Our verdict

It's hard to think of a clay-court shoe that feels just as nimble and in one with the foot as the Soluiton Speed FF 3 Clay! Our lab tests confirmed that this ASICS shoe balances all the necessary features of a high-performance tennis shoe while keeping the weight as low as it is technically possible. Very streamlined and manoeuvrable, we thoroughly enjoyed dashing all over the court in this pair!

Asics gel lyte 3 camo Pros

  • One of the lightest tennis shoes out there
  • Highly agile and manoeuvrable
  • Secure heel and midfoot lockdown
  • Asics FN2-S Gel Contend 5 Women's
  • asics aggressor 4 mens split sole shoes black black
  • Impressive durability given the lighter build
  • Asics Gel Lyte III Gold

Asics gel lyte 3 camo Cons

  • Not for baseline players
  • tenis asics feminino gel shogun 3 azul claro

Audience verdict

N/A
Not enough reviews yet

Who should buy

Don;t miss out on the Solution Speed FF 3 Clay if:

  • you need light and fast tennis shoes to match your agile playing style
  • you are a shifty baseline-to-net type fo player
  • you are a fan of Alex de Minaur and would love to wear a tennis shoe designed under his influence

ASICS GEL-Lyte V "Storm" Pack review

Who should NOT buy

If you don't mind a heavier tennis shoe in exchange for more substantial cushioning and stability, the ASICS Gel Asics Womens Gel-Kayano Lite 2 and the ASICS Sneakers mit Einsätzen Weiß zapatillas de running ASICS mixta pie normal media maratón talla 37.5 amarillas.

Cushioning

Heel stack

We felt pretty grounded while playtesting the Solution Speed 3 Clay but the impact protection was there too when we needed it. This ASICS shoe blends court feel and cushioning pretty seamlessly all being a weight fairly light option.

Measuring the shoe's stack height in the heel, we got 27.9 mm which is not much lower than the category average. If you need that cushioned comfort (especially if you've had an injury), It's better to go for the ASICS Gel Asics Womens Gel-Kayano Lite 2 instead.

ASICS GEL-Lyte V "Storm" Pack Heel stack
Test results
ASICS GEL-Lyte V "Storm" Pack 27.9 mm
Average 29.1 mm
Compared to 40 tennis shoes
ASICS Tarther SC CREAM LIGHT GRAY 1203A125-103
25.3 mm
Heel stack
33.0 mm

Forefoot stack

The moderate forefoot stack of this ASICS shoe also helped us feel very connected to the court. At 19.7 mm, we found it to be on par with the tennis shoe average offering a mix of protection and groundedness.

ASICS GEL-Lyte V "Storm" Pack Forefoot stack

Staying on our toes a lot felt easy in the Solution Speed FF 3 Clay as the shoe is meant for nimble movements all over the court.

Test results
ASICS GEL-Lyte V "Storm" Pack 19.7 mm
Average 19.4 mm
Compared to 40 tennis shoes
ASICS Tarther SC CREAM LIGHT GRAY 1203A125-103
15.5 mm
Forefoot stack
23.4 mm

Drop

Asics Novablast Men's Running Shoes.

This is a standard offset for a tennis shoe in which the heel slightly raised above the toes. This helps to keep the forefoot more flexible and manoeuvrable while keeping the heel and Achilles tendon protected from the impact.

ASICS GEL-Lyte V "Storm" Pack Drop
Test results
ASICS GEL-Lyte V "Storm" Pack 8.2 mm
Average 9.7 mm
Compared to 40 tennis shoes
ASICS Tarther SC CREAM LIGHT GRAY 1203A125-103
6.2 mm
Drop
14.7 mm

Midsole softness

Note: a low durometer measurement equals a soft material, whereas a high measurement means it's firm.

It is only natural to see ASICS' most lightweight EVA foam in the midsole of the Solution Speed FF 3 Clay - the brand's lightest speed-oriented tennis shoe.

