Shoe Review: Wilson Rush Pro 4.5

Wilson Rush Pro 4.5

• Price: $135
• Weight: 13.2 oz. (men’s 9); 11.5 oz. (women’s 7.5)
• Size Run: 7-13, 14 (men); 5.5-11 (women)
• Warranty: Six-month outsole

What’s New

The upper of this latest Rush Pro (Mens, Womens) has been engineered with more breathable mesh, a larger vamp and graduated size to add support in the quarter and collar. A new mudguard along the medial side provides more protection and stability to the shoe. An upgraded drag pad adds rubber to increase durability in high-abrasion zones. And a simplified lacing system makes it faster and easier to get a secure lock down.

What Works

When Wilson set out to design its latest Rush Pro, the company had three primary objectives: increase the shoe’s comfort, make it more reactive, and bolster the stability. Based on those criteria, mission accomplished.

Thanks to a new mesh, the Rush Pro 4.5 has an airy and flexible upper that requires little to no break-in period. The full inner-sock construction with its anchored tongue (Endofit) offers an adaptive fit and provides a moderate amount of additional padding. There’s a nice balance of support to pliability with the focus seemingly on keeping the shoe sleek and quick while providing a soft feel.

The shoe has a medium cut that should appeal to a broad audience. The toe box is fairly wide and offers plenty of room for your toes to splay. (There’s also a wide toe box model for players needing even more room). An updated lacing system makes it easy to adjust the laces as tightly as needed for security purposes and limit foot sliding inside the shoe.

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Underfoot there’s a lot going on to provide cushioning and support. The midsole Energy Cell foam under the forefoot and R-DST+ in the heel do quality work of protecting against harsh landings while giving a nudge into the next shot. A TPU plate and lateral chassis bolsters torsion control and keeps the shoe stable in and out of sharp cuts. It also puts more spring into your recovery step.

On the outside of the shoe, an upgraded drag pad incorporates more durable and protective material than the outgoing 4.0. And a new mudguard firms up the midsection of the medial side for added stability and support. Both of these tweaks will be blessings for sliders who roll up on the inside of their shoes.

All the enhancements to the Rush Pro over the years have added up to a more substantial feel than its earliest versions. Checking back on my notes, this one is just over an ounce heavier than the 3.0 model. Not a huge amount, and it could be argued necessary for high-performance play. It still has a 9mm heel-to-toe drop, so it maintains good court feel and responsiveness, even with the extra baggage.

The Duralast outsole brings a six-month durability guarantee. It carries over the unique channel pattern of different thicknesses and directions introduced in its predecessor. The rubber compound and design combine abrasion resistance with a good balance of grip and give. It appears to be better-suited for hard courts, but put through its paces on clay, the traction proves nearly as dependable.

What Needs Work

The only potential issue could be whether you can get a secure enough fit. Feet being as personal as there, those that are narrower around the heel could have trouble getting a total lockdown. If not, they might incur minor heel slippage or the occasional toe jam into the rather rounded toe box.

The lacing system is quite good, but having a slightly offset eyelet for a modified racer’s loop could be a nice addition to help mitigate this issue.

Bottom Line

Good cushioning, comfortable and supportive upper, stable under fire—the Rush Pro 4.5 has got all the bases covered.