Babolat Propulse BPM Men's Shoe Review

Price:

$

Babolat Propulse BPM Men's Shoe Scores
Comfort	3.5
Ventilation	4.3
Arch Support	4.4
Foot Support/Stability	2.8
Overall Sole Durability	3.7
Toe Durability	4.6
Traction	3.1
Weight	4.3
Overall	3.4

Upsides

Light weight
Toe durability
No break-in needed

Downsides

Not as supportive as earlier versions of the Propulse

Summary

The Propulse BPMs are a lighter, faster update to Babolat's flagship performance tennis shoes, the Propulse. A lower profile with added technology designed to make every step feel more natural had our playtesters flying around the court. The cushioning was soft and plush from the instant we took them out of the box until the final ball of the playtest was struck. However, the Propulse BPMs softened up a little too much over time, so our playtesters' feet slid around inside the shoes even when they tied the shoelaces very tightly. There was also an issue with the traction, which caused even more slipping and instability. While this version of the Propulse shoe doesn't have the same level of support and durability as previous versions, it's certainly the fastest.

Comfort - Score: 3.5

The comfort and cushioning of the Propulse BPMs proved to be more than adequate for our playtesters, but they both struggled to get a secure fit. Jason enjoyed the feel fresh out of the box, but over time he felt the shoes got too soft and supple. He explained, "The uppers were very soft and required absolutely no break in. It's a well-cushioned shoe, like previous Propulses, even though the BPMs seem to be lighter and more stripped down. As the playtest wore on, however, the uppers got almost too soft, to where they were no longer holding my feet in place and I started experiencing some toe jamming issues."

Chris found the comfort to be pretty middle of the road throughout the test. He said, "It took about an hour for the shoes to soften up and start to flex with my feet. Once broken in, they felt decently comfortable and flexed without pinching or poking my feet. I'd say the comfort of the overall ride was average. I wasn't overly impressed with either the cushioning or the fit and feel of the uppers. I also struggled to get a supportive fit without cranking down the laces uncomfortably tightly."

Ventilation - Score: 4.3

Breathability never proved to be an issue with the Propulse BPMs, and both playtesters felt there was plenty of ventilation to stay comfortable during play. Even with two pairs of socks, Chris had no problems. He said, "While these shoes are not the most ventilated shoes I've worn, my feet stayed comfortable in the Propulse BPMs even in hot weather. To help get a more secure fit in the shoes I was wearing two pairs of socks, and even then my feet were able to breathe decently."

Jason shared a similar opinion, saying, "I didn't really have a problem with the ventilation of these shoes. I felt like there were enough perforations and mesh in the uppers that the shoes didn't over heat."

Arch Support - Score: 4.4

One of the standout features of the Propulse BPMs was the arch support. They were able to satisfy both of playtesters, even though they have very different types of feet. Jason shared, "The arches on these shoes seemed to fit my foot type a little bit better than the Propulse 4s. I didn't experience any soreness, even from the very first playtest."

Chris, with his higher arched feet, was equally as pleased. He raved, "The level of arch support was very solid. While the fit was a tad low for me on the first few wears, once the insoles molded to the shape of my feet they felt great. More importantly, the chassis of the shoe is nice and rigid under the arch. That stiff chassis helped push the flex point perfectly up under my toes and keep the arch area stable for added support. My feet felt very well protected through the arch, and it was one of the more impressive parts of the shoes."

Foot Support/Stability - Score: 2.8

Throughout the playtest our team struggled to get a secure, locked down fit in the Propulse BPMs. Both testers really cranked down the lacing system, and even then their feet were sliding around inside the shoes. The signature Propulse strap across the top helped, but Chris still had support and stability issues. He offered, "I struggled to get a supportive fit and feel from these shoes. I often found myself cranking down the laces between points to try to lock my feet in more. The result was some uncomfortable lace pressure and a continued lack of adequate support. The strap across the forefoot helped some, but I was still left wanting more support. It's a shame because the chassis of the shoe is nice and rigid, but the upper lacked the support to back it up. I also had an issue with my heels slipping inside the shoes. There were a couple of times when my foot really slipped in the back of the shoe, and I had some jarring pain around my ankles on a couple of tough landings."

