Wilson Rush Pro Shoe Playtest

Rjtennis

Hall of Fame
I'm having a little bit of trouble breaking in the shoes. I have only been able to wear them for about 40 minutes before they start hurting the sides of my foot. This happens to me with some shoes including the Nike Courtballistec, but hopefully these shoes will break in shortly. I don't have particulary wide feet, but these shoes seem a little bit narrow in the forefront. Other than that I really like the shoes. They definetly feel more flexible in the front of the shoes than the courtballistecs or the barricades and I like the glove like fit whe you put on the shoes. I know they will stretch out eventually its just taking some time. The soles seem to have good traction and I imagine that these shoes are very durable as the rubber is pretty thick.
 

db10s

Hall of Fame
7 hrs of playing so far... Tons of hours of non playing wear... Traction is great on clay... Average on hard.
 

colan5934

Professional
Put in 10 hours on these so far. Really quite solid shoes. I feel like they're broken in now. At first I was on top of the cushioning, rather than in it, so to speak. Now that they've conformed to my foot, I really enjoy them. They aren't necessarily a match shoe, as they feel a bit heavy for me, but I play in Vapors and Resolutions usually, so something like this is bound to feel a bit bulky. It's supportive, though, so that is a huge plus. My foot is really locked in with these shoes. No discomfort whatsoever, but I can see how players with wider feet than mine could experience some discomfort. I wouldn't say this is a spectacular shoe--I think that about the vapors on every aspect but durability--but it doesn't falter in any area. Good comfort, traction is adequate, solid support, and what seems to be good durability so far.
 

Def

Semi-Pro
@TW Staff

Do you have any idea when the next playtest will be? I want to make sure that I don't miss it!
 

MostDope

New User
Tennis experience/background:
I have played in many tournaments, many years of Varsity tennis and in the Fall of 2014, I will be taking my talents to play collegiately.

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

Current shoe:
Babolat Propulse 4

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

Comments on shoe performance:
-comfort:
Uncomfortable, too wide in the toe.

-arch support:
Can't complain.

-stability/support:
Can't complain.

-ventilation:
too hot too quickly, and I am in NY, so figure around 50's.

-sole durability:
No issue yet.

-toe durability:
Way too thick, I felt like I was going to fall backwards.

-traction:
No complaints yet.

-weight:
A little on the heavy side.

I did not enjoy these shoes at all, I felt unsafe when I was running anywhere near fast. They were uncomfortable for a long time, but I adjusted. Sorry for the complaints, but I hope this helps!
 

TW Staff

Administrator
@TW Staff

Do you have any idea when the next playtest will be? I want to make sure that I don't miss it!


Def,

As far as upcoming shoe playtests, we currently don't have any coming up. We just closed applicants for a racquet playtest. We do have several string playtests coming up in the next month.

Brittany, TW
 

sureshs

Bionic Poster
Do the laces hold securely when tied or are they the slippery versions which don't get flattened and keep getting untied?
 
D

Deleted member 232704

Guest
I second that. Haven't had a problem with them getting untied.
 

db10s

Hall of Fame
db10s Review

Note: I'm going to be playing all this week, and the next, etc... in these shoes, but I'm posting the review now. If anything huge pops up between now and the deadline, I will update the review.

I took some photos for you guys as well.


The mark on the front is ground based color, not a chip.






You can see the ventilation on the inside of the foot






Tennis experience/background: I am a high(er) level junior player (Boys 14s). My NTRP would be a low 4.5 on bad days and an average 5.0 on better days. I play USTA tournaments at least 2 times a month, although I took a 1 month break (from tournaments) after my implosion at Jr. Orange Bowl in December. I didn't play any tournaments in the shoes since I had just gotten back from Hawaii when the shoes arrived (6 hrs of jetlag). If being a Dunlop preferred player means anything, I am one.
Describe your playing style (i.e. serve & volley): I tend to come into the net more on faster surfaces, but I won't hesitate to approach the net on a well placed first serve if I am playing on clay. I have a pretty big first serve that earns me quite a few points, although I will try a kick serve with speed on my first serve every now and then. I also have a pretty mean slice serve that will skid. I almost exclusively hit a kick 2nd serve though. I have a (federesque) 1hbh slice and a more defensive and consistent 2hbh. Moderate topspin off the forehand wing, but I break strings within 7 hrs for 15g poly (2-4 hrs for 17g Black Widow).
Current shoe: Adidas Barricade 7
How many hours did you play with the shoe? Approx. 20 hrs on court. 3/4 on clay, 1/4 on hard. I wore them to school every day...
Comments on shoe performance: They are a low to the ground, yet well cushioned shoe. It offers a roomier feel than the Babolat Propulse (2s, and 3s), with better stability, and the same durability.
-comfort: When I first stepped into them they felt somewhat stiff, but that wore off quickly. I normally need a Dr. Scholls athletic insole, for minor Sever's disease, but I didn't see the need for them in these shoes.
-arch support: I have somewhat low arches and these felt like they offered okay (but enough) arch support.
-stability/support: The outsole had a wide "rim" on the outside of my feet, which I feel helped the support greatly. The support in the heel was improved by a solid heel cup. They offered great support and stability.
-ventilation: In S. FL it gets hot and humid fast. The shoes showed an ability to breathe quite well. Not once did I step out of the shoes and have sweat drenched socks after hours of playing in the heat. I have seen better ventilation, but I've seen far worse... I would put these in the upper quadrant.
-sole durability: I can't really speak about sole durability other than this is what to expect from a pair of shoes that carry a 6 month warranty. I think that these will hold together for a while.
-toe durability: I'm not much of a toe dragger, but the rubber on the toe area extends nicely and is well suited for a toe dragger.
-traction: I found the traction to be what I like, not like I'm on ice, but not super sticky. I was able to control my sliding on clay and hard. I really liked knowing that if I wanted to stay put I would, and if I was charging for a drop shot they would stick half of the time.
-weight: Some people said that they felt heavy on the foot, but personally I found them to be fairly light. Not as light as Adizero Feathers, but not as clunky as my B7s.
General reaction/comments on overall performance: I have put my B7s on the shelf for now and will continue to wear these for tennis and everyday activities. I have gotten some positive comments from people everywhere.
 
Last edited:

man_untd11

Rookie
Review

Tennis experience/background: HS Varsity Player. I've been playing since 2009.
Describe your playing style (i.e. serve & volley): All-Court player. Right Handed with a single handed backhand. Recently I've been slicing more but the topspin is decent. I like to serve and volley in doubles and approach the net in general but my groundstrokes aren't bad and can force an error usually. I'm not too great mentally though. I get distracted easily by neighboring courts and don't focus as well as I'd like.
Current shoe: Nike 2K12
How many hours did you play with the shoe? More than 20 hours. Every other day 2 and a half hours, sometimes more if there was a match.
Comments on shoe performance:
-comfort: The shoe itself was very comfortable. It didn't feel too great out of the box but it loosened up a bit and is now very comfortable.
-arch support: I didn't have much of an issue with the arch support. First few days it hurt a bit but after 2 or so days, it felt fine.
-stability/support: I thought this shoe was pretty stable. I could move around the court well and didn't feel like I was sliding too much.
-ventilation: It had good ventilation. My feet never felt sweaty, the fabric on the sides of the shoes helped a lot (even though they got dirty quick)
-sole durability: Not bad, nothing great. Comparable to other shoes with sole warranties.
-toe durability: Again, it's been decent. I haven't put a hole in it yet but you can see wear.
-traction: Good traction, I felt connected to the court. Didn't slide too much.
-weight: I thought it was pretty light. It didn't feel much heavier than my 2K12's.
General reaction/comments on overall performance: I think Wilson did a great job with this shoe. It's a very light, ventilated, stable performance shoe. I would definitely switch. Great job Wilson!

