[jim e]

Nice to hear it is slightly wider.
I will have to try a pair on my next shoe order as I have a slightly wider foot.

 

[M Pillai]

Love the stability and comfort of the KSwiss shoes I have used before. For sometime I had been behind some other brands. Hope the KSwiss is still keeping that quality. I believe the UltraShot is also a stable durable comfortable category shoes.

 

[djNEiGht]

@TW Staff
Could you or any of your staff compare the general fit and support to other shoes?

 

[Jimbud]

@TW Staff
Could you or any of your staff compare the general fit and support to other shoes?

That would be great, actually. I'd be particularly interested in how they compare to the Hypercourt Express.

 

[samprasbackhand]

Review has been posted below

 

[Heidi Tennis]

The designer said that the design process was functionality first, then look. They do look good. If the performance holds up, KSwiss could be back in the game of tennis in a very big way.

Here is an article I read. One of their players Bernarda Pera beat Konta last night in this shoe.

http://footwearnews.com/2018/focus/athletic-outdoor/simona-halep-sponsor-adidas-nike-australian-open-2018-478963/

 

[bigserving]

Here is an article I read. One of their players Bernarda Pera beat Konta last night in this shoe.

I am hearing Mars Blackmon screaming, "it's the shoes money! It's gotta be the shoes!"

It is fantastic to have another shoe company looking to take a larger stake in tennis. Best of luck. Hoping that their success brings in even more interest and competition.

 

[RVAtennisaddict]

Very interested to see the reviews. IMO shoes are the most important and underrated piece of equipment. Good shoes help you play longer (minutes and years) and be in position. And as I get older and sorer after a hard match, feel my joints more. So shoes are critical,

Currently wear barricade boost. Previous barricade, prince, and nb 805

 

[mhkeuns]

Looking forward to the reviews. I have weirdly shaped feet that normal width is too tight and the wide shoes are too wide. If the new K-Swiss runs slightly wider, that would be great. Other than Gel Resolution, my feet feel crammed, even when wearing the Adidas Boost tennis shoes.

 

[Icsa]

Looking forward to the reviews. I have weirdly shaped feet that normal width is too tight and the wide shoes are too wide. If the new K-Swiss runs slightly wider, that would be great. Other than Gel Resolution, my feet feel crammed, even when wearing the Adidas Boost tennis shoes.

Are you referring to Gel Resolution 7? My feet are also slightly wide and when trying them in store, GR7 felt very tight even with 1 size up. I wonder if GR7 have some give in tightness after a few days of use.

 

[mhkeuns]

Are you referring to Gel Resolution 7? My feet are also slightly wide and when trying them in store, GR7 felt very tight even with 1 size up. I wonder if GR7 have some give in tightness after a few days of use.

Sorry, I was not being clear. It was Gel Resolution 6. It was a great, comfortable shoe that cured my foot pain. My son wears the Gel Resolution 7, and I do see the design change that could effect the overall comfort. Looks like the shoes are covered more with the protective plastic that may make the shoe feel tighter and not break in. I am currently wearing the Adidas Boost and feel the same way. It just feels tight and not loosening up.

 

[norcal]

Yes I am very interested in this shoe as well. I have been wearing the Yonex Power Cushion Durable for years and with each successive model Yonex keeps making them more and more narrow, totally different shoe now. So I'm looking for a shoe with a wider forefoot and good cushioning and a 6 month guarantee. If this shoe meets those requirements I'll be stoked and will have found a new shoe.

I will be reviewing the Ultrashot so I'll definitely be scrutinizing the fit for those interested.

 

[TW Staff]

Attention playtesters:

Shoes were sent out yesterday. Please allow up to 5 business days for the shoes to arrive depending on where you are located.

Thanks,
Brittany, TW

 

[samprasbackhand]

Attention playtesters:

Shoes were sent out yesterday. Please allow up to 5 business days for the shoes to arrive depending on where you are located.

Thanks,
Brittany, TW

I am in SoCal and I usually get my TW orders the next day after they ship from your GSO service. Just curious, do you think I should be expecting them today then? I would probably want to go home to secure the package during lunch if so.

 

[samprasbackhand]

I am in SoCal and I usually get my TW orders the next day after they ship from your GSO service. Just curious, do you think I should be expecting them today then? I would probably want to go home to secure the package during lunch if so.

Please disregard, looks like I've received my package! Hopefully I'll have a chance to wear them tonight.

 

[Matthew Lee]

Yee I received the shoes! Put them on, and they feel nice, no break-in period needed, and they definitely feel lighter than 15.9 ounces. Will pose soon on how they play

 

[samprasbackhand]

Was able to try these shoes tonight for about 2 hours. The shoe has definitely made a very good first impression on me.

The comfort level is very good right out of the box. It will definitely require a short break-in before they are at their best but it's already a very wearable shoe. I have wide feet so breaking in most shoes is usually a nightmare for me. As Matthew Lee mentioned above, they don't feel as heavy as their 15.9 ounces so my movement didn't feel hindered at all from the shoe. Traction was very good, no issues there. It's too early to comment on durability but seems like it will be pretty solid given that it comes with a warranty. Most importantly, they are super stylish! Props to K-Swiss for making a bold design without being too obnoxious.

 

[mhkeuns]

How is the comfort vs your current shoes? Can anyone compare it to Gel Resolution and/or Boost?

 

[TW Staff]

Playtesters,

We sent an email about a week ago regarding the playtest shoes. Please make sure you read that email. A follow up email will be sent today or tomorrow regarding an update.

Thanks,
Brittany, TW

 

[samprasbackhand]

How is the comfort vs your current shoes? Can anyone compare it to Gel Resolution and/or Boost?

I only wore the shoe once but so far I would say the comfort is comparable. For what it's worth, I didn't have the typical break-in pain with the Ultrashots that I normally get with Gel Resolutions or Barricades.

 

[sadowsk2]

Playtesters,

We sent an email about a week ago regarding the playtest shoes. Please make sure you read that email. A follow up email will be sent today or tomorrow regarding an update.

Thanks,
Brittany, TW

Hi there Brittany- I just wanted to check in as to what the updated date is to post reviews. I want to make sure I have mine up by then! Thanks!

 

[TW Staff]

Updated!

Brittany, TW

 

[milk of amnesia]

Tennis experience/background: Straight-up recreational player. I’ve been playing social tennis on and off for years. Currently, I’m taking lessons and participating in 3.5 USTA leagues.

Describe your playing style (i.e. serve & volley): Plays singles (all court/evil pusher) and doubles. Prefer singles as I like to run around a lot.

Current shoe: Asics Gel Court FF.

How many hours did you play with the shoe? Just a few hours – sorry. This shoe didn’t fit me very well and consequently it was quite uncomfortable playing in it.

