Comments: I was given a pair of these shoes while working at Wimbledon as part of my uniform a couple of years ago and used them for playing tennis afterwards - easily the most comfortable tennis shoe I have ever worn by a long way. The looks of the shoe probably don't compare to some of the bigger name brands but the cushioning in them more than makes up for that. I have since tried some other shoes - Nike Court Ballistic 2.3 (well made and durable but extremely uncomfortable) and the Adidas Barricade Team (durable, quite comfortable but a little to stiff for me) - but the Alfa II is by far the best I've used and I will be sticking with them for as long as they're available. The only downside is perhaps they are not as stable for lateral movement compared to some other tennis shoes, but unless you're sliding about a lot this shouldn't be an issue.
From: Jack. 7/11

Comments: Well, like most everyone else, I think these shoes are extremely comfortable. I can't complain at all in that department. Where I do have a complaint is that they squeak. Not just some minor little thing that you can hear when it's all quiet around, holy @&*# I mean this is like those old Scooby Doo episodes where the "ghost" or "monster" walks through an old door at the scary house!...AND IT'S BOTH OF THEM!....I've had them about a year but only wore them like 4 times because I can't stand it! I don't know if anyone else has had this problem. Maybe my dogs are barkin in these shoes, I don't know but I probably wouldn't buy Fila again. Only other Fila shoes I have had, they gave me a blister in the big toe. No bueno!
From: Tom, Indian Wells, CA, USA, 03/11

Comments:Great comfortable shoe great grip is like playing on air! Keep the recipe if you play everyday. They have the tendency to tear from the sole after 6-month of intense playing but they come with one full year guaranty! I have been playing with them for at least one year and I already gone through 2 pairs I do play 5 times a week... I love them!!
From: Anon, 02/11

Comments: As many people before have said, these shoes are extremely comfortable, but only if used as a shoe for walking. These are one of the worst TENNIS shoes I've ever worn. There is virtually no support for the forefoot and when changing direction or stopping quickly, your foot will move freely to the ends of the shoes, plus roll off to the sides. FILA has done nothing more than build a cushioned sole and literally glue on an upper leather case and called it a tennis shoe. There is zero technology in regards to support in these shoes and I highly encourage anyone looking at these to stay away if you are intending in using them as tennis shoes.
From: Dav, Australia. 12/10

Comments: These are the most comfortable shoes I've ever worn on the tennis court. Fila improved the shoe with the Alpha II, but could still use some added protection for toe-draggers. Also, the silver area on the sides of the soles are "painted", so it crumbles after a couple weeks and looks a little shoddy. All in all, these would be my favorite shoes if they had toe-drag protection. I've worn about 10 pair of these and really love the cushioning & immediate comfort. Unfortunately, looks like Fila is discontinuing them. Hopefully they'll make the Alpha III and fix these couple areas and they'll be perfect. In the mean time, I've moved to the Wilson Tour (more expensive and not quite as comfy, though better toe protection).
From: Aaron, Atlanta, GA, USA, 12/10

Comments: No break-in needed, very comfortable shoe. Not the best for wide feet or if you are looking for lots of stability. But really nice grippy traction, and looks good too.
From: B.R., Atlanta, GA, USA, 12/10

Comments: I am a 13-year-old junior player and play 5-6 times a week. I have very low arches in my feet and also very skinny feet. When I tried these on, I absolutely loved them and thought they were very cushy and comfortable. But my feet became VERY sore after a few days and they only lasted me about a month on clay and mostly hard court. I would NOT recommend these shoes to any on who has either had past foot problems or some one looking for durability.
From: Anon, Glendora, CA, USA, 10/10

Comments: This has great comfort, and traction on hard courts. No knee soreness for a big guy. The only downside is low ventilation. Great buy!
From: Aay, Colorado, USA. 07/10

Comments: I played with these shoes for 2 years (originally the Alfa), but for some reason the last 2 pairs I have had have ripped up my heels. I don't know what the deal with that is, but it's ruining the perfect shoe.
From: Anon, 07/10

Comments: These shoes are super comfortable and require no break in at all. The downside is that they don't have the durability that I need. I went through my first pair in a month and am about to send them back for the second. If you are looking for durability, look elsewhere.
From: Anon. 4/10