Thanks to Wilson and TW for the opportunity :)
 
D

Deleted member 232704

Guest
Since people are already posting reviews.... Guess its time for mine.

Tennis experience/background: Played tennis for 5+ years. Feel confident on rating myself a high 4.0 or a low 4.5?
Describe your playing style (i.e. serve & volley): Baseliner. Working on changing my form for my serve. Right handed, Eastern forehand. 2HBH ( Stumped on whether to use a 1HBH or a 2HBH. ) Pretty lazy player until starting a match or game.
Current shoe: Been using 4.3 indoors and 3.3 outdoors. 3.3's are EXTREMELY dirty but they are older also.
How many hours did you play with the shoe? Approx. 17 hours on court, and approx. 10ish days at school.
Comments on shoe performance:
-comfort: These felt great on court. The insoles feel pretty nice. Just once in a while i get some pain on the balls of my feet. Comfortable to walk in, run, and to use in the gym. Added : I feel like the comfort is getting better the more i wear it. Feeling great right now. The pain hasn't come back for a while so im assuming my feet sort of adjusted? Otherwise, my final score for this would be 8/10.
-arch support: My archs didnt feel any pain. I feel light irritation with my 4.3 and my 3.3 but not with these. Will definitely switch the insoles out to see if there is a difference. Added : After more play, my arch's still haven't felt irritated. Still good to go. 10/10
-stability/support: Still sliding on court often. I rolled my ankle with these and fell on the side of my head. It didn't feel good at all. This was my fault though, hopefully it doesn't have to do with the shoes.. Overall, i didnt have a significant problem with these. Added : Ok, just rolled it again. This time not as bad but it still hurt. Ill just give it a final 7/10
-ventilation: My feet were burning up like they do with every pair of shoes i wear. Never found one that was truly "ventilated". So this was nothing special to me. Still had to swap socks out after a couple hours. Added : Ventilation is fine. Could be better. 7/10
-sole durability: Pretty good durability. Didn't wear out much at all with all the sliding i was doing and conditioning. Added : Outsoles doing fine, lasting a pretty good time. Insoles doing good. 9/10
-toe durability: Honestly, i dont see why Wilson put extra rubber on the pinky toe side. The toe area would have been more of a reasonable placement with this. Worn out a bit, not too much but just enough where the rubber doesnt have its texture anymore. Added : Toe side rubber is still holding up well. 8/10
-traction: Like i mentioned before, sliding. There was some dirt on the court ( a small bit ) so this could have been prevented. But when i do slide without dirt, i look pretty cool doing it. I feel like i have control over my sliding so i would say the traction is so-so. :D Added : Traction is doing better. No fuzz on courts and no dirt. 8/10
-weight: Not the lightest of shoes, not the heaviest. But certainly manageable. Still speedy on the court. Added : No problems with weight. 10/10
General reaction/comments on overall performance: This shoe looks fantastic. Lots of compliments about its design. Colors are well picked also! Rubber placement could be better. Added : Overall good shoe.

EDIT : Added more comments to all topics after observing.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
D

Deleted member 232704

Guest
what exactly does this mean?

Or the placement of where they put extra rubber. Its a more raised area on the outsole. If you want to see what im talking about, i can take a picture?
 

Brocolt

Rookie
Tennis experience/background:
4.5 player, 40 years old mostly play as hitting partner for advanced Juniors, Play about 10hrs. a week

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

Current shoe:
Babolat propulse 3

How many hours did you play with the shoe?
30+ hrs. on indoor hard court

Comments on shoe performance:
-comfort: 8/10
I have a pretty normal foot maybe on the narrow side and I found the shoes to be very comfertable very roomy in the toe but fit very good thru the main part of the foot. They seemed to be stiff when I first put them on but they did not play stiff. I did not have any pressure points or issues breaking them in.

-arch support:8/10
Compared to other shoes I have worn (Nike Wilson Prince babolat head) It has a little better arch support maybe because of the secure fit.

-stability/support:9/10
I found these to be very stable, they have a little extra sole that sticks out the side of the sole almost like a stabilizer. I was not sure how I was going to like it but it feels very stable.

-ventilation:6/10
You cant have it all the durability of these shoes will prevent some of the ventilation

-sole durability:10/10
I think these shoes will hold up very well I have seen very little wear compared to my babolats that only seem to last a few months

-toe durability:10/10
There is a lot of material around the toe and sides to protect it and if your a toe dragger these will be a good option

-traction:10/10
I give them a 10 however, for me they had almost to much grip on our newer surfaced courts if I was a little heavy on the foot they would grab. they got better the longer i wore them. However, it goes back to durability of the sole and i think they will last longer than other shoes

-weight:7/10
Not the heaviest but not the lightest

General reaction/comments on overall performance:9/10
I found these shoes to fit diffrent than any other shoe I have worn. The toe almost curled up in the front like they were slightly rounded. No complaints just felt diffrent. Very comfertable and seem to be very durable. I think this shoe is a great balance of comfort support and durability. I have worn shoes that are very comfertable and lasted only a month. I have no complaints about fit or performance with this shoe and would not hesitate to buy them.
 

gtshark1

Rookie
Tennis experience/background: 35 year old male. Player/Coach/Instructor. Playing experience 20 years + of recreation and regional tournament play. High school coach for over 15 years and private instructor for 5 years.

Describe your playing style (i.e. serve & volley): Mostly a counter-puncher that covers the court well. Big serve and forehand but conservative overall play.

Current shoe: Prince T-14

How many hours did you play with the shoe? On court for about 25 hours. That's a mix of playing matches, feeding balls at practices and general rallying. I did not wear the shows off of the court. I only use my "tennis" shoes on court.