Normal size: US Men’s 6 / EU 39

Playtesting size: US Women’s 7.5 / EU 39

Comments on shoe performance:

Comfort: This shoe is definitely not going to fit everyone. It has a snug medium toe box and then gets progressively wider from toe to heel. The mid foot is a wide medium and there was some bulkiness with extra fabric and rubber in this area. The heel cup is wide and shallow and despite the fact that the heel has fabric on the inside to prevent heel slippage, I experienced heel slippage throughout play. The shoe runs short if going by EU sizing. Had I known this I would have gone up a half size, but I don’t think it would have helped because my feet kept sliding around in the shoe and I experienced painful toe jam. Even though the shoe ran short for me, it was too wide and I couldn’t lace the shoe tight enough to prevent my feet from sliding around inside the shoe.

The upper of the shoe is made of soft plastic and a mesh-like material. The shoe offers great support, but it is in no way stiff and if the shoe fits your feet I think it would feel incredibly comfortable right out of the box. There is ample cushioning underfoot with this shoe and I didn’t experience any knee pain after playing. The shoe does ride high off the court so that connected-to-the-court feel is quite muted.

My one real complaint about this shoe is the tongue which is poorly designed. It is a big floppy pancake of a thing – very flat and minimally padded. Even though I ran the laces through the tongue-loop, the tongue would not stay put and slid all over the place. The tongue is also too long and has and rather stiff vinyl/plastic part on top which jammed into my leg instead of bending. I think the idea behind having the vinyl bit on the tongue is that the lace knot would sit there and protect the foot. But that doesn’t happen because the tongue keeps sliding around so the knot would land on the thin fabric of the tongue and I could feel it when I was playing. The underside of the tongue is lined in a suede-like material that rubbed directly against my skin (I wear no-show socks) leaving it chaffed. The underside also has a dye that bled on to my socks and now my once white socks are stained Fiesta Red.

Arch support: The shoe supported my medium arches very well. The Ortholite shoe liner is molded to provide arch support and the outside of the shoe is built up in the arch area to provide additional support.

Stability/support: This is where the shoe really shines. The stability and support are outstanding and it’s the reason to buy this shoe. The shoe liner is nice and thick and has molded sides which help support and cradle the feet. The outsole is slightly flared at the outside edge of the shoe providing a wide, stable base. The inside heel of the outsole is beveled off in a way that seems to be designed to prevent the ankle from rolling. I didn’t have any problems running sideways or backwards and even though the base is wide, I never tripped over my feet. I feel secure playing in these shoes.

Ventilation: The ventilation in the toe box is poor. The pin holes in the plastic top of the shoes do nothing in terms of air flow and my feet got hot and sweaty just by walking around. The sides of the mid-foot area are mesh and have better ventilation, but the mesh panels didn’t offer enough ventilation to keep the toe box dry.

Sole durability: I play on indoor Plexipave courts with the maximum amount of grit the surface can hold. The sole is beginning to show some light wear from playing on these courts, but I think that if I continued to wear the shoes the sole would last through the six-month warranty period. If it doesn’t, there’s a warranty so it’s all good.

Toe durability: The inner side of the toe box is wrapped in the same DragGuard rubber as the sole. The top and inner side of the shoe is reinforced with DuraWrap rubber that adds extra protection. I’m not a toe-dragger, but the added rubber around the toe box seems quite substantial – much more so than any other shoe I have worn. I think they had toe draggers in mind when they designed this shoe.

Traction: The traction is perfect for me. I didn’t slip at all, but the shoe isn’t overly “grabby,” either.

Weight: One of the great things about this shoe is how surprisingly well-balanced it is. The shoe feels light. Even though it is designed for stability it is not some clunky clown shoe. It is very easy to move around in this shoe.

General reaction/comments on overall performance: This shoe offers a well-balanced and light-weight feel while providing great stability, support, and cushioning underfoot. I would recommend it to anyone who needs a shoe with a wider than average mid-foot and heel cup area.

Thank you K-Swiss and Tennis Warehouse for selecting me to participate in this playtest, I really appreciate it!

 

[samprasbackhand]

Tennis experience/background: Straight-up recreational player. I’ve been playing social tennis on and off for years. Currently, I’m taking lessons and participating in 3.5 USTA leagues.

Describe your playing style (i.e. serve & volley): Plays singles (all court/evil pusher) and doubles. Prefer singles as I like to run around a lot.

Current shoe: Asics Gel Court FF.

How many hours did you play with the shoe? Just a few hours – sorry. This shoe didn’t fit me very well and consequently it was quite uncomfortable playing in it.

Normal size: US Men’s 6 / EU 39

Playtesting size: US Women’s 7.5 / EU 39

Comments on shoe performance:

Comfort: This shoe is definitely not going to fit everyone. It has a snug medium toe box and then gets progressively wider from toe to heel. The mid foot is a wide medium and there was some bulkiness with extra fabric and rubber in this area. The heel cup is wide and shallow and despite the fact that the heel has fabric on the inside to prevent heel slippage, I experienced heel slippage throughout play. The shoe runs short if going by EU sizing. Had I known this I would have gone up a half size, but I don’t think it would have helped because my feet kept sliding around in the shoe and I experienced painful toe jam. Even though the shoe ran short for me, it was too wide and I couldn’t lace the shoe tight enough to prevent my feet from sliding around inside the shoe.

The upper of the shoe is made of soft plastic and a mesh-like material. The shoe offers great support, but it is in no way stiff and if the shoe fits your feet I think it would feel incredibly comfortable right out of the box. There is ample cushioning underfoot with this shoe and I didn’t experience any knee pain after playing. The shoe does ride high off the court so that connected-to-the-court feel is quite muted.

My one real complaint about this shoe is the tongue which is poorly designed. It is a big floppy pancake of a thing – very flat and minimally padded. Even though I ran the laces through the tongue-loop, the tongue would not stay put and slid all over the place. The tongue is also too long and has and rather stiff vinyl/plastic part on top which jammed into my leg instead of bending. I think the idea behind having the vinyl bit on the tongue is that the lace knot would sit there and protect the foot. But that doesn’t happen because the tongue keeps sliding around so the knot would land on the thin fabric of the tongue and I could feel it when I was playing. The underside of the tongue is lined in a suede-like material that rubbed directly against my skin (I wear no-show socks) leaving it chaffed. The underside also has a dye that bled on to my socks and now my once white socks are stained Fiesta Red.

Arch support: The shoe supported my medium arches very well. The Ortholite shoe liner is molded to provide arch support and the outside of the shoe is built up in the arch area to provide additional support.

Stability/support: This is where the shoe really shines. The stability and support are outstanding and it’s the reason to buy this shoe. The shoe liner is nice and thick and has molded sides which help support and cradle the feet. The outsole is slightly flared at the outside edge of the shoe providing a wide, stable base. The inside heel of the outsole is beveled off in a way that seems to be designed to prevent the ankle from rolling. I didn’t have any problems running sideways or backwards and even though the base is wide, I never tripped over my feet. I feel secure playing in these shoes.

Ventilation: The ventilation in the toe box is poor. The pin holes in the plastic top of the shoes do nothing in terms of air flow and my feet got hot and sweaty just by walking around. The sides of the mid-foot area are mesh and have better ventilation, but the mesh panels didn’t offer enough ventilation to keep the toe box dry.

