Asics Gel Resolution 9 Review - Perfect Tennis (2024)

The Gel Resolution has long been Asic’s flagship tennis shoe and best seller due to its all-around performance.

2023 sees the launch of the new Gel Resolution 9, replacing the 8th generation that first hit the shelves three years ago.

I was a massive fan of the Gel Resolution 8, so as soon as the Gel Res 9 was ready to order, I purchased a pair along with the new Asics Court FF 3’s to compare.

I’ve already reviewed the Court FF 3 tennis shoe in full, as they were the first to arrive; the Gel Resolution 9 were delivered not long after, and I quickly took them to court for several hitting sessions.

How does the Gel Resolution 9 play? Is it considerably different to the Gel Resolution 8? What changes are there vs the previous generation?

Find out in this full Asics Gel Resolution 9 playtest and review.

About the Asics Gel Resolution 9

The Gel Resolution 9 is Asic’s stability shoe designed for the quintessential baseliner. It sits firmly at the top of the tree in Asic’s premium tennis shoe lineup, with the Solution Speed (lighter weight) and the Court FF (a combination between the Gel Resolution and Solution Speed) completing the lineup.

The shoe is easily recognisable as it’s used widely on the ATP and WTA tours, with Matteo Berrettini and Iga Swiatek two of the biggest names sporting the Gel Resolution 9.

However, it’s not just a shoe that’s popular with those who are paid to wear it, and at the lower rungs of the professional game, you will see countless Futures and Challenger events players sporting a pair of Gel Resolution shoes.

With the game evolving and balls being hit at a faster pace, athletes are required to move faster and change directions from high speed and recover quickly after their shots to prepare for the next shot. We took athlete feedback and tested it against previous models to provide the support that allows them to feel confident and allows them to brake at high speed but be ready to anticipate the next shot on the tennis courts. Azumi Taoka, ASICS Institute of Sports Science

Asics Gel Resolution 9 Features

Like the FF 3 was a continuation and minor update from the FF 2, Gel Resolution 9 is a continuation in the design language of the Gel Resolution 8.

Asics have made two updates to improve the shoe’s stability. The first is taking the Dynawall present in the previous version and extending it into the heel of the shoe.

This has allowed for more dynamic steps along the baseline by providing kinetic stability on the feet.

Asics decided to add this by watching how a player’s movement can change over a match and how they track down balls when fatigued.

The second update is on the outsole’s construction, which provides a larger contact area to the ground allowing for a stable landing on the court.

Asics are big on their lab testing, and at the ASICS Institute of Sports Science (ISS), this change showed an improved braking ability with 4.4% more dynamic braking force than the Gel Resolution 8.

The Gel Resolution 9 features the following technologies:

PGUARD™ technology

It helps increase durability in the outsole’s toe and heel area

DYNAWRAP™ technology

Improves stability

DYNAFIT™ upper

Improves flexibility

AHARPLUS™ outsole rubber

Improves durability

Rearfoot and forefoot GEL™ technology

It improves impact absorption and creates a softer feeling at footstrike

DYNAWALL™ technology

Improves stability

Separated outsole design

It helps produce more stable landings

Gel Resolution 9 vs Gel Resolution 8

I typically try to keep a pair of the previous version in new-ish condition so I can compare them, and fortunately, I had some Gel Res 8’s to place side by side.

The design is quite similar, but alongside a more dynamic / running shoe-type look, Asics made the following changes.

The change to the outsole is minor, and aside from a slightly different pattern, all that has changed is that rather than the two-piece sole on the Gel Res 8, it runs the entire length of the Gel Res 9.

The rear of the shoe is also very similar, but the plastic heel counter that solidifies the heel section is more of a hard feeling and slightly thicker.

The heel tab also rides ever so slightly higher, and the tongue has more thickness.

The significant change is the extension of the DYNAWALL. As you can see in the image above, the previous generation stops well before the heel, but on the Gel Res 9, it almost runs the entire shoe length.

It also feels a bit firmer when prodding it.

Asics Gel Resolution 9 Review and Playtest

I tested the Asics Gel Resolution 9 shoes on an indoor hard court. It’s a reasonably smooth surface but creates plenty of friction against the rubber soles.

Initial Impressions

Having unboxed a pair of Court FF 3 shoes a week earlier, I was already a fan of the colours as the Gel Res 9 shoes were also steel blue with hazard green.

