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Asics Gel Resolution 8
In-depth Review & Playtest + Video
If you’re in the market for a new pair of tennis shoes, there’s a decent chance you’ve come across the Gel Resolution 8, one of Asics best-selling high-performance tennis shoes.
Worn by top ATP and WTA pros, including Gaël Monfils, Iga Swiatek, Aslan Karatsev, Leylah Fernandez, and Samantha Stosur, they’re one of my picks for the best and well worth checking out.
This guide will showcase the shoe’s features, construction, and tech to help give you a baseline understanding of what to expect. I’ll also share my on-court experience regarding performance, including areas for improvement, to help you decide if they’re a good fit.
Article Contents
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Video Review & Playtest
Unboxing & Initial Impressions
About the Gel Resolution 8
Fit, Sizing, & Colorways
Review & Playtest
Alternative Shoes
Guarantee
Summary
Wrapping Up
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Video Review & Playtest
To provide you with the most complete and thorough review, I’ve recorded a video that fully explores the Asics Gel Resolution 8.
If you’re looking for high-quality visuals of the shoe or want to see me in action playtesting them, this is an excellent place to start.
If you’re in a hurry or you’re looking for specific pieces of information, check out the timestamps below. You can use them to jump to various sections to get the exact details you need.
- 0:24 – Intro
- 0:38 – Weight, Sizing, & Fit
- 1:27 – Outsole
- 2:01 – Midsole
- 2:47 – Upper
- 3:30 – Playtest
- 4:09 – Style
- 4:34 – Lacing
- 5:05 – Comfort
- 5:22 – Fit
- 5:40 – Stability
- 6:07 – Traction
- 6:27 – Durability
- 6:48 – Weight
- 7:11 – Ventilation
- 7:35 – Summary
- 8:01 – Wrapping Up
This guide serves as a companion to the video but delves into the details with exclusive content. Hopefully, you come away with all the information you need between the two.
Unboxing & Initial Impressions
The Asics Gel Resolution 8 comes in a wide range of colorways to suit a variety of styles. I went with the French blue (dark navy) and white, with orange highlights for this review and playtest.
Asics tennis shoes usually run true to size, so I ordered a US men’s size 10.5, and they fit perfectly. Asics translates that size into the following international measurements:
- EUR 44.5
- UK 9.5
- CM 28.25
The Gel Resolution 8 comes in a simple brown box with the Asics logo icon printed on the top of the lid and the full logo on its sides.
When I first opened the box, I thought the shoes looked great. I’m a fan of darker tennis shoes as they don’t show as much wear and tear and the French or dark navy blue looks solid.
However, I will say from the photos I was expecting a deeper blue bordering on black. Still, they look good, but it’s worth noting they’re a fairly classic navy if considering this colorway.
I like how Asics went with a semi-transparent foot frame on many colorways, which you see at the side of the midsole. It’s subtle but adds a nice touch, which gives the shoes a distinct look.
The upper is clean and heavily protected throughout the entire length of the shoe with a durable rubber layer, which also gives the shoe added structure, and I expected, would aid stability.
Finally, I was impressed with the size of the midsole, which is the shoe’s primary source of comfort, so I looked forward to seeing how the shoes stack up to expectations on this front. Overall, as I unboxed the shoes, they met most of my expectations.
About the Asics Gel Resolution 8
In 2008, Asics released their first iteration of the Gel Resolution series of tennis shoes. Since then, it’s become one of their best-selling models with a loyal following and plenty of professional endorsements.
For the eighth generation of the shoe, Asics teamed up with Frenchman Gaël Monfils, whose aggressive moment made him an excellent candidate for feedback as they developed the new model.
Like its predecessor, it retains core tech from the previous model, including its AHAR+ rubber outsole, gel cushioning, and PGaurd toe protection. However, Asics rebuilt the shoe from the ground up with the modern baseline player in mind.
Outsole
At the bottom of the shoe, you’ll find Asics High Abrasion Resistance rubber outsole, which offers a unique geometric tread pattern that enhances durability in critical high wear areas that tend to fade quickly.
The outsole wraps up the toe toward the front and continues to the inside or medial edge for extra protection. At the shoe’s heel, you’ll also find a slight wrap up the heel for easier heel-to-toe transition.
The Gel Resolution 8 is unique because it doesn’t offer a mid-foot shank for stability, which you’ll usually find exposed at the bottom of the shoe toward the middle. Despite that, Asics claims there’s plenty of stabilization derived from other shoe elements.
Midsole
At the midsole, the Gel Resolution 8 uses a generous dose of Asics FlyteFoam throughout the length of the shoe for responsive and lightweight comfort. This material replaces the Solyte midsole previously used in the Gel Resolution 7.
You’ll also find Asics Gel cushioning technology integrated into the heel and midfoot to help absorb shock during aggressive movement.
For support, a stabilizing hard plastic foot frame can be found above the white FlyteFoam from the middle of the shoe to the back of the heel.
On the side wrapping the midsole’s outer edge, Asics integrates their Dynawall technology, a firm yet responsive rubber that improves lateral stability and shows as a semi-translucent material on most colorways.
Upper
For the upper, you’ll find a flexible yet durable rubber coating that helps resist abrasion, which is slightly perforated above the toes to help improve ventilation.
Asics Dynawrap tech surrounds the midfoot on either side of the laces, which uses a system of internal panels that cradle your food and pull as you move for added stability.
At the top of the shoe’s tongue, you’ll find a shoelace garage that allows players to tuck away their laces for a clean look.
Finally, Asics implements a torque control feature for the heel counter to help maintain a locked-in feel during aggressive movement.