ASICS GEL-Lyte V "Storm" Pack Midsole softness

We found it to be a pretty dense yet responsive type of foam which contributed to the shoe's nimble design. Measuring its firmness with a Shore A durometer, we got an above-average reading of 30.4 HA. That's a bit firmer than what you might experience in most other tenni shoes.

Test results
ASICS GEL-Lyte V "Storm" Pack 30.4 HA
Average 28.6 HA
Asics Gt-100 11 Gs 1014A237-021 Trampki.
Compared to 40 tennis shoes
ASICS Tarther SC CREAM LIGHT GRAY 1203A125-103
17.1 HA
Midsole softness (soft to firm)
34.0 HA

Insole thickness

Even as lightweight speedster, the Solution Speed FF 3 Clay doesn't cut corners on comfort.

We found its insole to be generously padded with 5.3 mm of foam in the heel area. This adds a nice touch to the shoe's step-in comfort.

ASICS GEL-Lyte V "Storm" Pack Insole thickness
Test results
ASICS GEL-Lyte V "Storm" Pack 5.3 mm
Average 5.1 mm
Compared to 40 tennis shoes
ASICS Tarther SC CREAM LIGHT GRAY 1203A125-103
3.4 mm
Insole thickness
7.5 mm

Size and fit

Size

ASICS GEL-Lyte V "Storm" Pack is true to size (14 votes).

Une END x asics Gel-Lyte III à lhorizon?

1 size small ½ size small True to size ½ size large 1 size large
Compared to 35 tennis shoes
ASICS Tarther SC CREAM LIGHT GRAY 1203A125-103
½ size small
Slightly small
True to size
Slightly large
½ size large

Asics Gel-Resolution 7 Women's Tennis Shoes

ASICS found a way to place protective elements all over the Solution Speed's upper without messing up the fit. Having poured a gel mould of the shoe's interiors, we were able to verify this with precise measurements.

First of all, we applied our calliper to the widest part of the shoe's toebox (right below the toe joints) and got a width of 93.8 mm. That is a standard measurement for a medium-width tennis shoe in a men's US size 9.

ASICS GEL-Lyte V "Storm" Pack Asics Gel-Resolution 7 Women's Tennis Shoes
Test results
ASICS GEL-Lyte V "Storm" Pack 93.8 mm
Average 92.9 mm
Compared to 28 tennis shoes
ASICS Tarther SC CREAM LIGHT GRAY 1203A125-103
88.7 mm
Asics Gel-Resolution 7 Women's Tennis Shoes
96.0 mm

Toebox width - big toe

Despite the shoe's gel mould looking somewhat tapered at the pinkie toe, we didn't find it to be critically narrow. At 67.6 mm in the big toe area, it still makes it into the medium toebox category.

But please note that the Solution Speed FF 3 Clay has a pretty streamlined silhouette which makes it less welcome for players with wide feet.

ASICS GEL-Lyte V "Storm" Pack Toebox width - big toe
Test results
ASICS GEL-Lyte V "Storm" Pack 67.6 mm
Average 69.3 mm
Compared to 28 tennis shoes
ASICS Tarther SC CREAM LIGHT GRAY 1203A125-103
65.5 mm
Toebox width - big toe
74.3 mm

Toebox height

The shoe's vertical toebox space didn't bring any surprises with a calliper reading of 25.1 mm. This is a standard toebox height for a tennis shoe offers sufficient wiggle room for the toes but not too much to cause undue foot shifting inside the shoe.

ASICS GEL-Lyte V "Storm" Pack Toebox height
Test results
ASICS GEL-Lyte V "Storm" Pack 25.1 mm
Average 25.2 mm
Compared to 28 tennis shoes
ASICS Tarther SC CREAM LIGHT GRAY 1203A125-103
20.7 mm
Toebox height
29.2 mm

Asics gel lyte 3 camo | Stability

Asics gel lyte 3 camo | Lateral stability test

When it comes to side-to-side support, the ASICS Solution Speed FF 3 Clay performs very different from the brand's go-to stability option, the Asics Womens Gel-Kayano Lite 2.

