Diadora Speed B.Icon Men's Shoe Review

Comfort - Score: 4.4

Our team was thrilled to report the Speed B.Icons put the rest of the industry on notice with their cushioning. Sage described, "The comfort of these shoes was top tier from start to finish. I'm not usually one to point out specific technologies, but the DD-Anima cushioning made the Speed B.Icons a pleasure to wear day in and day out. The arch support also helped round out the comfort category. Fit-wise they were medium, and I chose to play in a half size down for a more snug feel. I did notice the heel and toe box opening up just a little bit as the testing wore on, but it never got to the point that I was concerned about stability. Ventilation is an area that could be improved, though. There was a lack of breathability that led to warm feet. That said, as these were performance-oriented shoes, I didn't mind taking them off as soon as I was off court."

As a player who has battled foot injuries in the past, Andrew looks for plenty of comfortable cushioning in his shoes. He said, "For me, comfort is a high priority, and I am always willing to wear a heavier shoe to maintain the comfort I desire. That being said, the Diadora Speed B.Icons are incredibly comfortable and also not super heavy. I immediately felt the new super foam cushioning that Diadora added from its running shoe lineup. It had a plush feel that still allowed explosiveness on changes of direction. The arch support is plentiful, but it did not bother my flat feet. I do want to mention the ventilation, as I was expecting more breathability. When I took these off after a session I would leave footprints from the moisture — not pleasant. Overall, though, the B.Icons were shoes I kept wanting to hit in time and again due to the high comfort and lighter feel."

The B.Icons provided Mark a snug and comfortable fit. He said, "Cushioning underfoot was sufficient. There is a decent level of midsole material used for the B.Icons. Although the upper was pretty glove-like, it offered good foot comfort. Ventilation was such that my feet never overheated, and although I have a higher instep, the stock insole provided plenty of comfort and support."

Jason echoed the rest of the team. He said, "Like with the other Diadora shoes I've tested, these B.Icons are very comfortable. They offer nice, plush underfoot cushioning and a supple upper that flexes without pinching. I really liked the low arch feel, and while the width was good, I could've used just a slightly wider toe box. One negative would be the lack of breathability."

Foot Support/Stability - Score: 4.4

Our team put the stability of the Diadora Speed B.Icons to the test, and the shoes continued to impress. Andrew explained, "The B.Icons are super stable due to the outer hook on the outside edge of the shoe. I never felt the hook, which I greatly appreciated, and once laced up, it was almost impossible to turn my ankle over. Because of this, I would strongly recommend these shoes for sliders. The uppers also do a nice job of keeping my feet locked in without making them feel restricted. As with other shoes, I used the runner's loop on the laces, and my heel was secure and never slipped forward. Great job on the support and stability here, Diadora!"

Mark touched on how the shoes kept him confident on court. He described, "The upper featured a glove-like fit for my feet. That feel, along with a low-to-the-ground stance, gave me a high degree of comfort throughout the playtest. Quick take-offs and landings were top-notch in the Diadora B.Icons."

While Jason found the lacing system troublesome, as soon as his shoes were tied, he was good to go. He said, "I found the process of loosening and tightening the laces to be a bit cumbersome. You kind of have to go through each section because pulling on the top laces doesn't cinch up the entire system. But once I had my laces cinched up tightly, the shoes felt super supportive. My feet were locked into place, and I could move aggressively without any issues. I also thought the stability was excellent, even though the uppers were so soft. Lacing through and utilizing that outer plastic hook really helps increase the stability factor."

Sage pointed out the weight-to-stability ratio. He said, "Initially, I was concerned that my feet would ride too high above the court in the Speed B.Icons instead of feeling connected, but I was quickly proved wrong. The Speed B.Icons gave me smooth transitions in and out of shots and stayed firmly planted on the ground. My feet were locked in without the need to crank down on the laces to feel secure. Considering these are mid-weight shoes, I was impressed by how stable they were. My only small complaint was the lacing system. The outer hook felt like it helped enhance the stability, but it also made the laces uneven, and they bunched together near the top eyelet."