Comments on shoe performance:
-comfort: I was a little worried when I took these out of the box because of the narrow arch. It was much thinner than any shoe I have ever worn. However, it was not an issue at all. These shoes were very comfortable out of the box. No break in needed for me. I would say this shoe felt nice in all areas of the foot. Not tight, but the wrap around feel was soft in all contact. I have had to wrap the area around my toe contact on the sides with other shoes. Not the case here. No rubbing at all.
-arch support: Perfect. I think I may have learned from this show. I've always thought of my foot as being wide in general but I now realize my foot is wide near the top but my arch is thinner. I didn't feel my arch lift or press down with this shoe. It was exactly what I need. Not flat but not too high.
-stability/support: Another highlight. I have had a history of ankle issues and sometimes fear injury. These shoes had me playing with 100% confidence. Support around the ankle was great. Again the wrap feel made every area of the foot feel supported.
-ventilation: Not terrible, but probably one area that isn't going to get top marks. I play in Central California and the weather right now is mid 80's to low 90's in the afternoon when I play. My foot never sweat in the play-test, but I did feel a bit warm in the shoe. I would have liked a bit more air coming in to cool my feet or hot air going out.
-sole durability: No issue at all. Shoes still look to be in great condition as far as the sole. I don't anticipate this being an issue the more I wear them. They are going to be as good if not better than other top shoes.
-toe durability: Same as above, but I think this is the place to mention a minor issue I had. When moving forward and then stopping I felt the toe pushed up a bit and it was a bit distracting how the shoe felt on my toes. Not sure if its the curve but the shoe pressed against the front of my foot ONLY when moving straight forward and slowing/stopping.
-traction: Was good and even better in the heal. I played on mostly worn out fast hard courts and the shoe performed fine in the traction area. Again the heal had even more traction for me and I could feel it.
-weight: Not lighter or heavier than most shoes I have tried. If I had to place it on a scale I would put it toward the lighter end but not too far from the middle. I wear an 11 and the weight was suitable and adequate.

General reaction/comments on overall performance: Great shoe. In no way was it a performance issue but I think it should be noted a small sticking/ticking occurrence near the tongue and inside part of the shoe only on the right for me. This is very odd, but somebody else mentioned it so it isn't just a random thing. In no way does it effect the shoes performance and for me it wasn't an issue, but it should be mentioned. Also, many people have inquired about strings staying tied on shoes and these passed that test with no issue.

I usually wear middle level performance shoes and I really appreciated the higher end shoe. The durability was a major plus and the support was the best I have felt. Thank you Wilson and TW for the opportunity.
 

NJ1

Professional
Tennis experience/background: 5.0. Played at high school and began at college, though it was secondary to soccer. Quit due to shoulder injury and soccer, and picked up the racquet again three years ago after a five-year layoff.
Describe your playing style: Baseliner, SW forehand, 2HBH.

Current shoes: Adidas B7, Asics GR4, Nike CB4.3.

How many hours did you play with the shoe? 16 hours of tennis, 2 hours jogging/warmdown.

-comfort: These shoes reminded me of the glove-like fit of the Nike CourtBallistec 2.3, but with a roomier toe box. Snug, with a cushioned feel were the first impressions upon slipping them on. Like the 2.3, the inner achilles was very padded and, for my medium-width feet, these felt great from an initial comfort standpoint. The shoe does narrow along the midfoot, though, so those with wider feet may wish to try before they buy. The Ortholite Comfort Foam insole added to the sense of walking on air, though this may decrease as additional hours get put on the shoe. On-court there was a slight pain in my sole just behind my little toe, but this disappeared the second time they were worn. I wore these shoes in an 11.5, which fit perfectly, and means the shoe is true to size, as I wear an 11 in the Asics GR4, an 11.5 in all Nike and a 12 in all Adidas.

-arch support: The arch support was fine for my medium-arch feet, neither too high nor too low. That said, I have never had any issues with shoes be they lower or higher arch, so this is not an area that my feet are particularly sensitive to. Nevertheless, these did feel particularly natural to my feet.

-stability/support: The lacing system is simple yet effective and really gives a locked-in feel. The upper manages to be flexible enough to give some feel, and yet it supports all hard changes of direction incredibly well. I’d say the support provided by the upper to be one of the best of the myriad tennis shoes I’ve worn, and it showed no signs of unwelcome slackening as the test wore on. Stability in these shoes was also impressive. The outsole flares out which gives a good and wide base, ala the B7. However, I did find the midsole in the heel of the shoe to be too soft for my tastes. When having to run to shots under pressure, especially to my backhand, I found my heel sinking towards the court rather than offering me the more reassuring and firmer feedback of say the Barricade 7 or Gel Resolution 4.

-ventilation: I must begin by saying my feet are drenched whatever the shoes and whatever the temperature when playing tennis, but this was still the weakest area of the shoe. The midfoot has extensive ventilation but the forefoot pinhole mesh was insufficient. I wear one pair of Nike Tennis socks and my feet were hot very soon after putting these shoes on. After a one or two hour hitting session my socks were soaked, which is the norm whatever shoes I’m wearing, but these shoes came with an added feeling of hotness. Court Ballistecs and Gel Resolutions breathe excellently in the forefoot, and even the B7 felt significantly cooler than these. Wilson used a thin tongue, which helps a little, but I still wish they gone with wider vent holes like the B7 in the forefoot. I would still give them a 3/5 for ventilation, as they remain better than shoes like the Vapor SLs, but it is an area that could be improved without sacrificing durability.

-sole durability: The outsole on these, which has a 6-month warranty, looks like it will last well. I have not seen too much undue wear in my 16 hours of play. The outer heel rubber is beefed-up so they will outlast the Court Ballistec in that area. Overall, the new Duralast rubber compound Wilson uses on the Rush Pros seems to be well above average as regards wear-resistance.

-toe durability: Top marks here. Unlike the Gel Resolution 4, which have easily ripped stitching along the medial-side upper, the almost seamless uppers on the Rush Pro are perfect for toe draggers. The rubber outsole in incredibly thick at the toe which does give a bulbous look, but it is the answer for people like me who put a hole in the toes of shoes like the Court Ballistec 3.3 and 4.3 within 25-30 hours. These should give me around 45, which is mightily impressive.

-traction: The outsole on these gripped well on hardcourts and I never felt an unexpected loss of traction despite being a player who makes fast stops and direction changes. One note is that the HC outsole pattern is shallow, so I would not recommend wearing these shoes on clay, grass or carpet, though individual preferences may dictate otherwise.

-weight: I wear Barricades so never really notice the weight of shoes but I was little disappointed with these as I was expecting them to feel like clouds. They certainly felt heavier than the listed 15oz for 10.5s, though I must make clear that this shoe still felt plenty light, it just didn’t play quite as light as the manufacturer’s numbers would suggest.

General reaction/comments on overall performance: Having worn Wilson shoes in the past, I’ve always found them to be comfortable and boast admirable build quality. The Rush Pro is no exception, but finally offers a heavy-duty outsole that can compete with offerings from other makers. While the styling is not my favorite, I still think that the more modern look and technologies they’ve adopted will help Wilson sell this shoe among a wider age-range than their previous range toppers. The forefoot cage offers the best support of any Wilson I’ve worn and, other than ventilation and them being a little too cosseting in the heel midsole for me, there is little to fault. Overall, the Rush Pro is a step forward for Wilson and I would certainly recommend them to friends.
 

Arsnlrob

Rookie
Here's my review......

Tennis experience/background: I’ve been a soccer player for most of my life and have played tennis casually since I was a teenager. I never had any formal training but my wife has been pretty devoted and I started by helping her practice to reinforce what she learned in her lessons. Three years ago after a string of pretty bad soccer injuries (who says it’s not a contact sport?) I then became a serious about my tennis. My weekly schedule is usually a clinic, 1-2 practice sessions and 1-2 league matches. I’m rated a 3.5 currently and will likely move up to 4.0 at the end of this season.

