Specifications ASICS Court FF Novak Clay:
Intro:
I have previously tested the Solution Speed FF 2 and the Gel Resolution 8 from ASICS . I am currently using the Gel Challenger 12 Clay myself, and it is clear that ASICS is a permanent fixture on my feet.
The Solution Speed FF 2 is the lightest and fastest shoe in the range. The Resolution is perfect for baseliners who make a lot of lateral movements, while the Challenger functions as a smaller version of the Resolution . Now it was the turn of the Court FF Novak Clay to be tested.
Fit:
The ASICS Court FF Novak Clay is slightly wider than my favorite Solution Speed FF 2 . I have a narrow foot and noticed that especially at the forefoot. A thicker sock solved this easily.
What immediately stands out is the sockfit construction instead of a regular tongue, which gives a tight, 'compact' feel. This makes the shoe one with your feet. For people with a high instep, the instep can be difficult (in which case I would recommend the Resolution 8 ), but for me it felt perfect.
In terms of sizing, I'm back to size 9.5 (43.5 EU), as always with ASICS. The Court FF Novak does require a slightly longer 'break-in' period compared to the Solution Speed FF 2 . I usually wear new tennis shoes for a few hours at work to break them in, and that was also necessary with this shoe.
Speed/agility:
Although the Court FF Novak Clay is not the fastest shoe, it certainly does not feel slow or sluggish. The shoe scores well in the area of speed and agility, but it excels in other areas. In the area of speed and agility it is good, but not exceptional.
Stability:
Stability is definitely one of the strong points of the Court FF Novak Clay . The sockfit construction gives a snug feeling at the instep and around the ankle, which contributes to the support. The PU upper encloses the forefoot well and remains firm, even after prolonged use.
At the outside of the forefoot, the sole is slightly raised and provided with a plastic reinforcement, which provides extra support during lateral movements. The outsole consists of separate parts for the forefoot and rear foot, but these are connected by a Twistruss bridge , which provides extra support without limiting maneuverability. All these elements together make this a very stable shoe.
Sustainability ASICS Court FF Novak Clay:
Due to the weather conditions and Covid I tested this shoe in several stages. The AHAR outsole is very durable and shows no visible wear, even after intensive use.
The PU upper is also robust, and the toe is extra reinforced. On the inside, around the big toe joint, the shoe is equipped with the wear-resistant PGuard section , which runs extra high. Even with extreme sliding, as you see with Novak Djokovic, the Court FF Novak Clay can handle the load.
Comfort/cushioning:
In the midsole, ASICS uses the well-known Gel cushioning in combination with FlyteFoam . This ensures excellent comfort, without the shoe feeling too soft or unstable. The mix of comfort and firmness is also something I liked about the Solution Speed.
Grip:
I tested the Court FF Novak Clay outdoors on clay. Despite the changing weather conditions and the sometimes damp, soft courts, the grip was excellent. The shoe has a clay sole with a deep herringbone profile that provides good grip without damaging the court. Even with strong lateral movements, I never missed grip.