Men's Shoe                     Women's Shoe

Intro

The ASICS GEL-Resolution 8 updates one of the best-selling tennis shoes in the world. The GEL-Resolution 7 combined out-of-the-box comfort with great stability and durability. The 7 had a loyal following among tennis enthusiasts and on the pro tour with players like Gael Monfils. I had been looking forward to play testing the new GEL-Resolution 8 for a while to see how it compared to, the GEL-Resolution 7, one of my favorite tennis shoes of all time.

Fit

I am happy to report the GEL-Resolution 8 fits just as well as the 7, with a few subtle tweaks. The shoes feel a little bit closer to the court than the previous version, with a slightly less plush feel. The upper has been redesigned, and there are now elastic straps attaching the tongue to the medial and lateral sides of the shoe. This creates a more “strapped in” fit, and keeps your foot from sliding inside the shoe. For me, the straps felt a little snug when compared with the Resolution 7, but after several hours, they make the Resolution a much more responsive and dynamic shoe.

Stability & Responsiveness

The GEL-Resolution 8 is slightly heavier than the previous generation, but the improved performance in stability and responsiveness pretty much makes the added weight a negligible stat. Another huge focus from ASICS on the new Resolution was to improve lateral stability. Enter, DYNAWALL. The system vastly boosts support in the midsole, and is noticeable particularly in side-to-side baseline movements. To further stabilize the foot, the DYNAWRAP system is integrated with the laces to help keep the foot properly aligned in the shoe.

Durability

As far as the outsole goes, we still get a six-month warranty so the durability remains outstanding. The tread pattern does a great job of gripping the court without being too sticky. For a durable shoe, the outsole is remarkably nimble, and doesn’t feel too bulky or cumbersome. Those that treat a hard court like a Slip-N-Slide will be very comfortable in the GEL-Resolution 8.

Overall

Overall, the GEL-Resolution 8 is a more stable and dynamic shoe than the GEL-Resolution 7. It feels a little closer to the court surface, and has ample cushioning, but it isn’t as soft as the previous version. ASICS tilted the scales slightly with this version away from comfort, and leaning more towards stability and speed. That said, the shoe is NOT uncomfortable , and still one of the best on the market.

About the Reviewer: Sam Jones currently works at Tennis Express on the Content Marketing team. He previously played at Southwestern University, taught tennis for 10+ years and earned his USRSA Master Racquet Technician Certification in 2011. He is an active NTRP 5.0 League and Tournament player.