Describe your playing style (i.e. serve & volley):
I mainly play doubles, both mixed and men’s leagues but I’ve started playing more singles over the last few months. For singles I’m mainly a baseliner but will come into net more often than most guys. I hit a topspin open stance forehand and a 2 handed backhand. For doubles I’m in at the net most of the time. My court surface is usually clay with only occasional matches on hard courts.

Current shoe: Nike Zoom Vapor 9 primarily. Over the last few years I’ve played in K-Swiss Big Shots, Adidas Barricades, and Nike 2k11s.

How many hours did you play with the shoe? Approximately 20 hours.

Comments on shoe performance

-comfort:
I have a slightly wide foot and have a tough time with some shoes (Nike 2k11 was on the narrow side for me), but I found these shoes fit perfectly and were true to size. The did need a couple hours of breaking since the side walls were pretty tight initially and were a bit snug around the tongue area. As snug as the midfoot area felt initially, the forefoot area I found a bit too wide for my liking.

-arch support:
10/10. No issues here for me at all. I don’t have arch issues as a rule and didn’t feel these shoes were lacking in support in this area.

-stability/support: 10/10. The lateral support for these shoes was the best aspect. They felt stable while being low to the ground. I was able to slide and change direction on the clay courts and never felt like they were going to roll over. There is an extra ridge of outsole in the forefoot area which really helps.

-ventilation: 8/10. The side foot ventilation is good with numerous ventilation holes and meshwork. The toe area did not have as much venting, with thick rubber and material across the front of the foot.

-sole durability:
10/10. I played almost exclusively on clay over the past month so I didn’t get much wear to the sole area. The outsole is pretty thick and with a 6 month outsole warranty I think Wilson is pretty well covered in this area.

-toe durability: 10/10. Lots of thick rubber in this area will surely help the longevity of the shoes. I don’t drag my toes and the clay is pretty kind to the soles so I didn’t experience much wear in this area at all. I think the rubber in the toe area is a bit much and could probably drop some weight here in future versions.

-traction: 7/10. These shoes have a very closed pattern on the sole which got me nervous for my clay court matches. I found traction was better than expected on clay but did have the occasional slip when pushing off a line. If I played on damp clay the soles got clogged up and needed frequent tapping to clear out the treads. On hard courts they were great and this is clearly the surface the designers had in mind.

-weight: At 15 oz these shoes are pretty close to my Nike Vapor 9s (14.3 oz) and I didn’t notice much difference in this category at all. I can’t say I was faster around the court but I also wasn’t any slower!

General reaction/comments on overall performance:
These shoes are very nice, especially if you like stable and durable shoes like the Adidas Barracades or Nike Courtballestics. I will continue playing in them for the summer and will get maximum mileage out of them. Thank you to both Wilson and Tennis Warehouse for the opportunity to test drive these shoes!
 

swfh

Semi-Pro
Rush Pro Review

Tennis experience/background:I have been playing for my whole life, and would self rate myself as a 5.0, going on 5.5. I have played singles competitively before at the highschool varsity level.

Describe your playing style (i.e. serve & volley): I play with a heavy topspin forehand, and a flatter backhand. I like to construct points from the baseline (preferably winning the point from there), and I do come to net on occasion. I am not one to slide around that much on hard courts.

Current shoe: Nike Courtballestic 4.3

How many hours did you play with the shoe?: Playing everyday, I have logged around 50 hours of play on this shoe, all on hard courts.

Comments on shoe performance: Simply put, these are the best pair of tennis sneakers that I have ever owned. The combination of comfort, support and performance really outshine that of all other shoes. I’ll address each individually below.

-comfort: Out of the box, I noticed a very tight and snug feel, which was true to size. Upon first wearing the shoe, I thought that the foam in the heel would not be that comfortable, but I was quickly proven wrong, as the cushion is quite good. The large tongue reminds me of the adidas sambas because I can easily pull them up to secure my foot. This tongue is a major plus compared to my current nikes. The lacing system also enables me to single knot and have tremendous tightness for the duration of play. Not once in the 50 hours did I stop to retie.

-arch support: I recall on moment where I tripped on my own foot, and nearly fell over my ankle to the floor. Since the arch support shines, I was saved a sprained ankle. The fact that the laces tie up so easily and tightly really helps to lock in my arch.

-stability/support: More good thoughts here. Although the shoe does not appear as tank like as barricades or ballestics, the support is fantastic. The 3d Fs thing really does work, as even when running suicides I felt unbelievable support. These kicks also made it through 2 hours of indoor soccer, which involved a lot of split stepping, easily done.

-ventilation: I initially thought that the styrofoamy vent on the inside of the shoe would not ventilate enough. Although I have not played in any weather above 70 degrees yet, I was impressed with how cool my feet were while playing. Definitely on par with other sneakers.

-sole/toe durability: I am primarily a toe dragger, which is why I combined these two sections. On my ballestics, which have seen less court time, I have more wear on the rubber. For some strange reason, either the rubber or the tread, I have not damaged the outsole pattern. I dont really think that anyone could get to the point of a durability exchange with these.

-traction: My only quasi gripe with this shoe was the traction. The first day that I wore this, I wasnt able to stop and start. As the shoe broke in, traction started to come. However, the tackiness is not on par with that of the ballestics. I think that it is the tread, but it could just be me. The traction is not the Rafa Nadal shoe squeaking type, but more the limber and sinuous Federer type. Certainly by no means a deal breaker, but more like food for thought.

-weight: Coming from the ballestics, these were a little bit lighter. I would have liked for more of a vapor type weight, but even as is, the Rush Pros are lighter than most 6 month guarantee shoes. Kudos for wilson for trimming the fat.

General reaction/comments on overall performance: I only wish that we had gotten the lime green ones, as these shoes have replaced my ballestics as my shoe of choice. I feel that the overall design is clean, although not too sleek. I think that I will be picking up the lime green ones ones I wear out the nikes.
Thanks to Wilson and Tennis Warehouse for this eye-opening playtest!!
 

Nuke

Hall of Fame
Tennis experience/background: I’ve been playing tennis for 40 years, in recreational groups and leagues. I’m usually close to the top of my 3.5 ladder league, and can stay in the game against most 4.0s, despite my being old as dirt.

Describe your playing style (i.e. serve & volley): Aggressive junk-baller spin-monkey. I stay mostly at the baseline, but do come in on short balls. Not the Energizer bunny I was in younger years, but I still run down a lot of balls and wear down younger players.

Current shoe: Prince T9 with replacement sports gel insoles.

How many hours did you play with the shoe? 20 hours on the court. Another 4 or 5 wearing them around the house for the first few days to break them in.

