The Babolat Propulse Rage was designed for powerful and explosive players in need of maximum durability, support, and stability. Overall, I felt the Rage met this mark. It played a little bit differently than the popular Propulse Fury, but I think most Babolat Propulse fans will be happy with this evolution.

Fit
When trying on the Rage for the first time, the fit felt pretty standard. The arch was mid to low, and the width seemed normal. However, because of the durable properties of the shoe, it took a slight break-in to really get comfortable. One area that took a bit of time to admire was the padding directly behind and above the heel. It protrudes out further than most ankle pads, which felt unnatural at first, but seemed to help keep my heel locked down and secure within the shoe. Ultimately, it combined well with the Full Insock construction, which was a pleasantly form-fitting addition in my opinion. One other minor detail I noticed was the slightly off-center lacing system that ran with the length of the foot pretty naturally.

Cushioning & Breathability
The overall cushioning within the Rage Tennis Shoe is definitely above average. For how stable the shoe is, Babolat needed to make sure it was comfortable. While it may feel stiff at first, I thought the shoe opened up nicely after a brief break-in period. As far as breathability is concerned, it’s about what you would expect from a shoe that focuses on durability and support. Given the shoe’s purpose, I didn’t have any complaints.

Durability & Support
The Babolat Rage is all about durability and support. Hailing from the popular Propulse line, this was to be expected. The new X Support stabilization system is top-notch, and made the shoe feel exceptionally sturdy, stable, and supportive. As for durability, I would give the Rage top marks, as well. I’ve always been a fan of Babolat’s Michelin Performance outsoles, which come with a six-month durability guarantee in this case. On the Rage, they wrap up the toe and medial forefoot a bit, and are supplemented by abrasion-resistant rubber higher up.

Overall
The Babolat Propulse Rage is one of the most stable, durable, and supportive shoes on the market. It also offers above-average comfort, and a few adaptive features that were not previously seen in the Propulse line. In my mind, the Rage represents a logical evolution from the Propulse Fury.