On the eve of the new tennis season, Mike has tested the ASICS Gel Resolution X! This shoe offers an excellent combination of stability and comfort. Read the full review here.

Introduction:

As you may know, ASICS has three categories of tennis shoes. The Solution Speed FF 3, which I tested earlier, is designed for the all-court player, who covers the whole court. This shoe is made for speed and has a two-piece sole construction, with separate forefoot and heel sections. This provides greater agility and flexibility, while the Speed Truss 'frame' helps you push off more explosively. The Resolution X, which we're taking a closer look at today, has a full-length sole. Combined with the Dynawall for extra lateral support, this provides a super-stable platform for the baseliner, who moves laterally a lot. The Court FF 3 (Novak Djokovic's shoe) combines elements of both families mentioned above—stability and flexibility—for 'the best of both'. Today, we're focusing on the ultimate baseliner shoe in the ASICS range: the Gel Resolution X.

Fit and sizing:

As is almost always the case with ASICS tennis shoes, the sizing is spot-on. I always wear a size 9.5 = 43.5 in my ASICS tennis shoes, and this size fits perfectly again. The fit of the Resolution X has changed compared with its predecessor, the Gel Resolution 9, which I tested earlier. The Resolution X has a slightly higher toe box and a little more volume throughout the forefoot. I also played in version 8 before, and it was a little more compact in the forefoot. Version 9 was already a better option for wider feet, and this X (=10) version certainly is too. For me, the shoe is a little wide in the forefoot, so I added an extra insole for this test. Still, it's great that ASICS once again offers a solid option for wider feet!

Speed/agility:

If you're really looking for a shoe built for speed, ASICS offers the Solution Speed FF 3 or the Solution Swift FF 2. That doesn't mean the Gel Resolution X isn't fast, though. It's simply a slightly more robust (and therefore slightly heavier) shoe that excels above all in support and comfort. The updated Dynawall construction on the lateral side of the shoe does help you push off more quickly when moving sideways, which naturally also improves agility and speed. All in all, 7/10 for speed and agility.

Stability:

The first thing I noticed about the Gel Resolution X was that the shoe is raised quite high around the ankle on the medial side. At first, I wondered whether my ankle would rub uncomfortably against the raised part of the shoe, but I didn't notice it at all while playing. It gives you the feel and security of a mid-top shoe, while retaining the responsiveness of a low-top shoe when, for example, pushing off. The updated Dynawall construction provides excellent lateral support and also extends around the heel and into the arch. This creates a sturdy 'cradle' for your foot, which feels very secure. 

The new Dynalacing construction (the orange loops over the instep) makes it easy to snug the shoe around your foot, further enhancing stability. 

Now for the upper: it's made from durable, shape-retaining PU material, with additional PGuard reinforcements. This makes the shoe very resistant to losing its shape: the upper retains its structure well, and the shoe stretches out relatively little. 

In short, ASICS has thought of every detail and created one of the most stable tennis shoes on the market with the Gel Resolution X—if not the most stable! 9.5/10 for stability. 

Durability and grip of the ASICS Gel Resolution X:

I already hinted at this above, but the shoe's upper is super robust and durable. It's also worth mentioning that the lace loops on the medial side of the shoe are tucked completely out of the way. This means there's no risk of wearing through or breaking the laces when sliding and dragging your feet. 

As always, the Gel Resolution has the most durable outsole of all ASICS tennis shoes. After a month of play, it's still hard to estimate how long it will hold up (especially on hard courts), but this shoe has always performed well in that regard. ASICS even used to offer a six-month outsole durability guarantee on this model, which shows just how hard-wearing it is.

I tested the all-court version of the Gel Resolution X, which has an outsole particularly suited to hard courts or indoor use. I tested the shoe on carpet and had no grip issues at all. I don't expect any problems on hard courts either. 

8/10 for durability and grip.

Comfort/cushioning:

In the past, some players found the Gel Resolution a bit clunky and heavy. It is still a sturdy shoe, of course, but it has also received a welcome boost in comfort. The shoe features the familiar Gel cushioning under the forefoot. ASICS has used FF Blast + foam in the heel of the midsole. This foam provides very comfortable cushioning and a bit of energy return. When I first put the shoe on, I immediately noticed the lovely 'cushion' under the heel. There is a Gel pad under the forefoot, firmly encased to maintain responsiveness when pushing off. So the shoe has made significant strides in comfort and cushioning. 8/10 for comfort.

ASICS Gel Resolution X: the verdict

The ASICS Gel Resolution X is another excellent option from the Japanese brand for players with somewhat wider feet who are looking for a mix of stability and comfort. The shoe is strong and stable, with a noticeable boost in comfort! It may take a little time to get used to the updated fit (especially around the ankle), but the shoe performs excellently in every area. Recommended for players seeking maximum support, with a significant comfort upgrade as a welcome bonus!