Comments on shoe performance:
-comfort: I have relatively wide feet, so it was obvious right out of the box that these weren’t going to be the most comfortable shoes for me. I usually wear two pairs of socks and ankle braces on both feet, so a snug-fitting shoe like this is not my ideal. Before hitting the court, I wore these around the house for a couple of days, but can’t really say I broke them in. On the court, I played the first couple of matches with only one pair of socks and no ankle braces, to give me a bit more room. To my surprise, these were pretty comfortable during play, and didn’t draw my attention away from the game. After a few hours on the court, when I was home, my feet were slightly sore from being held so firmly. These needed a bit more width in the toe for me to call them comfortable, but in the heat of battle they were just fine.
-arch support: These are really narrow in the arch, which makes them not such a good choice for wearing ankle braces. I played four matches without my braces, and the shoes loosened up enough for me to use the braces after that. Height and firmness of the arches was fine, but again, for my feet, a bit more width would be a help.
-stability/support: I thought I was going to feel unprotected without my ankle braces, but these seemed very stable to me. I never felt in danger of rolling an ankle, even without my usual braces in these shoes.
-ventilation: Not nearly enough ventilation, I thought. The whole shoe is practically solid rubber, so not very breathable, and there are not enough holes or mesh, especially in the forefoot. It’s still relatively cool this time of the year, so I can imagine that these are going to be really hot in July and August.
-sole durability: I played all my matches on hard courts, and these are holding up very well. I can see a bit of wear, but nothing out of the ordinary for a quality shoe like this.
-toe durability: Good. I do tend to drag my right toe a bit on serves, and can see the wear spot starting, but the rubber is pretty thick there, and holding up well.
-traction: These are not the stickiest soles, but that’s actually the way I like it. Shoes that have softer “sticky” soles always make me worry that I’m going to roll an ankle on fast changes of direction. A harder rubber that has just a bit of give, without being too slippery, seems to me the best option. Wilson got this right, in my opinion.
-weight: Not too bad. In the past, I’ve owned Reebok’s Match Day Pumps, so I know what a hot, heavy shoe is, and these are not it. Yeah, there are lighter shoes out there, but I never felt that these were weighing me down.

General reaction/comments on overall performance: Overall, these are well-made, well-performing shoes. Unfortunately, my feet are wider than average, and these shoes are more suitable to the average D-width foot. These worked well for me on the court, but I couldn’t wait to get them off when I got home. That’s not really a knock on the shoe, but a result of my flipper-width feet. If Wilson made a wider version of these, it would be a top choice for me.

Thanks to Wilson and Tennis warehouse for the opportunity to test drive these shoes!
 
Last edited:

wally

Rookie
Wally's take on the Rush Pros

Tennis experience/background: 4.0-4.5 NRTP Hitting partner for ranked male juniors , college and high school players. I do some teaching/coaching. Took up tennis late in life (married a former college player) and wanted to see how good I could get.
Describe your playing style (i.e. serve & volley): All court/Serve Volley Singles – Serve Volley doubles.
Current shoe: Nike CB 3.3
How many hours did you play with the shoe? - about 20 hours
Comments on shoe performance: - I have a wide 2E foot
-comfort: 3.2 - I think due to my wide foot the break in period was a quite bit longer than I was anticipating. Once broken in they were fine as long as I did not over tighten the laces. I’d say the cushion and in both the heel and fore foot are quite good. The heel cushioning isn’t quite as good as the CB’s It took a bit of experimentation to get the laces snug enough without pinching my foot-
-arch support: - 3.5 Some pain during the break in period then no real problems .
-stability/support: - 4.3 Very, very good. Never had any issues or even a hint of rollover , twisting etc I was pleased with the Rush Pro
-ventilation: - 4.3 Here in the upperMid-West it hasn’t been real warm, so I haven’t had the opportunity to really play outside on a hot hard court. Indoors these shoes are just fine
-sole durability: 4.5 I think these will wear well – I can destroy shoes and these held up well
-toe durability: - 4.0 I’m not a toe dragger so for me The Rush Pro’s were just fine
-traction: 4.0 I’ve played on 3 different surfaces : Indoor multipurpose floor, Indoor harrd court and outdoor hard court. On the two hard courts no problems very good no slipping – On the multi-purpose floor these I had a couple of slips
-weight: -4.5 The Rush Pro’s feel lighter than the CB’s I had nos issues with the weight of the Rush Pro’s hese aren’t too bad
General reaction/comments on overall performance: My biggest criteria for a shoe is: “Does it fit my wide (2E) foot?” The Barricade II’s were great, Nike Breathe Cages and 2K10’s were OK. The New Balance 1002s excellent. I Had to get the CB3.3s a ½ size big to get the fit. Fr me the Rush Pros were are a definitely a bit too narrow in the mid-foot area .The toe box and the heel were fine . Unlike the CB3.3’s I don’t think going up a ½ size would work in this shoe for my foot shape.
Initial impressions - Not for the wide of foot – my 2E foot is a snug fit – I won’t be wearing Thorlo’s with the Rush Pros - walking around the house these feel cushioned and have loosened up a bit – IF you’ve got a normal (D width) or a more narrow foot you may not need a break in – I think with my wider foot it will take a couple of sets – not nearly as long as the CB 3.3’s but a break in period none the less. On the length front these are not that generous – if you’re between a 10 and 10.5 you may want to go for the larger size – Will be interesting to see if I end up banging my toes into the end of the shoe. I had this problem with the Propulse 2’s .
04/21/2013 - After 20+ hours of play my initial impressions still hold – The Rush Pro’s are not for those of us with wide feet or a wide mid foot. They did eventually soften up and become wearable. While never super comfortable they, did get to the point where I could wear them. I did end up banging my toes on the inside of the shoe a couple of times.
With that said, I think folks with a normal (D) foot, or a more narrow mid foot should consider these as a viable option to the Nike/Adidas shoes. If the Rush Pro’s came in a wide width, or they widen the mid foot area I would consider purchasing a pair myself.
Thanks to the folks at Wilson and TW for the opportunity to test the Rush Pros . I look forward to participating in future TW testing.
 
Last edited:

Arsnlrob

Rookie
Saw the review of these shoes in Tennis magazine and the Endofit is a noticeable blue beneath the white meshwork on the sides. I wish they kept that...they look way cooler.
 
Wilson Rush Pro Thoughts

Tennis Experience/Background: Been playing for about 30 years. Grew up playing juniors in Alabama and have played league since mid 90s in Baton Rouge, Houston, DFW, and most recently Mississippi. USTA rating has gone back and forth from 4.0 to 4.5. Spend time pretty evenly on hard, clay, and indoor courts.

Playing Style: Prefer singles. Hit topspin on both sides and two handed backhand. Would say strengths are groundstrokes and footwork. Weakness is definitely net play. Prefer to stay at baseline.

Current Shoe: Babolat Propulse 4. Use 1 pair for hard courts and another for clay courts. Have a fairly wide foot and had some foot issues with certain brands it the past. Previously used Propulse 3, Babolat SFX, Nike 2K series, and occasionally Prince T22.

# of Hours Using Wilson Rush Pro: Atleast 20 hours so far.

Comments on Shoe: At first, I was a little skeptical because the shoe seemed narrow in mid foot area but after playing a couple of hours, the shoe did stretch. I found this very similar to the Propulse 4.

