for myself , not so like the flexion feeling at forefoot area(top side) of gel blast. already got a new SHB 86ex
Fresh Gel Blade 3 from Asics store in London. I was hoping to get newer models, but not here yet. Coincidently, Yonex F1, Shb 85, and Mizuno Wave Fang weighed in at: 262g, 271g, 267g, @ 25.5cm. They are in a previous post somewhere.
Quick review - not great. I actually bought a pair of last year's Gel Volleycross MSRP $200 Cdn to save these. But, both these shoes aren't really grippy even with Asic's "Wet Grip" tech. Also, the Gel Blade are more like an "Old School" 1 piece sole and kinda curve with your foot. Pretty heavy compared to Yonex F1 and Mizuno Wave Fang and you can see all the extra rubber and foam as opposed to F1. Good cushioning for a fairly low shoe and you do feel some of the Asic's "IGS", etc. My tops in the last 5 years: Wave Fang, F1, Shb 100, Shb 85, Wave Smash GT
If you want the ultimate lightweight, Gel Blade 3 perhaps is not the best choice. SHB-F1 is light and it a little more grippy, but that's it (no where near the solidness of SH 9000 Ace and the cushioning of Blade 3). Having owned SHB-F1, SH 9000 Ace and Gel Blade 3, I'd say the Asics one got the best cushioning. Also consider the shape of your feet - mine are wide so Gel Blade 3 fits me better than the other two models.
gel-blast 4 is better..i do think that heavy or light weighted personal should wear it due to protecting ur knee and from my xperience..it can absorp more of the impact when i'm running the whole court to catch the ball ahaks..
