Prince M Series Shoe Review

M is for Maximum

Prince has taken a step forward in shoe design with the introduction of the M Series shoes. The M Series line features three distinctive shoe models based around the same last, cushioning technology and outsole, but each model offers unique performance qualities.

With the M Series line, Prince introduces a new cushioning technology called Precision Tube. The Precision Tube technology features specific density rubber tubes inside the midsole to offer a specific level of impact protection, stability and responsiveness. Specific to each model, the Precision Tube density is designed to work in conjunction with each model's unique performance qualities.

The MC4, or Maximum Cushioning 4 is the comfort inspired shoe of the series. The Precision Tubes of the MC4 are low density, which provide the most cushioning and impact protection of the three models - think of this one as the Cadillac of the group. Soft, yet supportive uppers are utilized to offer a comfortable and performance inspired ride.

The MV4, or Maximum Ventilation 4 features extensive use of mesh in the upper and tongue materials to promote breathability. The MV4s also feature ventilated insoles to help keep feet cool during play. The Precision Tubes in the MV4s are a medium density, offering a slightly firmer ride compared to the MC4s.

The MS4, or Maximum Stability 4 features a support strap over the lace system to help lock feet securely in place. The Precision Tube cushioning in the MS4 is the firmest and most responsive. The firmer cushioning system also helps keep the shoe stable during aggressive cuts and prevents the shoe from rolling - much like the firmer shocks on a sports car.

Our playtesters hit the courts with a pair of each of the M Series models. After logging several hours of playing time in each shoe, they were asked to pick their favorite of the three. Each tester then wore his favorite M Series model for the remainder of the test.

Why our testers picked one model over the other two M Series models: Here each playtester is listed with their choice of shoe and their comments regarding their choice.

Brad MC4: "I chose this shoe based on fit. I felt that it gave me the most room in the forefoot compared to the other two shoes. The MV4 rubbed the outer part of my foot where the mesh met the front part of the shoe. The MS4 was just too tight across the top of my foot where the Velcro strap is located. Even when it was strapped loosely, it was too constricting for my foot."

Paul MC4: "I chose the MC4, as I think the most important factor for hard court play is cushioning. My shoes are the first line of defense in combating injuries that result from the hard pounding my body takes on concrete. In order to reduce the shock to my feet and joints, I would like to see more shoes offer the level of cushioning of the MC4."

Granville MV4: "The initial attraction to this model was the snappy cosmetic and the increased ventilation. I will add that I think all three of these shoes are excellent choices."

Jon MV4: "After playing in all three models I decided I didn't need the extra support of the MS4. The decision came down to the MC4 and the MV4. I chose the MV4 due to the overall cosmetic and increased ventilation."

Jason MS4: "After the initial feel of trying on all three types of shoes, I decided to go with the MS4. I chose this shoe for two reasons: One, I liked the stability strap because it really kept my foot in place during aggressive play, and I have been known to roll my ankles, so the strap really locked my foot in place. Second, it fit my foot the best of the three models. The other two really pinched down on my feet; they felt very narrow."

Danny MS4: "I found the best match for my playing style with the MS4 shoe. The other two models did not work as well for me. The cushioning of the MC4 was so soft that when I pushed off, I would actually sink into the shoe first and then my movement would start. This made my footwork slow and the shoe felt heavy and clunky. The MV4 was okay in the beginning, but after I broke the shoe in, I started having an uncomfortable poking sensation on my right pinky toe. With the MS4 I found a comfortable fit and a responsive ride. I also liked the narrow/medium fit and level of traction. I didn't need to break-in the shoes. They felt great from the first step. I liked the higher cut for the shoe as well as the Velcro strap across the foot. I think the MS4 would have been good without the Velcro strap, so this was just an added bonus. The great stability complimented the traction. I felt like I could stop on a dime in them."

Comfort

Our team found impressive comfort from the M Series shoes. Having three shoes to choose from allowed each team member to select their desired level of cushioning, support and ventilation. Both Brad and Paul chose the MC4 for its added cushioning. Brad found impressive comfort from the MC4 shoes. "I found the forefoot cushioning to be very good. I would have liked a bit more cushioning in the heel of the shoes as I felt it was too firm. When I first wore these shoes, they felt tight across the top of my foot. Even after wearing them for a couple of days it was a snug fit, and it took awhile for the narrow fit to accommodate my wide feet." Paul was very impressed by the level of comfort he found in his MC4 shoes. "These shoes felt great from the moment I slipped them on until the last day of the playtest. The first thing I did was pull out the insole to take a closer look. It was not just thick, it was super thick! The kind of cushioning I've been hoping for, and enough to support a large dude like me. The thick tongue and plush collar lining also added major comfort to these shoes. They fit true to size and the cushion/comfort lasted the whole day; through my work shift, tennis on my lunch break, and out for a bite to eat after work. My feet were left feeling great and I didn't have to replace the insole with a SOFSOLE!"

