6 Best Babolat Tennis Shoes
Tennis people know a lot about the brand Babolat, but mostly that relates to racquets and strings. They have always made some clothing options available, but over the last few years, they have focused on making more of an impact in that area.
Babolat tennis shoes are not the most popular amongst professionals or casual players, but they do have some great options. Looking to buy a pair of shoes from the French company?
These five are the best they have right now, and their options are plentiful enough that people can find something for their foot exactly.
1. Babolat Propulse Fury
Right now, this option is the best from Babolat for a durable, long-lasting shoe. The Propulse line has been around for a while, and it always scores highly with durability.
It comes with a six-month durability guarantee, and the Michelin rubber used on the outsole is very tough to work through. In fact, it is one of the most durable shoes on the market, regardless of brand.
Not all the focus is on durability though, as they have made this the most comfortable shoe in this line yet. That is thanks to a reworked upper that uses mesh and synthetic materials to keep things fairly lightweight.
They have a technology called Power Belt, which helps to lock the heel and midfoot into the shoe would move it around. Instead of fearing a lot of slipping and sliding, the shoe performs well no matter where a player is on the court.
The shoe’s fit is a little narrow, but there is some flexibility with the fit if a person breaks them in properly. This makes them a very good option for any type of player needing a new tennis shoe. It’s slightly on the heavier side, but nothing too noticeable that will hinder a player’s performance.
Pros
- Extremely durable
- Adaptable fit
- Targeted cushioning in the right areas
Cons
- Still a little on the heavy side (15.4 ounces)
- Feel stiff in the beginning
2. Babolat Jet Mach II
Some tennis players simply can’t get enough when it comes to a very lightweight shoe. While they likely are not going to last as long in the end, that extra bit of lightness can make a difference between feeling tired at the end of the match, and feeling refreshed.
For those who want to cut weight in the feet, the Jet Mach II AC is one of the lightest shoes on the market. With an average weight of 11.7 ounces, it’s hard to find a performance tennis shoe any lighter than that from any company.
Babolat has found a way to cut weight in a variety of ways. For starters, they use a one-piece construction set up with the upper so that the foot stays locked in and there.
This doesn’t add any additional weight to the shoe. The upper is made of Kevlar and Polyamine fiber, which helps a lot with overall stability (despite the weight of the shoe).
The midsole and outsole are slightly reduced, especially when compared directly to the Babolat Propulse Fury. The shoes are not as durable, but they will hold up during matchplay for a good amount of time.
It’s impossible to have it all, so keep in mind that the shoes will wear out quickly. Some players have even gone the route of using a heavier, more durable model for practice, and then using the Jet Mach 2 shoe matches.
Pros
- One of the lightest performance tennis shoes available
- Virtually no break-in period
- Provides plenty of stability
Cons
- Outsole wears out a little too quickly
- Limited toe durability for toe-draggers
3. Babolat Propulse Blast
For a slightly lighter, less feature-packed version of the Propulse Fury or Rage, the Propulse Blast is a great option to consider. It is around $20-$30 cheaper, and they can shave just about 2 ounces off of the weight of the shoes.
However, since it isn’t packed with the same cutting-edge technology, it is not as recommended as the best options right now.
The upper is perhaps the most noticeable area for people who can’t pick between the Fury and the Blast. The Blast just feels a little more like low technology, using less flexible materials and not getting that same locked-in feeling. It still works very well, but the Fury takes it to another level.
If shoes are easy to wear out, it’s worth spending the extra money on the Fury. If shoes mostly don’t wear out easily, saving the extra bit of money here might be the best move.
The final advantage of this shoe over others is that they don’t have the same width problem as the Fury. Some people just can’t find the right fit with the Fury (or Rage for that matter), and it can be very frustrating.
This is very similar to that shoe, but a more normal width. That might provide more of a lockdown feeling when in the shoe.
Pros
- Affordably priced
- Proper width sizing
- Well-rounded shoe for a blend of durability and speed
Cons
- Limited colorways
- Lacks some of the new technology
4. Babolat Jet Mach I
Even though they are mostly focused on the Jet Mach II right now, there are still plenty of Jet Mach I options still available online. While the Jet Mach II seems like a pretty big advancement in technology, there are some things to like about the old model as well.
