The Jet Mach line is Babolat’s most famous shoe. It suits players that wants a speedy and light shoe and generation 4 is allegedly 3% faster! Here is our Babolat Jet Mach 4 review.
Introduction
I think Babolat shoes are overall moving in the right direction. Still, it’s always difficult for a tennis focused brand to make a huge buzz in the shoe market, which is generally dominated by brands like Adidas and Nike. I definitely think you should give their shoes a fair try if you can, because this shoe competes really well with Adidas Ubersonic line, for example. Like with the Ubersonic, the Nike Vapor Pro or the Asics Speed FF, this is a shoe focused on speed. If you want durability, support and cushioning, that is a different category of tennis shoe.
The Technology
Babolat has made some notable changes across the whole shoe, starting with what they’re calling Blast Pad technology in the forefoot. The idea is straightforward: high-performance EVA foam absorbs the energy from each step and returns it, combined with lateral midsole reinforcements that keep you stable as you push off. Babolat claims the Jet Mach 4 is 3% faster than the previous generation, verified through their Human Fab laboratory testing. That’s a modest but real number, and it speaks to Babolat’s focus on explosive first steps – relevant given that, as they note, 80% of tennis shots are played within a 2.5-metre radius.
The upper uses Matryx fabric, a patented material developed in partnership with textile specialists Chamatex. It combines ultra-strong aramid and polyamide fibres, keeping the shoe light while offering support and durability under the stresses of sliding, braking, and lateral cutting. A dual-layer construction reinforces the toe tip and medial forefoot — practical protection for hard court sliders who tend to burn through shoes in those exact areas.
Underneath is the Michelin Premium outsole, which remains one of Babolat’s most dependable calling cards. The Michelin partnership goes deep — their R&D team adapts rubber formulas and outsole structures per surface to optimise grip and durability. On hard courts, the focus is maximising contact surface for grip and braking; the engineering is more considered than a standard outsole swap. In practice, the traction is confident and the durability holds up well.
There’s also a Starting Bloc Plate providing lateral forefoot stability, and a refined rocker geometry in the midsole designed to smooth and speed up your transitions — keeping you on your toes rather than rocking back through your heel.
On Court
This is where things get interesting, and where Mach III loyalists may want to pay close attention.
The Jet Mach 4 is a more structured, cushioned shoe than the Mach III. The updated EVA foam delivers noticeably more padding underfoot, which will be welcome for players who spend two or three hours on court and need their feet to survive a long match. Babolat tour athlete Cam Norrie – who has worn Babolat rackets since age 12 and went fully head-to-toe with the brand in 2025 – was involved in testing the Jet Mach 4 during its development, with the brand actively gathering player feedback on feel and performance.
That increased cushioning, however, does come at a cost. Some players coming from the Mach III have noted the Jet Mach 4 feels heavier and slightly bulkier, one reviewer flagged it at around 370g (13oz) compared to the Mach III’s leaner 10.3oz. If the ultra-minimal, close-to-the-court feel of the Mach III was exactly what you loved, you may find the Mach 4 has shifted away from that territory. It’s still quick and agile – it’s just not quite as raw.
The good news is that for most competitive players, the balance the Mach 4 strikes is genuinely useful. The containment during lateral movements is solid, the forefoot energy return is noticeable, and the Michelin outsole grips without feeling sticky. One minor note flagged by testers: the outsole can be a touch noisy on hard courts. Not a dealbreaker, but worth knowing.
Stack height is moderately high for a speed shoe, though court feel remains present – you still sense the surface beneath you, which matters for timing and court awareness.
Who It’s For
The Jet Mach 4 is best suited to quick-moving, attack-minded players who want a shoe that moves with them rather than holding them in place. If you like to take the ball early, redirect aggressively, and stay on your front foot, this shoe’s forefoot setup rewards that style of play.
It is not the shoe for someone chasing maximum plush cushioning or the heaviest-duty lateral support on the market – the Babolat Propulse Fury line covers that ground better. And if you need a shoe that replicates the stripped-back minimalism of the Mach III specifically, temper your expectations: the Mach 4 is a more complete, well-rounded shoe, but it has moved away from pure featherweight simplicity.
For those who wanted a slightly more supportive and comfortable Mach III – players who loved the concept but wanted a bit more underfoot — the Mach 4 may actually be exactly what you were asking for.
Verdict
The Babolat Jet Mach 4 is a well-engineered speed shoe that delivers on traction, forefoot responsiveness, and durability. The Michelin outsole is reliable, the Matryx upper is supportive without being stiff, and the Blast Pad technology gives you something real on those explosive first steps.
The shift toward more cushioning and structure is the key consideration. It makes the Jet Mach 4 a better all-day shoe and more broadly accessible — but players who specifically loved the Mach III for its raw, minimal feel should try before they buy. That advice applies here more than usual: fit and feel are everything in a tennis shoe, and what the Jet Mach 4 offers is a more balanced proposition, not necessarily a like-for-like evolution.
For speed-focused players open to a slightly more complete package, it’s one of the better options on the market right now. It is actually one of the nicer shoes I have tried in recent times. I might still stick to my Yonex Eclipsion 5 as I need a bit more cushioning and support, but I like that they took a step towards a more comfortable shoe instead of the pretty raw feeling Mach 3. So in my book, it is a very good update. I’m keen to hear what you think in the comments and also, let me know what tennis shoes you use and why!
Where to buy?
Find the latest Babolat shoes at Tennis Warehouse Europe (discount code TNERD10 for 10% off) or at Tennis Warehouse (US, Canada).
As always: try before you buy. Fit is everything.