Asics Updates Solution Speed Tennis Sneaker With Focus On Fast

A focus on speed sits right in the name of the Asics Solution Speed FF tennis shoe franchise. The Japanese sneaker maker didn’t let up on that focus for the upcoming release of the Solution Speed FF 3, making the shoe faster and lighter while upping the comfort along the way.

“The Solution Speed FF franchise for us is the pinnacle of speed and flexibility, so with the new version we wanted to make the shoe lighter and faster, as we usually do, but also this time, we focused on making it more comfortable,” Peter Hermanns, Asics Tennis product manager, tells me.

The update starts under the foot for the Jan. 15, 2024, release. Hermanns says Asics created a Precision-Sole technology for the Solution Speed FF 3. “The name is derived from the fact that it is the precise amount of material needed to have the optimal grip, without adding unnecessary weight,” he says.

Hermanns notes there’s always a fine balance between making changes to improve a silhouette, but not losing the essence of the line that fans appreciate. “We made this for a player who likes to move fast, all over the court—think Alex de Minaur, known by many as the fastest in the game,” he says. “We spent a lot of time testing with him, listening to his feedback and understanding where we can still improve.” The process took nearly two years and incorporated reaction from everyday players and coaches to incorporate needs from players at all levels into the silhouette.

Engineers used 3D modeling to balance the desire to use less material, but still improve the grip. “Through this approach, we were able to reduce the amount of rubber, which often is one of the heaviest parts of the shoe, without losing grip on the court, then we applied something truly unique to Asics, our Japanese craftsmanship, to make it specific for tennis,” Hermanns says. “When you look at the outsole, you can see a very unique pattern, which is this perfect combination of advanced technology and Japanese craftsmanship.”

Moving up from the outsole, the previous “trusstic” midsole design is updated to a “speedtruss” meant to increase flexibility and speed without losing support. Still designed for flexibility and to help the body’s sideways momentum shift forward toward the net, the updated version extends the truss higher on the foot than the previous design to help with faster acceleration across the entire foot.

The upper of the Solution Speed FF 3 features a newly developed engineered woven mesh, designed for more breathability and comfort than previous models, but still durable using a thick woven material.

“The previous version had a very hard TPU material across the upper part of the shoe,” Hermanns says. “This is great for durability, but it is not as comfortable as it could be.” So, while durability has been a key tenant for Asics, with the lightweight shoe in the brand’s lineup, the engineered mesh is “stronger than the standard mesh you see on the market, allowing us to reduce the shoe’s weight and increase its breathability, flexibility and comfort.” Asics still places TPU reinforcements for additional durability in key spots that wear out faster.

Aesthetically, Asics knows that the players wearing the Solution Speed FF 3 are “dynamic, faster players,” so designers added vibrant and bright colors to the collection. A flashy orange kicks off the men’s model and will be worn at the Australian Open by Asics athletes in the Solution Speed FF 3. Hermanns says they know not every player wants a bold look on the court, so Asics has a mix of toned-down options coming too, giving players the choice for colorful flash or not, but always with a focus on lightweight, comfortable speed.