Both Granville and Jon chose the medium cushioned and well ventilated MV4s. Granville enjoyed a comfortable fit in the shoes. "These were very comfortable shoes. They were very snug from toe to heel, with the venting offering a bit more flex at mid foot as compared to the other models." Finding the shoes ready for the courts on the first wear was Jon. "Comfort was excellent right out of the box. Prince shoes have always fit my feet well, and the MV4s were no exception. I did find the shoes to feel a little tall, especially in the heel."

Danny and Jason chose the MS4s with firmer cushioning and stability features. Danny found a comfortable ride in the MS4 shoes. "You want comfort, you got it! I think that the MS4 takes the cake as the most comfortable and best cushioned Prince shoe that I have ever worn. The cushioning provided excellent protection from impact shock as well as offering a very responsive ride. The fit and upper comfort was also good. I had no poking anywhere inside the shoes. The shoes had a good flex to them, so there was no pinching or rubbing at the toes." Jasonfound comfort improved after break-in. "For me, these shoes really required some break-in time. Out of the box, they felt very narrow and my feet felt like they were in B width shoes. The length fit was fine. After a few hours on the court, the shoes loosened up a bit, but it was still a snug fit. After break-in, the overall width fit was more secure than uncomfortable feeling. The cushioning was adequate - the MS4s offered a firmer ride then I typically like - but it made the shoes feel more responsive and stable."

Arch Support

Each M Series model features a unique insole. With an emphasis on cushioning, the MC4s feature the thickest and softest insole. The MV4s feature a perforated insole to help promote ventilation and the MS4s feature a firm insole for a stable and responsive ride. Despite the unique insole designs, we found a uniform, medium height arch support across the line of M Series shoes.

Impressed by the level of arch support in the MV4s was Granville. "I noticed the arch support more in this shoe than others, and in a positive way. The arch support seemed longer and supported a greater length of my foot, rather than just a small bulge under the arch. It enhanced the entire fit of the shoe." Also finding a good fit in the MV4s was Jon. "My feet felt well supported and there was never any discomfort in the arch area."

Danny was happy with the arch support of the MS4s. "I liked the arch support. It was just right. I would say that the arch support is low to medium. I think it's hard for the shoe not to have good arch support, due to its good stability. Take that to the bank." Finding the arch support in his MS4s to be a tad high was Jason. "The arch support could've been a bit lower for a perfect fit, but I have a very flat foot. Players with medium height arches should find a better fit."

Brad found a good arch fit from the MC4s. "The medium to low arch of this shoe accommodated my flat foot to my liking. I didn't have any aching or soreness in the arch area of my foot while playing in this shoe." Paul found the soft insoles in the MC4s to compress somewhat with wear. "The arch support felt somewhere between low and medium height. It worked OK for me, but I would have preferred it a bit higher. Once the shoes were broken in, the arch support flattened out a little. It was just right initially, but once it compressed, my feet were lacking some support."

Foot Support & Stability

Our team was impressed with the entire M Series line when it came to support and stability. However, it was not surprising that the MS4s excelled in this performance category.

Both Danny and Jason gave the MS4s top marks when it came to support and stability. Danny said, "I went ahead and gave the shoe a 5 out of 5 for foot support and stability. This is my highest mark yet. This score should say it all. Great support, great stability. There was no chance that my feet would roll over. My feet felt like they were one with the shoes." Equally impressed was Jason. "Really, really nice! On points when I had to sprint side to side and then from the baseline to the net, my feet felt locked in. There was no sliding around like I sometimes experience with other shoes. The stability straps really held my feet in place in the midfoot area."

While they may have a focus on cushioning, Brad found the soft and comfortable MC4s to offer plenty of support, too. "Overall, the foot support on these shoes was really good. The shoes fit my feet very snugly and I did not slide around at all." Paul found plenty of stability, but the fit was a little roomy in his MC4s. "My feet slipped around a little bit in these shoes, more so once they opened up. They didn't hold my feet in place very well, nor did they mold to my feet. They did seem to have pretty good stability, though. When I put them to the test making hard cuts and reversing direction, they responded really well. I put a lot of stress on the shoes during stops and starts, and my ankles never rolled over."

