Product Description

New Balance CT1003BK Men's Tennis Shoes (Black/Red): The New Balance CT1003BK Men's Tennis Shoes are as comfortable as they are practical. With their wonderful cushioning and comfort, these shoes are a must for the serious tennis player. Absorb SBS in the heel and forefoot Extended N-Lock, which is an integrated lacing and webbing system Lightning Dry lining Long wear drag tip Synthetic upper with mesh NDurance rubber Herringbone outsole

Product Details

• Size: 9 D(M) US
• Color: Black/Red
• Brand: New Balance
• Fabric type: Synthetic and mesh
• Dimensions: .0" h x .0" w x .0" l, .0 pounds

Features

• ABZORB SBS is an engineered, non-cellular elastomer designed to provide optimal shock absorption and no compression set
• NLOCK is an integrated lacing and webbing system that provides optimal fit, support and security
• S-Curve
• Herringbone outsole
• Long wear drag tip

From the Manufacturer
New Balance, is dedicated to helping athletes achieve their goals. It's been their mission for more than a century. It's why they don't spend money on celebrity endorsements. They spend it on research and development. It's why they don't design products to fit an image. They design them to fit. New Balance is driven to make the finest shoes for the same reason athletes lace them up: to achieve the very best.

Customer Reviews

Great shoe for bad ankles
Having tried myriad different tennis shoes over the years, I've struggled to find any that I could feel confident would protect my ankle. Most shoes salespeople I talked to wanted to put me in high tops, wides with extra cushion, "support shoes" etc etc. What I found was that my ankle still rolled under duress when playing. It got so bad that I gave up tennis for past 10 years. the last time I tried to play (about 4 years ago) I rolled my ankle (again)and experienced "peroneal subluxation" which became chronic.

Getting the bug to play again, I decided to read up on foot physiology. What I finally figured out is that cushion, padding, high tops all contributed to my problem by allowing too much freedom for my foot to move under stress within the shoes.

The CT1003 is not a super cushioning shoe but what it does is lock down my foot very comfortably, provide very good support under stress and almost eliminates the snap that comes with "peroneal subluxation". So good in fact, that I'm wearing them when I'm not playing tennis and throwing out all my other shoes to find everyday shoes that fit like they do. The NLock is awesome, it truly provides great support without binding and cutting off circulation. New Balance deserves a Nobel for this, why it hadn't been invented before I don't know but it works for me. I was faced with surgery, now I realize the right shoes really can make a difference.

Don't let salespeople put you in shoes just so they're comfortable when you leave. The CT1003 took a few days of wearing around town before they broke in, I was worried they were too narrow but once they wore in a bit they are perfect.

Get a good fit and definitely try on these shoes if you have ankle problems.

Thank you New Balance.

Not so great shoe, much different from 1002 series
This review has been edited since I first wrote it. New Balance is all I used wear for tennis shoes because I need solid support for my wide feet and this is the only brand that consistently delivered. The four stars were for my first review when I briefly wore a size 11.5EE that turned out to be too big.

However, they have changed the last and build significantly compared to the 1002, the predecessor of this 1003 model. As I mentioned, I used wear 11.5EE which I ordered first in the 1003, then switched to 11D (that's right, two sizes down). My right foot (bigger than the left) welcomes the change and the 11D is perfect, but my left foot now has too much room... What happened? Did New Balance switch designers, manufacturers or what? Wearing with the 11.5EE caused my right foot to develop a painful spur. Wearing with the 11D made me realize that the 1003 just doesn't have the support in the front of the 1002 and 1001. The stiffness isn't there and on pronounced moves (a run to the net and sudden stop, for instance), I notice that the material is just way too soft for action sports shoes. This has been my last New Balance purchase. On to a better, more reliable brand. The Red and Black version is great to look at and I will probably continue to wear it as a sneaker, just not for tennis or any other activity that requires a solid shoe for a good workout. Don't waste your money, look elsewhere. I'd give this shoe 2 stars at best now.

Great tennis shoes!
I have been using these tennis shoes for about a month, and I have to say they are the most comfortable pair I have ever worn. What is great about New Balance is that they offer the different widths, and my 2E's are perfect. They are reasonably lightweight and allow for quick lateral motion and stops/starts. I couldn't be happier with the shoes (even though I was initially reluctant because of the price). Shipping was fast!