Comfort: Once I spent several hours using these shoes, I found them to be very comfortable which was a nice surprise. I never had any issues in the forefoot area. My only concern is I did not quit feel as comfortable in the heal area as compared to the Propulse. However, I'm recently coming back from an ankle injury so I may be over reacting.

Arch Support: As someone else mentioned, they are more narrow than my current Propulse shoe and I could tell when I wore my brace. However, I found no issues when I did not have the brace on. Overall, I thought the support was good.

Stability: I thought this shoe really shined in this area. I never felt like I would trip or roll my ankle.

Ventilation: Probably too soon to really judge. We have had colder weather than normal this Spring and I would need another month to really judge this category. Right now, no issues.

Sole Durability: They seem to be holding up great.

Toe Durability: I tend to drag my right toe when serving and I have found this shoe to hold up just as good as shoes that I have worn in the past.

Traction: I really think Wilson did a great job making this shoe great to use on clay and hard courts. When I wore the Propulse 3, I found that it was not so great on clay courts so I used another Babolat model for clay. When the new Propulse came out, the first improvement I noticed was it was great for both surfaces. I find the Wilson to be in the same category. Great job on this one!

Weight: Felt this shoe had a nice weight to it. It was lighter than some shoes that I've tried in the past but not so light that you feel like it loses some stability. Overall, I really think the weight is about right.

Overall: I think Wilson has really done a great job with this shoe and I'm torn between this one and Babolat. I used Nike shoes for years and I really think this one stands out above other brands except Babolat. I would put this one and the Propulse right up there with the best shoes that I have worn. As mentioned before, they made a great shoe that can be used on multiple surfaces, very stable, and light enough to feel comfortable on the court without sacrificing stabilty.

Finally, I would like to thank Wilson and Tennis Warehouse for this opportunity. This is my first test review and I am happy that I could be part of this one. I'm very fortunate to belong to a club that was recognized by the USTA as one of the top facilties in the U.S. last year and has several club pros that played multiple Grand Slams when they played on tour. I will definitely have good things to say about this shoe and the opportunity TW gave me when I'm out at our club. Thanks again.
 

imajica77

Professional
First off I would like to thank TW and Wilson. This was a great opportunity for everyone involved.

Now for the real stuff.

My tennis experience: Have been playing tennis for 35 years. I am rated a USTA 4.0. Have played many tournament thru out the US.

My playing style for singles is as a baseliner with an all court game. I love to work my way to the net to put points away. Being older now I don't have the speed to serve and volley. In doubles you will find me at the net 90% of the time.

My current shoe of choice is the Yonex 308. But will alternate in Wilson Tour Spin II on really hot days as they breath better.

I played about 35 hours in the Rush Pros. All but about three hours was doubles. All on hard courts. A mixture of indoor and outdoor.

Comfort with the shoes was touch and go. First off, they were hard for me to get my feet into them. Extremely snug to say the least. And every time I put them on it was the same way. It would take thirty minutes for them to loosen up. I have used the Wilson Tour Spin I & II. I have never had that problem with those Wilson shoes. I might also add that the first time I wore the Rush Pros they wore a blister on the back of my left heel. I have never had a shoe do that to me before. After letting the blister heal; I never had that problem again. Not sure why it happened in the first place. They were tied in tight with no noticeable movement. All in all the shoes had a decent comfort level after they loosened up. I felt the forefoot had great cushioning and the heel had good cushioning. I would rate comfort on the shoe at 7.5

Arch support was great. Not to high; but enough to help. I would give it a 9.0

On the stability and support front is where the shoes did shine. They had great lateral support. Felt flexible enough. Had a great lacing system to hold the feet into place. I might also add the soles of the shoes flair out on the outer side of the shoes. This helped with the stability of the shoes and gave me confidence on running out wide and stopping quick. The shoe gets a 9.0 in this category.

Ventilation on the shoes was not a strong point. They have a mesh covering over holes on both sides of the shoe. With that said; I feel the shoes still lacked in this area. Every time I wore them my feet felt hot and sweaty. Specially in the forefoot area where there is no ventilation. I feel Wilson could do a better job in this area. I would have to give them a 5.0 as I feel they are just average in ventilation.

Sole durability is top notch. The shoes come with a six month warranty. My shoes have shoes have shown zero wear. I am totally impressed with their durability. It would take a lot to wear them out. Much better wear than their Tour Spin shoes. They get a perfect 10 for sole durability.

Toe durability is never an issue with me as I do not drag my toe. So no wear for me. Looking at the shoes I do not think anyone would have an issue there. The toe area has an extra layer of the Duralast rubber on them. It would take a major toe dragger to wear them down. And even then I have my doubts. Once again this category get a 10.

Traction on the shoes were good. As I stated I played only on hard courts. I never once lost my footing or had an unexpected loss of traction. Looking at the soles though I doubt they would do well on clay. But I could be wrong. But for people looking for great traction this shoe would be right up your alley. I would give it an 8.5. I would have rated it higher if it was not for my Yonex 308's . I feel they have better traction.

I know most people have said the weight was not an issue as these shoes weigh around the same as the shoes they use. I personally think they felt heavy. Both my Yonex and Wilson Tour Spins feel much lighter. Which might be all in my mind. But I feel as I have better foot preparation with both of those shoes. I don't think the Rush Pro are super heavy. But they feel clunky compared to the other shoes I mentioned. I think Wilson could shave a few ounces off the shoes and it would make a world of difference. Right now I would have to give the shoes a 7.0

My general reaction to the overall performance is that they are for the most part comfortable. Have a great durability and seem to be of top quality. They are slightly lower to the ground than some other Wilson shoes; but not sure I would call them a low to the ground shoe. Once again, I thought the cushioning was good and the over all looks of the shoes was a hit. This new style looks more modern and should appeal to a larger market of players. Not often do you get a great looking shoe that offers all the technology and comfort players are looking for. For anyone on the fence about Wilson I would suggest giving the shoes a try. The worse thing that happens is that you don't like them. On the other hand; it may convert you to a Wilson shoe wearer. If you have a wide foot you may not like these shoes though. Other than that it was hard to find fault.
 

pfchang

Professional
Tennis Experience/Background:

4.0-4.5 Player, been playing for about 10 yrs, baseliner, strong forehand and serve, 2HBH. Played on college club team.

Current Shoe:
Currently using a rotation of Feather II's, Vapour 8's, and B7's. Generally prefer the barricade line of shoes.

Time spent in shoe:
~20hrs

Shoe Performance Review:
I must say, right out of the box, the shoes were very comfortable and plush, much more comfortable then the Adidas shoes i own, and comparable to the Vapour 8. Had now problems with breaking them in. However, once I stepped onto the tennis courts, things took a turn for the worse. I have relatively wide feet, length wise, my feet run about a 9.5, but I have to size up in the 10-11 range to accomodate for the width. I got a 10.5 in these upon seeing that the forefoot width was medium. However, the area around the middle part of the shoe is much skinnier, and as a result it was a bit tight around there. Lastly, another problem I had was the arch support. I don't know what it is with the shoe, but it absolutely killed my arches. I usually have superfeet black insoles in my shoes, and it's no problem at all in my other pairs. However, I could not manage to go for too long without taking a break to let my feet stop aching. I have about low-medium arches, and i think along with the narrow midfoot region, it just killed my feet. If i'm just walking around or rallying it's bearable, but with the more active points, it hurt my feet.