The stability was good for Jason at first, but as the test wore on the shoes got too soft and didn't offer enough support. He said, "If I was able to rate them after just a week of hitting my score would've been much higher. As the playtest went on the BPMs became more and more 'broken-in' and supple. They got to a point where they weren't really holding my feet in place. When I would move forward for a shot and try to stop, my toes would jam right into the toe box. On the other hand, I felt the shoes were pretty stable. I've always been a fan of the Velcro strap system, and even though there isn't one around the heel collar, I still felt the strap helped."

Overall Sole Durability - Score: 3.7

Both testers noticed a lower profile in the Propulse BPM compared to the Propulse 4, but they had different opinions about how it affected the overall durability of the outsole. Jason was impressed with how well the shoes held up given their speedier design. He said, "For shoes that seemed to be lighter than previous Propulses, the outsole still held up very well. I wore these for about 15 hours, and it was during the last hitting session or two that I noticed some tread balding around the medial toe."

On the other hand, Chris found noticeably less durability when compared to previous models. He said, "The outsole material seems less durable than that used on previous Propulses. Maybe it was the outsole tread pattern, but the high wear area under the big toe of my right foot quickly showed signs of wear. The tread pattern has large cutouts in it, so there seems to simply be less rubber to take the beating compared to other shoes. The shoes are guaranteed, and I'd definitely be exercising the six-month durability guarantee in these."

Toe Durability - Score: 4.6

Our lone toe dragging playtester was very impressed with the toe durability of the Propulse BPMs. Chris really put them to the test, and they passed with flying colors. He raved, "The toe durability was great. I drag up over the toe tip often, and these shoes held up great during the test. Both the tip of the toe and the material over the mesh held up well. I was very impressed with the toe and upper durability. Babolat seems to have these parts of the shoe built to last."

Traction - Score: 3.1

We did have some issues with the traction of the Babolat BPMs. Throughout the test our players were having trouble getting the grip they needed -- there simply wasn't enough traction to change direction with aplomb. Jason had the same problem in these shoes that he had with the Propulse 4s. He explained, "Like with the previous model, I was having some traction issues. The Michelin outsole seems to have great durability but some problems with gripping the hard courts. It wasn't all the time, but there were a handful of instances where I tried to take off for a shot and the shoe would slip out from under me."

Chris did not find the level of grip he wanted, either. He said, "I was slipping and sliding quite a lot in this test. The outsoles just didn't have the grab I'm accustomed to. I don't mind some slide from my shoes when I'm coming to a stop as it can help take some strain off the ankles and knees, but in these shoes I had trouble when starting quickly or changing directions. I found my first step was compromised at times, and that meant I had to put extra effort into chasing down the ball. I'm not sure if it was the unique tread pattern or the compound of the rubber, but I just did not find enough traction from these shoes."

Weight - Score: 4.3

Another strength of the Babolat BPMs proved to be their lightweight design. Both testers felt quick moving around the court and never felt bogged down by the weight of the shoes. Jason felt this was one of the best improvements over the previous version. He said, "This BPM model felt lighter and faster than a typical Propulse. They almost don't feel like a Propulse at all. A definite highlight for these shoes!"

Chris had a similar opinion, saying, "I never noticed any clunkiness, which is a good thing. Weight was never really an issue and the shoes felt light enough on court. I would have felt much faster in these had they offered the support and traction to back up the light feel."

Overall - Score: 3.4

Likes

Chris - "I liked the toe durability, and the ventilation was pretty good."

Jason - "No break-in needed, nice cushioning, and they felt lightweight."

Dislikes

Chris - "I struggled to find a supportive fit, I wanted more traction and the durability was far from impressive."

Jason - "The support wore down during the playtest, which led to painful toe jamming problems."

Comparing this shoe to other shoes they've worn our testers said:

Chris - "I've always liked Propulse shoes, but this update misses the mark for me. The previous version offered more support and better traction and durability. I would choose the Propulse 3 or 4 over this BPM update. From other brands, I'd compare this shoe the New Balance 996 and the Lacoste Repel."

Jason - "The Babolat BPMs felt like a stripped down model of a Propulse. They have a ride and feel similar to the New Balance 996."

Playtester Foot Types:
Chris - Narrow width / Medium arch
Jason - Wide width / Low arch

Review date: January 2015. If you found this review interesting or have further questions or comments please contact us.

