Babolat Jet Mach III Shoe Review

Comfort - Score: 4.3

The Babolat Jet Mach III required no break-in and was ready to be played in right out of the box, offering a dialed-in fit and top-notch breathability. However, some of our playtesters thought the shoe could benefit from a bit more underfoot cushioning. Sage explained, "The cushioning was greatly improved compared to the Babolat Jet Mach II. There was support in the midsole as well as a locked-in feel in the heel. I did notice the balls of my feet were a bit sore at the end of a few longer singles hitting sessions, but nothing that would deter me from lacing them up again. The fit was also improved compared to the previous iteration. I was able to comfortably fit into my true shoe size. The ventilation worked well and was not an issue, even on the hottest days. After going into the test with a slight aversion to shoes designed specifically to be lightweight, I can confidently say the Jet Mach IIIs have proved to be excellent."

While Kristen loved the look of these shoes, she also desired more underfoot cushioning. She said, "The Babolat Jet Mach IIIs ran true to size and offered step-in comfort. Once on court, though, I noticed that the underfoot cushioning felt rather thin and wasn't offering a lot of support or rebound. My feet were definitely feeling the impact of pounding on the court. Breathability was good, especially considering the temps were heating up here in Georgia, and I never felt too hot in these shoes. I also really liked the cosmetic and received a lot of compliments when wearing them!"

Michelle noted the more minimal cushioning as well, but she didn't necessarily see it as a downside. She said, "The cushioning was good for lightweight shoes, but it was noticeably built for speed and did not offer a ton of underfoot padding. Instead, I felt well connected to the court and ready to take off. I didn’t need a break-in and didn't have any rubbing or blisters to report. With my first wear, I was already more excited about this Jet than any of the previous versions I have worn, and I knew it would be a positive playtest. Also, the shoes are awesome for the summer since they are not only bright and bold, but breathable on those hot days on court."

Chris had no complaints regarding the cushioning or comfort of the Jet Mach IIIs. He described, "These shoes were super comfortable from the very first wear. The shoes did soften up and mold to the shape of my feet as the test wore on, and they became even more comfortable. My on-court movement in them felt very natural. I liked the way the uppers flexed and moved with my feet while still supporting them comfortably. It felt like my feet could breathe in these shoes as well, since I never felt too hot. My arches felt supported, and I never had any undue aches or strains."

Foot Support/Stability - Score: 4.1

All of our playtesters were impressed by the improved stability in this new Jet Mach III. Kristen said, "The support and stability felt much improved over the previous iteration. I felt like the shoes were holding my feet more securely, allowing me to move and make aggressive cuts with confidence. I never felt like I was going to roll over the shoes or take a spill."

Michelle appreciated the stability-to-speed ratio these shoes provided. She described, "Speedy shoes are not usually the most stable. The previous versions didn't hold my feet as well as I would have liked, but these Jet Mach IIIs were noticeably more supportive and stable. I appreciate all the stability I can squeeze out of shoes nowadays; I move a bit clunky at times and rely on the shoes to help me feel confident when recovering quickly. I never slid out or fell over these shoes, which was a positive for sure."

This was the most improved aspect of this update according to Chris. He said, "The biggest improvement for me in the Jet Mach IIIs was the confidence they gave me when moving in them. The shoes still flexed and moved well with my feet, but I found some added support to allow me to make aggressive lateral cuts without any worries."

Sage requires stability for his aggressive footwork. He said, "The platform and uppers were wide enough to be stable. Babolat’s enhanced design is able to find a balance between lightweight performance and incredible stability. I was continually impressed when making aggressive turns and explosive lateral movement; the shoes never threatened to roll over."

Overall Sole Durability - Score: 4.3

With their rugged Michelin outsoles, the Jet Mach IIIs excel in durability. Michelle could barely make a dent in these shoes. She said, "I tried to wear down the Michelin rubber outsole as best as I could during this playtest. I wore these consistently for three solid weeks, and I’m not even seeing smoothing where I normally see it on comparable speed shoes. I am shocked. I have worn other speed shoes this year, and by three weeks in there is usually some pretty decent wear. With these Jets, I am sure I still have months of court time."