Sole durability: I play on indoor Plexipave courts with the maximum amount of grit the surface can hold. The sole is beginning to show some light wear from playing on these courts, but I think that if I continued to wear the shoes the sole would last through the six-month warranty period. If it doesn’t, there’s a warranty so it’s all good.

Toe durability: The inner side of the toe box is wrapped in the same DragGuard rubber as the sole. The top and inner side of the shoe is reinforced with DuraWrap rubber that adds extra protection. I’m not a toe-dragger, but the added rubber around the toe box seems quite substantial – much more so than any other shoe I have worn. I think they had toe draggers in mind when they designed this shoe.

Traction: The traction is perfect for me. I didn’t slip at all, but the shoe isn’t overly “grabby,” either.

Weight: One of the great things about this shoe is how surprisingly well-balanced it is. The shoe feels light. Even though it is designed for stability it is not some clunky clown shoe. It is very easy to move around in this shoe.

General reaction/comments on overall performance: This shoe offers a well-balanced and light-weight feel while providing great stability, support, and cushioning underfoot. I would recommend it to anyone who needs a shoe with a wider than average mid-foot and heel cup area.

Thank you K-Swiss and Tennis Warehouse for selecting me to participate in this playtest, I really appreciate it!

Unfortunate to hear...I am really enjoying this playtest

 

[milk of amnesia]

Unfortunate to hear...I am really enjoying this playtest

I really enjoyed this playtest too. It is unfortunate that the shoe didn't fit my feet because I really liked this shoe. But it is part of the playtest that the shoe doesn't fit everyone. Prospective buyers need to know that.

 

[Matthew Lee]

I really enjoyed this playtest too. It is unfortunate that the shoe didn't fit my feet because I really liked this shoe. But it is part of the playtest that the shoe doesn't fit everyone. Prospective buyers need to know that.

Well said.

 

[jim e]

Tennis experience/background: Played high school and then college, Taught at club during summer break years ago stopped for few years started hitting again about 11 years ago.
Play in 4.0 league competition, hit a # hours/ week recreational. Being in NY state indoors this time of year, and fortunately we have a nice indoor facility, and can hit just about any time.
Describe your playing style (i.e. serve & volley): Singles and doubles, most time singles. Baseline hitter and cover all court as I like to run and cover the entire court well. This is why shoes are important to me.
Current shoe: Asics gel challenger

How many hours did you play with the shoe? approx. 6 hours. Could not wear it any more. Size runs short, not true to size ,recommend ordering a 1/2 size larger, toe jam.

Normal size: US Men’s12 for decades my size has been Men's 12 dress shoes jogging shoes, casual shoes, boots etc.

Playtesting size: US Men's 12

Comments on shoe performance: Overall a good performance shoe, as it grips court well, nice traction, no squeeking and has great lateral stability and very comfortable inner sole with good arch support. I like the shoe.

Comfort: I have to say size runs small. I would definitely recommend ordering a 1/2 size larger than normal shoe size.
I have been wearing men's size 12 for decades in not only tennis shoes but jogging shoes dress shoes and casual shoes. All my shoes are size 12 and fit fine.
These shoes run short and my big toe could not take it any more even though I borrowed a friends shoe stretcher, (I stretched it out as much as I could for 4 days) , it made no difference. After 3 - 2 hour sessions I had enough, sore on big toe as shoe too short.
Other than being too short it is a great shoe. So comfort I should not say much more but it is comfortable other than being sized too short, width was fine, no heal movement, (heal was comfortable and secure) ,was comfortable shoe except just too short in length to make non wearable any more for me.

Arch support: Great arch support even better than the Asics I wear, with a good feeling liner to make comfortable as well

Stability/support: Exceptional lateral support. I like to run and cover the entire court, as I do enjoy running down the balls, and being a relatively light shoe with great stability, makes this shoe exceptional. Has more stability than the Asics I normally use, and comes in a light weight.

Ventilation: I hit indoors this time of year and they keep it rather cool inside, so no issues with feet getting hot, so I have no problems with ventilation at all with these.

Sole durability: looks like no wear at all after the hitting sessions. Most likely will wear just fine over time.

Toe durability: Good toe protection on outside. Should be no issues for a slight toe dragger on serves like myself

Traction: Great traction. Holds the court real well, no squeeking noises. I enjoy running and covering entire court, and with the relatively light weight and stability and traction if fits the bill for my type of hitting. I will be ordering this shoe in future (1/2 size larger), as I like the feel, weight, stability, and traction. they did a great job with this shoe. I do like the shoe!

Weight: I typically use the Asics gel Challengers for tennis because of fit and light weight as I do run a lot and is one of my attributes as I can run down a lot of balls, where I see others just let them go by. Being fast on the court I do like a light weight shoe, and these shoes are relatively light, and they have better stability than the Asics I wear.

General reaction/comments on overall performance: As commented above, a relatively light weight shoe with great stability and traction makes this shoe perfect for my style. It is just ashame that the size is smaller than true to life.I had one of my hitting partners use it (brother) as he wears same size as me size 12 and he also could not wear it due to short length.
I guess this is what the playtest is all about so places like TW can comment that the shoes run a little small and ordering a 1/2 size larger can be in order for some players.
other than the size being small, it is a great shoe, and I do like it better than the Asics I have been hitting with for years.
In future I will be ordering this shoe in a larger size of course, as I do like the stability, weight, support, and it is comfortable other than the pain of being too short in size, I wish I knew in advance the size was small and not true to size. I do like the shoe!!
Thank you TW for the playtest

 

[sadowsk2]

Tennis experience/background: I am currently a (low) 4.5 ranked player, who is 42 years old. I’ve played high school tennis back in the day, and continued to play all year around in regular local leagues in the area. I typically hit an average of 4 days a week with most of my time devoted to singles play.

Describe your playing style (i.e. serve & volley): I’m an aggressive baseliner who generally likes to strike first, take the ball early, and use my big serve and forehand as my weapons.

Current shoe: Adidas Barricade Boost

How many hours did you play with the shoe?: I have played approximately 35 hours on this shoe model since I received it, with about 80% of that time in singles play with the remaining time dedicated to doubles and drills. 100% of the time was played on hard court surfaces.

Normal Size: US Men’s Size 11.5 / EU 46

Play Testing Size Provided: US Men’s Size 11.5 / EU 46

Comments on shoe performance: Overall I really liked the suitability and effectiveness of this shoe. I felt the shoe provided excellent stability, excellent traction, and excellent “bite” when pushing off and accelerating. The comfort of the shoe I would characterize as “good” with the only blemish being the shoe tongue and the top foot support it generally would/should provide. I found the durability to be very good- though I should caveat things by saying I do not “slide” on hard courts. Overall, I really like the shoe and would consider the shoe as an alternative to the Barricades I currently use.