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Babolat Propulse 4 Men's Shoe Review

Price:

$

Babolat Propulse 4 Men's Shoe Scores
Comfort	4.0
Ventilation	3.6
Arch Support	3.9
Foot Support/Stability	4.5
Overall Sole Durability	3.7
Toe Durability	4.0
Traction	3.7
Weight	4.1
Overall	4.2

Upsides

Comfort
Stability
Durability
Traction

Downsides

Ventilation

Summary

As soon as we got our first glimpse of the new Babolat Propulse 4 we were excited to put them to the test. While the sharp new cosmetic was the first thing we noticed, as soon as we took to the courts we found they had the performance to match. They were comfortable right out of the box, and most of the team needed little to no break-in time. The standout features to us were the vastly improved support and stability, as well as the low to the ground ride, which allowed us to be completely confident while moving on the court. Though it weighed in at over 16 ounces (size 10.5), the shoe played faster and lighter than expected. If you're a fan of stable shoes but don't like feeling weighed down on the court, the new Propulse 4 could be the shoe you're looking for!

Comfort - Score: 4.0

Our entire team found their shoes fit true to size. For the most part our playtesters found the Propulse 4 comfortable on court, but there were a couple of criticisms. Andy found the shoes comfortable right out of the box and really enjoyed the plush feel. He said, "Right from the get go the Propulse 4 felt plush and comfortable throughout. It has a roomier fit (but not too roomy), so your foot feels like it has some space to breathe. There is cushioning around the foot, and the midsole felt supportive and cushioned."

Jason also liked the fit, as well as the low to the ground feel. He offered, "This is a very comfortable shoe to wear and to play in from the start. Even though the ride was low-to-the-ground, there was more than enough cushioning. Like the previous model, the uppers on the Propulse 4 are nice and soft. But unlike the Propulse 3s, I didn't experience any discomfort around the ankle collar this time around. The only small negative would be the clasp - if I cinched down too tight I could feel it dig into my foot."

The biggest criticism about the comfort was about the fit around the ankle. Chris had a bit of pinching in that area, as he explained, "It took about four trips to the courts in these shoes before I felt I had them adequately broken in. I would say the uppers are support-oriented rather than aimed at offering all out comfort. I had some issues around the ankle collar of my left shoe. It seemed some of the upper materials were overlapping and the resulting bump formed an uncomfortable pressure point on my ankle. Aside from that the comfort was ok. The forefoot was more comfortable and I liked how the shoes flexed well to allow for comfortable movement. I liked the level of cushioning this shoe offered. It allowed me to feel the court, yet also provided enough cushioning to keep my feet comfortable."

Spencer found this new offering to be more comfortable than the last, but he had the same issue with the fit in the ankle as he did with the Propulse 3. He said, "I thought the fit was improved from the previous version, as I felt more locked in in the forefoot. The fit was snug, but not too tight, offering good hugging support throughout. Though I loved the fit, there was some slight discomfort at the heel collar during the first couple of wears which is the same issue I had with the Propulse 3. I didn't feel there was enough padding in that specific area."

Ventilation - Score: 3.6

Ventilation was not a standout feature of the Propulse 4, but it never proved to be an issue for our playtest team. Jason said, "I had no issues with the breathability. The uppers had plenty of perforations so the shoe was well ventilated. Even in the dark colorway, overheating was not an issue."

Spencer thought the composition of the upper allowed his foot to breathe just fine. He said, "No problems with breathability here. There was plenty of mesh in the upper to allow plenty of ventilation."

It was neither love nor hate for Chris when it came to the breathability, as he said, "The venting was pretty middle of the road for me. My feet never got overly hot, but I wouldn't necessarily call this a well-ventilated shoe, either. Once I was done playing I was keen to get these shoes off to let my feet breathe."

Andy agreed, saying, "This shoe did tend to run a bit hot. Ventilation was never an issue, but it wasn't a noticeable strength either. There is a lot of rubber around the upper that adds to the stability but takes away from ventilation. I did find my feet got a bit sweaty at times, but it was never a huge issue."

Arch Support - Score: 3.9

Our playtest team found plenty of support through the arch. Chris' high arches found more than enough support. He said, "My arches felt well supported in this shoe. The midfoot shank offered great stability and the height of the arch support was a good fit. The midsole also molded nicely to the shape of my foot. I felt very confident when sprinting around the court in this shoe, and I did not experience any discomfort in the arch area."