Like the FF 3, I wore them indoors for a day, and my first impression was they were much easier to get on than the FF 3 and felt more of a natural fit.

Fresh out of the box, I thought the Gel Res 9 looked slightly more dynamic, like a running shoe, than the older Gel Res 8’s.

The Gel Res 8 looks a bit more clunky, and while not in clown shoe territory, they can look a bit ungainly, especially in larger sizes.

The Gel Resolution 9, however, has a more sporty look and a sleeker design. Even though it’s an Asics ‘stability’ shoe, the shape and outline of the shoe make me think more of speed. Even the shape of the DYNAWALL has a speed-type look to it.

Comfort

During my first hit and subsequent wears, I was immediately struck by how comfortable the Gel Resolution 9 shoes were.

I had no issues with comfort in the previous model, but Asics has ramped up the comfort even more in this latest version.

The Gel Res 9 feels softer and more cushioned, and you can wear them for an extended period without your feet feeling trapped.

It requires zero break-in period and is probably the comfiest tennis shoe I’ve worn in a long time.

Compared to the FF 3, they’re much softer, so if comfort is your priority, I think the Gel Res 9 is the one to go with.

Stability

Stability has always been the Gel Resolution’s forte, and that trend continues with the Gel Resolution 9.

I had no issues moving out of the corners at higher speeds, and it is easy to change direction without slippage.

You feel super secure in them when moving from side to side, and I think players with glass ankles will feel more at ease with these compared to some of the more speed-type shoes.

Has extending the DynaWall made a difference? For me, it’s impossible to say. The Gel Resolution 8 were ultra-stable and never failed me; in my experience, the Gel Resolution 9 are the same.

Durability

Regarding durability, you don’t find a tennis shoe that beats the Gel Resolution 9. It’s easily one of the best and has a six-month outsole durability guarantee.

I’ve only racked up about 15 hours of wear time on the court with them, and I see no discernible wear. I’m not a big slider who burns rubber, but for those who chew through shoes quickly, the Gel Res 9 has to be high up on your shortlist.

The p-guard and toe guard also means the upper is super durable for players who drag their toes or wear their shoes out in weird places on the upper.

Traction

The Gel Resolution line has always been a winner for traction, and the Gel Resolution 9’s is near perfect. The surface I played on is relatively smooth, but I still had plenty of grip, and it had a nice balance of grip but not sticking to the court.

Can you feel the 4.4% improvement vs the Gel Res 8 in braking force as per ASIC’s claim at the recreational level? I don’t think so, as it’s too small a difference to pick up at the non-elite level. But either way, I ranked the Gel Res 8’s at 9.5/10 for stability, and the Gel Res 9’s scored the same.

Weight

My Gel Resolution 9 tennis shoes are a UK Size 10, EU 44 or US 10.5 and weighed 430g.

This is 9 grams lighter than the Gel Resolution 8, so they’re 2.1% lighter.

They’re also 22g lighter than the Court FF 3, which is a surprise given that durability-orientated shoes are typically heavier.

For example, the Gel Res 8 was 6g heavier than the Court FF 2, but the tables have turned quite dramatically.

In terms of being able to feel the weight difference on the court vs the Court FF 3, it’s tricky as the shoes feel pretty different.

The new Court FF 3 feel springier and fits tighter to the foot, which gives a perception of lightness, whereas the Gel Res 9 is roomier and comfier (for my foot, at least).

Final Verdict

The Gel Resolution 9 are the comfiest tennis shoes I’ve worn in a long time, and I think they’re a genuine improvement over the Gel Resolution 8. This is no mean feat as the 8’s were one of best tennis shoes on the market.

They’re comfier, lighter and have a better-looking design. The upper is also softer; there’s zero break-in period, and it’s just an all-around excellent tennis shoe.

Of course, everyone’s feet are different, so it’s impossible to say whether they’ll work for you, but in terms of a shoe that can work for a wide range of foot types, be it flat feet, dodgy ankles etc., the Gel Res 9 are worth testing.

Is it better than the FF 3? I plan to compare the two in-depth the more I wear them, but I would say yes, so far, that added comfort is swaying me towards the Gel Res 9.

The Asics Gel Resolution 9 is available in men’s and women’s sizes and is priced at ~$145.

Pros

Cons

Have you tried the Asics Gel Resolution 9 tennis shoes? How do you compare them to the Gel Resolution 8? Let me know in the comments.