Yonex PC Eclipsion 4 Review

There is a new tennis shoe in town and it’s called the Yonex PC Eclipsion 4. This shoe is an upgrade from the previous version. There have been a lot of features included in this model to make it a lot better than the Yonex Power Cushion Eclipsion 3.

But the question is has these features made this model better compared to the previous version. If so let’s dive deep into each of the features starting with the cosmetics and design.

Design

If you know me and tend to read my blog posts. You would know that I love the design, colour scheme and cosmetics of a shoe. Right out of the box, my first impression is that ‘wow’ this shoe looks sleek, simple and amazing.

The choice of colours used makes the shoe attractive and pleasing to wear both on and off the court. Personally, of all the colour options offered, navy blue is the one that stands out the most to me.

Also, the shoe is shaped in a compatible way that makes it comfortable to play in them. Overall, the design, shape of the shoe and colour options make it better compared to the previous version right out of the box.

Upper

Now, let’s tire up the upper and see what there is. Firstly, the forefoot to the midfoot is covered with urethane encasing material. It’s shaped similar to the 2022 side pods formula one cars which makes it easy and comfortable to bend and move around the court.

Not only that, the urethane encasing material makes the upper thinner compared to most shoes on the market whiles maintaining durability.

The uppers are super durable and it’s great for players who like to drag their toes or wear their shoes quickly.

And lastly, is the breathability. This is one of the best breathability shoes on the market till date.

Yonex used a smart stragtegy to make the shoe very breathable to play in them. For example, it has vent hood at the forefoot to allow mosture to leave the shoe quickly whiles bringing in fresh air.

Toe Box, Ankle Support and Heel Area

The toe box is nicely done. It comes with enough room to give you comfort and cushioning when playing in them. As eluded earlier, the upper is very durable which also applies to the toe box area. It’s going to withstand the challenges on the court.

Secondly, you are going to get great support from the ankle area. It’s well padded when you wear it. This makes it a joy to play in them.

And lastly is the heel area. The height of the heel is great at giving you support and stability when playing in the shoe. Furthermore, the outrigger heel counter is a lot smaller and lower to reduce the weight of the shoe whiles maintaining comfort and performance.

Insole and Midsole

Next up are the insole and midsole. The insole comes with a removable layer which you can replace anytime with your prefered choice. Also, when you wash the shoe, you can take the insole out for it to dry quickly.

When it comes to the midsole, there are a lot of similarities between the Eclipson 4 and the 3.

The midsole is made of power cushion+, 3D Power Graphite Drive Sheet and Feather Bounce Foam. All these materials have a specific function. Let see what each one does.

The power cushion+ is great at providing you with shock absorption and repulsion.

Whiles the 3D Power Graphite Drive Sheet inserted in the middle portion of the midsole does really well to maximise lateral stability and allow you to sprint forward with ease.

And lastly, the Feather Bounce Foam, which is an ultra light weight foam does really well to add bounce to your steps.

Weight

As much as Yonex tried to reduce the weight through the outrigger heel counter and midsole, I still wouldn’t place the shoe in the lightweight category. I wouldn’t also place it in the heaviest side either. Just in between would be perfect.

If you are a fan of lightweight tennis shoes then I would recommend that you check out other tennis shoes such as Adidas CourtFlash. Playing in the Courtflash would help you to increase your speed and at the same time enjoy some of the great features such as breathability.

Lacing System and Tongue

The lacing system is basic as you would expect. It comes with extra lacing holes for you to use incase you need extra grip and support.

In addition, the lacing holes are made of the same materials like the upper which means the holes are durable. And also, the holes are easy and comfortable to lace through.

The tongue on the other hand, is well-padded material which does really well at providing you with cushioning and support. This allows you to play comfortably without putting too much pressure on your forefoot.

And lastly, there are leather holes connected to the tongue. This feature is used to keep the laces stable and stops it from distracting you in the game.

Fit

Right out of the box this shoe may need some break-in period. I would say it may take a couple of hours or one to two days depending on how often you wear it. One way to break-in quickly is to wear it off the court as well so that your feet get used to it quickly.

Based on the shape and size of the shoe, I would say it’s more suitable for players who have a narrow to medium foot and it’s true to size. Moreover, this shoe is great for players who have flat, neutral high arch and even heel pain.

On the other hand, this shoe is not great for players who are suffering from bunion or ball foot pain. If you are player suffering from bunion then I would suggest you read our full review of the best bunion tennis shoes on the market.

Outsole

Another area that’s worth looking at is the outsole. The outsole is similar to the Eclipson 3. It can perform on all court surfaces. Let’s break the different parts to make it easy for you.

First and foremost, the round sole ensures you move smoothly whiles transferring maximum energy.

Next, the heel contact round sole is excellent for smoother landings and a smooth heel-to-toe transitioning. This allows you to move better on the court.

And lastly, the Endurance Rubber II compound in a modified herringbone pattern combined with dense rubber in high areas and a more open tread on the lateral edge does help you with sliding and maintaining your balance.

Colour Options

As much as I love the design and colour scheme of the shoe, unfortunately it only comes with limited colour options to choose from. As of now, it comes in three different colours. I would love to see Yonex release more colour options so that players can select which one they prefer.

Price

The last point to cover is the cost of the shoe. It comes to around $145 which is quite expensive for most players to avoid. The shoe may be expensive but the features it brings to your game are immersed and can take you to the next level.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Yonex has done a great job with this new update. The Eclipsion 4 is a lot better compared to the 3. It’s going to add a lot to your game by providing you with excellent durability, stability and support.

Although the downside to this shoe is how expensive it is, the lack of colour options to choose from and it does take some time to break in.

Overall, the positives completely outweigh the negatives. If you are a player that is serious about taking your game to the next level then this shoe should be on your list.