The Babolat Propulse FURY 3 (2023)

[The Big Kahuna]

I would like to nominate a shoe for your next TOP 5 list - the BABOLAT PROPULSE FURY 3. I have tried all the top five shoes on this list, and I have to say, these are pretty sweet! They are very well balanced shoe with great stability. A nice performing shoe all around. Cushioning is good, fit is medium, maybe a smidge generous compared to something like a Barricade. This shoe is a better performing shoe all-around to the Asics Court FF3, the Asics Resolution 9, the Adidas Barricade, or any Nike shoe made today. It feels a bit like a Diadora Blushield shoe in terms of cushion but like a Barricade in terms of stability. Closest shoe I can think of to compare it to might be the Diadora B.Icon - which is high praise in my book. I just got my pair, but so far, I like it a lot. Definitely a shoe to try out. Could be the best shoe of 2023!

 

[Rally]

Does the lack of heavy herringbone mean it's strictly a hard court shoe? I play on hard courts about 95% of the time, but I still need my shoe to be serviceable on Har-Tru every now and then.

 

[RedBeard]

Just got a pair as replacement candidate for my GP Turbos. Not as much cushioning as GPs, but as much stability and a little lower to the ground feeling and fast feeling. Cushioning still ample and more predictable than B Icons. I don't think I've ever truly bottomed out the Icons, but sometimes if I plant with my heel at an angle the foam feels like it buckles, which isn't re-assuring.

I've heard some reviewers say they fit a little wide, but I'd call them a solid medium (at least in size 12). They do, however, have more volume of space above the forefoot, which makes them overall more comfortable than the GPs. GPs are pretty rigid above the forefoot and toes to break in and Fury 3 had no break-in for me.

There is some very slight heel slip, but nothing too much where my foot slaps back down on the heel noticeably.

Wish they had a little more arch support but no pain or issues after the first hour and a half of play.

 

[soulkeeper]

@RedBeard
same size as GP's?

 

[RedBeard]

@RedBeard
same size as GP's?

Yes. Size 12 in both gp and fury3.

 

[RedBeard]

Update after more wear and trying with arch supported insole replacement. This shoe is basically like a comfortable barricade. Personally, I've never found any iteration of the barricade comfortable. There's always an awkward pinching somewhere or a strange ankle collar, or just flat out hard and un-cushioned forefoot. I can't find any of that, so far, with the Fury 3s.

The Fury 3 can't compete with the plushness of the GP Turbo or even the B Icons, but they've managed to make a really responsive and stable cushioning that feels firm, but my feet just don't hurt after playing.

It appears to be a really good, middle-weight, stable, decently comfortable, and durable shoe. I could see it being popular with high performance juniors who are hard on their shoes, as well as overweight weekend warriors who don't want their knees and ankles to hurt after a club match.

I think the only watch-outs would be if you have a really narrow foot, you'll find your forefoot swimming in the toe box or if you have a high arch and just do not want to add a replacement insole.

 

[EggSalad]

Is anyone playing these shoes on clay/Har Tru? I’m curious how the traction is since they are more of a hard court outsole.