Impressed with the durability he found in such a lightweight shoe, Chris said, "While they were made for speed over durability, I was very happy with how my Jet Mach IIIs lasted. The outsoles proved to be more durable than both the Nike Vapor Pros and the adidas adizero Ubersonic 4s I've recently tested. Impressively, the Jet Mach IIIs also felt faster."

Lightweight shoes typically wear quickly for Sage, but that was not the case here. He explained, "The durability held up throughout 20-plus hours of court time. Considering the soft feel of the outsole, I was pleasantly surprised by the resilience of the Michelin rubber. I've blown through lightweight shoes in the past, and I usually feel like they aren't worth the purchase if they only last a few weeks. The Jet Mach IIIs redefined the lightweight category of shoes for me. I have continued to wear them, and they still have plenty of life left."

Playing in the scorching Georgia summer, Kristen noticed some cosmetic peeling after time in the heat, but she was still impressed with the shoe's overall durability. She said, "For lightweight shoes, these Jet Mach IIIs offer above-average durability. Having worn them more than 10 hours on court, I was surprised to notice little-to-no wear on the outsoles. Even the toes, where I drag the shoe on serves, only showed some scuff marks, but no real wear. The uppers also held up well in terms of performance, although I did have some peeling of the cosmetic due to the extreme temperatures."

Traction - Score: 4.4

The traction of the Jet Mach IIIs offered our playtesters a steady balance of grip and sliding capability. Sage explained, "These shoes felt great out of the box. I was impressed by the balance between gripping the court and sliding in and out of shots. Pushing off always felt grippy enough to trust. Sliding proved slightly more difficult, but after a few hours, it was easier to come into a shot with the intention of sliding versus planting my weight."

"I found the level of traction in the Jet Mach IIIs to be just right," Chris added. "I had ample grip for quick sprints and stops, yet enough give to slide when I wanted. I also liked the way I could pivot easily and make quick adjustment steps without ever feeling like the shoes were getting hung up on the court surface."

Michelle never worried about slipping during her playtest. She said, "The best traction for me is traction I don't worry about. I never once felt like I was going to slip in these shoes. Pair that with the durability, and I was really happy with the outsole performance."

Kristen also felt comfortable on the court and secure from any slipping. She said, "The traction had a bit of stick to it, but it wasn't overly sticky. It aligned well with my preferences; I felt connected to the court and secure in my movements without being held back by too much grip."

Weight - Score: 4.6

The playtest team loved the lightweight speed of the Jet Mach IIIs and their ability to chase down shots without feeling bogged down. Chris said, "There was no doubt the Jet Mach IIIs felt light and fast on court. It was super easy to forget about these shoes and just play because they moved so well with my feet. I was able to transition from heel to toe seamlessly and was as fast as can be. No complaints here!"

Michelle continued the praise, saying, "They were light and quick! I definitely felt like I could pick up the pace when I needed to and felt light on my toes in these shoes. I was never weighed down in the least and felt really connected to the court. I felt like I could get to practically every ball hit at me."

Although he prefers heavier shoes, Sage had no stability issues and ended up enjoying the Jet Mach III's lighter weight. He said, "These shoes comfortably fall into the lightweight category and play lightning fast. I typically favor heavier shoes in my search for increased stability, but these Jet Mach IIIs held their own throughout the playtest. They ride low to the ground and feel smooth on court, and I didn't feel any excess bulkiness or weight. The attention to detail and the final formula Babolat used to create these shoes are as close to perfect as I've come across. Well done."

While Kristen would have liked a smidge more cushioning and support, she appreciated the light, speedy feel. She described, "These updated Jet Mach IIIs definitely held true to their lightweight nature and low-to-the-ground profile. Although I would have sacrificed a little in weight to get a bit more cushioning and support underfoot, I did appreciate feeling light on my feet."

Overall - Score: 4.5