The new ASICS Solution Speed FF 3 tested by Mike! This is by far the lightest and fastest tennis shoe from ASICS at the moment and one of the lightest shoes on the market! In this review a comparison with the previous version of this shoe.
Intro:
I have been wearing ASICS tennis shoes for years. The last nine pairs of tennis shoes I have owned have all been ASICS. My favorite so far is the Solution Speed FF 2 , which I use as my standard match shoe because of its narrow fit and speed. In terms of support, the Gel Resolution 9 is an absolute winner, especially for lateral support. For a combination of speed and stability , ASICS has the Court FF 3 , Djokovic's shoe .
Now it was time to put the Solution Speed FF 3 through its paces!
Fit:
At ASICS I wear size 9.5 US (43.5 EU) as standard, and that was also the case with this Solution Speed FF 3 .
The fit has changed with this update, however. Where the previous version had a sturdy PU upper for durability and forefoot support, the Solution Speed FF 3 has a special mesh upper. This makes for a lighter, faster and airier feel, but the tight forefoot fit of the previous version is gone.
For my narrow foot this was less ideal, but I was able to solve this with a MySole Solution insole. The renewed fit makes the shoe suitable for a wider audience, especially for people with a wider foot.
Speed/agility:
This is where the Solution Speed FF 3 really shines. The low, 'close to the ground' playing feel has remained the same as its predecessors. The FlyteFoam midsole material, which the 'FF' in the name stands for, has also remained the same. This ensures a fast and direct playing feel, with sufficient comfort.
The shoe has a plastic frame in the sole, the SpeedTruss , which provides extra speed and agility. The Trusstic technology ensures that the heel and forefoot parts can move independently of each other, while still providing torsional stiffness. The SpeedTruss runs all the way along the lateral side of the shoe, which gives you an extra push when pushing off. This makes the Solution Speed FF 3 a real speed demon.
Stability:
The stability of the new Solution Speed FF 3 is solid. The shoe has a deep cup construction that keeps your heel well fixed. The heel cap is firm, as we are used to from ASICS. Although the shoe is designed for speed, it offers sufficient stability, but if you are looking for more support, the Gel Resolution 9 might be a better choice.
Abrasion resistance and grip ASICS Solution Speed FF 3:
I have tested the Solution Speed FF 3 for about 3.5 hours now on indoor carpet, with the All Court outsole . This sole is mainly suitable for hardcourt or indoor courts. As for wear resistance, I can't say much about it after this short period - the shoes still look like new. I am curious how the new upper will hold up on clay, especially if there is a lot of sliding.
Comfort/cushioning:
The cushioning of the Solution Speed FF 3 is just right: you have comfort without the sole feeling too soft or 'bloated'. The FlyteFoam material offers lightweight cushioning and sufficient responsiveness during push-off. This ensures a direct and low playing feel, ideal for quick movements. The comfort of the upper has clearly improved, although I personally prefer the previous upper.