-Comfort (8.0/10): I wear a US Men’s size 11.5 for all my shoes (dress/work shoes, flip flops, casual sneakers, etc) and found this shoe very close to being true to size for me. While it still fit fine, it might have been just a fraction bit smaller than the 11.5 Barricades I wear. However, I wouldn’t go up to a 12 as I feel that would be too big for me. I generally have slightly wider feet (i.e. a wear a width “E” in my casual sneakers) and found this shoe to provide ample lateral room for my feet. After playing back to back days totaling 3.5 hours I experienced no issues with my feet as a result of these shoes, and can furthermore say I haven’t had any chaffing, rubbing, soreness, etc from my entire duration using these shoes. I’m pleased to say the shoes were comfortably snug and I never experienced any “toe-jamming”, and my heel/Achilles’ was suitably secured for all movements on the court.

A pleasant surprise with these shoes was that they required a minimal to negligible break in period. I would argue they’re “good to go” right out of the box which is a convenient feature.

As I mentioned in my overall comments regarding comfort, the one area where this shoe disappoints is the shoe tongue. It is essentially a suede-like rubber tongue with some cloth mesh integrated into it. While tightening the laces of this shoe, the tongue did in fact protect my foot from being pinched or abraded by the laces, however, I could still feel the pressure of the laces on the upper surface of my foot. I wouldn’t declare this discomfort, however I did “feel” the laces on my foot from time to time depending how I was moving. I should note that I did not experience the shoe tongue shifting in any manner while playing with it.

-Arch Support (9.0/10): I have a medium arch and the shoe did an exceptional job providing support, and subsequently, comfort to the arch and overall bottom surface of my foot.

-Stability/Support (9.0/10): I felt the strength of this shoe lies in the stability and support it effectively delivers on hard courts. I played mostly on very fast hard courts that have more minimal grit embedded in the court, consequently having a shoe that will bite onto the smoother court surface and provide support (especially laterally) is a key feature for me and this shoe truly shines. I am so thoroughly impressed with the performance of this shoe that I would rate them slightly ahead of my Barricades. When moving laterally side to side, the shoe’s thick, overarching base provided ample support such that I didn’t feel my feet rolling or the shoe flexing. Like the more recent Barricades, this shoe has a reinforcing material wrapping around the Achilles/heel region of the shoe. This resulted in exceptional heel support when planting and/or pivoting forward and back on the court. Additionally, I didn’t feel my feet sliding internally inside the shoe- it really molded to my feet and provided all the support I ask for. From the first day I put these shoes on I quickly felt in tune with the support they offered and the shoe quickly earned my trust in freely moving around the court. Unlike past shoes, I don’t worry about my feet getting compromised as a result of quick, rapid movements and changes in direction with these shoes.

-Ventilation (5.0/10): The biggest disappointment I have with these shoes is the overall lack of ventilation. In the forward third of the shoe, it has extensive material covering the shoe (which likely contributed to the exceptional support provided) however there are these minute holes that serve to provide ventilation in the forward part of the feet. These “pin-holes” are so small I would characterize them as “pin pricks” where you wouldn’t get the entire depth of a pin puncture. The sides of the shoe are compromised of a mesh material that I didn’t think provides enough ventilation either. For those who hit exclusively outdoors in warm-weather all year around, this might be something to watch for.

-Sole Durability (8.0/10): The soles of these shoes have held up quite well for the 30+ hours I’ve played on them- as a comparison I’d say the soles are currently more durable than some of the older Babolat & Nike model shoes I’ve worn, and almost on par with my Barricades. I do have wear present on the treads at the outer rim of the soles adjacent to the balls of my feet and also up near the very front, though it is pretty minor (approximately ½” inboard). The rest of the sole’s tread pattern looks great with negligible wear. Again, I played exclusively on very fast/smooth hard courts consequently I would expect more wear on a grittier surface. However, given my history with my shoes and playing at this location, I’m confident the sole durability of these shoes would be in the upper range of performance relative to what’s on the market.

-Toe Durability (10/10): These shoes by design have an appreciable amount of rubber that wraps up around the toe area and spans all the way to the ball of one’s foot before tapering down. As expected, this significant reinforcement yielded negligible wear in the toe area of the shoe. I am supremely confident in saying given how the shoe toe area performed for me to date, coupled with the significant amount of material they have strengthening this part of the shoe, that you would never have an issue with toe durability- something else would likely wear out with the shoe causing the need for replacing them before the toe area wears out.

-Traction: (9.0/10): Much like the stability/support of this shoe, I felt this shoe shined in terms of traction- even more so than my Barricades. It will bite as needed when planting laterally, and will provide excellent performance when you need to suddenly rush up to fend off a drop shot, etc. Traction is important to me and I felt this shoe did an outstanding job performing in that area.

-Weight: (7.0/10): From predominantly a Barricade user, I had no issues with the weight of this shoe as it felt only marginally heavier than the Barricade Boosts I currently use. I think the strong support and good all-around balance of the shoe mitigates the weight sensation of the shoes.

General reaction/comments on overall performance (8.0/10): This shoe is quite an exceptional product and I felt it truly excelled in areas most important to me: stability, support, and traction. It was a comfortable shoe where I could play in it for 2 to even 3 hours on occasion and my feet felt good afterwards. I actually like this shoe enough that I will strongly consider it over my Barricades when the time comes to replace my shoes. I felt in sync with the shoes, never worrying about, or having to think about them while in the middle of a point, game, set, or match. The shoe so far has proven to be durable and I really like the styling of the shoe itself.

I think the two notable areas they could improve the shoe would be in terms of adding improved ventilation for the shoe and improving the design of the shoe tongue. I think exploring the feasibility of enlarging the tiny, tiny holes in the forward part of the shoe could go a long, long way in terms of letting the feet breath more. Additionally, for those people sensitive to the weight of the shoe, enlarging those holes, and consequently removing material while doing so, will only help lighten the shoes just a bit. I’d also like to see the tongue redesigned- eliminating that suede like material in favor of something with a little more padding and ventilation would be an improvement across a few facets of the shoe.

Overall, I was very, very pleased with this shoe. I think it might very well set a new benchmark in a few areas (i.e. toe durability). For those who may have glanced over this shoe and brand in the past, I would definitely recommend giving this particular model a look as it might open your eyes to an exceptional product just like it did mine.


*** I’d like to sincerely thank K-Swiss for offering this product up for a play tester review and to Tennis Warehouse for giving me the opportunity to try out, and write about, this product! ***

 

[Backhanded Compliment]

i never see these things in time but while in high school i won a writing contest for kswiss... started me down the path as a pro writer

 

[samprasbackhand]

Thanks again to TW and K-Swiss for the opportunity to test awesome new gear!

Tennis experience/background: Currently a 4.5 - 5.0 player who played for a very good Division II high school team in SoCal. In the last 10 years since high school I've played casually on and off, but I'm typically playing singles about twice a week nowadays.

Describe your playing style (i.e. serve & volley): Aggressive baseliner, I try to control the point with my groundies so I'm usually not the one doing a lot of running or retrieving. I'm always trying to incorporate more all-court play into my game but have mixed results.

