Asics Gel Resolution 8 Review & Playtest Notes
On paper, the Asics Gel Resolution 8 appears to be a solid continuation of an already successful shoe line. However, the specs and tech will only tell you so much, so I put the shoes through the paces in various scenarios to gain a complete understanding of its performance.
To start, I went on a two-mile run, which helped me gain a sense of the shoes’ comfort and weight. Next, I spent plenty of time running various agility and footwork drills to flesh out traction and stability.
Finally, I spent roughly 10-15 hours hitting on the court over a few weeks to flesh out my thoughts and opinions on overall performance. Along the way, I kept notes and rated the Asics Gel Resolution 8s on a range of characteristics, which you’ll find below.
Style 8.5
When it comes to style, the Asics Gel Resolution 8 is solid. The shoe offers a clean silhouette and comes in a variety of colorways.
The primary material used for the outside of the upper is a high-quality rubber with a y-shaped geometric pattern, giving the shoe a bit of an armored look.
On many colorways, the shoe’s midsole is semi-transparent, which is a nice touch that gives the shoe a bit of extra style.
Lacing 9.2
As far as lacing goes, the Asics Gel Resolution 8s are excellent. The laces have a thinner profile, making them easy to pull snugly for a secure fit.
You’ll find a standard tongue underneath the laces, which offers adequate cushion and secures to the shoe’s base, which helps prevent it from bunching. At the top of the tongue, you’ll also find a shoelace garage for tucking away your laces, which is a nice touch.
Integrated into the lacing system, you’ll also find Asics Dynawrap straps, which I found to offer a noticeable difference in keeping my foot centered and stable, particularly during sharp side-to-side movement.
Comfort 9.5
In terms of comfort, the Asics Gel Resolution 8s are top-notch.
As expected, these shoes deliver above-average comfort with Asics FlyteFoam at the midsole’s core. Gel cushioning provides extra shock absorption at the heel and midfoot to help stand up to the pounding of a hard court, thus reducing the overall impact on your body.
Regarding fit, the shoes are excellent. I didn’t notice any uncomfortable pressure points, and they wrap your foot for a close fit that’s not overly restrictive.
One of my favorite parts about the Asics Gel Resolution 8 is how they deliver exceptional comfort while retaining a fairly responsive low to the ground feel, rather than leaning too far in one direction.
Stability 9.2
As far as stability goes, the Asics Gel Resolution 8 offers reliable performance.
They held tight through a variety of movements during my agility and footwork drills, and I never felt like they lacked support while hitting. At the same time, they’re not overly rigid, which can sometimes lead to discomfort.
One area where I think the shoe could use a bit of improvement is the width of the outsole at the forefoot, which would further enhance the shoe’s stability during side-to-side movement, but as is, I thought they were they.
Traction 9.0
I found the Asics Gel Resolution 8 to be well-balanced and well-suited for various playing styles when it comes to traction.
There’s plenty of grip to ensure solid footing, but they also offer adequate give when lunging for a ball on hard courts, which aligns well with my preferences. If you tend to slide a bit on hard courts, then Asics High Abrasion Resistance rubber is about as good as it gets.
Of course, with that in mind, they’re not going to offer maximum grip, so if that’s important to you, then you may want to look elsewhere.
Durability 8.9
From a durability standpoint, the Asics Gel Resolution 8 performed well.
The shoe’s upper provides generous protection and abrasion resistance, while the durable rubber outsole continues to hold up well.
In particular, the shoe’s toe protection is excellent, but I wish it extended up a bit further up on the inside edge, which is a common area of wear, especially for players who slide.
Weight 8.8
Regarding weight, I think Asics strikes a nice balance. They aren’t the lightest shoes on the market, but they’re not the heaviest either.
As a result, I found the shoes to be quick while providing me with an acceptable level of durability that I’d expect to be plenty sufficient for most tennis players.
If you’re looking for a lightweight pair of shoes, there are plenty of other options to consider, but I wouldn’t let weight deter you from giving them a try.
Ventilation 8.4
The Asics Gel Resolution 8s are average and have some room for improvement regarding ventilation.
Although the upper’s outer rubber layer works well for abrasion resistance, it doesn’t offer much breathability except for the tongue and vamp above the forefoot.
As a result, I did find my feet to get a bit warm on hot sunnier days, but it wasn’t a major issue. If that’s at all of a concern for you, I’d encourage you to go with a lighter colorway.
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