Insole
The Asics Gel Resolution 8 also offers a thicker removable Ortholite insole for added comfort and moisture control. Compared to most other insoles, Asics is more substantial, which is a nice bonus.
Variations of the Asics Gel Resolution 8
Aside from a range of colorways released by Asics, the Gel Resolution 8 is also available in a clay court model with a herringbone tread pattern ideal for the surface.
However, keep in mind that the availability of the clay-court model will vary depending on your location.
Weight, Fit, Sizing, and Colorways
The Gel Resolutions I have on hand weigh in at 413 grams or 14.6 ounces in a men’s size 10.5, which is an excellent weight for a shoe that emphasizes durability and stability.
For context, here’s a table comparing the weight of some popular tennis shoes and how they stack up.
| Shoe in a Men’s Size 10.5 | Weight |
| Nike Air Zoom Vapor Cage 4 | 15.6 oz / 442 g |
| Asics Gel Resolution 8 | 14.6 oz / 413 g |
| adidas adizero Ubersonic 4 | 13.5 oz / 382 g |
| Nike Air Zoom Vapor Pro | 12.9 oz / 365 g |
From a fit standpoint, the shoe runs true to size, and it has a medium width, which hugs your foot snugly while the medium arch provides sufficient support.
As far as breaking them in, I did find they were slightly stiff out of the box, so expect them to require 2-3 hours on court before any serious play.
Beyond that, the Asics Gel Resolution 8 is available for men, women, and kids. Plus, wide sizes are also available.
Specs
| Size | True to Size |
| Width | Medium |
| Arch Support | Medium |
| Men’s Size 10.5 Weight | 14.57 oz / 413 g |
| Women’s 8.5 Weight | 11 oz / 311 g |
| Break-in | Some break-in required |
Top Players Endorsing
As one of the most prominent shoes in Asics lineups, it’s no surprise they’ve sponsored more than a handful of players to use them.
A handful of players from the ATP and WTA are currently using the shoes, but keep in mind that these may change over time.
- Gaël Monfils
- Jeremy Chardy
- Caroline Garcia
- Samantha Stosur
- Coco Vandeweghe
We’ll do our best to keep this list up-to-date, but feel free to drop us a comment if you notice any changes here.
Colorways
Popular shoes like the Asics Gel Resolution 8 tend to launch with a few colorways but then receive updates and special releases throughout the shoe’s life. Here are the available colorways to date.
- White
- White / Peacoat
- White / Mako Blue
- White / Black
- Black / White
- Peacoat / White
- French Blue / White
- Electric Red / White
- Black / Greek Gecko
- White / Green Gecko
Unfortunately, Asics doesn’t produce all colorways with the same volume or consistency, so some tend to be harder to find than others.
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.
Summary
Overall, I found the Asics Gel Resolution 8 to be an excellent tennis shoe that delivers a well-rounded performance with broad appeal for a wide range of players, styles of play, and skill levels.
Although they do have a few minor areas of opportunity for improvement, I feel comfortable saying they’re one of the best shoes on the market right now, with a strong emphasis on comfort, stability, and traction that I enjoy lacing up every time.
Pros
- Comfort
- Stability
- Traction
Cons
- Ventilation
If you’re upgrading from the Asics Gel Resolution 7, I think you’ll be happy with the update, which is a quality update to an already fantastic shoe.
Alternative Shoes
If you’re unsure about the Asics Gel Resolution 8s for any reason, then I’d encourage you to check out a few options with
Asics Court FF 2
Another one of my favorite tennis shoes, the Asics Court FF 2, also known as Novak Djokovic’s shoe of choice, offers many similar features.
Both use a FlyteFoam midsole, AHAR+ rubber outsoles, have durable uppers, and generally perform similarly. Overall, I’d give the Court FF 2s an edge when it comes to stability and durability, while I consider the Gel Resolution 8s to be a bit more comfortable.
adidas Barricade
In 2021, adidas relaunched their Barricade tennis shoes, which were on a hiatus from production for a few years.
The Barricades and Gel Resolution 8s excel in similar areas, emphasizing stability and durability, but the Barricades will offer a firmer ride and more aggressive styling, which you might find appealing.
Nike Air Zoom GP Turbo
If you don’t have your heart set on a pair from Asics, then the Nike Air Zoom GP Turbo might be an interesting alternative for you, especially if comfort is a top priority.
Although they’re more than a full ounce heavier, they deliver exceptional comfort with a full-length Zoom Air unit embedded into the midsole. As far as durability, they’re solid, but they’re not quite as stable, so you’ll have to weigh your preferences.
adidas SoleCourt Boost
Another option worthy of consideration is the adidas SoleCourt Boost, which will offer a firmer ride, added durability, and a bit more sticky traction, which doesn’t slide quite as easily as the Gel Resolution 8.
On the other hand, I’d give the Gel Resolution 8 a leg up when it comes to stability and overall performance. As far as styling goes, I prefer the adidas SoleCourt Boost, but I give the Gel Resolutions an edge overall.
Guarantee
Durability is often a key point of consideration, especially for hard-court players, and a worn outsole is one of the most common reasons players need to purchase a new pair.
With that in mind, it’s great to see when companies are willing to stand behind their products and offer a warranty. In this case, Asics offers a six-month outsole durability guarantee for the Asics Gel Resolution 8, which should help instill a bit of confidence in your purchase.
Wrapping Up
The eighth generation of the Asics Gel Resolution tennis shoes aren’t perfect, but they do many things well, so I expect them to remain one of the most popular shoes on the market.
If you’re considering purchasing them, I hope this guide has helped provide some practical insight into their features and performance regardless of whether you decide to make them your next pair.
Have questions or want to share your thoughts on the Asics Gel Resolution 8s? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below.
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