The Diadora Speed Star K shoe family has been around for several generations thanks to tennis superstars Jennifer Capriati and Jim Courier putting this shoe on the map. Unlike most shoes on the market today, it has a retro look and feel that makes it iconic as well as timeless. The updated S.Star K Duratech model gets a slightly new design, but maintains the same features as its predecessors: kangaroo leather upper, Scratchproof rubber inserts, Axeler wi-5 propulsion midsole, CCB technology, and Duratech 5000 rubber outsole just to name a few. This shoe continues to give players of all levels an excellent blend of comfort, stability, and durability. 2 of our playtesters hit the court and give us their thoughts on this retro shoe.
Albane’s Thoughts:
It was my first time wearing Diadora tennis shoes and I was impressed by how comfortable they were. The Star K Duratech had great underfoot cushioning and traction allowing me to play for hours without feeling any discomfort. Also I got a lot of support with this shoe and it covered my heel well making movements around the court super easy. I didn’t feel wrong footed at any time. The outsole is also very durable. It didn’t wear out fast and the toe guard protects the shoe efficiently from being dragged on the court. I personally liked the “sneaker” style Diadora used for this shoe which gives it a little retro look. However, I wished they had used different colors than pink and purple, to give it a fresher design. Additionally, I thought it lacked a little ventilation as my feet got warm pretty fast. Overall the Star K Duratech is a really good shoe and I would recommend it to any player looking for great comfort.
Pros: 
- Cushioning
- Supportive
- Great durability
Cons:
- Not a big fan of the colors
- Not much ventilation
Playtester Albane Queinnec:
Albane is currently part of the Team Sales Department at Tennis Express. She is originally from Versailles, France. She graduated from Reinhardt University, GA, where she helped the tennis team win their first AAC Conference Tournament Championship. Her favorite Grand Slam is Roland Garros.
My Thoughts:
I was excited and intrigued to get these shoes out on court due to it’s retro style, traditional fitting, and unprecedented durability. When I first put the shoes on, it felt tight around my foot and made my arches feel uncomfortable. I needed to loosen up both sets of shoe laces and walk around with the shoes untied for about an hour before they broke in nicely. Once on my feet tied up, I truly enjoyed the high amounts of cushioning and support while feeling secure in my movement. Durability is another great feature as you won’t get any early baldness or loss of traction, plus there’s a 6-month outsole warranty. Breathability wise it better than expected, but not the greatest due to the all-leather upper. One area I felt needed some improvement is in shock absorption. After about 2 hours of play, my heels would be sore due to the constant pounding of my feet hitting the ground. Overall though, I give the Diadora S.Star K Duratech high praise for its cushioning, durability, style and fit.
Pros:
- Lots of cushioning
- Excellent traction
- 6-month outsolde durability
- Leather upper for protection
Cons:
- Low breathability
- Needs a break-in period
- Shock absorption decreases over time
Playtester Chris Virk-Brown:
Chris currently works at Tennis Express on the Content Marketing team. He previously played at Neumann University and coached at the collegiate level for 3 years. He is USPTA Certified and is an active USTA League and Tournament player at the 4.5+ level. He really wants Gael Monfils or Jo-Wilfred Tsonga to win a grand slam.
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