Current shoe: Adidas Ubersonic 2, which is my new favorite shoe after playing with Barricades or Asics GR for most of my tennis life. I have always been a bit on the heavier side so I tend to be rough on my shoes. I also have wide feet so have generally avoided shoes that are considered narrow. Durability used to always be my #1 concern when I was playing 4 to 5 times a week but now that I play less I'm more willing to try shoes that are lighter but less durable. I tried the Flyknit Vapor 9.5's but had problems with tongue slipping no matter how tight I tied the shoes. I then bought a pair of the Ubersonic 2 and have no complaints about them. Little to no break-in, stylish, comfortable, light and durability seems solid so far.

How many hours did you play with the shoe? About 12 hours so far.

Normal Size: 10.5 in most shoes
Playtesting Size: 10.5

Comments on shoe performance:
-comfort: Very comfortable, which is the most appealing thing to me about this shoe. Most of the stable tennis shoes I've worn (Barricades, Gel Resolution) always require a very painful break-in period but are very very comfy once broken in. I have a wider foot, so breaking in shoes is usually excruciatingly painful for me. With the Ultrashot, they felt very comfortable from the moment I put them on and didn't have any pain whatsoever the first time I wore them to the courts. The only complaint I have is that the tongue of the shoe is slightly thin and I like to lace my shoes very tight so sometimes I'll have to loosen up the laces in order to not put too much strain on my foot. Ultimately this is a minor complaint to me and would consider these shoes top of the line for comfort.

-arch support: To be honest, I am not sure what kind of arches I have on my feet and have never noticed any problems with arch support with any shoes I've ever worn so this shoe is good as far as I can tell.

-stability/support: This shoe feels very solid and very stable which is nice. I am not a player who has to suddenly change directions or move too much side-to-side but when I did I always felt confident in the shoe.

-ventilation: Probably the weakest point of the shoe although it's not something that bugs me too much. I usually feel like stability designed tennis shoes don't have great ventilation so it's something I don't necessarily expect. Compared to the Ubersonic though it's definitely not as good. The weather is usually pretty mild most of the time I play so ventilation is never a huge issue, but in hot weather it might be a minor annoyance

-sole durability: In the 12 hours I played they are holding up very well and still look pretty new. I'm rough on my shoes too so durability seems great so far!

-toe durability: Same as the soles, they are holding up very well. The toe area in particular seems to have plenty of rubber on it so I don't anticipate these wearing down too fast although I do tend to drag my toes alot.

-traction: Traction was excellent, the shoes definitely provide a nice grippy feel on the court and I felt like i was never going to slip which allowed me to make very precise movement.

-weight: This shoe is heavier than the other shoes I've been wearing but still don't feel heavy by any means. I never felt weighted down by the shoes, and if I remember correctly this shoe is still lighter than the Barricades I wore growing up (Barricade 4 & 5).

General reaction/comments on overall performance: I've never worn a K-Swiss shoe before this playtest but could easily see myself making the UltraShot my go-to shoe. I really enjoyed the comfort the shoe provided without having to break it in. It's even better that the shoe is more affordable than the Barricade's or Gel Resolution's that I would typically go for when looking for a stable performance shoe. Cosmetically, the shoes are great as well. They're not listed on the website but the blue color we received definitely looks awesome and the shoe's design itself is very nice. The shoes I received for the playtest look like they're going to last me a while, but once they wear down I will definitely consider picking up another pair.

 

[Matthew Lee]

Before beginning my review, I would like to thank both Tennis Warehouse and the K-Swiss company for the opportunity of this playtest.

Tennis experience/background: I've been playing tennis for around 4 years now. I guess I'm a strong 3.5, weak/moderate 4.0, I'm not so sure. I don't play USTA tournaments and I've tried JTT with no luck, especially with weird teammates and whatnot. I mainly play for my high school varsity team, where I am a singles starter.
Describe your playing style (i.e. serve & volley): I don't have a specifc game set...so I guess I'm an all-around player? I do begin with an attacking mindset, rallying out a point until I find a good opportunity to come to net. I'm not afraid to go up there, it's just that I have a lot of success before the volley. I have a nice serve and forehand, with a decent slice and backhand. When pushed to defend, I like to do so by sliding around the court, which bothers my back and other peoples' ears.
Current shoe: Adidas Barricade Novak Pro
Hours played in this shoe: Approximately 40 hours (I play a lot)
Normal Size: 11
Playtesting Size: 11

Comments on shoe performance: The K-Swiss Ultrashot plays similarly to my Novak Pro shoes, as it offers both the stability and support that I need when sliding and running around during matchplay.
-Comfort: I give this shoe a comfort rating of 9/10, mainly because the shoe was decently flexible, had a nice midsole that seemed to be memory-foam, and it adhered to my sliding punishments. In doing so, I had nearly no type of pain, almost no break-in period, and found myself enjoying these shoes more than the Novak Pros.
-arch support: This deserves a solid 8/10. I think I have a low arch, but these shoes, which I thought were medium-oriented, seemed to be great for my arches. While there was the occasional throb, other than that, this shoe was great.
-stability/support: The main spectacle of this shoe, the K-Swiss Ultrashot had some of the best support and stability out of any shoes out there. Comparable to my Novak Pros, these shoes never let me down out on court when I had to make sudden movements or make adjustments to my footwork, and it was good enough to make easy sliding movements. 10/10
-ventilation: One of the poorer aspects of this shoe, there really wasn't any area throughout the shoe for air to go through easily. With my kinda thick socks, sweat built up within the shoe, and it soon became stinky and hot everytime I used it. It was one of the more bothersome aspects. 6/10
-sole durability: I mean, to be fair, this comes with a 6 month durability guarantee, and I'm actually pretty proud that some of it was worked off with 40ish hours. I could probably get the guarantee if I were pressed to do so, but for moderate use, this was great. 8/10
-toe durability: This was the odd one out of the bunch, as I expected there to be a much more formidable shield here, what with the hardened outsole, but I managed to get scrapes and cuts and eventually, a hole on one of the shoes given. It was surprising and actually...quite humorous, but hey, what can I say? Sliding
7/10?
-traction: I don't know what to say about traction. It was supple enough for me to have great footwork, but it allowed me to slide freely, so...8/10?
-weight: It was listed as weighing nearly a pound, but it felt much lighter than a pound...if I had to guess, the feeling was around 13 ounces. In comparison, the Novak Pros certainly felt bulky, but this didn't. Not by a long shot.
General reaction/comments on overall performance: This is far and away one of the best shoes I've ever used in my life. I've tried the likes of the Adidas Classic Bounce, Barricade Novaks, Barricade Courts, Asics Gel Res 6, etc. In a unique way, this shoe offered a supple lightweight feeling with the stability of a heavier shoe, which this was in reality. Though there are some parts of this shoe to be improved upon, like the ventilation, it is a solid option for those whose fit is around a medium/medium-wide.

 

[Chace]

Thanks to TW and K-Swiss for the opportunity to play test the shoes.

Tennis experience/background: I am in my early 40s and started playing tennis around age 14. I played high school tennis and a decent amount of tournaments as a kid. I didn't play much tennis from my early 20s to around age 28 or 29. I then picked the game back up and play about 2-3 times a week. I still play an occasional tournament from time to time. My level is USTA 4.5

Describe your playing style (i.e. serve & volley): I would describe my playing style as an all court player. I have a strong serve and pretty solid ground strokes. I don't serve and volley much in singles but I will come to the net to finish off a point.

