Asics Gel-Game 8 Review

Asics has updated the previous Gel-Game 7 and made it better. This shoe is ideal for both recreational and junior players who like to play a speedy game and at the same time enjoy having a nice-looking shoe. Also, the way the shoe is made makes it great for everyday wear.

If you are the type of player that thinks that this shoe would suit your style of tennis, then you have arrived at the perfect place.

In this post, I’m going to provide you a thorough review of the Asics Gel-Game 8 and the features that comes with it. I would suggest you make yourself comfortable and grab something to drink like a cup of tea because you are in for a ride. Let’s begin with the design of the shoe.

Design

Right out of the box, the shoe looks a lot better than the previous version. The Gel-Game 8 is more sleek-looking and attractive from the get-go. You would enjoy wearing it on the court and possibly outside of the court.

If you were to ask me which of the design is my favourite colour, I would say the men’s white/mako blue. The women’s pink cameo/white is also spot on. Overall, Asics did a great job with the design and colour selection.

Upper

Next up is the upper of the shoe. The upper is nicely made by Asics to provide you with the best benefits you could possibly get from this shoe. Let me break it down for you to understand.

Firstly, it is made with an open mesh material to provide you with good breathability.

This is great for your game because it would allow airflow to enter the shoe quickly while allowing moisture to leave.

Secondly, the use of both synthetic leather overlays and a PU film does really well to improve stability and support, especially when making abrupt transitions. This is great because it allows you to move more freely and confidently.

And lastly, the flexible overlays do well to lock in the foot to reduce in-shoe slippage. This is awesome at providing you with flexibility and limits your chances of getting any serious injury.

Toe Box

Just like the Asics Gel-Dedicate 5, this shoe is covered with PGuard at the toe box. It does really well at providing you with excellent durability and protection. If you are a player that likes to slide a lot or a toe dragger then you would really benefit from this material.

Furthermore, there is enough room at the toe area to help you feel comfortable and prevent you from experiencing toe jagging.

Heel Counter and Ankle Support

The heel counter is not very long than you would expect. Regardless, it does a good job at helping you to keep your heels in perfect position and secure. This really allows you to move better on the court.

The ankle support on the other hand is going to give you excellent support, comfort, and cushioning. It does really well to hold your ankle.

Tongue and Lacing System

There is nothing peculiar about both the lacing system and tongue compared to the Wilson Kaos Swift which does not come with the traditional lacing system. Although, it does a good job at providing you with good support and grip.

The Gel-Game 8 however, comes with a traditional tongue and lacing system. It comes with a well-padded tongue to provide you with excellent comfort and cushioning.

Moreover, this puts less pressure on your arch and makes movement on the court more comfortable on your feet.

The lacing system comes with extra lacing holes for you to use for more grip and support.

This helps you to keep grounded on the court. Furthermore, the lacing holes have decent sizes to make it fast and easy to lace the shoe.

And lastly, there is a leather hole on top of the tongue for you to lace through it. This helps to keep the tongue stable and prevent it from distracting you during the match.

Weight

The weight of the shoe is similar to the Asics Gel-Game 7. This means the shoe is lightweight which is going to give you an advantage during the game. It would help you to be more aggressive with your game and go for the big points.

Insole and Midsole

The Asics Gel-Game 8 comes with a removable cushioned insole. This is going to provide you with excellent shock absorption and keep you comfortable throughout the match.

The midsole comes with a Trusstic technology which is going to provide you with excellent stability in every step you make.

Also, it would enable you to deal with sharp movements like twists without losing your balance. This helps you to build your confidence and be able to focus on the game.

Moreover, you are going to enjoy the awesome comfort that comes with the Trusstic technology. This would allow you to move with ease on the court.

In addition, the new tooling combines an EVA midsole foam with Gel technology cushioning.

The purpose of this is to increase shock absorption in the forefoot area for a better rebound. This makes it enjoyable to wear and puts less pressure on your joints.

Fit

Speaking of fit this shoe is suitable for players who have a narrow to medium foot. If you have a wide foot then I would suggest that you try a different shoe such as New Balance Fresh Foam Lav. Not only is it great for a wide foot but all foot types.

Also, the shoe is true to length so you don’t have to go either a half size up or down. And lastly with the fit is the break-in period. This shoe requires little to no break-in period. This is great because you can easily get used to the shoe.

Outsole

Let’s take a closer look at the outsole. It is well made to provide you with the best support and traction on all court surfaces.

Firstly, the Asics rubber which is used for the outsole is going to provide you with excellent traction on all court surfaces.

This would allow you to turn and twist whiles dealing with unexpected abrupt movements on the court. This is a great feature by Asics because it would prevent you from getting any serious injuries.

Secondly, the tread pattern is going to provide you with better flexibility which would enable you to move better on the court. And lastly, this shoe is going to provide you with good durability.

If you are a recreational player that plays weekly then this shoe would do well to deal with the demand of your fixtures.

Also, it makes it an excellent choice for beginner to mid-level players seeking a cushioned and stable tennis shoe that can be relied on.

Colour Options

As nice as this shoe looks, unfortunately, they come with limited colour options to choose from. Asics is known for making varieties of colours and delivering them on the market. Hopefully, this becomes a reality as the season unfolds.

Price

The last point to talk about is the price of the shoe. The cost of the shoe is close to $100 which is a bargain when you consider all the amazing features that come with it. Since the shoe comes at a good price point, this makes it ideal for all kinds of players such as recreational and beginners to afford the shoe.

Final Thoughts!!

It’s very clear that Asics has done a fantastic job with this iteration. You are going to enjoy the comfort, stability, and support that comes with this shoe. It would allow you to play better and with more confidence on the court.

However, this shoe is not suitable for players who have a wide foot and may require some break-in period. Overall, it’s a great-looking shoe for recreational and junior players who want to take their game to the next level.

If you manage to purchase this shoe, I wish you the very best of luck in your next match. I would end by saying keep grinding on the court.