Finding a supportive fit in the maximum ventilation MV4s was Granville. "The MV4s provide a snug fit all around my foot and there was no sliding around. The shoes also offered a very soft, almost 'spongy' cushioned feel. I did not wear ankle braces when playing and never felt like I was going to roll over. The MV4s are one of the most stable low cut shoes I've worn, while offering a very cushioned ride." Jon quickly found a supportive ride in the MV4s. "The MV4s had excellent support. After the first few points in the MV4's I could tell I would like the stability and support of the shoes. The MV4s fit snug, and the lacing system seemed to keep my feet snug without a need to re-tighten the laces after a few games - like I've found with some other shoes."

Overall Outsole Durability

The M Series shoes feature a Goodyear Max outsole for extended durability. Prince backs up their confidence in the Goodyear Max rubber with a 6-month durability guarantee.

Finding an impressive level of durability was Granville. "The Goodyear Max rubber outsole is as good as it gets. No issues with premature wear. Overall, a very durable outsole compound." Brad found plenty of tread left on the outsoles of his MC4s at the end of the test. "The soles on these shoes held up very well. I did not see any unexpected wear after using them for several weeks. There is still plenty of tread left for future use. These shoes are definitely some of the most durable shoes I have worn in awhile."

Paul found the MC4s to offer a durable ride on the hard courts. "The outsoles of the MC4s demonstrated better than average durability. They began to wear along the leading edge of the medial side of the outsoles first, but had plenty of traction left at the end of the test period. Constructed of soft, grippy Goodyear Max rubber, I think they are plenty durable for most players." Finding the MS4s to be among the most durable shoes he has worn was Danny. "If there was a spot that I had to guess where the shoes should have worn out first, it would be the forefoot, because most shoes that I test wear in that area. However, I didn't see much signs of wear during my test of the MS4s, and they were one of the most durable shoes I've worn."

Jason was also impressed with the durability of the shoes. "I saw nothing out of the ordinary in the outsole. The outsoles of my MS4s wore down pretty evenly. If anything, I noticed the toe area wore out a bit faster, but that is normal wear for all my shoes. Overall, the tread held up just as well, if not better than, most other shoes I've worn." Jon found no need to worry about durability issues in his MV4s. "The wear on the MV4s was not significant. The heel and forefoot showed some wear, but the amount of wear was very minor. The outsoles appear to be very durable."

Toe Durability

As with the outsoles, our team found the toes of the M Series shoes to be very durable. Each M Series shoe features a Duraskin II abrasion resistant toe protection piece to enhance the life of the shoes. The Duraskin II material runs around the toe tip from the lateral edge of the toe box to the medial side of the midfoot. Having the Duraskin II material wrap around to the midfoot area on the inside of the shoes helps protect the upper when a player drags his trailing foot when sliding or lunging laterally.

Danny found some solid durability from the entire toe box of his MS4s. "I was very impressed with the level of toe durability. I tested the shoes for about 15-20 hours on hard courts and I didn't see that much wear anywhere. The top (upper side) and bottom (outsole side) of the toe box was very durable." Jon also found impressive durability from the combination of Goodyear Max and Duraskin II materials. "There was no significant wear on the toe. The MV4s have 2 layers of toe protection; one layer of a black rubber (extension of outsole), then another layer of textured synthetic material (Duraskin II), and this double layer offered excellent durability."

Finding only cosmetic wear to the toes of his MC4s was Brad. "The toe durability on these shoes was excellent. My shoes showed a little bit of wear in the very center of the toe area, but other than that, there is still plenty of material there." Jason found a similar level of durability. "Since I don't really slide when stopping, I don't drag my toes too often. There was not significant wear on the toe area. Nothing but regular cosmetic scuffs and scratches." Another impressed tester was Granville. "Toe durability was consistent with the outsole - very durable."

Traction

The Goodyear Max outsoles of the M Series shoes feature a modified herringbone patterned outsole for traction on all court surfaces. The outsoles also feature a pivot point in the forefoot region of the outsole to help players pivot on hard court surfaces. We only tested the shoes on hard courts and found an impressive level of traction.