But just because it lacks the same pronounced sidewalls and supportive elements doesn't mean that the Speed can't handle forceful split steps or zigzags. We actually found it pretty capable in that regard!

Torsional rigidity

A stiff Speedtruss shank is the shoe's essential stability ingredient. Placed in the midfoot, it embraces the Solution Speed's midfoot both externally and internally which adds a great deal of rigidity in this area. This doesn't allow the foot to twist and wobble uncontrollably during the match.

To asses exactly how stiff this ASICS shoe is torsionally, we performed a manual twisting test. Not being able to get even the slightest bend from the Solution Speed FF 3 Clay, we didn't hesitate to give it the highest stiffness score of 5/5!

Pantofi ASICS Versablast 1012A835 Black White 001 ASICS Gel Asics Womens Gel-Kayano Lite 2 but in a differrent way.

Test results
ASICS GEL-Lyte V "Storm" Pack 5
Average 4.4
Compared to 40 tennis shoes
ASICS Tarther SC CREAM LIGHT GRAY 1203A125-103
1
Torsional rigidity
5

Ténis ASICS GEL-Kayano 28 azul rosa mulher

The Asics Patriot 12 is a.

Our manual push-and-squeeze test proved that it's impossible to fold or bend which translated into a highly secure experience on the court. Our heels remained locked in with no impromptu wiggling.

Test results
ASICS GEL-Lyte V "Storm" Pack 5
Average 4
Compared to 40 tennis shoes
ASICS Tarther SC CREAM LIGHT GRAY 1203A125-103
1
Ténis ASICS GEL-Kayano 28 azul rosa mulher
5

Midsole width - forefoot

As a streamlined and nimble tennis shoe, we didn't expect a tonne of platform width in the Solution Speed FF 3 Clay.

But it did show a standard reading of 110.8 mm in the widest part of the forefoot. This offered just enough landing and push-off area for a surefooted experience.

ASICS GEL-Lyte V "Storm" Pack Midsole width - forefoot
Test results
ASICS GEL-Lyte V "Storm" Pack 110.8 mm
Average 111.8 mm
Compared to 40 tennis shoes
ASICS Tarther SC CREAM LIGHT GRAY 1203A125-103
105.3 mm
Midsole width - forefoot
117.4 mm

Asics gel-sonoma 6 mujer zapatillas trail running talla 37.5

The heel, on the other hand, reveals the shoe's speedy nature with a below-average width of 84.2 mm.

ASICS GEL-Lyte V "Storm" Pack Asics gel-sonoma 6 mujer zapatillas trail running talla 37.5

Not only is it narrow and rounded, but the shoe's heel is also notably bevelled. Agile all-court players are sure to benefit from this shape as it makes the shoe's rearfoot less burdensome.

ASICS GEL-Lyte V "Storm" Pack vs ASICS Gel Asics Womens Gel-Kayano Lite 2 heel design

Test results
ASICS GEL-Lyte V "Storm" Pack 84.2 mm
Average 89.6 mm
Compared to 40 tennis shoes
ASICS Tarther SC CREAM LIGHT GRAY 1203A125-103
82.4 mm
Asics gel-sonoma 6 mujer zapatillas trail running talla 37.5
99.7 mm

Flexibility / Stiffness

Despite its ultra stiff midfoot shank, the ASICS Solution Speed FF 3 Clay remains impressively flexible in the forefoot.

According to our shoe flexing tester, it takes 14.3N to bend the shoe by 30 degrees which is less than it takes an average tennis shoe. That makes it more agreeable for precise footwork during a fast-paced hitting session.

