Tennis matches may be fast, fierce and long, but the new Nike Air Zoom GP Turbo Tennis Shoes will keep your feet fresh for the long haul. With an innovative new design and plenty of cushioning, this shoe looks to satisfy players’ needs for ultimate comfort, durability and style. 2 of our playtesters break down their thoughts about this iconic and unique tennis shoe.
Ammara’s Thoughts:
The unique aesthetic (very basketball-meets-tennis-meets-sneakers!) made me super excited to get to the court with the Nike GP Turbo. First thing I noticed was the plush cushioning inside! The sheer amount of cushioning and overarching comfort of this shoe came as a pleasant surprise. It’s there right from the get-go, and I could feel it throughout my time on court. My feet felt supported from all angles, I could move around with tremendous ease, and it offered me that locked-in feel that I’m always looking for in a tennis shoe. It surprisingly didn’t feel very heavy on my feet and delivered on the durability promise.
Breathability was the only aspect I felt the GP Turbo left a bit to be desired in. The translucent upper is designed to improve airflow, but my feet started to feel sweaty after a while. The construction is a bit on the narrower, shorter side, so I recommend sizing up at least half a size. I sized up one full size (went from my usual 8.5 to a 9.5), because I prefer extra room in the toe box.
Pros:
- Exceptional comfort and cushioning
- Plenty of support and durability
- Locked-in feel
Cons:
- Breathability needs improvement
- On the narrow, short side
Playtester Ammara Mukhi:
Ammara works at Tennis Express on the Content/Social Media team. An avid badminton player growing up, she now plays both badminton and tennis recreationally. She’s a big fan of Roger Federer and wants him to continue breaking records.
My Thoughts:
I thoroughly enjoyed my playtest with the Nike GP Turbo and wasn’t sure at first if I was going to like it. The best part about this shoe is the comfort! Right away I got a soft sensation all around my feet allowing to feel comfortable throughout my time on court. There’s plenty of support and responsiveness to absorb shock as I moved around. I also enjoyed the unique upper construction which kept it tight around my feet while also giving it a distinctive look. The only areas of concern I had were breathability and weight. Due to the higher amount of cushioning, the breathability was lacking for me and made my feet sweat more. Additionally this caused my shoes to feel much heavier after a couple hours of play. I would highly recommend anyone that sweats profusely to use sweat-wicking performance socks to minimize that issue.
Pros:
- Soft cushioning
- Great support and responsiveness
- Secure fitting all around
Cons:
- Not much breathability or airflow
- Shoes felt heavy after a couple hours of play
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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