I'd have to say for comfort and arch support, 3 and 2.5 out 5 respectively.

In term of stability and support, this shoe did much better in that category. I definitely felt secure in the shoes, great lateral support, but it just doesn't quite compare to the barricade. Maybe because the shoe is more rounded on the edges compared to the barricade, but I never felt like I would topple over.
4/5

I usually have no qualms about shoe ventilation, I have to say the Wilson's were as comparable to the other shoes that I have. My feet didnt feel overly warm or hot, however, comparing to other shoes, there is almost no ventilation near the tip of the shoe. I have to say the material on the side of the shoe provided adequate ventilation. 3.5/5

Sole and Toe durability were excellent. You can tell that the material is some tough stuff, and I usually almost always get the 6 month warranty replacement pair with my shoes. I think the durability might be comparable to the B7's, which I tore through in 3 months. The outsole was still in very good shape, lots of life left after hours of playing. 5/5

I never really had a problem with traction, I pretty much play only on indoor/outdoor hardcourt, and I never once experienced a slip. It's a very sticky outsole, overall I'd say it gripped the court pretty well. 4/5

The weight was definitely not the best or the worst, being as it's a bit lighter than the B7 but still feels clunky when compared to feathers or vapors. I don't really have too much trouble adjusting to weight, but I've definitely been spoiled by the lightweight shoes. But weight was not a big issue for me, seeing as these shoes are durability ones. And especially if you can handle a barricade, you can handle these. 4/5

I'd say aside from the arch and width issues, this was a decent shoe. Knowing what I know now, I wouldn't buy the shoe, but it really does have a lot of redeeming qualities that are relatively unique to it. It's a lighter durability shoe and traction and durability were great. The aesthetics were also relatively pleasing, I liked how the color scheme was designed, simple yet catchy, and especially coming from a non-major shoe company. It was a very cushioned shoe, just not for me (and those with wide feet).

Anyways, Thanks to TW and Wilson for the opportunity to playtest and hopefully this review will help someone!
 
Wilson Rush Pro Review

Here's my review for the new wilson rush pro's:

Tennis experience/background: Played tennis for about 8 years, only the latter 3 or 4 competitively. Played singles and doubles for my high school tennis team freshman year- junior year. Now just play the occasional tournament but mostly hitting for fun and to get a good workout. Now on to the nitty-gritty.
I would describe myself as a 4.0 (4.5 on a good day) baseliner, working on coming in more on dictating play and being aggressive, coming to the net to close off points when necessary. I currently play with the Lotto Raptor 3's and the air max cage 2's and I played about 25-30 hours in this shoe. When i first got these in the mail, i have to say the aesthetics of the shoe were great. Very nice clean looking shoe, looking a little bit like the barricade 6's. The break-in period (which for me, took about 3-4 times out to the court, plus walking in them) was fairly painful on my arches, similar to the break-in for the CB 3.3, but not as long. Once broken in though, my concerns subsided.

For comfort, i would give it a 6.5/10, reason being, on quick stops i would often jam my toe into the front of the shoe. I wrapped my foot pretty well though, and when not jamming, it felt like a more comfortable breathe cage ii.

Arch support, i give it a 8/10. After break-in, it supported my arches pretty well, not great, but at least there was no burning sensation like in the break-in (was a little worried about it staying this way for the whole playtest.)

Stability/support, i give it 8/10. When moving laterally it was no nonsense, it did what it was supposed to and did it well. My ankle felt secure and locked in, thankfully i have never had any ankle issues in the first place.

Ventilation, i give it a 5.5/10. Here was my main gripe with this shoe. When playing in anything over 60 degrees, after about 30 minutes, my feet would get hot and start to sweat. When this happened, it felt a little like my foot was going to roll over (felt kinda sloshy, like when you're wearing wet socks.) This was fixed by tightening the laces more than usual, making it a bit uncomfortable.

Sole/toe durability is where this shoe signed for me. I give it a 9/10. Obviously if you play in a shoe for a month, there are going to be some signs of wear, which is why i knocked off a point. But, it was so minimal, i could easily see these shoes lasting me another 4-5 months, which would be excellent since i can wear out barricades in 2 (I toe drag a little too much :) )

Traction, i give it an 8/10. It never really felt super grippy too me, but i never was worried about slipping and falling. Pretty good.

Weight, another big plus, i give it a 9.5/10. For the durability, this shoe is the lightest feeling shoe i have ever worn. Props to wilson for achieving ultimate durability, while being light enough that you don't notice it while you play.

Overall, i would give this shoe a 7/10. It's a shoe that i would definitely get while on sale, but i wouldn't pay $120 for it because of the jamming and ventilation. But overall, good shoe, great job wilson! and special thanks to TW for picking me to do this playtest, much appreciated! :)
 
Last edited:

themitchmann

Hall of Fame
Wilson Rush Pro Shoe Playtest

Tennis experience/background:
I am a teaching pro and high school coach that plays at a 4.5-5.0 level. I’ve been playing for over 25 years. I’m a former All-State high school player, and Div 3 college player.

Describe your playing style (i.e. serve & volley):
I’m an all court player, but I’ve primarily been drilling/practicing at the baseline.

Current shoe:
Prince Rebel 2 (playing) Prince T24 (teaching)

How many hours did you play with the shoe?
18 hours of play, over 20 hours of coaching

Comments on shoe performance:

Comfort:8/10
I found the shoe to be very comfortable. The soft insole was very easy on my feet, but not so cushy that it hindered my speed. I’d say it’s a nice blend of the Babolat SFX (cushion) and the Prince Rebel 2 (Speed).

Arch support: 8/10
The arch was a little far back for my particular foot shape, but not so much that the shoe was uncomfortable. If the arch was a few more millimeters towards the toe, it would have been perfect. I’m fortunate to have a foot shape that is pretty neutral, which a medium arch, so I can wear most shoes comfortably.

Stability/support: 7/10
I found myself sliding slightly in the shoes, both laterally and towards the toe (including a few toe jams early in the test). After some break-in and really tightening up the laces, toe jamming wasn’t a problem. The shoes do give a bit on lateral cuts, but not so much to worry about rolling over.

Ventilation:6/10
The venting on the sides of the foot were nice. However, the toe area is usually the hottest area of my feet. The shoes weren’t ovens, but there isn’t much venting in the toe area. I think I would have been uncomfortable playing in these during the summer.

-Sole durability:9/10
I play on fairly slick/fast courts during the winter/early spring, and I’m fairly light on my feet, so the shoes didn’t wear much. The outsoles still look nice.

Toe durability:10/10
I’m not a toe dragger...at all. The toes of the shoe are still pristine.

Traction:8/10
Playing on a fast/slick court, I need both traction for taking off, as well as the ability to slide while transitioning from hitting to recovery. These shoes had a nice blend of traction/slide. I would say they slide less than the Rebel 2, but are a little harder than the Gel Res 4.