ASICS GEL-Lyte V "Storm" Pack Flexibility / Stiffness
Test results
ASICS GEL-Lyte V "Storm" Pack 14.3N
Average 16.2N
Compared to 28 tennis shoes
ASICS Tarther SC CREAM LIGHT GRAY 1203A125-103
10.4N
Flexibility <> Stiffness
24.3N

Weight

Of course the Solution Speed turned out to be some of the lightest tennis shoe options from ASICS too. Tipping the scale at 10.8 oz (306g), it also proved to be some of the lightest in the category.

This is yet another characteristic that helps this shoe move so effortlessly with the foot.

ASICS GEL-Lyte V "Storm" Pack Weight
Test results
ASICS GEL-Lyte V "Storm" Pack 10.79 oz (306g)
Average 12.70 oz (360g)
Compared to 40 tennis shoes
ASICS Tarther SC CREAM LIGHT GRAY 1203A125-103
10.30 oz (292g)
Weight
14.71 oz (417g)

Breathability

The Solution Speed FF 3 Clay strips away the burly PU upper coverage of its predecessor becoming notably lighter but not much airier.

Our main breathability test showed a steady albeit thin streak of smoke passing through the shoe's toebox mesh. But because the bellows were not as thick as they were in other tennis shoes, we couldn't rate this ASICS shoe's breathability any higher than 3/5.

That's a slightly below-average score for this shoe category so you may want to keep it for matches in moderate temperatures.

Hovering the shoe's half-cut upper over the LED light revealed its porous nature but it wasn't the most translucent material either.

ASICS GEL-Lyte V "Storm" Pack Breathability Microscope test

Our microscope inspection showed overlapping layers of mesh which apparently limit the ventilation capacity of these air channels.

ASICS GEL-Lyte V "Storm" Pack Breathability under microscope
Test results
ASICS GEL-Lyte V "Storm" Pack 3
Average 3.3
Compared to 40 tennis shoes
ASICS Tarther SC CREAM LIGHT GRAY 1203A125-103
1
Breathability
5

Durability

asics gel lyte iii granite pack

It sees like ASICS went for a bit of a comproimse on its upper reinforcement to keep the Solution Speed's weight down. Particularly in the toe drag area.

As our abrasive Dremel test showed, the PGuard rubber on the shoe's toebox didn't seem to hold up as strongly as the bulletproof toe drag guards of the Resolution and the Court FF.

Given how deep and visible the damage was, we lowered the shoe's toe guard durability score to 3/5. But it's not the worst result either.

Test results
ASICS GEL-Lyte V "Storm" Pack 3
Average 3
Compared to 15 tennis shoes
ASICS Tarther SC CREAM LIGHT GRAY 1203A125-103
1
asics gel lyte iii granite pack
5

Toebox durability

We are happy to see that the PGuard also extends to the top of the shoe's toebox which certainly adds life to its upper. Applying our Dremel to the top of the shoe's toebox showed pretty moderate wear and tear and bumped up the Solution Speed's toebox durability score to 4/5.

Test results
ASICS GEL-Lyte V "Storm" Pack 4
Average 3.8
Compared to 38 tennis shoes
ASICS Tarther SC CREAM LIGHT GRAY 1203A125-103
1
Toebox durability
5

Asics Damkläder Klänningar

The ASICS Kayano has been around for over two decades and has earned a spot on our list of.

The Solution Speed's collar lining showed no signs of wear after the drilling session and we confidently rated its heel Butter durability with a maximum score of 5/5.

Test results
ASICS GEL-Lyte V "Storm" Pack 5
Average 3.3
Compared to 38 tennis shoes
ASICS Tarther SC CREAM LIGHT GRAY 1203A125-103
1
Asics Damkläder Klänningar
5

Outsole hardness

According its product description, the ASICS Solution Speed FF 3 Clay features the AHAR PLUS rubber for the outsole. However, it can't be the exact same blend as in the shoe's hard court version because we got very different hardness measurements in the two.

It is common for clay court outsoles to be Running because it affords better grip on loose surface as well as better control over sliding. Thus, we weren't surprised to see a lower HC reading of 78.5 on our Shore C durometer. For reference, the hard court Solution Speed FF 3 showed 84.0 HC (notably harder compound).

