CT1004

I am a long time user of the earlier versions of this shoe 1002 and 1003 for tennis and I have worn through quite a few pairs. The improvements that went into the 1004 have really ruined the shoes ability to comform to the foot. The front side strapping was supposed to add lateral stability to the shoe, instead it over constrains the flex of the side walls, causing soreness to the sides of the foot. I have heard from several USTA tennis players who complain of the same problem. After several months of breaking them in they do get better, but every new pair causes the same problem. Unfortunately New Balance is one of the few that make a 4E wide. So I'm stuck waiting for the next improvement to hopefully fix the design.

New Balance has a real problem with tennis shoe selections. Most of us with wide feet also need a wide toe box (SL-2). I have been a customer for decades but find as I age I have to have a wide toe box shoe. I have very wide feet (4E) that when my foot compresses spreads my toes and sides of my feet. I need not only a wide shoe but a wide toe box. NB doesn't offer a wide toe box in Tennis. Result is pain on the sides of my feet because my feet and toes cannot expand when weight is applied. NB is one of the few who offer wide shoes but not a Sl-2 type one. I want to remain loyal but my feet come first.If NB would listen (they said no plans to make a SL-2 tennis shoe) I would certainly buy my next tennis shoe from them.

Let me begin by saying the 782 was the perfect tennis shoe for me (I wear a 10.5 2E) --not sure why it was discontinued. It was very comfortable with no break-in. I play tennis competitively and end up buying many pairs during the course of a year as I wear thru them. In trying to find a replacement for the discontinued 782, I tried the 900. It was too narrow in the toe box and felt tight overall. Also, it had poor lateral stability (especially inward) relative to what I am used to. So now I tried the 1004. It runs a bit big, but the 10 2E fits great. I bought the black version. I still prefer the 782 as it felt lighter and not as bulky in design. I guess the only other major change I would make to the 1004 is cosmetic. I would add some brighter colors to the white version of the shoe—maybe some yellow or orange (I really like the palate on the 782). I bought the black version because of aesthetics, but fear that it may be hotter on my feet (Texas summers) than the white version, but right now the white version looks kind of dull. Otherwise it is a very good tennis shoe and I am happy with it overall.

I like that the tennis show has reinforced areas where I typically drag my feet when I serve, which usually causes me to go through shoes quickly. This isn't a running show, but a tennis shoe, so I couldn't tell you what running long distances in this show will do, but its great for tennis.

The best thing about prior New Balance top of the line court shoes has been great forefoot support. For some reason, this model lacks that support, and feels "hard" on my forefoot. So now I wear them around the house, and switched to top of the line K-Swiss for tennis matches. New Balance continues to provide consistent sizing and a good toe-box, so I'd be happy to go back to NB once they fix this design issue,