Current shoe: Adidas Barricade 2017, prior to that I have worn many iterations of the Asics Gel Resolutions. I prefer the Asics over the barricades. In the 90s I had quite a few pairs of K-Swiss Si18. What's kept me from buying K-Swiss is no 6 month warranty. I am glad to see K-Swiss produce a shoe with an outsole warranty.

How many hours did you play with the shoe? 9-10
Normal Size: 11.5
Playtesting Size: 11.5

Comments on shoe performance:
-comfort: 8.5/10 The Ultrashots a very comfortable out of the box and really no break in required. The only complaint I have is the tongue digs in to the top part of my foot and is slightly annoying.

-arch support: 9/10 I have a medium arch. The shoe did a great job of providing arch support and support in general to the bottom of my feet.

-stability/support: 9/10 The shoe provides fantastic stability and support. I was confident in changing directions. Definitely on par with Barricades as far as stability and support and the K-Swiss feel lighter compared to Barricades.

-ventilation: 5.5/10 Probably the downside of the shoe is the somewhat poor ventilation. I live in Fl and play mostly on hardcourts. The top part of the shoe has very tiny pin hole like holes in it and didn't do a great job as far as the breathability of the shoe.

-sole durability: Shoe far the sole durability is good. I only have 9-10 hours of play on them and not much wear is showing. My assumption is durability will probably comparable to asics gel resolutions. I typically have no problems wearing the outsoles of shoes out within the 6 month warranty period which is why I tend to buy shoes that have an outsole warranty.

-toe durability: I do drag my foot/toe on my serve. So far there is a little bit of wear there but I think the toe will hold up just fine.

-traction: 8.5/10 No issues at all with traction. I would say traction is on par with the asics gel resolutions but not quite at a barricade level.

-weight: 9/10 For a shoe that has an outsole warranty the weight is great. The weight is similar to the gel resolutions. They do not feel clunky or bulky at all.

General reaction/comments on overall performance: I really like the shoe a lot. I was planning on going back to the gel resolutions after wearing out my barricades but I just might buy a pair of Ultrashots. It depends on the breathability of the shoe in the summer months here in Fl. If it is an issue I will probably go back to the asics, if not I will buy the K-Swiss Ultrashots. The shoe has a great combination of playability and stability for a shoe that is on the lighter side for a shoe with a 6 month outsole warranty.

Thanks again TW and K-Swiss

 

[M Pillai]

KSwiss Ultrashot Shoes Review
=========================================

Thanks again KSwiss and TW for giving the opportunity to participate in playtesting these premium shoes.


Tennis experience/background:

Late boomer with 10+ years playing tennis at different levels. Currently plays mostly recreational singles tennis at level 4.5. Also enjoys social doubles and singles/doubles strategic discussions. Also a trusted “free” stringer for buddies and usual go to person for the tennis strings/accessory/equipment related questions for the folks at the club.


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

Strategic counter puncher. Allow the opponent to attack from compromised positions, and beat them in counter-attack is a usual play.


Current shoe:

Prince T22 Lite


How many hours did you play with the shoe?

18 Hours


Normal Size:

10.5 (Mens)


Playtesting Size:

10.5 (Mens)


Comments on shoe performance:


-comfort:

Soft touch materials inside upper does provide good comfort, but solid firm feel at the same time. The sponge material is not thick on the uppers, and so is not a shoe which provide fluffy comfort. The bottom cushioning is more thicker and does provide non-slipping and adequate comfort. Folks who like extra extra cushioning may be disappointed. But the inner materials are soft and is not trading comfort/cushioning for solid/stable/connected feel. One of the area in which I felt the cushioning/comfort was in-adequate for me was the top tongue. Maybe it has to do with how tight I tie the shoelaces, but I definitely would like a bit more thicker softness there so that I don't feel the laces directly on top of my foot.


-arch support:

I usually am not too picky on the arch support department, as long as it does not go to any extremes. KSwiss Ultrashot does have flexible materials at the bottom to allow for some shaping for the bottom of foot. I am happy with the arch support it provide. It is just right.


-stability/support:

Solid stable feel all around the court. This was probably expected from a 15+ oz shoes. But I feel like Ultrashot did provide a bit more connected feel than usual, when you suddenly initiate a big move to front/back, like chasing down that lob, or dropshot. Solid support on both sides of the shoe do provide excellent stability on change of direction. One thing I notice is that for some reason, KSwiss chose to provide some extra support on the inside/side of the shoe compared to outside/side by using more stiffer material on one side than other. I was a bit skeptical on this, since on change of directions, I felt like I would be putting more pressure on the outside side. But on court did not feel like any lack of solidness from outside. Overall this is a solid stable and connected shoe.


-ventilation:

They do have adequate ventilation. The mesh uppers and breathing materials do provide adequate ventilation just enough, so that you can forget about it. I am anyway not a big fan on trading solid/stability and longevity/durability of the shoe uppers for providing extra ventilation. So Ultrashot is just right on this department for me.


-sole durability:

Excellent durability. This is one key element for any re-creational player who play a lot of tennis, but don’t want to keep spending tons of money on shoes. For me I am willing to trade some speed on the court for durability, especially on my everyday tennis shoes. KSwiss usually lives up to my expectations, and UltraShot did well as expected too. After approximately 18 hours, the sole did not show any extra wears, and even in the parts I drag/wear a lot, like my left toe are still solid. Lot of life left on the shoe. One thing which need special mention is the excellent quality control of KSwiss.


-toe durability:

Excellent. Those toe-draggers won’t be left behind. The durability of sole region is extended a bit more than one inch on the front end of the shoe, to provide the toe-draggers enough to chew on. This will definitely extend the life of the shoe a lot for many folks.


-traction:

Very connected feel with the court. I have used shoes with more traction, but they were a lot less durable and comfortable than Ultrashot. I did play a few times when the courts were not too dry, and it did provide enough traction. I believe Ultrashot is the right tradeoff for majority of recreational players out there spending a lot of time on court.


-weight:

This is not a light shoe. This is a real-man’s shoe .. haha. But seriously at 15.6oz I measured, this is definitely made with stability and solid feel in mind, than lightness and speed. That being said, I never felt sluggish on the court, and does feel confident to run down that hard stretching balls.


General reaction/comments on overall performance:


When reviewing my comments above, I noticed that I boringly repeated the word “just right” couple of times, but not editing it out. But that is exactly my sentiment/reaction on the Ultrashot. It is that “just right” shoe for many of us recreational players. It is not the fastest or most comfortable shoe out there. But it got many things just right, making it a solid everyday tennis shoe choice.

 

[TW Staff]

Attention Playtesters:

This is a friendly reminder that your review is due tomorrow for those we haven't posted.