Weight:9/10
Coming from the T24, these shoes were plenty light. I didn’t notice a huge difference in comparision to my Rebels (not to say there isn’t one...I just couldn’t feel it while playing).

General reaction/comments on overall performance:
I think this shoe is a pretty solid performer. Aesthetically, it’s one of the better Wilson shoes. In terms of on court performance, I feel pretty locked-in and fast in it. The cushion of the insole is a nice touch.

The only “weird” thing I encountered with this shoes was the occasional “catching” of the material on the inside of the middle of the foot. Sometimes, when the shoe would flex, the outer mesh would get caught on the inner mesh, and create a “click/pop” sound and give a tactile sensation of bumping a ball with the inside of the foot. One a number of occasions, this happened, and I would look down expecting to see a ball rolling away from me on the court. It’s nothing that would keep me from recommending the shoe, but it was distracting.
 
Last edited:

Rjtennis

Hall of Fame
Wilson Rush Pro Playtest

Describe your playing style (i.e. serve & volley):I am a 4.5 player and play USTA leagues and tournaments. I mainly play singles, but do occasionally play doubles. I primarily play from the baseline with aggressive topspin groundstroke’s and solid defense. I use a two-handed backhand and use a semi-western grip. My movement is critical to my game so I always try to purchase quality shoes with good stability.

Current shoe: I have been wearing a pair of Adidas Barricade 7’s.

How many hours did you play with the shoe?16 hrs

Comments on shoe performance:

Comfort: I did have some trouble breaking in the shoe, but that isn’t necessarily uncommon for me. I had some pain in the right shoe around the outsides of the widest part of my foot. However, after wearing the shoes around the house and on the court they did break in. I couldn’t lace the right shoe as tight as I usually do, but with the glove like fit of the shoes I didn’t feel that it compromised the stability. After, the break in period I did find the shoes to be very comfortable


Arch support: The arch support was just fine. I have a hard time commenting on this subject because I think I have a pretty standard arch and have never had problems with shoes in that department.

Stability/support: The stability was great. The elastic glove in the shoe really forms to your foot and I had no movement inside the shoe what so ever. I was very confident to chase every ball down without fear of jamming my toes or twisting an ankle. There isn’t tons of flexibility in the shoe which I felt added to the solid feeling. However, I did like the fact that is was more flexible than the Barricades or the Court Ballistics.

Ventilation: The sides on the shoe and tongue allow for some ventilation, but the toe area isn’t great for ventilation with all the rubber added for durability.

Sole durability: I’m not super hard on shoes, but the 16 hours I was on court didn’t put a dent in the shoes. I played on a slick indoor hardcourt so that probably played a part, but I imagine the durability on these shoes would be fantastic. The shoes have thick rubber in all the right places and I think it would be a great shoe for players with durability concerns.

Toe durability: Again, this shoe has extra rubber in all the right spots to extend durability.

Traction: The traction on the shoes was excellent. They allowed you to stop when you wanted to, but also allowed some give if you wanted to slide a bit. The indoor courts I have been playing on are fairly smooth and slick so the shoes were perfect for the surface.

Weight: The weight felt similar to my Barricades. They are definitely not a super light shoe, but with all the extra rubber for durability that can’t be expected. I am used to this type of weight in shoes so it felt good to me.

General reaction/comments on overall performance: I really liked the Wilson Rush Pro’s. They felt similar to the Barricades in many aspects, but the glove fit offered greater stability and good comfort. The Rush Pro’s also offered better flexibility than the other shoes in this class which I really liked. I also appreciated the way the shoes look. I received quite a few compliments and inquire about the shoes when I was on the court. Some of the color ways they offer today are just too loud so this design was welcomed. One thing I noticed after receiving the shoes is that there was some glue left on the seams from manufacturing in a few places. I may have not noticed this if I wasn’t reviewing the shoes, but it did look a little cheap so I thought I would point it out. If someone saw that when trying on the shoe at the store they might think that it’s a low quality shoe which isn’t the case. All in all, I will continue to wear these shoes and would definitely consider a pair in the future.

Thanks TW for the opportunity to try these shoes!
 

colan5934

Professional
A couple days late with this, so I apologize. I wanted to play it outside to test the ventilation both indoors and out. This is the first weekend without snow on the ground since November, so I didn't get a chance until now.

Tennis experience/background: Current D2 College Player. 5.0 NTRP on a good day.

Describe your playing style (i.e. serve & volley): Offensive baseline play. Move opponents around, dictating with groundstrokes and looking for the first chance to attack a short ball.

Current shoe: Asics Gel Resolution 4

How many hours did you play with the shoe? 30

Comments on shoe performance:
-comfort: Really plush cushioning and material throughout the shoe. The upper fit my foot very well--a reason why I enjoyed this test so much--but I do see how people with a wider foot could experience some fit issues. I did not need a break-in, but it did take a couple of wears before I really felt comfortable in the shoes. 9/10

-arch support: Supportive. Just like the rest of the shoe. My arch was supported nicely on aggressive lateral cuts and forward sprints. I have a medium-flat arch, and experienced no discomfort. 10/10 (for my foot)

-stability/support: Wow. This is where the shoe shines brightest. It has stability comparable to an Adidas Barricade or CourtBallistec from Nike. It's been awhile since I played a tank of a shoe like this since I usually choose lighter options like Vapors or Resolutions, but this makes me rethink my choices. It was like I couldn't roll my ankle over if I tried, and issue I've had before with my Asics. 10/10

-ventilation: The only area where this shoe might slouch. My feet, when playing inside, were not warm, but my socks were a bit more damp than usual as compared to my Asics or Vapors. When playing outside, I could feel a bit of the breeze through the vents, but my feet got fairly warm. It's a bit strange, but I believe that it may be due to the lack of forefoot venting. Nothing terrible, but not the best aspect here. 7/10

-sole durability: No issues here. Lots of thick rubber on the outsole, and it holds up well too. 30 hours in, and they're still going strong, whereas my other shoes would be showing the midsole already. The rubber is smooth, but nowhere near the midsole. 10/10

-toe durability: I don't drag my toes that much, so I can't give an adequate comment here, but I don't see much wear in the toe area. The rubber and synthetic material of the upper would protect the shoe well from wear. 9/10

-traction: I'd say it's just right for what I like. Enough give from the tread to slide a little bit, but not enough that I feel like I could slip and fall when I have to sprint back the other direction for a ball. It's not like a Barricade where I feel like I'm glued to the gritty hard courts we have on campus, but I know I'm not going to slip. 9/10

-weight: It's heavier than my usual choices, but it's not overly heavy. Before it molded to my foot after a couple of wears, it felt a little bulky, but now, especially after logging plenty of time on court, they feel great. Not super light, but light enough. A good weight for the support it gives. 8/10

General reaction/comments on overall performance: I am pleasantly surprised by the latest performance shoe offering from Wilson. This is one of the best things they've put out in quite awhile now, and I can't be more pleased. A wonderful package of support, comfort, and durability that will satisfy even the most serious players. Well done Wilson. A big thanks to Wilson and TW for allowing me to playtest also!
 
Top