Hi-Tec 4:SYS Shoe Review (Updated)

[VolleyDrop]

I'm always looking for reviews of racquets and other equipment, so I thought I'd give my opinion of these shoes---I've brought this over from the old site and updated it. Hope it's helpful to some.

1. They look way better in person than they do in pictures (yellow)
2. I wore them for 3 hours around the house and while they felt tight in the forefoot for a while, they loosened up nicely. After only one more hour (on the court) they were fully broken in. They still feel great after more than 4 months playing/practising 3x/wk
3. They don't have as much forefoot cushioning as my older Hi-Tecs, but certainly more than enough for me---this, plus extra sole width makes them very stable
4. They feel very, very stable. The the soles are about 1cm wider than my old Hi-Tec Adrenalin Xcel Ultra
5. Much of the rubber feels soft to the touch
6. The lacing system is fantastic! It really locks the foot into position (laces are a bit long, though)
7. Once broken in they fit true to size. My foot is a bit wider than average (E) and they fit perfectly
8. I've gotten no blisters, no aches or pains in my feet, ankles, knees, hips (the location of most of my injuries) or my back. Note: I swapped out the OEM insoles for Superfeet Green insoles
9. Durability is great. They have no significant wear anywhere.

Highly recommended!

[VolleyDrop]

Now over 6 months old and just starting to show a bit of wear. I wouldn't be surprised to get a full year out of them!

[passthestripe]

I agree with the bulk of this review!

Great shoes, I got a pair of the red/black ones for xmas and and I play 3-4 times a week. They are lovely to play in, aside from a few surprising slips!

Only real issues I have...

#1 - Insole is smashed to pieces in the ball of the foot area already. I've padded it out a bit with cut up pieces of another insole, but need new ones in a few weeks.

#2 - The "tough" material on the toe actually wears away VERY quickly, especially compared to the "Rhyno Skin" on my old asics. I've worked around this by applying Shoe Goo to the toe. It's ugly, but it gets the job done. NOTE - Yes I know I shouldn't drag my toe, sh1t happens!!!!!! Especially when your game is reliant on running like a mad man trying to recover everything

[squash-nerd]

I thought there would come a new top squash shoe from hi-tec by now?

[manus]

dragging your toe on your trailing leg is very good technique in fact, just look at the mike way/jon power instructional videos. it helps recovery from a shot under pressure..

[passthestripe]

dragging your toe on your trailing leg is very good technique in fact, just look at the mike way/jon power instructional videos. it helps recovery from a shot under pressure..

It's nae guid for ma new shoes though!!!

Even with Shoe Goo, it wears away really quickly as I drag my toe every time I go to the front left corner!

[Mad Dog]

I was dragging both feet in a match last week.

Not good!

[VolleyDrop]

I was dragging both feet in a match last week.

Not good!

Hopefully not at the same time!!

[spike kit]

I was dragging both feet in a match last week.Not good!

Hopefully not at the same time!!

He needs to get both feet off the ground when diving .

[Hob Nob]

Good review, im interested in your opinion of sizing on these.

On an older pair of HiTec's I am currently a UK9, but i'm at least a 9.5 in everything else. I'm conscious of ordering the right size...

[VolleyDrop]

Good review, im interested in your opinion of sizing on these.

On an older pair of HiTec's I am currently a UK9, but i'm at least a 9.5 in everything else. I'm conscious of ordering the right size...

My older Hi-Tecs are exactly the same sizing as these.

[Hob Nob]

Just as a follow up, I went to my local shop today to test out a few sizes. I ended up going from a 9 to 10!

Glad I checked, I could only just get the 9 on. Shop gave me an awesome deal too, beating anywhere I have seen them priced well at.

Been wandering around in them at home tonight to wear them in a bit, they are a lot bigger than my old HiTecs, and a lot softer inside. First impressions are good. Will see how they hold up around the 'abrazone' bit after some court work, as I tend to wear most out in the uppers around that area.

Also, I would agree, they arn't as hideous as the pictures of them show, but they are pretty damn hideous still!

[passthestripe]

Will see how they hold up around the 'abrazone' bit after some court work, as I tend to wear most out in the uppers around that area.

That's the only problem I have had, i'm a dirty toe dragger though as i mentioned in a post higher up.... Shoe Goo has me covered.

Also, I would agree, they arn't as hideous as the pictures of them show, but they are pretty damn hideous still!

I think they are class! I got the black/red ones and in 6 months or so when I need a new pair I am going to get the black/yellow ones I think.

[Hob Nob]

I've got a couple of games this week so I'll have to see on the wear points how i'm getting on, otherwise I shall be investing in some goo.

Beauty is obviously in the eye of the beholder I guess

I don't really care what they look like though, as long as they work!

[kaspar]

I bought my shoes from Manchester when World Open was held in there. I tried my regular size 44 and it was feeling really small and after trying 44.5 I decided for the last one. As the shoe is very soft from the inside, they will stretch a bit. So my 44.5 is too big but these shoes are soooooooo good that I give them another go with size 44.

[Hob Nob]

Update:

Now my game is improving and i'm playing people of a lot higher standard, i'm moving a lot better and stretching a lot more, and really working these shoes. They are showing signs of quite a lot of wear now, despite only playing once or twice a week.

Based on current wear rates, I would expect them to be dead come the new season, which all in will be 7-8 months use, which considering I don't play a great deal compared to some, isn't great.

However, they are very comfortable, and seem to work well with the shape of my feet. I'll be interested to try something different, for the sake of comparison when these are done, however, I don't know what. Looking at whats about, probably some Asics or Adidas, but i'll need to see some first

[ianball]

I find that when thinking of buying shoes speed of wear really doesn;t bother me as much as ankle rolling protection. I find that Hitec and Prince are the shoes I feel are widest in the sole and more stable. Being a toe dragger the plastic coating on the front of the Hitecs I used to have was excellent.

I've been wearing Wilson EM6s for ages now and they seem to be wearing very well but they do feel slightly smaller than the same size in Hitec and they are very hard on the feet. After a really hard first game I'm always trying to find a balance between tight enough to not feel sloppy and dangerous and too tight to hurt my feet.

Having said all that I do sacrifice performance for looks.

Ian B.

[manus]

i have a pair of 4sys for a year now and its time to get new shoes. i am happy with the 4sys, but is there any other good shoes out there worth trying? have to admit though, the 4sys are the best shoes i have ever tried so far. i will probably buy another pair, but has anyone any suggestions on shoes that are equal or if not better than the 4sys?

[logers]

yo manus, you can try with the prince nfs IV, they're amazing and they last a lot longer that the previous models....

[manus]

might try those. anyone try the new prince mv4

[Buddy]

Has anyone tried the Red Hi tec V Lite squash shoes that look as if they have the same sole as the 4 SYS but are lighter in weight??