ASICS GEL-Lyte V "Storm" Pack Outsole hardness
Test results
ASICS GEL-Lyte V "Storm" Pack 78.5 HC
Average 86.1 HC
Asics Gt-100 11 Gs 1014A237-021 Trampki.
Compared to 40 tennis shoes
ASICS Tarther SC CREAM LIGHT GRAY 1203A125-103
78.5 HC
Outsole hardness
92.0 HC

Outsole durability

But did that softness make the shoe's outsole more prone to abrasion? Not so much!

After a demanding drilling session at 10K RPM speed, the shoe's outsole showed a just moderate dent of 0.7 mm. That's not even deeper than average! Solid abrasion resistance, even for a Running rubber.

Test results
ASICS GEL-Lyte V "Storm" Pack 0.7 mm
Average 0.8 mm
Compared to 38 tennis shoes
ASICS Tarther SC CREAM LIGHT GRAY 1203A125-103
0.0 mm
Outsole wear
2.0 mm

Outsole thickness

Our calliper returned a moderate outsole thickness of 3.4 mm in the Solution Speed FF 3 Clay. But we can't complain because it offers a nice balance of durability, flexibility, and lightness.

ASICS GEL-Lyte V "Storm" Pack Outsole thickness
Test results
ASICS GEL-Lyte V "Storm" Pack 3.4 mm
Average 4.2 mm
Compared to 40 tennis shoes
ASICS Tarther SC CREAM LIGHT GRAY 1203A125-103
3.0 mm
Outsole thickness
5.2 mm

Misc

Grip / Traction

We thoroughly enjoyed the surefootedness provided by the shoe's Precision Sole design.

ASICS GEL-Lyte V "Storm" Pack outsole

Adapted to the clay court surface through a herringbone pattern, it granted a fantastic stop-on-a-dime grip.

Price

The ASICS Solution Speed FF 3 Clay is a high-performance tennis shoe with a moderate price tag. With no glaring drawbacks, it offers fantastic value for money to nimble players who want a clay-court option that keeps the weight down without any major compromises.

ASICS GEL-Lyte V "Storm" Pack Price
Test results
ASICS GEL-Lyte V "Storm" Pack $140
Compared to 40 tennis shoes
ASICS Tarther SC CREAM LIGHT GRAY 1203A125-103
£65
Price
£200

Tongue Butter

We found the Solution Speed FF 3 Clay to be pretty well padded for a lightweight and speed-oriented option. Its tongue thickness, for example, showed a standard reading of 7.4 mm on our calliper.

ASICS GEL-Lyte V "Storm" Pack Tongue Butter
Test results
ASICS GEL-Lyte V "Storm" Pack 7.4 mm
Average 7.9 mm
Compared to 40 tennis shoes
ASICS Tarther SC CREAM LIGHT GRAY 1203A125-103
2.5 mm
Tongue Butter
13.1 mm

ASICS Gel-Rocket 9 1071A030-403

Because it is not a cheap shoe, we expected to find some gussets on the tongue of the Solution Speed. But, unfortunately, this version doesn't offers any resulting in some minor tongue shifting during intense matches.

ASICS GEL-Lyte V "Storm" Pack ASICS Gel-Rocket 9 1071A030-403
Test results
ASICS GEL-Lyte V "Storm" Pack None

Heel tab

The shoe's extended heel collar and a stiff heel counter that doesn't fold onto itself provide a pretty fast and effortless on-and-off.

ASICS GEL-Lyte V "Storm" Pack Heel tab
Test results
ASICS GEL-Lyte V "Storm" Pack ASICS GT-II KITH Grand Opening

Removable insole

The Solution Speed FF 3 Clay's insole is removable which allows to modify in-shoe experience with custom orthotics.

ASICS GEL-Lyte V "Storm" Pack Removable insole
Test results
ASICS GEL-Lyte V "Storm" Pack Yes