I usually include a disclaimer at the start of each review article. So and so gifted this product in exchange for my honest review. This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. ASICS did not provide me with these, they were bought with my own money
ASICS recently dropped a new updated Solution Speed tennis model. The ASICS Solution Speed FF4 was launched in January in time for the Australian Open This particular line of shoes has been my favourite shoe for the past 4 or 5 years. Its the shoe I chose to play my competitive matches in. Partly mental, partly because they feel good. The Solution Speed are a great shoe, a shoe in which I loved each of the progressions.
My love affair with this shoe goes back to the Solution Speed FF2. These shoes were released during COVID. I had the opportunity to interview Rene Zandbergen at the time and he told me about the whole process of going through the research, feedback, design, prototype. What I like about the FF2 were they protected my foot but yet felt fast. In my review, I mentioned that the little details were what set this shoe apart from others. The comfort in the FF2 is exceptional for a lightweight shoe. Usually the padding is flimsy and negligible but ASICS produced a super shoe.
The big takeaway from the Solution Speed FF3 was the replacement of the TPU rubber which made the shoes very durable and feel protected but also quite warm and sweaty at times. The FF3 features an engineered woven mesh. It proved to be more breathable and lightweight than its predecessors. There are a few changes here and there with the FF3 but fundamentally this is the shoe that i fell in love with over the years.
2026 ASICS Solution Speed FF4
So how does ASICS improve a fantastic shoe like the Solution Speed FF3. The truth is, its a tough job but clearly side by side these shoes are similar, related but different.
You can see the whole Solution Speed lineage above. The plastic outward popular in the Solution Speed and FF2 has been replaced with the mesh in the most recent models. The chassis remains the same with just a few tweaks here and there. The latest model the FF4 has some similarities to running shoes and given ASICS lineage as a runner it really comes as no surprise.
Price
The ASICS Solution Speed FF4 have a recommended retail price of £140. You can expect to pay around 110-130 online for the latest model and colourway. As I always say , tennis shoes are an investment and tennis shoes at £130 are worth every penny. High performance tennis shoes like the FF4 are in this pricing bracket.
Older colour schemes can be purchased for £90-100. Top Tip: hold off to colour ways come out and watch the price go down.
It was highlighted that the Solution Speed FF3 was a little light on cushioning and durability, ASICS seems to have addressed at least the cushioning. There is noticeably more padding around the tongue and heel than before. The insole and carcass feels more cushioned than the predecessors for sure. Testing a tennis shoe for durability depends on many factors, type of player, type of court, singles or doubles and so on and so forth. I would expect to get at least 6 months from a shoe playing 3 or 4 times a week.
Both the Solution Speed FF2 and FF3 served me well. The FF2 shows some wear around the sole, the pimpled tread has become flattened over time. One of the most noticeable indicators of wear is the heel cup, in the 2 pairs of shoes I have had, in both instances the heel cup tore. The FF3 seemed to be immune from this thus far. This issue doesn’t seem to be an ASICS Solution Speed problem, but other tennis shoes too. Maybe it’s a ‘me’ problem. Only time will tell if the FF4 is built to last. The outsole at least seems durable enough to withstand aggressive baseliners who cover every inch of the court and scrape their feet on every shot.
Final Word
Every tennis shoe review I write I always reiterate that tennis shoes are an investment worth making. They do not come cheap but are worth it. Whether you buy the latest Solution Speed tennis shoes is entirely up to you. There are improvements from the predecessors but its a personal choice and value judgement, do you want to part with the cash. The FF2 and FF3 are both strong performers which can be picked up significantly cheaper than the current FF4 model. I would wait until FF4 comes down in price to buy them. The changes made would not force me to buy the FF4 straight away.
I have bought them, I am happy with my purchase and I dont have buyers remorse. Could I have waited a bit for a better price; ofcourse!