I have worn several iterations of HEAD’s flagship Sprint Pro shoe line, and each new version seemed to have subtle updates to better manage weight and breathability. Ultimately, the Sprint Pro is a solid option for a match day shoe, but HEAD has journeyed forward. I had heard some rumblings about another update to the Sprint Pro franchise, but can honestly say that I did not expect the wholesale changes incorporated into the new Sprint SF. SF (or SuperFabric®) has been utilized in the redesign of the shoe which has historically been used for military applications, and is known as a brutally-tough, yet lightweight and flexible, armor technology.

Appearance
When I first saw the shoes, they had the look of an armored bat-mobile. But despite their rugged, heavy-duty appearance, the Sprint SF is about an ounce lighter than the previous generation Sprint Pro 2.0. In addition to shielding the toe and forefoot from hot hard courts, the standard tongue has been removed in favor of a full-sock construction for a natural fit and improved performance. In my opinion, the pairing of a soft, comfortable EVA full sock liner with the tank-like durability of the exterior makes the shoe a great combination of durability and comfort.

Fit
When trying the shoe on for the first time, it seemed to have a shorter toe box than the Sprint Pro 2.0. However, the shoe isn’t actually shorter, it is just a little bit less voluminous because of the new SuperFabric material above the toe. I believe a short break-in period would benefit most players so they can get used to the ultra-lightweight response and new material.

Movement
Some other tennis shoe companies have trended toward tilting the foot’s position slightly forward. HEAD engineered the Sprint SF with a minimal heel-to-toe drop for more connectivity to the court, balance, and control. This is apparent during the quick stops and starts of match play because the shoe hugs the court surface well, and inspires a sense of confidence in your movements.

Overall
It is exciting to see HEAD, a consistent innovator in racquet technology, form a partnership with a forward-thinking company like SuperFabric. SuperFabric® strengthens the toe, forefoot, upper and lacing system to offer best-in-class dynamic flexibility when performing on court. If the Sprint SF is any indication, SuperFabric will have a solid place in the tennis shoe market going forward.

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 Master Racquet Technician Certification in 2011. He is an active USTA League and Tournament player.