Intro

The Diadora Speed Competition 5 AG is back again with some slightly new updates. This lighter weight, mid-tier tennis shoe offers a great combination of stability and durability for dynamic performance on court. The most noticeable change with this model comes in the form of a Light EVA External Stabilizer which gives you additional support. Let’s see how this update felt on the court.

Cushioning & Stability

Cushioning is very pronounced right away when you put your feet into the shoes. The Suprelltech, air mesh and D-Skin upper give it a nice feel against your feet, keeping it comfortable whenever you’re on the move. Although the toe box is a normal size, I found my toes rubbing the outer cushioning regularly in the beginning. After playing for about 2 hours, that discomfort started to go away, and the shoes felt better on my feet. The tongue has more cushioning than the previous version, which I personally like. This allows me to tie my shoes tighter, and still feel comfortable around my lower ankle. Stability was as good as any tough durability shoe thanks to the added Light EVA External Stabilizer. I got plenty of support moving at different angles around the court, and never felt off balanced, even on awkward defensive shots. DA Plus is a great midsole technology that helped reduce shock to my feet. I didn’t feel any pressure or discomfort after play.

Fit & Breathability

The fit of the Speed Comp 5 is traditional and true to size. If you’re between sizes, though, I’d go up half a size because the toe box cushioning will feel tight at first. After a couple of hours of break in, the toe box will feel soft and cushy, making it easy to wear again and again. I think breathability has been improved, but it won’t be as breathable as the previous Speed Comp 3 model. Due to the added rubber on the upper, this shoe does breathe some, but not a whole lot if you’re playing in 80+ degree weather.

Durability

One of the best features about this shoe is the durability. Although it’s not as durable as the Speed Blushield 3 or Speed Blushield Fly 2, it still features a similar outsole material (Duratech 5000) to help the sole last longer than you’d expect. At first the outsole, to me, felt stickier than most, which allowed me to get great traction as I transitioned from defense to offense. After about 5 hours of play, that stickiness went away, but the traction stayed strong. The added rubber guard around the upper and toe area allowed me to avoid any discomfort when I dragged my toes. Although it doesn’t have an outsole warranty, I found the durability to be superb.

Overall

The Speed Competition 5 AG is a great shoe available at a great price! You’ll get plenty of cushioning, stability and feel without compromising much on durability. The lightweight nature of the shoe keeps it practical for practice or match days. The shoe may take some time to get used to, but the comfort will make up for it. This is an excellent choice for players who want something affordable and functional.

About the Reviewer: Chris Virk-Brown currently works at Tennis Express on the Content Marketing team. He previously played at Neumann University and coached at the collegiate level for 3 years. He is an active USTA League and Tournament player at the 4.5 NTRP level.