Intro

In the world of tennis shoes, the game changes fast. It also changes for the better, if you’ve got a hot-off-the-press pair of Nike’s new Air Zoom GP Turbo tennis shoes. They sport a unique aesthetic, (very basketball-meets-tennis-meets-sneakers!) but they boast an even better fit and performance. And that’s one of the reasons I was super excited to get to the court with the Women's GP Turbo, and confirm that they hold up to the test. Spoiler alert: They do, 100%!

Fit and Cushioning

The first thing I noticed was the cushioning inside! The full-length Zoom Air unit is what the shoe prides itself on, but the sheer amount of cushioning and the overarching comfort of this shoe still came as a (pleasant) surprise. It’s there right from the get-go, and I could feel it throughout my time on the court. Needless to say, these shoes felt super comfortable to play in. My foot felt supported from all angles, I could move around with tremendous ease, and it offered me that locked-in feel that I’m always looking for in a tennis shoe, especially in the midfoot area. It’s worth mentioning the shoe’s astonishingly-thin tongue; despite how tightly I laced up my shoe, it never felt uncomfortable or restrictive.

I don’t have wide feet, but I definitely had to size up for the GP Turbo. The construction is a bit on the narrower, shorter side, so I recommend sizing up half a size. I sized up one size (went from my usual 8.5 to a 9.5), because I prefer extra room in the toe box. So if you like a roomier toe-box like I do, you might want to consider going up one full size.

Weight and Durability

For a shoe that incorporates as much cushioning as the GP Turbo does, it surprisingly didn’t feel very heavy on my feet as I was moving around the court. I have long been a proponent of lightweight tennis shoes, and for that reason was a bit wary of trying out these shoes. I found that the boundary between the “lightweight” and “durable” blurs with this shoe because it doesn’t feel as bulky, and is designed to last long.

The GP Turbo also delivers on the durability promise. With a sturdy outsole, this shoe will last you a while on the court, despite the fact that there’s no durability guarantee. That is especially true for all the toe-draggers out there, because the shoe specifically features reinforced material at the front for added durability.

Breathability

Breathability was the only aspect of the shoe that I felt the GP Turbo left a bit to be desired in. The translucent upper is designed to improve airflow, but my feet started to feel sweaty after a while. It wasn’t totally unexpected, however, given how much cushioning the shoe offers. With sweat-wicking socks, this shouldn’t be too much of a problem, unless you sweat excessively.

Overall

Overall, I found Nike's GP Turbo to be a very supportive, very comfortable tennis shoe. My feet never felt sore and I always felt confident in my movements because of the remarkable traction it offered. Aside from avid tennis players, who will love this shoe, I’d highly recommend the GP Turbo for people whose jobs require them to be on their feet and moving all day.