Asics Gel Resolution 9 Review

The Gel Decision has lengthy been Asic’s flagship tennis shoe and finest vendor on account of its all-around efficiency.

2023 sees the launch of the brand new Gel Decision 9, changing the eighth era that first hit the cabinets three years in the past.

I used to be a large fan of the Gel Decision 8, in order quickly because the Gel Res 9 was able to order, I bought a pair together with the brand new Asics Courtroom FF 3’s to check.

I’ve already reviewed the Courtroom FF 3 tennis shoe in full, as they have been the primary to reach; the Gel Decision 9 have been delivered not lengthy after, and I shortly took them to court docket for a number of hitting classes.

How does the Gel Decision 9 play? Is it significantly totally different to the Gel Decision 8? What modifications are there vs the earlier era?

Discover out on this full Asics Gel Decision 9 playtest and evaluation.

In regards to the Asics Gel Decision 9

GET THE ASICS GEL RESOLUTION 9

The Gel Decision 9 is Asic’s stability shoe designed for the quintessential baseliner. It sits firmly on the high of the tree in Asic’s premium tennis shoe lineup, with the Resolution Pace (lighter weight) and the Courtroom FF (a mixture between the Gel Decision and Resolution Pace) finishing the lineup.

The shoe is well recognisable because it’s used extensively on the ATP and WTA excursions, with Matteo Berrettini and Iga Swiatek two of the largest names sporting the Gel Decision 9.

Nonetheless, it’s not only a shoe that’s standard with those that are paid to put on it, and on the decrease rungs of the skilled recreation, you will notice numerous Futures and Challenger occasions gamers sporting a pair of Gel Decision sneakers. 

With the sport evolving and balls being hit at a quicker tempo, athletes are required to maneuver quicker and alter instructions from excessive velocity and get well shortly after their photographs to arrange for the following shot. We took athlete suggestions and examined it towards earlier fashions to offer the help that enables them to really feel assured and permits them to brake at excessive velocity however be able to anticipate the following shot on the tennis courts. Azumi Taoka, ASICS Institute of Sports activities Science

Asics Gel Decision 9 Options

Just like the FF 3 was a continuation and minor replace from the FF 2, Gel Decision 9 is a continuation within the design language of the Gel Decision 8.

Asics have made two updates to enhance the shoe’s stability. The primary is taking the Dynawall current within the earlier model and lengthening it into the heel of the shoe.

This has allowed for extra dynamic steps alongside the baseline by offering kinetic stability on the ft.

Asics determined so as to add this by watching how a participant’s motion can change over a match and the way they monitor down balls when fatigued.

The second replace is on the outsole’s development, which gives a bigger contact space to the bottom permitting for a secure touchdown on the court docket.

Asics are massive on their lab testing, and on the ASICS Institute of Sports activities Science (ISS), this transformation confirmed an improved braking potential with 4.4% extra dynamic braking pressure than the Gel Decision 8.

The Gel Decision 9 options the next applied sciences:

PGUARD™ expertise

It helps enhance sturdiness within the outsole’s toe and heel space

DYNAWRAP™ expertise

Improves stability

DYNAFIT™ higher

Improves flexibility

AHARPLUS™ outsole rubber

Improves sturdiness

Rearfoot and forefoot GEL™ expertise

It improves impression absorption and creates a softer feeling at footstrike

DYNAWALL™ expertise

Improves stability

Separated outsole design

It helps produce extra secure landings

Gel Decision 9 vs Gel Decision 8

I usually attempt to preserve a pair of the earlier model in new-ish situation so I can evaluate them, and luckily, I had some Gel Res 8’s to put facet by facet.

The design is kind of comparable, however alongside a extra dynamic / operating shoe-type look, Asics made the next modifications.

The change to the outsole is minor, and other than a barely totally different sample, all that has modified is that moderately than the two-piece sole on the Gel Res 8, it runs the complete size of the Gel Res 9.

The rear of the shoe can be very comparable, however the plastic heel counter that solidifies the heel part is extra of a tough feeling and barely thicker.

The heel tab additionally rides ever so barely increased, and the tongue has extra thickness.

The numerous change is the extension of the DYNAWALL. As you may see within the picture above, the earlier era stops effectively earlier than the heel, however on the Gel Res 9, it nearly runs the complete shoe size. 

It additionally feels a bit firmer when prodding it.

Asics Gel Decision 9 Evaluate and Playtest

I examined the Asics Gel Decision 9 sneakers on an indoor onerous court docket. It’s a fairly clean floor however creates loads of friction towards the rubber soles.

Preliminary Impressions

Having unboxed a pair of Courtroom FF 3 sneakers every week earlier, I used to be already a fan of the colors because the Gel Res 9 sneakers have been additionally metal blue with hazard inexperienced.

