Adidas tennis fans were in for a surprise when the company launched an update to their men’s Ubersonic shoe line. NextGen stars Alexander Zverev and Stefanos Tsitsipas have been wearing the Ubersonic 3.0 throughout the summer hard court season and though the shoes don’t have a drastic redesign, some subtle technical updates should increase the shoes’ user base. Now let’s get to the SHOEDOWN between the Ubersonic 2.0 and the Ubersonic 3.0.
Breathability: Ubersonic 3 – With the 3.0, the sock liner has better wicking properties, and my foot was stabilized without feeling constricted. The sock liner is built more in tandem with the shoe in the 3.0 and doesn’t feel disconnected like it did in the previous generation. It pulls moisture to the outside of the shoe substantially better than in the 2.0, allowing it to dry out faster. I had issues wearing low-cut and no-show socks with the Ubersonic 2.0.
The sock liner would rub the back of my heel and Achilles, so I was forced to wear crew or quarter crew socks. This was an issue in the intense heat because the more material you have on your feet, the more sweat the shoe seems to absorb. At right, the improved sockliner has better breathability and fit
Responsiveness: Ubersonic 3 – The cushioning has been improved in the Ubersonic 3 but you still feel the stability and explosiveness that made the 2 such a trailblazing shoe. The polyurethane midsole offers improved softness and returns energy well for players who stay on the balls of their feet.In the 3.0, the designers kept the same level of heel cushioning, but they beefed up the fore foot and toe box for more stability. Overall, the foot sits a little closer to the ground but slightly flatter than the previous version for increased stability in all directions.
Durability: Ubersonic 3 – The upper is comprised of Dyneema® yarn in contrast to the dual layer mesh on the 2.0. This material is tough, durable, and more substantial than the mesh in the 2.0. The upper also handles scrapes and scratches from hard court play as well as or better than the 2.0.
Fit: Tie – The Ubersonic 2.0 has a loyal following, and they have come to know the lightweight, supportive, and snug fit of the sneakers. The 3.0 makes the Ubersonic a solid entry for a larger group of players with a little more room in the forefoot and toe-box.There will be an adjustment period for people moving from the 2.0 to the 3.0, but they will find the 3.0 to be an excellent evolution of the Ubersonic family. The upper material works in tandem with the sock liner to give a solid all around fit. With the 2.0, I felt the sock-liner’s tight fit in some ways negated the shoes laces as it was already fairly snug.
Style / Design: Ubersonic 3.0 – The 3.0 blends awesome summertime colors Legend Ink and Shock Yellow with a Cloud White outsole. The upper has this woven construction which will do a better job of hiding dirt and sweat from workouts.
When I laced up the Ubersonic 3.0, I immediately felt less like I was wearing a ski boot, and more like I was wearing a performance tennis shoe. The Dyneema® upper is a perfect marriage with the improved sock liner for easy on and off. The forefoot is roomier, but the sock liner (seemingly softer) steers your foot in the right direction, providing comfortable and customizable support. At right the designers increased stability and support in the forefoot area making it more level with the heel. Also notice the toe drag protection.
On court, the improvement in ventilation is pronounced. The shoes do a better job of protecting your feet with a fabric that breaths more naturally than the older, double-layer mesh. The mid-sole combines with the outsole to provide a cushioned ride while still feeling close to the court surface. The tread has changed slightly from the previous version as it flexes and supports well during dynamic movements like sliding or sprinting for drop shots.The full-length polyurethane mid-sole has some good bounce and energy return with a more plush feel than in the 2.0. After a couple of sets in the heat, the shoes showed a remarkable improvement over the 2.0 because they hadn’t absorbed a lot of sweat. Later the same afternoon, the shoes were dried out and ready for the next session on court. Below you can see the two layer mesh in the 2.0 give way to Dyneema in the 3.0
The Adidas Ubersonic 3.0 is one of the best performance tennis shoes available. The shoes offer a perfect balance between support, style, and breathability that professional players have come to know and love. The shoes are also shipping in an additional color of Matte Silver and Black, and a clay court version in Legend Ink. Head over to Tennis Express for sizes and ordering information.
PRO TIP: You wouldn’t fill up your Ferrari with regular unleaded gasoline, so don’t expect excellent performance wearing older 100% cotton socks in shoes like the Ubersonic 3.0. Polyester-based socks will improve the shoes ventilation and give you more predictable movements which are integral in a dynamic sport like tennis.