Spencer and his medium arches were comfortable for the entire playtest as well. He said, "I thought the height and feel of the arch support was good for my medium arches. I was happy with the amount of support there."

It took a bit of time for Jason's flatter feet to adjust to the arch support, but after they did he was quite pleased. He explained, "Since I have such flat feet I needed a small break in period before the arch was really comfortable, but after 2-3 hits the shoe broke in nicely."

Andy had no problems with the arch support. He said, "It felt to me like the shoe has slightly lower than average arch support, which fit my foot fine. It's not the most supportive shoe for your arch out there, so if you have a higher arch you may want to look elsewhere. However, if you have a flatter, wider foot this shoe should fit great."

Foot Support/Stability - Score: 4.5

According to our playtesters, support and stability are two of the strengths of the Propulse 4, and they're much improved over the previous version. Jason noticed this difference, and also found the straps helpful in this area. He explained, "I felt like the uppers of the Propulse 3 were too soft, which took away from the stability and support, but I feel like Babolat has addressed this issue with the Propulse 4s. The uppers feel more substantial and supportive. With the Foot Belt system I could really get a nice, snug fit, which let me move with confidence."

Chris also found the straps and the upper of the shoe contributed to the excellent stability. He said, "The level of both support and stability was impressive in this shoe. I thought the support in the forefoot was improved over the previous version, and the shoe felt beefier in that area. Both the midfoot strap and the heel strap do their respective jobs. It doesn't take much effort to get a very secure fit from the straps. With two pairs of socks I found the fit to be supportive and my feet felt locked in inside the shoes. On the stability front, the chassis of this shoe was stiff enough to make it feel very stable. I never had any issues with the shoe twisting too much, and I always felt like I was getting the stability I needed."

"This is where I felt the Propulse 4 excelled," Andy exclaimed. "It feels low to the ground, which always helps you feel more stable when moving around the court. The rubber cage around the upper does a great job holding the foot in place, especially on aggressive lateral cuts. The shoe was a bit wide for me through the heel, which is the only reason I didn't give it a perfect score in this category. All in all, a very supportive and stable shoe."

Rounding out the crew, Spencer felt completely confident making all of his aggressive moves in these shoes. He said, "The straps on both the heel and the top of the shoe offer an extra bit of support that makes a big difference in how the shoe feels on my feet. My foot felt more secure in the forefoot as well. I felt very locked in with this latest version of the Propulse. I didn't have to be concerned about changing directions at full speed."

Overall Sole Durability - Score: 3.7

Most of our team felt the Propulse 4 held up great and showed above average durability throughout the test. He wouldn't put them up against the best shoes in this category, but Chris found the durability to be adequate. He said, "These shoes were decently durable. While they are not as durable as an adidas Barricade, they held up pretty well to hard court play. The outsoles made it through the month-long playtest with a decent amount of tread left on them, and I expect to get a few more weeks of play on them."

Spencer found better results, saying, "I'd say they're comparable to most durability guaranteed shoes at the highest level. I didn't notice any premature wear whatsoever. Granted, I'm not terribly hard on my outsoles compared to several of my playtesting peers."

Jason still had more life left in his pair after the playtest, as he explained, "I found slightly above average durability, which was good considering the low-to-the-ground ride. I've worn my pair for 15 hours and there's still plenty of tread left."

Andy would've liked to have seen his outsoles hold up a bit better. He said, "I was expecting more durability out of these Propulse 4s. There was a good deal of balding under my big toe after a decent amount of use during the playtest, so it didn't excel over many shoes in that aspect. I would probably be utilizing the 6 month durability guarantee if I was playing regularly."

Toe Durability - Score: 4.0

Chris was our lone toe dragging playtester on this test, and he found the shoe held up well in that area. He said, "The toe durability was pretty solid in these shoes. The stitching frayed and gave out on my left shoe at the foremost white stripe on the lateral side of the forefoot, but it did not seem to affect the performance of the shoe. The Cell Shield material proved to be very durable and resisted wear very well."