Thanks,
Brittany TW

 

[norcal]

K-Swiss Ultrashot Review

Tennis Experience/Background: Been playing tennis for over 30 years. Self taught park player. Currently rated USTA NTRP 4.5, but coming off two hip surgeries last year so I'm probably playing at a solid 4.0 level right now.

Playing Style: Mostly baseline in singles (good mover) but very aggressive in doubles, S&V on both serves, get to net as much as possible.

Current Shoes: Yonex Durable 2, Yonex Durable 3. Yonex has always been a great shoe for me, very supportive and cushioned and a 6 month warranty. Unfortunately the width has become more narrow with each new version. I wanted to try the Ultrashot because of the extra width and 6 month warranty, hoping to find a comfortable successor to the Yonex Durable line.

How Many Hours Did You Play With The Shoe? 20 hours (11 singles, 9 doubles)

Normal Size: Size 10

Play Testing Size: Size 10. Lengthwise the Ultrashot fit my foot fine although if you are a tweener I would definitely go up a half a size. The width is slightly wide with definitely above average width in the forefoot.

Comments On Shoe Performance:

-Comfort: These shoes were comfortable right out of the box, which is rare for me. I usually wear shoes for a week or so before playing in them. With the Ultrashot I only wore them a couple hours before playing in them. As I had hoped the Ultrashot gives you extra room in the forefoot which resulted in no constricted feeling in my feet, even during the break in period. Forefoot cushioning is good while maintaining a low-ish, connected feeling to the court.

Instep, ankle and heel comfort was also excellent on this shoe. Plenty of room in the ankle area but it does not feel loose at all because of the extra eyelet you can use to lock the ankle in. Really formed the shoes to my feet. Midfoot and ankle cushioning is very good. Ankle collar felt fine, doesn't ride up high so no friction but also feels quite supportive. Forefoot cushioning is less than my current shoe (Yonex) but is still adequate and comfortable.

Another positive feature is the insole. In the age of paper thin insoles, K-Swiss uses an insole that has actual cushioning and arch support. Overall I found these shoes to be very cushioned and comfortable, despite being very durable and stable (those attributes often don't go together).

-Arch Support: I found arch support to be slightly lower than medium, which is perfect for me as I have medium/low arches. If I don't notice the arch in shoes it's a comfortable shoe - I didn't notice the arch in this shoe so that is good news.

-Stability/Support: The Ultrashot is a very stable and supportive shoe. During the playtest I played on everything from worn out public courts to the super gritty hardcourts of the Coachella Valley. On each surface this shoe felt extremely stable and supportive. Quick turns, running out wide, backing up for overheads, this shoe felt extremely stable in all tennis movements. The forefoot is pretty flexible so it can be cinched down to fit and the ankle can be locked in which really gives this shoe a stable and supportive feel.

-Ventilation: Ventilation was OK. Honestly, this is something I never really notice. I wear thick socks so they get sweaty with every shoe I wear, this one didn't feel significantly better or worse. Highest temp I played in was low 80's and my feet never felt hot.

-Sole Durability: So far, the outsole seems extremely durable. I am pretty hard on shoes when hitting singles and these shoes have a lot of rubber under foot so I don't see durability being an issue at all. Definitely more durable than the Yonex Durable line (however the Yonex is quite a bit lighter too). Plus the shoe has a 6 month guarantee so durabilty should not be a problem.

-Toe Durability: The toe area is sturdy. I am not a toe dragger, but the little toe dragging I do had little to no effect on the shoes. There appears to be plenty of material under the big toe that wraps upward so it seems to be a good design for toe draggers.

-Traction: The Ultrashot has excellent traction. Didn't feel too slick on worn down courts and didn't feel too grabby on gritty hardcourts. I felt extremely confident moving in these shoes. In fact after the brief break in period I never gave it any thought, which is the best attribute a shoe can have (in my opinion).

-Weight: These shoes are comparable in weight to other durability guaranteed shoes but quite a bit heavier than my Yonex Durable (15 oz v 13 oz). But you can't have your cake and eat it too and expect to get a stable, supportive, durable shoe without having it carry some weight. The good news is once these shoes are on your feet they don't feel heavy at all. They feel quick and stable around the court, that is all I ask of a shoe.

General Reaction/Comments On Overall Performance: The K-Swiss Utrashot is an overall excellent shoe. It belongs with other top of the line offerings from the other tennis shoe brands. The materials used, construction and quality seem first rate. Loved the blue colorway and got compliments on how the shoe looks (which isn't normally a concern for me; performance first).

If you are looking for a slightly wide, comfortable, stable and durable shoe (that looks good too) you should give the Ultrashot a try. Considering that Yonex no longer has a durability guaranteed shoe (and has been trending a lot narrower in the forefoot), the Ultrashot will most likely be my next everyday tennis shoe.
Thank you to Tennis Warehouse and K-Swiss for allowing me to playtest the Ultrashot. It was (and continues to be) a great experience.

 

[dave t]

Blue looks great - when are they available TW?

 

[kevonian]

Tennis experience/background: Tennis lifer. Been playing since 6. 4.5-5.0 range. Stopped during college (college didn’t have courts on campus…)
Describe your playing style (i.e. serve & volley): Big backhand; mediocre forehand. S&V whenever my big flat first serve goes in. Try to end point to early and cause unnecessary unforced errors.
Current shoe: Babolat Jet, Babolat Propulse Fury.

Previous Shoe: Prince T22
How many hours did you play with the shoe? 20 and counting
Normal Size: 9
Playtesting Size: 9

Comments on shoe performance:
-comfort: This shoe was thick. It was hard to get my foot inside the shoe. I usually wear thorlo thick socks or double pair of nike dri fits. I really had to loosen the top laces to get my foot in the shoe. I can definitely say this needs a break in. I wore this around the gym and lifted weights in it before I took it out to the courts. When I received the first pair, I went straight to hitting and my feet and calves were super sore. After the break in, the comfort level went up. It didn’t feel as thick inside and was able to slide into the shoes much easier. On the downside, this also led to a little more wiggle room. I normally wear a size 9. I did in all my previous shoes, but for k-swiss I must be a 8.5 because my right foot toes were jamming at the top when playing. This just led to me tightening up the laces much tighter than usual.

-arch support: Good arch support, but needs that break in. After using them during warm ups, where I was jumping rope. My arches were aching a bit, but definitely not after playing in the shoes a couple more hours. I would give the arch support an 8

-stability/support: Good stability and support. I also don’t know what specific tennis shoes doesn’t give great support. Haven’t experienced that yet. But these are no different. A good solid and stable shoe. This is probably attributed to the sheer mass of these things. They are rated for 16 oz, but do they feel heavier than that. I haven't put these on the kitchen scale, but i definitely felt a difference when picking up my tennis bag compared to my previous shoes. So definitely noticeable weight difference between shoes.


-ventilation: Bad. My feet were sweatier than ever using these shoes. I’m coming from the 2 babolat shoes, which to me have great ventilation. I even used these shoes during a cold windy night and couldn’t feel anything. Maybe that is partly a good thing when it is cold, but my socks were wetter than normal taking these shoes off. Another note, is that the blue dye rubs off into your socks. The orange colored shoes with black insides doesn’t matter, but the blue shoes with blue insides have a color bleeding issue. The whole top of my white sock was blue after a relaxed game of doubles.


