Mike has been testing the new ASICS Gel Challenger 15 over the past few weeks. This ASICS bestseller has become a little lighter and faster, without compromising on the stability and reliability it’s known for.
Introduction:
As you may know, ASICS has three categories of tennis shoes. The Solution Speed FF 3, which I tested earlier, is for the all-court player, who plays all over the court. This shoe is built for speed and has a two-piece sole construction, with separate forefoot and heel sections. This offers greater agility and flexibility, while the Speed Truss 'frame' delivers a more explosive push-off. The Resolution X and Gel Challenger 14 have a full-length sole. Combined with the Dynawall/Wingwall for extra lateral support, this creates a super-stable platform for the baseliner, who moves side to side a lot. The Court FF 3 (the Novak Djokovic shoe) combines elements of both families mentioned above—stability and flexibility—for 'the best of both'. Today, then, the focus is on the little brother of the Resolution X: the updated Gel Challenger 15!
Fit and sizing:
ASICS sizing is always reliable. I always wear a size 9.5 = 43.5 in my ASICS tennis shoes, and this size fits perfectly again. The Gel Challenger 15 has a fairly narrow fit, especially compared with the wider Gel Resolution X. The Resolution X also has a higher toe box, while the Challenger 15 offers more of a 'snug' fit. This shoe is an excellent choice for players with somewhat narrower feet. I loved that, as I didn’t need to use an extra insole insert like I did with the Gel Resolution X. Another thing I noticed is that the upper needs less breaking in than version 14. The upper feels a little more supple, whereas some people found the previous version a bit stiff.
Speed/agility:
The Gel Challenger 15 is faster than versions 14 and 13! The shoe offers a fairly direct, 'low-to-the-ground' feel on court. If you’re after a real speed demon, consider the Solution Speed FF 3. But if you’re looking for a nice blend of speed and stability, this could be the shoe for you.
Stability ASICS Gel Challenger 15:
The Gel Challenger has long been known as a solid, stable shoe. Thankfully, that hasn’t changed! The Wingwall construction for lateral support has been slightly modified. It starts a little earlier when viewed from the heel. This makes the heel feel slightly more securely wrapped. As mentioned earlier, the Challenger 15 has a full-length sole. This provides maximum ground contact and a very solid 'platform'. You might be thinking, okay, maybe you lose a little agility—but personally, I didn’t find that to be much of an issue. It’s still a top shoe when it comes to stability. The midfoot straps by the laces also help with support, making it easy to tighten the shoe securely around the instep.
Durability and grip:
When it comes to durability, the Challenger 15 is a solid choice. According to ASICS product information, this shoe uses the same type of outsole rubber as the Gel Resolution X: AHARPLUS rubber. This rubber is 'about three times more durable than standard outsole rubber', according to ASICS. I’ve used the shoes indoors on carpet for around four hours, and so far the tread and grip are still in great shape. I don’t know how this outsole will hold up on hard courts, where shoes usually take even more of a beating. But in terms of both durability and grip, the Challenger 15 is very reliable. The shoe also has a sturdy toe cap with PGuard protection. There’s reinforcement on the medial side of the forefoot, too.
Comfort/cushioning:
The differences in comfort and cushioning compared with the Gel Resolution X are more noticeable. The Gel Resolution X has FF (FlyteFoam) Blast Plus material in the heel. This is an exceptionally soft cushioning material, making that shoe a good option for players who suffer from plantar fasciitis. The ASICS Gel Challenger 15 simply has the familiar Gel in the heel. It’s comfortable too, and somewhat more firmly encased in the sole itself. This also preserves that nice, direct and responsive feel on court. The fit is nice and snug overall, which (for me, at least) made the shoe very comfortable.
ASICS Gel Challenger 15: the bottom line:
The ASICS Gel Challenger has always been a solid and reliable partner on court, and thankfully, version 15 is no different! The shoe feels a little lighter and faster than its predecessor, and needs less breaking in than previous versions. For the price, it’s a great shoe that offers pretty much everything you need in terms of support, cushioning, speed and durability, with an emphasis on stability and speed. All in all, an excellent update to the well-known Gel Challenger!
