Asics Gel Solution Speed 2 Men's Shoe Review
Summary
Asics burst onto the lightweight performance shoe scene with the introduction of the Solution Speed a couple of years ago. The shoe was ultra fast and comfortable, with plenty of support and stability to boot. Compared to the original, the Solution Speed 2 offers a slightly wider toe box and a lower arch for a more universal fit. The wider toe box also helps contribute to increased stability, and our whole team was able to move at top speed with full confidence in their footwear. Along with the improved fit and stability, we found a surprising level of durability from the outsole, which lasted longer than its speed-oriented competitors. In fact, the outsoles lasted the duration of our rigorous playtest without showing significant wear. Although there is still a lingering issue with the traction in the Solution Speed line on hard courts, this shoe is certainly one of the best in its weight class!
| Asics Gel Solution Speed 2 Scores | |
|---|---|
| Overall Comfort | 4,6/5 |
| Ventilation | 4,2/5 |
| Arch Support | 4,3/5 |
| Foot Support/Stability | 4,5/5 |
| Overall Sole Durability | 3,9/5 |
| Toe Durability | 3,8/5 |
| Traction | 3,5/5 |
| Weight | 4,8/5 |
| Overall | 4,4/5 |
Comfort – Score 4,6/5
The soft and comfortable feel of the Solution Speed 2 was the first thing our playtesters noticed when they slipped this lightweight shoe on their feet. Our team highlighted the comfortable and supportive feel, and thanks to its durability they were able to play long hours on the court. Only one of our players had an issue: the footbed put too much pressure on the joints of his big toes.
Ventilation – Score 4,2/5
For the most part, our playtesters found breathability to be another strong feature of the Solution Speed 2. The majority opinion was the shoe’s breathability was excellent. Even after wearing the shoes for extended lengths of time, they never felt their feet were yearning for some fresh air.
Arch Support – Score 4,3/5
According to our playtesters, the arch height felt a little lower in the Solution Speed 2 than in the Solution Speed, but still provided plenty of support. Our playtester with flat feet found the lower arch to be perfect and that also molded to his feet nicely. It took only a short break-in before our team was happy with the support and all considered the arch to have a more universal fit than previous versions.
Foot Support/Stability – Score 4,5/5
The uppers of the Solution Speed 2 are soft and comfortable, yet they still provided loads of stability for our playtesters. They all had good opinions regarding the stability, but one of the players found that the laces seemed to loosen up pretty often. Other than that, they were able to move at top speed and slide around the court without having to worry about hurting.
Overall Sole Durability – Score 3,9/5
For such a lightweight and low profile shoe, the outsole of the Solution Speed 2 offered an impressive level of resilience throughout the test. While it won't quite stack up against the outsoles of heavier shoes that put more of an emphasis on durability, it certainly hangs with the competitors in its weight class.
Toe Durability – Score 3,8/5
The toe area held up well for our crew, and our most aggressive toe dragger definitely took these to the limit. He thought the durability proved to be decent but also that he would likely wear out the left toe before the outsole.
Traction – Score 3,5/5
Traction was our biggest issue with the first version of the shoe, and while it's evident that Asics addressed the problem, it wasn't completely resolved in the Solution Speed 2. Our team felt the traction was improved, but there were still numerous occasions where they were slipping and sliding on the court.
Weight – Score 4,8/5
The Solution Speed 2 lives up to its name. Its lightweight design makes it quick and agile. Our playtesters were in agreement that this shoe is light, low to the ground and durable for its weight. Overall, the Solution Speed 2 is a great lightweight shoe for serious tennis players.
Overall - Score: 4,4/5
Likes
Chris - "I liked the light and fast feel. The cosmetics were sharp and the ventilation was top notch."
Jason - "I liked the improved fit and stability over the previous model. They're lightweight, well ventilated and very comfortable."
Mark - "Everything!"
Andy - "I loved the light, fast, low-to-the-ground feel and the excellent support and stability. They are super comfortable right out of the box and offer some nice arch support."
Dislikes
Chris - "The joints in my big toes ached a little when I played in these shoes. However, I might be able to tune some of that out with an aftermarket insole."
Jason - "The traction needs continued improvement."
Mark - "There was some extra room in the toe box, and although my feet did not slip at all during play I did feel the extra wiggle room. This did not affect me negatively, but I wouldn't want any more room in the front of the shoe."
Andy - "Traction, though improved over the first version, is still an issue."
Comparison:
Chris - "The fast feel of these shoes is right up there with the likes of the Nike Vapor 9.5 Tour, adidas adizero Feather III and Lotto Raptor IV Ultra. They lasted me almost as well as the Ultra IVs for outsole durability, but they aren't as durable at the toe. The fit is a tad wider compared to the previous version and felt similar to the adizero Feather III."
Jason - "A wider fitting, more stable version of the Solution Speed."
Mark - "The Solution Speed 2s are similar to the Nike Vapor 9 Tour. I like the Vapor, but the upper did get soft after some use. So far the Solution Speed 2s have not exhibited any mushiness in the upper of the shoe. This is the best overall shoe I have worn or tested to date."
Andy - "These feel most similar to the adidas Feather III and the Nike Vapor 9.5 Tour. They are all light and fast, yet supportive and stable shoes for the serious player. This one may be my favorite out of the three simply because of the level of support that it offers. This was a great playtest, and I highly recommend them."
Playtester Foot Types:
Chris - Narrow width / High arch
Jason - Wide width / Low arch
Mark - Medium width / Medium arch
Andy - Wide width / Low arch
Review date: April 2014. If you found this review interesting or have further questions or comments please contact us: information.en@tenniswarehouse-europe.com.
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