Breakdown

Comfort: 7.6

The updated cushioning and fit of the Asics Gel Resolution Xs were an overall hit with our playtesters, but they all noticed that the break-in period took longer than it did for previous models. For Michelle, the break-in was worth the wait. She explained, "This playtest can be best described as two separate experiences — pre- and post-break-in. The Gel Resolution 9 was one of my favorite shoes, so I knew the Xs would have a bit of a break-in period, but I wasn't expecting it to be as long as it was. As someone who wears the Asics Novablasts as my running shoes, I was hoping for the same plush underfoot feel from the FlyteFoam Blast midsole. I would say it took a solid three weeks playing five days a week for a minimum of an hour per session and wearing the shoes around when off the court before they started to break in and feel good. They felt bulky through the break-in, and I felt like I was stuck on my heels. They also caused cramping underfoot and on the top of my feet to the point where it was hard for me to keep them laced when I wasn’t playing because there was a bit of pressure from the toe box. They fit snug initially on my medium-width feet and true in length. Unlike past models, I didn't have any rubbing near the eyelets, which was a positive. It was tough to lace them up, if I am going to be honest, but the light at the end of the tunnel came after that break-in; then they felt very similar in playability to the Gel Resolution 9s for me. After a month they didn't present any discomfort. It can be tough to spend so much time breaking shoes in because lately we have been testing shoes that offer step-in comfort, but I was glad to find out the break-in eventually subsided, and the Gel Resolution Xs then unlocked in terms of performance." 

The ample cushioning underfoot was a highlight for Brittany. She said, "My initial fit impression of the Gel Resolution Xs was that they were a standard length with a snug medium width that felt perfect for my narrow feet and low arch support. An immediate difference I noticed in this update was that the toe box was a little wider and more voluminous than previous generations. Also, the DYNAWALL on the medial side has been extended upward around the ankles for additional protection. This didn't cause any comfort issues for me, but I was aware of them throughout the playtest. As I was walking around with the shoes prior to hitting, I did notice and appreciate the underfoot cushioning, whicht felt very plush and responsive. Once I started hitting I realized the shoes needed a break-in period because the uppers felt very stiff. What I didn't anticipate was how long the break-in period would be. I spent 15-plus hours on court and still feel like my Gel Resolution Xs haven't broken in completely. They have started to mold slightly around my feet, and the more I wear them, the better they feel. However, they were never completely comfortable for me because of this."

Although she would have preferred to test the wider version of these shoes, Tiffani liked the updates in the Gel Resolution Xs. She described, "I am happy to see Asics come out with a women's wide version of the Gel Resolution X. I wish I could have tested that version, but it was not available at the time of testing. The standard Gel Resolution Xs do have adjustable lacing to set the shoelaces farther apart, and I opted for that setup. It did open up the width a little bit, but not quite enough for my D-width feet. All that said, they are more comfortable for my wide feet overall than the Gel Resolution 9s, which pinched my feet at the sides. I was worried that I would get rubbing at the inside of my ankles because of the higher cut there, and although I exclusively wore no-show socks, I thankfully had no issues. These shoes did require an extensive break-in, and they don't feel fully race ready even after a dozen hours, although they have started to flex better. The underfoot cushioning feels good and protects my feet when I’m running on the hard courts."

Foot Support / Stability: 9.1

The stability and support of the Asics Gel Resolution Xs were highlights of the playtest for our team. Brittany felt secure and locked into the shoes once she utilized the additional eyelet. She said, "The Gel Resolution Xs receive high marks in both the support and stability categories for me. The shoes themselves hugged my ankles and feet well. This allowed me to feel secure within the shoes and confident in the ankle stability. Even after a long match, my ankles and feet weren’t sore. I did use the extra eyelet to get that extra cinch around my ankles."

Even though Michelle would have liked the laces to come up a bit higher, she thought these Gel Resolution Xs felt very supportive and stable. She noted, "Asics made this version of the Resolutions even more stable. It was obvious from the first wear that these were very stable tennis shoes. The support was fine for me, but I was hoping the laces would come up just a bit higher and offer a little more of a locked-in feel around my ankles. Because they fit my feet well and because they were so stable, I didn't have any issues with support."

