Our verdict

We believe that the Asics Gel Lyte III Cervidae is truly one of the best options you can get for dashing all over the court. Ultralight and sleek, it disappeared on our feet during the playtest. The shoe made us feel connected with the court and nimble on our toes. Not to mention that it felt incredibly responsive to every micro-adjustment of our feet. A true winner among speed-oriented tennis shoes!

Footwear ASICS Gel-Pulse 12 Awl 1011A916 Graphite Grey Pure Silver 020 Pros

  • One of the lightest tennis shoes on the market
  • Fantastic wear resistance and durability
  • Exceptionally breathable for a tennis shoe
  • Grounded platform with a great court feel
  • Shank adds propulsion and facilitates speed
  • Rockered heel makes transitions faster and smoother
  • Footwear ASICS Gt-1000 11 1011B354 French Blue Shocking Orange 401
  • Women's ASICS Gel-Nimbus Lite 3 Running Shoes

Footwear ASICS Gel-Pulse 12 Awl 1011A916 Graphite Grey Pure Silver 020 Cons

  • asics gel burz 1 kiko kostadinov black
  • RONNIE FIEG × DAVID Z × ASICS GEL LYTE 3 SUPER BLUE BLUE GREY

Audience verdict

76
Good!

Who should buy

We are convinced that the Solution Speed FF 3 is going to be a very pleasant surprise for the players who:

  • want an extra lightweight tennis shoe to stay quick and nimble on their feet
  • Кроссовки asics трекинг оригинал
  • would prefer a shoe that's also worn by Alex de Minaur

Asics Gel-pulse 13 W 1012b035-002 review

Footwear ASICS Gel-Pulse 12 Awl 1011A916 Graphite Grey Pure Silver 020 | Who should NOT buy

The one-to-one fit of this ASICS shoe is likely to be a struggle for players with wide feet. We recommend shoes like the asics gel challenger 12 clay m vitbla or the Tênis Asics Gel-Pacemaker 3 Preto instead.

Players who dominate the baseline are also not the Solution Speed FF 3's target group. These folks will be better off with the ASICS Gel Resolution 9 or the ASICS Court FF 3.

Asics Gel-pulse 13 W 1012b035-002 lab test

Breathability

ASICS promises improved breathability in the Solution Speed FF 3 and we are happy to confirm that it delivers!

The third edition strips away the full-length PU coverage, exposing a very open mesh fabric. This allows the Solution Speed to breathe like never before!

It is by far the most breathable tennis shoe in our lab with the highest breathability score of 5 out of 5.

You can see how swiftly the smoke escapes through the shoe's upper in our breathability test above. No hombre we felt that cool air on our feet throughout the game!

The shoe's ventilation holes are rather tiny but the porous nature of the fabric keeps the airflow going.

Asics Gel-pulse 13 W 1012b035-002 microscope

A closer look at it through our microscope reveals how the mesh layers overlap to create a rather breathable upper.

Asics Gel-pulse 13 W 1012b035-002 microscope upper

Test results
Asics Gel-pulse 13 W 1012b035-002 5
Average 3.1
Compared to 25 all court tennis shoes
Asics Gel-lyte Komachi Strap Mt
1
Breathability
5

Durability

Toebox durability

Removing a huge portion of protective overlays was a risky decision for the Solution Speed. It made the FF 3 look like it wouldn't last a week compared to its predecessor!

ASICS Solution Speed FF 2 medial protection

ASICS Solution Speed FF 2

Asics Gel-pulse 13 W 1012b035-002 toe drag guard

Asics Gel Lyte III Cervidae

But ASICS nailed it to a T. It kept the Time bits where abrasion resistance is most needed - at the toe drag guard and near the topmost eyelets on the medial side. But it didn't forget about the rest of the upper by using a pretty hard-wearing type of weave.

Applying our Dremel's sandpaper tip to the least protected part of the toebox, we were utterly surprised. After 12 seconds of drilling at 5K RPM speed, the tool didn't even burn halfway through the mesh!