Comments: Final update on my Alfa is. 9 months old and still no holes in the outsole. Unfortunately the midsole has given up the ghost. I went back to Barricade Vs and they beat my toes to a pulp. So I have a pair of Alfa IIs on the way. I did not appreciate how roomy the toe box was in the Alfas until I went back to the Barricades. Don't get me wrong, the Barricades are a great shoe. However, IMHO, the Alfas are better. More comfort, longer wear, lighter weight and lower price. What's not to like about that equation?
From: netman, Hotlanta, GA, USA. 4/10

Comments: The number one feature of this shoe is comfort and that is why I chose this shoe. I had a torn plantar plate tendon in the second toe metatarsal joint of my right foot. This injury is the result of playing many hours of hard court tennis. I had been wearing adidas barricade for many years prior to being injured. As near as I can tell, the injury came about from repetitive stress in a shoe without much forefoot cushioning. The Fila Alfa II are very comfortable, and have allowed me, after rehab of the foot injury, to resume playing tennis twice a week, on hard courts, without a recurrence of the tendon injury. I would agree that these shoes lack a certain degree of support. So, here's a few suggestions to take up the lack of support issue: 1) custom orthotics - I use these now after the foot injury and they increase the midsole stiffness of the shoe. 2) neoprene ankle supports - They keep my foot from sliding forward in the shoe and provide increased lateral support. After these modifications, I find these are the perfect shoe for me. There's a trade off between comfort and support. I could go back to a stiffer shoe, but it would lack the forefoot cushion that I need. The durability of the uppers is very good. The soles are getting worn. But Fila has a one-time, 6-month outsole guarantee. Regardless, I will definitely be getting another pair of the Fila Alfa II.
From: John, Rhinebeck, NY, USA. 03/10

Comments: These Alfas are simply the most comfortable, long wearing shoes I have ever worn on a tennis court. Right out of the box they are soft and comfortable with no break-in period required. The soft upper does sacrifice some stability versus the Barricades, but the shoe is still very stable and they feel much lighter than the Barricade. I have 2 bad ankles and have never had a problem. I typically go through a pair of Barricades every 4-5 months of 6-8 hours of hard court play per week. My Alfas are now over 8 months old and still have no holes and I have really beat on them. Only real negative is they aren't very well ventilated, but that is only an issue in the summer. Highly recommended.
From: Netman, Southeastern USA, 01/10

Comments: These are really is the most comfortable shoes I've ever worn. Right out of the box comfy. More comfy than the Nike Vapor V's. Looks-wise, for me, it's kinda boring. But with shoes this comfortable, I'll get over it.
From: Jeff, Long Beach, CA 12/09

Comments: I was a little apprehensive after reading the review but am very happy with these shoes. The cushioning is fantastic for the indoor hard court season. I had no problems with slipping or stability but the tops are more flexible than the Asics Res 2 I was wearing. And as far as the ventilation goes I guess I'll find out in the summer but my feet don't normally sweat. The pain I was feeling in the bottoms of my feet is gone!
From: Rich, OH, USA, 11/09

Comments: These shoes fell apart in less than two weeks. The eyelet ripped on one and the padding on the outside of the left shoe came undone on the other one. They are very comfortable but poorly made.
From: Dudley, Ocean, NJ 07/09

Comments: I'm a 4.5 and play mostly on Har-tru and clay. I recently purchased my second pair of the Alfa II's - - so obviously I am very happy with these shoes. I have been suffering from plantar fasciitis (well before purchase) and these shoes have enabled me to continue to play, thanks to their comfort and support. I am playing 5-6 times per week and the durability is impressive. Great, great shoe.
From: Doug, New York, NY. 7/09

Comments: Most comfortable shoe I have ever worn. Plenty of support and out of the box comfort. I am done with Barricades.
From: Alan, Jefferson City, TN 07/09

Comments: I had a couple pair of the Alfa I and they were the most comfortable shoes I had worn, but wore out too easily in the toe & instep areas (uppers). The Alfa II has addressed the instep.
From: Anon. 6/09

Comments: These shoes are not for me. They are horrible. I have to admit they are comfortable, but too comfortable. My feet slip around in them because of the gel like feeling stuff in the shoe. My feet feel like they are gonna fly out and they tongue is to small. I had them for a week and already tore the upper forefoot outsole area. DON'T GET THEM IF YOU WANT STABILITY!!!!!
From: Ryan, Abilene, TX. 05/09

Comments: These shoes are amazing. No break in required. Just slip them on and feels amazing. Not sure about durability yet, but love them.
From: Ryan, TX, USA. 05/09