Overall Sole Durability - Score: 4.0

The durability of the Speed B.Icon was a mixed bag for our playtesters. Jason highlighted the outsoles, saying, "The durability was on par with the Blushield 4, which is to say, it's really good. At the time of my review I had put about 12 hours on my pair and they showed plenty of life left."

Although the outsole held up about as well as Mark had expected, the uppers were showing some significant wear by the end of the test period. He explained, "I would say the outsole durability of the new Diadora B.Icon was on par with most tennis shoes that feature an outsole warranty, although these don't offer that guarantee. With my pair, I actually noticed the upper breaking down faster than the outsole."

Sage echoed Mark's comments. He said, "After 20 hours, the durability was very good, but it fell short of the top tier. I don't drag my toes and typically only find minimal wear, but my B.Icons were showing signs of abuse. I also tore through part of the uppers. Even though it was purely a cosmetic issue, with no effect on playability, I was disappointed to see the mesh on the toe box unraveling. Additionally, I'd like to see a six-month durability guarantee at this price point. There is no shortage of other high-quality options that do offer it. Lastly, the outsole held up better than the uppers, but there was some wear underneath the ball of my foot."

Andrew thought the B.Icons were good, but not great, in this category. He described, "Durability was as expected with a court shoe. They started to receive some wear around the typical areas, such as the big toe and toe guard after 20-plus hours of use. For court sliders, the midsole is directly exposed on the inner side, so I could potentially see that area being prone to damage during a slide."

Traction - Score: 4.1

Our team loves to discuss grip versus slip, and they thought these Speed B.Icons offered a solid connection to the court. Mark said, "Even after 20-plus hours of use, the level of traction is still great, almost sticky."

The balanced traction worked well for Sage. He explained, "The Speed B.Icons were trustworthy from the first hit and stayed consistent. I felt slightly more stick than slip when I was on the run. I prefer a little more give when leveraging my weight into a shot laterally, but overall they were really solid. My first step when changing direction was always firmly connected to the ground, and I knew I could cut back without issue. The last aspect comes down to preference. These shoes chirped their way through every hitting session. That doesn't bother me, but I know plenty of players who want a quieter ride."

"The B.Icon's traction is nicely balanced, and I never felt as if I was going to slip on the court," added Andrew. "I also never felt stuck or glued to the court. Something to note — the shoes are noisy and tend to squeak much more than other shoes I've worn in the past."

These B.Icons didn't work as well for Jason when he wanted to slide into a shot. He said, "If you love a very sticky outsole, you're going to love the B.Icons. I had no issues with slipping while starting or stopping. However, I would prefer a bit more give so I could actually slide out of a shot when changing direction."

Weight - Score: 4.3

The playtesters couldn't believe how fast the Speed B.Icons felt on court, especially considering they weren't engineered to be an ultra-lightweight option. Sage explained, "The weight of the B.Icons hit the sweetspot. They allowed me to accelerate without giving up support. The more I test shoes the more I appreciate stability, even at the cost of additional weight. In this case, Diadora has found a way to create an undeniably fast shoe during those crucial changes in direction and vertical movement on court. All positives in this department."

Andrew valued how these shoes handled on-court acceleration. He said, "As I stated in the comfort section, the Speed B.Icons felt surprisingly light for the comfort they offer. I felt much quicker around the court than I do with my Nike GP Turbos, but I found similar comfort. I never experienced heaviness or foot fatigue and am also happy to report that the typical heel pain I experience with other shoes was nonexistent in the B.Icons. For players who are used to sticking with heavier shoes for the comfort, like myself, give these a shot!"

"I really like the weight of these shoes," Jason added. "I think they kind of sit right in between the very lightweight shoes and the bulkier shoes. They feel great on court, and I felt like I could move without giving their weight a second thought."

The Speed B.Icons reminded Mark of a few of his favorite court shoes. He said, "For a US men's size 10.5, the B.Icon weighs in around 14.4 ounces, which is competitive with many other tennis shoes I favor, like the Asics Gel Resolution 8 and KSwiss Hypercourt Supreme."

Overall - Score: 4.4