Head Speed Pro II Lite Shoe Review
Price:
$
Fit
- Length: Fits true to size
- Width: Medium
- Arch Support: Low/Medium
- Weight: 14.8 oz. (Size 10.5)
- Break-in period recommended
Upsides
- Very durable
- Stable
- Superb Traction
Downsides
- Stiff right out of the box
Head stepped outside of the box with the introduction of the Head Speed Pro II Lite shoes. These cushioned, comfortable and stylish shoes offer plenty of lateral support, and the gum rubber sole provides great grip for starting, stopping and lunging. Head's Lateral Control technology gives your ankles some peace of mind and a stable base, with a flared sole in the forefoot to diminish rollovers. The flex zone, located on the outsole, helps the shoe to flex with the natural flexion of your foot, ensuring a nice, snug fit so you don't lose a step. Hitting the scales at 14.8 oz., the Speed Pro II Lite ensures stability and durability but will not take away your quick first step. You can't deny the style of these shoes, and coupled with all of Head's technologies and engineering, the Speed Pro II Lites are the latest, and definitely the greatest, Head has to offer.
Comfort: 90/100
Initially the RbW team wondered about the overall comfort of the shoes, but came around after a short break-in period. Ben Croft started the review saying, “Right out of the box they were a little tough on my feet, so I had a to cruise around my house in them for a few days to soften them up a bit. Once they settled in, they fit nicely to the shape of my foot and had ample cushion. For years Head has made wider shoes that didn’t fit my feet. This year they made the Speed Pro II Lites a little more narrow and that definitely made the difference of me liking and not liking these shoes.” Ben LoBue agreed, saying, “Finding comfort with these shoes required a little patience, but once I took the time to break them in, they softened up a surprising amount. Both the upper and the insole/midsole formed to my foot shape and eliminated any pressure points after a few matches.”
Ventilation: 89/100
The Speed Pro II Lites scored well in the ventilation category due to the extensive mesh paneling on the upper. LoBue was first to share his thoughts, saying, “I was impressed with the amount of mesh adapted into the upper and felt they breathed well.” Croft shared similar sentiments, adding, “I’ve never had issues with breathability of shoes, and that continued to be the case with these shoes. The multiple mesh panels on the upper and tongue made the shoes very breathable even on a hot, sweaty court.”
Stability: 94/100
Stability was the shining category of the Head Speed Pro II Lites. The team felt confident the shoes would be firmly planted on the floor in every rally, and the shoes showed no signs of instability. Croft said, “This was the top category of these shoes for me. One thing I need in a shoe is confidence that wherever or however I step I’m going to be stable in my shoes, and the Head Lateral Support gave me the confidence I needed.” LoBue thought Croft’s comments were right on par, adding, “I believe stability is the most important attribute of a court shoe because poor stability often leads to injury. These Speed Pro II Lites provided a rock solid foundation and gave me a ton of confidence in my court movements. Particularly with the flared outsole, I felt stable in any match scenario.”
Traction: 93/100
Traction was another category the team raved about with the Speed Pro II Lite shoes. LoBue was stoked on the traction they offered, saying, “The deep, aggressive tread on these shoes really helped on the less-than-maintained court we often play on. I never had any slippage and felt the shoes helped me drive through the ball with power and immediately take off to the next location and next shot.” Croft agreed with LoBue’s thoughts, stating, “The traction on these shoes was really second to none. Head had always done a great job of creating shoes that stay firmly planted on the court, and that has clearly continued this season. We all play on dusty courts sometimes, and even on a dusty court, the traction of these shoes out performed my expectations.”
Overall: 91/100
Overall the RbW playtest team was pleased with the high performance of the Head Speed Pro II Lite shoes. A middle-weighted, durable and playable shoe, the shoe scored high marks in every category. LoBue ended his review by saying, “These were easily the best Head shoes I have ever played in. They instilled confidence and allowed me to focus completely on the ball without concern for my feet. I think they look great and are clearly built to last.” Croft wrapped it up, saying, “The Speed Pro II Lites were a great addition to Head’s shoe line. After a brief break-in period, these shoes’ performance surprised me in every category. The Head Speed Pro II Lite with the blue/lime cosmetic has run away with the gold medal as my favorite Head shoe.”