Prince's M Series Tennis Shoe

Prince's Men's MC4

I've always found it odd when I'd see or hear about somebody spending hundreds of dollars on the latest racquet only to buy the cheapest tennis shoes on the shelf. An old coach of mine was fond of telling us that "a house is only as strong as its foundation". Though he was referring to game fundamentals, it's also true that the foundation of any player starts at ground level with the shoes. I don't care how good your backhand is or how much technology went into your racquet frame, if your feet are sore, slippery or tire quickly, your game suffers. That's why it is so refreshing to see a tennis equipment manufacturer put as much research into their footwear as they do into their racquets. Realizing that no one shoe design is going to meet the needs of every player, Prince Tennis has opted to try a truly innovative solution with the introduction of the M Series tennis shoe. The big idea: Use strategically positioned Precision Tubes of varying densities in the heel and forefoot to offer the choice between softer, medium or firm cushioning.

But don't get the idea that the M Series is a one trick pony; each model comes standard with a Dual Density EVA midsole for optimum cushioning and support, TPU shank for torsional stability, breathable synthetic uppers, Dri-Lex lining so that moisture is pulled away from the foot, Air-mesh tongues to maximize air flow and skeletal TPU stabilizers on the uppers for lateral stability. And if you are worried about wearing out the soles on these babies, don't be; Goodyear tires designed the outsole material (Goodyear Max) exclusively for Prince.

Prince's Women's MV4

But enough reading from the side of the box; how do these suckers play? Mighty darn fine. We were able to test out a men's pair of men's MC4 (softer density) and a pair of women's MV4 (medium density) shoes. Both were very impressive. The softer density MC4s were amazingly comfortable and quite responsive despite being the cushionier model. They had remarkable stability when pivoting and stopped cleanly without jarring. I was able to play for hours in the Texas Gulf Coast heat without my feet swimming in sweat thanks to the Dri-Lex lining and the MC4's ventilation.

The MV4s also performed exceptionally well. Our female tester was pleasantly surprised at how comfortable they were straight out of the box, and after minimal break-in time, they were perfect. She was also well pleased with the stability of the MV4s; the extra support allowed her to play with more confidence. The particular midsole density of the MV4s was a perfect compliment to her game. The combination of support, ventilation and reactivity really boosted her game to the next level.

Bottom line is if you are looking for a tennis shoe tailor made for your game, then Prince Tennis' M series is by far your best bet. Available in three separate models each with their own attributes, the M series definitely has a pair for you. They also make the perfect gift for that special player in your life. For about one hundred dollars and change, the MC4s, MV4s and MS4s come in Men's sizes 6.5-12, 13 and 14 and women's sizes 6-10 (including half sizes) and 11. You can pick up a pair wherever sporting goods are sold or from one of the dealers listed at www.PrinceTennis.com.