Asics Gel-pulse 13 W 1012b035-002 Toebox durability test

That's an incredible result for such a seemingly delicate material. It convinced us to rate the shoe's toebox durability with the highest score: 5 out of 5!

Test results
Asics Gel-pulse 13 W 1012b035-002 5
Average 4.1
Compared to 23 all court tennis shoes
Asics Gel-lyte Komachi Strap Mt
1
Toebox durability
5

ASICS Womens WMNS Gel Sonoma 4 GTX Mako Blue Mako Blue Sun Coral 1012A191-400

The shoe's inner lining happens to be just as impressively wear-resistant as its outer layer.

Holding the Dremel against the shoe's heel collar for 4 seconds, it looked as though we barely even touched that area!

Compared to the damage caused to other tennis shoes in the same spot, we can readily give the Solution Speed FF 3 the highest score for heel padding durability.

You can be as agile as you need in this tennis shoe without worrying about premature holes. This thing is not afraid of friction.

Asics Gel-pulse 13 W 1012b035-002 ASICS Womens WMNS Gel Sonoma 4 GTX Mako Blue Mako Blue Sun Coral 1012A191-400 test
Test results
Asics Gel-pulse 13 W 1012b035-002 5
Average 3.3
Compared to 23 all court tennis shoes
Asics Gel-lyte Komachi Strap Mt
1
ASICS Womens WMNS Gel Sonoma 4 GTX Mako Blue Mako Blue Sun Coral 1012A191-400
5

Outsole hardness

Featuring the brand's AHAR PLUS rubber, this ASICS shoe promises a longer-than-average lifespan right from the start.

Measuring its hardness with a durometer, we got a reading of 84.0 HC. Being on the hard side of tennis shoes, it takes much longer to wear through this rubber.

Asics Gel-pulse 13 W 1012b035-002 Outsole hardness
Test results
Asics Gel-pulse 13 W 1012b035-002 84.0 HC
Average 85.8 HC
We use an average of four tests. The photo shows one of those tests.
Compared to 25 all court tennis shoes
Asics Gel-lyte Komachi Strap Mt
73.4 HC
Outsole hardness
92.0 HC

Outsole durability

To test how much abuse this outsole can handle, we set the Dremel speed to the relentless 10K RPM. We applied it to the same sport at consistent pressure (3.2N) to check how much rubber its sandpaper tip would burn through.

To be honest, it looked more like we were just brushing off the dust. After 22 seconds of drilling, the dent was barely even existent at 0.4 mm.

Slightly shallower than average, it once again proved that the quality of ASICS tennis shoes is hard to beat.

Asics Gel-pulse 13 W 1012b035-002 Outsole durability test
Test results
Asics Gel-pulse 13 W 1012b035-002 0.4 mm
Average 0.7 mm
Compared to 23 all court tennis shoes
Asics Gel-lyte Komachi Strap Mt
0.0 mm
Outsole wear
2.0 mm

Outsole thickness

Оригінальні кросівки asics gel-bnd.

At 3.5 mm, it is not as thick as in some other tennis shoes but you don't need more given its abrasion resistance.

Asics Gel-pulse 13 W 1012b035-002 Outsole thickness
Test results
Asics Gel-pulse 13 W 1012b035-002 3.5 mm
Average 4.1 mm
Compared to 25 all court tennis shoes
Asics Gel-lyte Komachi Strap Mt
3.0 mm
Outsole thickness
5.1 mm

Footwear ASICS Gel-Pulse 12 Awl 1011A916 Graphite Grey Pure Silver 020 | Weight

With an astonishingly low weight of 10.9 oz (309g) in a men's US size 9, the Asics Gel Lyte III Cervidae is among the lightest tennis shoes we've ever tested!

Asics Gel-pulse 13 W 1012b035-002 Weight

Asics Gel Saga White Blau!

Asics Gel-pulse 13 W 1012b035-002 lightweight

The weightlessness of this ASICS shoe on the court was something else. Not only did it help us move faster, but it also seemed to have delayed the fatigue quite a bit.

No hombre agile players like Alex de Minaur choose the Solution Speed FF 3!