Just like the FF 3, I wore them indoors for a day, and my first impression was they have been a lot simpler to get on than the FF 3 and felt extra of a pure match.

Contemporary out of the field, I assumed the Gel Res 9 regarded barely extra dynamic, like a operating shoe, than the older Gel Res 8’s.

The Gel Res 8 seems a bit extra clunky, and whereas not in clown shoe territory, they will look a bit ungainly, particularly in bigger sizes.

The Gel Decision 9, nevertheless, has a extra sporty look and a sleeker design. Despite the fact that it’s an Asics ‘stability’ shoe, the form and description of the shoe make me suppose extra of velocity. Even the form of the DYNAWALL has a speed-type look to it.

Consolation

Throughout my first hit and subsequent wears, I used to be instantly struck by how comfy the Gel Decision 9 sneakers have been.

I had no points with consolation within the earlier mannequin, however Asics has ramped up the consolation much more on this newest model.

The Gel Res 9 feels softer and extra cushioned, and you’ll put on them for an prolonged interval with out your ft feeling trapped.

It requires zero break-in interval and might be the comfiest tennis shoe I’ve worn in a very long time.

In comparison with the FF 3, they’re a lot softer, so if consolation is your precedence, I believe the Gel Res 9 is the one to go along with.

Stability

Stability has at all times been the Gel Decision’s forte, and that pattern continues with the Gel Decision 9.

I had no points shifting out of the corners at increased speeds, and it’s straightforward to alter course with out slippage.

You’re feeling tremendous safe in them when shifting back and forth, and I believe gamers with glass ankles will really feel extra comfy with these in comparison with a few of the extra speed-type sneakers.

Has extending the DynaWall made a distinction? For me, it’s inconceivable to say. The Gel Decision 8 have been ultra-stable and by no means failed me; in my expertise, the Gel Decision 9 are the identical. 

Sturdiness

Relating to sturdiness, you don’t discover a tennis shoe that beats the Gel Decision 9. It’s simply the most effective and has a six-month outsole sturdiness assure.

I’ve solely racked up about 15 hours of damage time on the court docket with them, and I see no discernible put on. I’m not a giant slider who burns rubber, however for many who chew by sneakers shortly, the Gel Res 9 needs to be excessive up in your shortlist.

The p-guard and toe guard additionally means the higher is tremendous sturdy for gamers who drag their toes or put on their sneakers out in bizarre locations on the higher.

Traction

The Gel Decision line has at all times been a winner for traction, and the Gel Decision 9’s is close to good. The floor I performed on is comparatively clean, however I nonetheless had loads of grip, and it had a pleasant stability of grip however not sticking to the court docket.

Can you’re feeling the 4.4% enchancment vs the Gel Res 8 in braking pressure as per ASIC’s declare on the leisure stage? I don’t suppose so, because it’s too small a distinction to choose up on the non-elite stage. However both method, I ranked the Gel Res 8’s at 9.5/10 for stability, and the Gel Res 9’s scored the identical.

Weight

My Gel Decision 9 tennis sneakers are a UK Dimension 10, EU 44 or US 10.5 and weighed 430g.

That is 9 grams lighter than the Gel Decision 8, so that they’re 2.1% lighter.

They’re additionally 22g lighter than the Courtroom FF 3, which is a shock on condition that durability-orientated sneakers are usually heavier.

For instance, the Gel Res 8 was 6g heavier than the Courtroom FF 2, however the tables have turned fairly dramatically.

By way of with the ability to really feel the burden distinction on the court docket vs the Courtroom FF 3, it’s tough because the sneakers really feel fairly totally different.

The brand new Courtroom FF 3 really feel springier and matches tighter to the foot, which supplies a notion of lightness, whereas the Gel Res 9 is roomier and comfier (for my foot, no less than).

Last Verdict

The Gel Decision 9 are the comfiest tennis sneakers I’ve worn in a very long time, and I believe they’re a real enchancment over the Gel Decision 8. That is no imply feat because the 8’s have been one among finest tennis sneakers in the marketplace.

They’re comfier, lighter and have a better-looking design. The higher can be softer; there’s zero break-in interval, and it’s simply an all-around glorious tennis shoe.

In fact, everybody’s ft are totally different, so it’s inconceivable to say whether or not they’ll be just right for you, however when it comes to a shoe that may work for a variety of foot varieties, be it flat ft, dodgy ankles and so on., the Gel Res 9 are price testing.

Is it higher than the FF 3? I plan to check the 2 in-depth the extra I put on them, however I’d say sure, to this point, that added consolation is swaying me in direction of the Gel Res 9.

Professionals

Cons

Have you ever tried the Asics Gel Decision 9 tennis sneakers? How do you evaluate them to the Gel Decision 8? Let me know within the feedback.