The OffseasonShoe Report
The OffseasonShoe Report
New on-court and lifestyle shoes expand tennis offerings.
New on-court and lifestyle shoes expand tennis offerings.
By Tim NewcombDecember 4, 2024
The offseason—if the concept of an offseason even exists anymore in tennis—typically brings a flurry of new tennis gear announcements, and this year is no different. As far as footwear is concerned, Mizuno has launched a new on-court shoe, Adidas has given us an update to the Ubersonic line, Nike is still all-in on Naomi Osaka, and K-Swiss is dipping into nostalgia for a new lifestyle model. As other brands will certainly enter the fray over the next few months with updated offerings, here’s a roundup of the latest.
Adidas Adizero Ubersonic 5
The Adidas Ubersonic franchise, focused on on-court speed, continues its fascination with lightweight movement with the line’s new Adizero Ubersonic 5. Announced Dec. 3, the shoe features a Speedframe technology new to tennis that boasts a three-piece heel construction popular in soccer and rugby cleats for stability during rapid changes of direction. The low-profile Lightstrike foam midsole and upper (the brand’s proprietary lightweight cushioning and mesh) create a low-to-the-ground feel with minimal weight. The shoe will debut during the Australian Open in “lucid red.”
Images courtesy of Adidas
Images courtesy of Adidas
Mizuno Wave Enforce Court
The long-standing and popular Mizuno Wave Enforce Tour now has a new on-court sibling in the Wave Enforce Court, a lighter version of the Tour model. Complete with the brand’s Enerzy foam paired with additional foam to make this the most cushioned option in the Mizuno stable, the latest from Mizuno signals an emphasis on growing the Mizuno tennis footwear lineup.
Image courtesy of Mizuno
Image courtesy of Mizuno
Nike GP Challenge 1 Osaka
Naomi Osaka is still making her fashion mark at Nike. The latest in a line of retail-ready player-edition models has been released with a new on-court GP Challenge 1. This “Osaka” version features plenty of brown and orange hues and comes with Osaka’s “NO” logo on the tongue. As with other models, the phrase “Return unto others twice as hard as they serve unto you” is on the shoe’s upper.
Image courtesy of Nike
Image courtesy of Nike
K-Swiss Si-18 International
An on-court mainstay when first introduced in 1989, the Si-18 International has been reissued once again by K-Swiss as a vintage lifestyle model. The flagship red, white, and blue retains its classic look, complete with the flags of the home countries of the sport’s four tennis majors on the back heel. The brand says the model is reengineered for additional comfort while still featuring a leather upper and a ski-boot-inspired cinch lacing system.
Image courtesy of K-Swiss
Image courtesy of K-Swiss