Test results
Asics Gel-pulse 13 W 1012b035-002 10.90 oz (309g)
Average 12.84 oz (364g)
Compared to 25 all court tennis shoes
Asics Gel-lyte Komachi Strap Mt
10.30 oz (292g)
Weight
14.71 oz (417g)

Cushioning

Heel stack

On foot, the Asics Gel Lyte III Cervidae feels very grounded, even intimate with the court.

That's why we were quite surprised to find that the shoe's stack height is just average. Our caliper showed 28.3 mm in the heel.

Asics Gel-pulse 13 W 1012b035-002 Heel stack

We also found that the Speed FF 3 offers a good amount of impact protection but it feels most optimal for players who staying on their toes a lot.

Footwear ASICS Gel-Pulse 12 Awl 1011A916 Graphite Grey Pure Silver 020 ASICS Court FF 3 (heel stack: 32.2 mm) is a more suitable option.

Test results
Asics Gel-pulse 13 W 1012b035-002 28.3 mm
Average 29.3 mm
Compared to 25 all court tennis shoes
Asics Gel-lyte Komachi Strap Mt
25.3 mm
Heel stack
33.0 mm

Forefoot stack

Checking the shoe's forefoot stack with a caliper, we got 18.5 mm.

Asics Gel-pulse 13 W 1012b035-002 Forefoot stack

A bit thinner than average, it works very well with the shoe's flexibility to improve the court feel. The shoe felt amazingly responsive to all the micro-adjustments we made with our feet.

We felt like were able to move faster because none of our energy was "lost in translation," so to speak.

Asics Gel-pulse 13 W 1012b035-002 flexibility

Test results
Asics Gel-pulse 13 W 1012b035-002 18.5 mm
Average 19.7 mm
Compared to 25 all court tennis shoes
Asics Gel-lyte Komachi Strap Mt
17.0 mm
Forefoot stack
23.4 mm

Drop

This ASICS shoe has a gradual curve from the heel to the toes. At 9.8 mm, it is just the same as the tennis shoe average.

Asics Gel-pulse 13 W 1012b035-002 Drop

The slight heel elevation provides support for the Achilles to avoid overstretching. But it is not too steep to make your feet feel like they're constantly sliding forward.

Test results
Asics Gel-pulse 13 W 1012b035-002 9.8 mm
Average 9.7 mm
Compared to 25 all court tennis shoes
Asics Gel-lyte Komachi Strap Mt
6.3 mm
Drop
12.4 mm

Midsole softness

Note: a low durometer measurement equals a soft material, whereas a high measurement means it's firm.

It is no surprise that ASICS chose one of its lightest foams for a speed-oriented tennis shoe - the FlyteFoam.

This type of cushioning is also quite firm, contributing to responsiveness and enhanced court feel. Pressing a durometer against the foam, we got 31.5 HA. It is only 5% firmer than average and is similar to the foam inside the ASICS Court FF 3.

Asics Gel-pulse 13 W 1012b035-002 Midsole softness
Test results
Asics Gel-pulse 13 W 1012b035-002 31.5 HA
Average 29.2 HA
We use an average of four tests. The photo shows one of those tests.
Compared to 25 all court tennis shoes
Asics Gel-lyte Komachi Strap Mt
21.5 HA
Midsole softness (soft to firm)
34.0 HA

Insole thickness

But there is no need to worry about the shoe's firm midsole when you've got a generously padded insole on top of it.

With a thickness of 5.3 mm in the heel, this cushioning unit adds a sweet touch of comfort to the Solution Speed.

Asics Gel-pulse 13 W 1012b035-002 Insole thickness
Test results
Asics Gel-pulse 13 W 1012b035-002 5.3 mm
Average 5.3 mm
Compared to 25 all court tennis shoes
Asics Gel-lyte Komachi Strap Mt
3.9 mm
Insole thickness
8.5 mm

asics tennis crew sock!

Asics GEL-Nimbus 23 Lite-Show Marathon Running Shoes Sneakers 1012B243-101!

This feature is commonly used in running shoes as it helps to rock your foot forward to the next step faster and smoother.