Like the newest version, the upper is entirely made of one piece. It’s a little heavier than the current model, but some reviewers say that the old version is slightly more breathable. If A player is always having issues with overheating in shoes, this is the knowledge that might help make a decision.
The sole also seems a little more durable with the Jet Mach I. Maybe that is part of the reason why it weighs almost 1 ounce more than the current model, but some people might not notice or care about the difference.
If a little bit of additional life can be added to a pair of shoes, that might work better than just making it slimmer and more lightweight.
Take advantage of the discount for the Jet Mach I, as it seems like the company won’t release new colors of this shoe in the future. It’s still worth investing in the new version if the Jet Mach II feels better on foot, but the old one is just fine for a lot of players.
Pros
- More affordable than the Jet Mach 2
- Great breathability
- Solid durability for a speed-focused shoe
Cons
- Weighs around one ounce more than the Jet Mach 2
- Limited availability now
5. Babolat SFX3
For wide foot tennis players, Babolat is largely seen as a bad company to shop with. Most of their performance shoes are a little narrow in the front shoe, but they do have an alternative. The SFX3 caters to people with wider feet, offering them an opportunity to feel comfortable with the shoes every time they step on the court.
The rest of the shoe is very comfortable, but maybe not the most durable one out there. It has a good cushioning system that a lot of older players will enjoy, and like all the shoes, it uses that Michelin rubber for the outside.
It’s just not built to withstand a lot of heavy moving and sliding on hard courts consistently. If a person is looking to do that, they might need to go in a different direction with another shoe out there.
Pros
- Various width options
- Affordable
- Classic design
Cons
- Lacks a lot of modern technology
- Shoe feels stiff early on
6. Babolat Propulse Rage
This is yet another shoe that is designed for power and explosion on the court. Players who need the maximum amount of durability and support when playing should look into this option. It lines up very similarly to the Propulse Fury, but there are a few differences to keep in mind.
Cushioning is something that doesn’t feel that great at first, but it takes some playing with the shoes to get a better feel of how everything works. Those players who are having foot issues might want a little more cushioning than this offers, but it is an upgrade over the type of cushioning that is used in the fury.
Another advancement is a little more added stability with the Rage compared to the Fury. Players want to feel very secure when they are moving around the court, and that can sometimes be hard without stability. The Propulse Rage really locks the foot in and makes a person feel comfortable no matter what type of shot they are pulling off.
There isn’t that much difference between the Fury and Rage right now, and for some people, that can make picking the right one problematic. The Fury has a few more colors, and it also seems like a better universal fit for different types of players.
Try out that one first, and if it doesn’t I feel just right, the Rage might be the better option. Also keep in mind that the Fury is usually found just a bit cheaper, which is a major selling point for any type of tennis player.
Pros
- Great stability
- Solid amount of comfort
- Built to last
Cons
- Most expensive Babolat tennis shoe on the market
- Limited colorways for now
What Is The Best Babolat Tennis Shoe Overall?
When factoring in everything, it’s hard to not recommend the Babolat Propulse Fury AC as the best shoe offered by the company right now. Not only does it sell for a very reasonable price, but it has some of the best technology a person could ask for. You can check the current price on Amazon here.
It’s not going to be the most lightweight shoe, but it fits many different styles of play. A person should never settle for a shoe without trying it on first, but this is the best general option that they offer.
On top of the actual fit of the shoe, there are plenty of choices available as well. Babolat doesn’t have as many color choices as the other brands, but there is still enough variety that a person can find exactly what they are looking for.
The breaking in doesn’t take too long, but understand that it does take a little bit of time for the shoe to feel just right. Most of the bad black tennis shoes feel a little stiff at the beginning, but that’s completely normal.
Here is the full list of the best Babolat tennis shoes
- Babolat Propulse Fury (Editor’s Choice)
- Babolat Jet Mach II
- Babolat Propulse Blast
- Babolat Jet Mach 1
- Babolat SFX3
- Babolat Propulse Rage
What Tennis Shoes we recommend from other Brands:
- New Balance Tennis Shoes
- Nike Tennis Shoes
- Adidas Tennis Shoes
- Asics Tennis Shoes
- Yonex Tennis Shoes
- Prince Tennis Shoes
- Wilson Tennis Shoes