Finding a worry-free level of traction in the MS4s was Jason. "I found the traction on the MS4s to be well above average for a durability shoe. Quick takeoffs were accomplished without slipping or sliding. Lateral movements were also handled quite well in this shoe. After playing some long, aggressive baseline points, I felt I could trust the shoes to really grab the court and played in them worry-free." A high level of traction is important for Danny, as he places an emphasis on his foot speed. He found his MS4s to be up to the challenge. "Not only did these shoes offer great support and stability, they also offered great traction. I felt like I could stop on a dime in these shoes, and they were a good match for my playing style."

Finding plenty of feedback from the level of traction offered by his MV4s was Granville. "I found the MV4s to offer excellent traction. Very sticky on the court - no unwanted sliding. Also, these sneakers are squeakers. Squeaking offers me good feedback by telling me the rubber is doing its job grabbing the court. These were very 'talkative' shoes." Brad was another tester impressed by the level of grip from his M Series shoes. "The Goodyear Max rubber of the MC4 outsoles provided excellent traction. They grabbed the court well and I never felt like my feet would slide out from underneath me. When moving side to side or changing direction, the traction of this shoe was never in doubt."

Paul found plenty of grip from his MC4s. "I was pretty impressed with the traction of these shoes. They gripped the court quite well and responded favorably under the stress of hard cuts and foot plants." Jon found the level of traction to improve after break-in. "Traction was good overall. The outsole material seemed stiff at first. After the first game or so the outsole softened, started to flex and gripped much better. I didn't experience any loss of traction with the MV4s."

Weight

We measured the three different M Series shoes in a size 10.5. To our surprise, it was the MC4s which turned out to be the lightest at 16.9 ounces. Both the MS4s and MV4s came in a little heavier at 17.5 ounces each.

Finding the shoes to be well balanced was Danny. "The shoes are slightly heavy, but they don't feel heavy, or clunky, on the court. I liked the evenly distributed weight throughout the shoe." Brad also found the weight of the shoe to not be an issue. "Weight really wasn't much of an issue for me with these shoes. They did feel a little clunky and bulky at first, but once I got used to them, they didn't feel noticeably heavier than other durable shoes I've worn."

Finding some good foot speed in his MC4s was Paul. "I thought the weight was quite manageable, especially for a shoe designed with so much cushioning. Although my size 10s registered at 16.5 ounces each, they didn't feel too bulky. They didn't mold to my feet as much as I'd have liked, but still felt pretty maneuverable."

Granville found the weight to be surprisingly light considering the performance of the shoes. "These shoes are not as light as some of the other 'light' shoes, but none of those models offer nearly the cushion, fit, or support of the MV4s. To the contrary, considering the overall performance of this shoe, it is surprisingly light." Finding the weight necessary for the overall performance of the shoes was Jon. "For a ventilated shoe, I expected the MV4s to be a little lighter. However, they did offer impressive support and stability, so I had the impression any added weight was well placed" Jason found the shoes to feel lighter than their listed weight when on court. "Don't judge a book by its cover. Although the shoe weighs in at an above normal weight, it did not feel like it. The weight felt evenly distributed throughout the shoe, making it feel lighter than advertised. The low to the ground feel probably helped in this area."

Overall

While offering a similar fit and overall feel, each M Series model definitely brought specific strengths to the court. Players looking for a cushioned and comfortable ride in a performance shoe can't go wrong with the MC4s. Those looking for exceptional stability will find a great fit with the MS4s. The MV4s turned out to be great all-around shoes with medium density cushioning and plenty of mesh to cool hot feet. The one downside for wide footed players is that we found all three models best suited for narrow to medium width feet. All of the models offered excellent traction and durability, and we were impressed with the overall finish and build quality of the shoes. If you're a serious player you should definitely check out Prince's M Series. With all three being impressive performers, the only question that remains is, which model best meets your needs?

Prince M Series Summary Sheet
The Up Side	The Down Side
3 models to choose from 6-month durability guarantee Great cushioning across all models Impressive build quality Great fit for narrow and medium width feet	Not ideal for wide feet
Prince MV4 Shoe Scores
Prince MC4 Shoe Scores
Prince MS4 Shoe Scores

Playtesters' Foot Types: Brad - wide/flat arch, Paul - Medium width/Medium arch, Danny - Medium width/Medium Arch Jon - medium width/medium arch, , Granville - Narrow/low arch

Review date: Oct, 2006. If you found this review interesting or have further questions or comments please contact us.

All content copyright 2006 Tennis Warehouse.