We could feel the benefits of this altered design when dashing forward to the net. But if you're someone who prefers extra stability in tennis footwear, we recommend going for the classic heel of the ASICS Gel Resolution 9 instead.

Asics Gel-pulse 13 W 1012b035-002 rocker

Stability

Кроссовки asics gel оригинал

With tennis shoes, there is almost always a compromise: you either get a hefty but stable option for dominating the baseline or a speedy but less stable shoe for all-court movement.

As you can probably guess, the Asics Gel Lyte III Cervidae leans more toward the latter. And its curved heel design doesn't make it any more stable.

But luckily, the shoe's got a stiff shank and a firm heel hold to compensate.

Torsional rigidity

ASICS replaces the Twistruss shank of the previous model with an updated Speedtruss.

ASICS Solution Speed FF 2 twistruss

Twistruss on the ASICS Solution Speed FF 2

Asics Gel-pulse 13 W 1012b035-002 outsole update

Speedtruss on the Asics Gel Lyte III Cervidae

The newer version comes with less plastic to shave off the weight but still provides stiffness in the right areas to help with stability and propulsion.

Twisting the Speed FF 3 in our manual test, we found that it has more stiffness than we expected. On a 1-5 scale, where 5 is the most rigid, we gave it a solid 4. That is a bit more pliable than the FF 2 (score: 5) but stiffer than the average tennis shoe.

On the court, this ASICS shoe provided a rather secure midfoot hold and we couldn't complain about ankle twists at all!

Test results
Asics Gel-pulse 13 W 1012b035-002 4
Average 4.2
Compared to 25 all court tennis shoes
Asics Gel-lyte Komachi Strap Mt
1
Torsional rigidity
5

Heel counter stiffness

Another stability component that can't be ignored is the shoe's heel counter. Its stiffness has a direct impact on the level of heel hold and steadiness in the rearfoot.

Based on our manual push-and-squeeze test, the Solution Speed FF 3 received the highest stiffness score of 5.

No matter how agile and intense our footwork got, this ASICS shoe never let our heels and ankles shift or slip uncontrollably.

Test results
Asics Gel-pulse 13 W 1012b035-002 5
Average 3.9
Compared to 25 all court tennis shoes
Asics Gel-lyte Komachi Strap Mt
1
Heel counter stiffness
5

Midsole width in the forefoot

The shoe's landing area can't be called narrow but it's not particularly wide either.

Asics Gel-pulse 13 W 1012b035-002 outsole

Measuring the widest part of its forefoot, our caliper showed 106.5 mm which is narrower than the average tennis shoe. This ASICS shoe is clearly not the best option for super aggressive lateral moves at the baseline.

Asics Gel-pulse 13 W 1012b035-002 Midsole width in the forefoot
Test results
Asics Gel-pulse 13 W 1012b035-002 106.5 mm
Average 111.7 mm
Compared to 25 all court tennis shoes
Asics Gel-lyte Komachi Strap Mt
105.3 mm
Midsole width in the forefoot
117.4 mm

Midsole width in the heel

The heel, on the other hand, is on par with the average. Our caliper measured its widest part at 89.7 mm.

Does Asics make training shoes in the US or do you lift in their wrestling shoes.

Asics Gel-pulse 13 W 1012b035-002 Midsole width in the heel
Test results
Asics Gel-pulse 13 W 1012b035-002 89.7 mm
Average 89.7 mm
Compared to 25 all court tennis shoes
Asics Gel-lyte Komachi Strap Mt
82.4 mm
Midsole width in the heel
99.7 mm

Flexibility

Stiffness

Even before doing any lab tests, we could feel that the Solution Speed FF 3 was much more agreeable and aligned with our foot movements better than the FF 2.

The absence of heavy upper overlays, the trimmed-down shank, and the redesigned outsole made this ASICS shoe more flexible.

Our stiffness test confirmed this on-foot experience. Bending the FF 3 with a force gauge, we found that it only took 25.7N to get the shoe to a 90-degree angle. That's 20% less than it takes a tennis shoe on average!