Tiffani's Gel Resolution Xs flexed better on her feet as they started to break in, and she felt more supported on court. She explained, "The Gel Resolution Xs definitely feel stable around the court. I had some initial struggles with my heels lifting out of the shoes. As the shoes softened up and flexed a bit better, I noticed that the heel issue subsided somewhat. That feeling never fully went away, but I also never had any issues with support in the heel or forefoot."

Overall Sole Durability: 9.1

Our playtesters all agreed that the durability of the Asics Gel Resolution X shoes was top-notch. Tiffani hardly noticed any wear on her pair. She said, "I have easily worn my Gel Resolution Xs for a dozen hours on the hard courts, but you couldn't tell it by looking at the shoes. The tread looks untouched, and the toes are unscathed. We're offering a six-month durability guarantee at TW, but I can't see myself wearing through these outsoles any time soon."

Brittany was pleasantly surprised by how well these shoes held up. She said, "Another highlight of the Gel Resolution Xs was the durability. The sole, upper and toe durability all surpassed my expectations. After more than 15 hours of use, including singles play, I am seeing absolutely no wear or smoothing on any part of the shoes. I would anticipate these shoes lasting a long time, and I think they would be perfect for a junior or college player who spends long hours on court and are hard on their shoes."

The Gel Resolution X's durability stood out to <b>Michelle</b> as well. She described, "I would say these are some of the most durable shoes I've tested in a while! I wish I could take advantage of that medial protection more. I am not a hard court slider, but I can appreciate that added protection. The Gel Resolution Xs are holding up really well for me, and these shoes genuinely seem to be a top option for the serious tournament player who is grinding on the courts day-in and day-out."

Traction: 8.4

The Asics Gel Resolution Xs scored high marks in the traction department as well. The tread pattern and pivot points offered a winning combination of grip and give for our playtesters. Brittany was particularly impressed. She said, "Asics has really nailed the outsole patterns of its shoes, and the Asics Gel Resolution Xs continue that tradition. The traction is top-notch, and I felt very confident when pushing off or changing directions. They have the perfect blend of give and grip, which this allowed me to transition smoothly in any direction, and the traction was maintained throughout the playtest. I feel like aggressive movers will benefit the most from these shoes, especially those who slide out of their shots."

Based on her experience with prior Gel Resolution models, Michelle knew just what to expect from this update. She explained, "The traction levels felt very similar to the previous versions. The traction worked nicely with the stability level of these shoes. They had good tack and never felt too slippery."

The level of traction was a comfortable fit for <b>Tiffani</b>. She said, "The outsoles felt on the grippier side, but they weren't too sticky. I could move through my shots without feeling stuck, and I also didn't find myself spinning my wheels when trying to take off."

Weight: 7.2

Shoes with optimal support and stability are often on the heavier side, and that is no exception with the Asics Gel Resolution Xs. The extra stability features built into these shoes make them weightier than other Asics models. Tiffani described, "I think the overall build of these shoes translates to a bit of a heavier feel on court. The higher medial side, all that rubber and the built-up stability features protect the feet, but they also add weight. They're not overly heavy, but if you're a player who's looking for light and fast shoes, the Asics Solution Speed series would be more up your alley."

"High levels of stability and durability come at a cost, and that is weight," Brittany added. "The Gel Resolution Xs definitely land on the heavier side of all tennis shoes on the market today. They did feel heavy and bulky on my feet, and I felt a little slower than normal. The Gel Resolution Xs did feel a little quicker as the playtest wore on and they slowly started to break in. Personally, I would take away a little durability and stability in favor of slightly lighter shoes."

Although these Gel Resolution Xs undoubtedly fall on the heavier side of the spectrum, Michelle thought they felt more streamlined after breaking them in. She said, "I am not going to lie, these shoes felt very heavy for the initial couple of weeks. They felt bulky and slow. Thankfully, after the break-in they felt quicker and they transitioned more smoothly. These are not the lightest shoes on the market; in fact, they might be some of the heaviest shoes we've tested in a while."

Breakdown Summary