Traction - Score: 3.7

Traction was good, but there were also some complaints about slipping on hard courts. Andy found the shoe didn't grip as well as the playtest wore on. He said, "The traction was good, giving me grip and give when I needed it. However, I did find that there were a few occasions when I would "spin out" when trying to accelerate quickly. There was just a little slippage under the big toe, but this was also where the outsole was wearing down over time. At the beginning of the test the traction was great, but it got a little more slick over time."

Chris liked the lateral traction, but he found himself slipping at times when starting a sprint. He said, "Traction was decent, but I did have occasions when I slipped. I appreciated the give when I was changing directions, as it helped prevent any sensation of rolling. However, on fast starts, such as sprints to the net, I found myself slipping and losing that much needed drive to chase down a well-timed drop shot. The traction was good when I was moving laterally across the baseline, it was just when sprinting forward that I had some issues."

Jason had a similar experience, but he eventually got used to the court response. He explained, "This was the only area where I was a little disappointed in the Propulse 4. I thought the traction was good for the most part, but I found myself sliding more than I normally do. I slipped sometimes when I tried to move forward for a shot or when I planted my feet going side to side. Luckily, the sliding became predictable, so I could account for it."

Spencer thought the traction was good, but found himself desiring a bit more tack in order to feel more confident in his aggressive cuts. He said, "I'd say the traction was good, not great. I didn't have any issues per se, but I'd have liked them to have a little more tack, as it would have allowed me a little more efficiency in my movement."

Weight - Score: 4.1

The Propulse 4 comes in as one of the heavier performance shoes on the market, but our playtesters thought they felt lighter then they actually are. Spencer liked the feel and how stable his feet felt. He said, "Anything over 16 ounces is considered heavy these days, but usually with that comes great stability and durability. No exception here, though I wouldn't characterize them as "heavy". I think Babolat does a good job distributing the weight in the shoe. It doesn't feel as heavy as its listed weight. I was happy with the combination of weight and stability."

Chris thought they felt heavier than the previous version, but with that added heft came added stability, which he appreciated. He said, "These shoes have a more substantial feel on the foot than the 3s, but I think that is more from the built up stability in the forefoot than any actual difference in weight. For me it was a good thing, as I thought the support was better in this version, while the shoes still felt plenty nimble. Also, it offers a lighter feel than most other durability guaranteed shoes."

Andy never felt weighted down in these shoes, saying, "The Propulse 4 isn't a lightweight shoe, but the shoe is designed so well that the weight is hidden extremely well. You feel fast and low to the ground in these! There was never a time when I felt the bulkiness of the shoe."

Jason agreed, as he said, "I didn't feel like this shoe was extraordinarily lightweight, but the ride made it seem lighter than it really was. I felt fast around the court, even if the shoe does weigh in at over 16 ounces (size 10.5)."

Overall - Score: 4.2

Likes

Chris - "I liked the improved support and stability of this fourth version."

Spencer - "The support, stability and performance."

Jason - "Almost everything, from the comfort to the support and stability to the ventilation. It's a well made, high performance tennis shoe!"

Andy - "I loved the low to the ground design, support and stability."

Dislikes

Chris - "The break-in was longer for me, especially around the ankle collar, and I didn't find quite the traction I expected."

Spencer - "The heel collar could have been a little more padded for more comfort."

Jason - "Traction could be slightly improved."

Andy - "I would've liked a little more ventilation and durability."

Comparing this shoe to other shoes they've worn our testers said:

Chris - "For me, this felt like a more supportive and stable update to the Propulse line. Looking at other brands, this one competes with the likes of the Asics Gel Resolution 5 and Nike Air Max Cage. All of these shoes blend support, durability, court speed and great style."

Spencer - "I felt the locked in feel was more like the Propulse 2, while the performance and look were more like the Propulse 3. A good update for the Propulse line."

Jason - "The ride is very similar to the Propulse 3, but with improved stability and support."

Andy - "To me, this felt like a softer and lower to the ground Barricade. They fit my foot similarly, and I thought they both excelled in their support and stability. After a break-in period I'd probably still go with the Barricade over these, but the Propulse 4 is ready to go right out of the box and definitely feels lighter and faster. A very nice shoe!"

Playtester Foot Types:
Chris - Narrow width / Medium arch
Spencer - Medium width / Medium arch
Jason - Wide width / Low arch
Andy - Medium width / Low arch

Review date: May 2013. If you found this review interesting or have further questions or comments please contact us.