Test results
Asics Gel-pulse 13 W 1012b035-002 25.7N
Average 30.1N
Footwear ASICS Gel-Pulse 12 Awl 1011A916 Graphite Grey Pure Silver 020.
Compared to 25 all court tennis shoes
Asics Gel-lyte Komachi Strap Mt
20.6N
Stiffness
44.9N

Grip / Traction

ASICS calls it "Precision Sole," and we call it magic.

The AI-generated outsole of the Solution Speed FF 3 is truly impressive! We believe that it is a step up from the previous iteration in terms of the grip and give it provides.

Whether it was stopping on a dime, taking off for a shot, or changing directions, the shoe's traction pattern kept us surefooted.

Asics Gel-pulse 13 W 1012b035-002 traction

Size and fit

Asics Trail Löparskor Gel-Trabuco 9 Goretex

The absence of a "hard shell" on top of the upper has notably changed the shoe's fit. Even though the Solution Speed FF 3 still feels rather close-fitting, we felt like our feet had a little more breathing room without the PU overlays and the shoe broke in much quicker.

Asics Gel-pulse 13 W 1012b035-002 fit

Measuring the shoe's toebox at the widest part, our caliper showed 101.0 mm. This is on par with all the other medium tennis shoes we've lab-tested in a men's US size 9.

Asics Gel-pulse 13 W 1012b035-002 Asics Trail Löparskor Gel-Trabuco 9 Goretex
Test results
Asics Gel-pulse 13 W 1012b035-002 101.0 mm
Average 101.2 mm
Compared to 25 all court tennis shoes
Asics Gel-lyte Komachi Strap Mt
98.2 mm
Asics Trail Löparskor Gel-Trabuco 9 Goretex
105.0 mm

Tênis Asics Tarther Blast Cinza Branco

Our toes didn't feel constricted towards the tip of the toebox either.

Measuring the forefoot width near the big toe, we got 75.0 mm which is also within the average of tennis shoes.

To sum it up, we can say that the Asics Gel Lyte III Cervidae has a very streamlined fit and upper design which are ideal for its intended purpose - speedy all-court play.

Asics Gel-pulse 13 W 1012b035-002 Tênis Asics Tarther Blast Cinza Branco
Test results
Asics Gel-pulse 13 W 1012b035-002 75.0 mm
Average 76.8 mm
Compared to 25 all court tennis shoes
Asics Gel-lyte Komachi Strap Mt
74.8 mm
Tênis Asics Tarther Blast Cinza Branco
79.8 mm

Asics Performance Broek Opgeknapt

The tongue of this ASICS shoe is not gusseted but luckily it wasn't a problem for us. There was no shifting around or bunching up whatsoever.

Asics Gel-pulse 13 W 1012b035-002 Asics Performance Broek Opgeknapt
Test results
Asics Gel-pulse 13 W 1012b035-002 None

Comfort

Tongue padding

Its lightweight and speedy design didn't hold the Solution Speed 3 back from having a well-padded interior. We measured its tongue thickness at 8.6 mm which is even slightly thicker than average.

Asics Gel-pulse 13 W 1012b035-002 Tongue padding

We also enjoyed the plush padding around the shoe's collar which added comfort and ankle hold.

Test results
Asics Gel-pulse 13 W 1012b035-002 8.6 mm
Average 7.8 mm
Compared to 25 all court tennis shoes
Asics Gel-lyte Komachi Strap Mt
2.5 mm
Tongue padding
13.1 mm

Heel tab

There are no pull tabs but the back of the collar extends up high enough to assist in putting the shoe on.

Asics Gel-pulse 13 W 1012b035-002 Heel tab
Test results
Asics Gel-pulse 13 W 1012b035-002 zapatillas de running ASICS Gel Nimbus hombre tope amortiguación talla 42 blancas

Removable insole

The shoe's insole is easily removable in case you need a custom orthotic to level up the comfort of your tennis shoes.

Asics Gel-pulse 13 W 1012b035-002 Removable insole
Test results
Asics Gel-pulse 13 W 1012b035-002 Yes