-sole durability: these show some minor wear, but very minimal. I can probably wear these out in 6 months, but that would require at least 10+ hours/week with lots of drills. If these were just matchplay shoes then they would not get worn out. It is also very thick rubber which helps in the durability. I can see a rec player buying these and using them on and off for 2+ years.


-toe durability: I’m not a toe dragger so it’s hard to comment, but these do have thick toe supports. I can see them getting worn out if you are a serial toe dragger on every shot, but if you do it occasionally then I don’t see it happening.
-traction: good traction. No slipping and sliding on the court. I am not someone who can slide on a hard court like Djokovic. Maybe someone who can comment on that will be good to know. But these held up well even in the light rain when I had to finish out a few games of a singles and doubles match with a little drizzle.


-weight: very heavy. Would not recommend if you want a fast light shoe. I need quickness in my feet and I get very lazy when wearing these heavy shoes. i notice that my feet tend to get sluggish with these on which also in turn hinders my game. So I tend to use these more for doubles and drills.


General reaction/comments on overall performance:

overall performance 8/10

weight 4/10
durability 10/10
venting 6/10
comfort 8/10
arch 8/10

44/50 = Solid B grade

Add Color scheme 11/10
56/50 = A+

 

[Pronate]

Tennis experience/background: Mens 4.5, Playing for 10 years


Describe your playing style (i.e. serve & volley): Aggressive Baseliner, 5.0 Forehand, One handed backhand


Current shoe: Asics Gel Solution Speed 2


How many hours did you play with the shoe?


Normal Size: 10.5


Playtesting Size: 10.5


Comments on shoe performance:

-comfort: The shoe required zero break in. I really appreciated the soft Ortholite Insole included. The synthetic material wicks sweat really well, and does not feel slippery when I wear my polyester socks. The upper is as comfortable as the Gel Speed’s upper, being soft but stable and supportive.
8/10

-arch support: The back has abrasive texture along the inner side of the heel cup, and this helped prevent possible heel slippage. My feet felt locked in especially when I tied the laces tightly.
10/10

-stability/support: The shoe provides a secure ride. They provide a lot more stability than the Speeds, since the heel is more firm. Cushioning is comfortable and still fairly responsive.
9/10

-ventilation: I haven’t had a problem yet. So far so good. Feet haven’t been drenched in sweat, being a good sign.
9/10

-sole durability: I noticed the small circles in the traction are wearing quickly. Besides that the sole is doing great. The sole is fairly hard like the barricades, which helps provide stable footing.
9/10

-toe durability: The toes are holding up well. No signs of ungluing and the shoe fits my feet well enough that I don’t toe drag. I probably won’t have any issues, considering I have not experienced any at the initial stages.
10/10

-traction: Traction is pretty good. I really like the herringbone pattern with the s-curve.
9/10

-weight: Weight was not an issue. They felt as heavy as Wilson Shoes and the Nike Zoom Cage 2.
8/10

General reaction/comments on overall performance:


Overall the shoe is a 9/10. I would buy the shoe over a lot of the other models offered by brands like Nike. The performance is great so far, but time will tell whether the durability is going to compare to the Barricade line. Thank you so much Tennis Warehouse and K Swiss for the shoes. This means a lot to have a new shoe. I hope to be part of more and maybe a racquet review.


-Pronate

 

[WhiteOut]

I've been a T22 wearer for about 8-9 years straight. With all their issues, and boring color lines, I decided to try another shoe. I'm a US10, or sometimes a 9.5 wide. I have short, wide feet -- like my toes were chopped with a meat cleaver, so I need a wider toe-box, but then not too long. Since my feet are short, my foot slides within the shoe when I stop abruptly. This also means I have to be careful of shoes that are heavily meshed in the toe-box, as they will stretch too much over time. I also have a high arch, and as I've gotten older my feet do get sore, so cushioning is a real need here. I'm not really interested in using insoles, and messing with the shoe -- I want something that feels great right out of the box as the T22 did.

I'm a high 3.5/low 4.0 player 47yr old male. Need to lose 20 lbs, but still get to most balls guys my age won't even try. I play both singles and doubles. I wear the thickest Thorlos socks on the market.

I tried the Ultrashot, Hypercourt express 2.0, Wilson Rush 2.5, a pair of Nikes, and 1-2 others. I went with the Ultrashot, with the Rush 2.5 a close second.

--Ultrashot: Felt like a perfect wrap for my foot right out of the box. Has the higher arch than the Rush, and the snug toe-box. I've worn these for about 8-10 matches now, and they still feel fantastic (lots of cushion not only insole, but also all around the ankle. Also feels much lighter than the T22, and not as clunky. The only minor negative is the blue color ran off a bit onto a white sock after the first couple of matches, but I also wear black socks very often. The tongue is soft and comfy, but has a 'leathery' feel that retains some moisture (but does dry adequately overnight).

--Rush 2.5: The Rush felt good, but the arch was definitely not as high as the ultrashot. I literally could feel space between the insole arch of the shoe and the bottom of my foot.

--Hypercourt: I read on this board, and also 2 tennis shops I visited (1 in AZ, 1 in Indy) that T22 wearers were all turning to this shoe. For me the toe-box was definitely a wider version of size 10, and that would be good for a pair of walking shoes, but too wide for cutting and hard stops (it felt wider than the Ultrashot). Also the arch was not as high as the Ultrashot.

I'm totally jazzed about the Ultrashot -- it feels and looks really great. I was really scared of having to go thru the whole shoe-find all over again...fortunately K-Swiss nailed this. I think any T22 wearer should give this shoe a try. Hope this review is helpful.

 

[norcal]

Thought I would bump this thread with an update.

Been wearing the Ultrashot in rotation with my 3 different Yonex and it has held up very well. Still super stable and comfortable. Durability has been good, I'm sure I would have worn it out in 6 months if I used it exclusively, but who cares since it has the 6 month guarantee. Looking at the TW playtest, they seemed to like this shoe as much as message board playtesters.

I thought of it because I saw today it on sale for $79! Great bargain on a top quality shoe (especially if you take advantage of the 6 month guarantee). Since Yonex no longer offers a durability guaranty I'm ordering another pair of these.

 

[samprasbackhand]

oops, posted in wrong thread.

 

[norcal]

These shoes are on clearance sale for $55 right now (if you don't mind white) which is a ridiculous price for such a good show with a warranty - I just ordered (another) pair.

 

[jim e]

These shoes are on clearance sale for $55 right now (if you don't mind white) which is a ridiculous price for such a good show with a warranty - I just ordered (another) pair.

You are correct, that is a good price for a quality shoe, but only if it fits you properly. I tried to use them as much as I could, but the toe jam was to the point it was unbearable. I ended up with 2 black toe nails. They just did not fit me properly. I tried my best, tried stretching, removed and replaced the insoles, nothing helped. I typically wear size 12 in all my shoes no matter the type, but these were just not wearable for me.