The lateral support during those movements is respectable. The forgiveness of the upper can be noticeable when you slam on the brakes and reverse course, but it holds up just fine under most situations.
The outsole has a broader herringbone design that has thicker treads with larger channels. On a medium-fast hard court it grips well and has plenty of squeak when making those small adjustment steps. I’m not a natural slider, but it didn’t feel so sticky that it would be an issue for those who do it more habitually.
What Needs Work
The upper is certainly comfortable, but it may be too soft and flexible for players who are particularly aggressive with their lateral footwork. There are times when pushed wide on your edges that you could use a bit more rigidity. The Court Burst is also being aimed at pickleball players—Diadem’s paddles are quite popular—and for the more straight-forward and less side-to-side movement of that sport the support would be more than passable.
It’s a similar story with the forefoot cushioning. For most recreational players and picklers who aren’t covering as much court, or with all-out aggression, it’s probably up to the task. However, when you’re in full sprint mode on a tennis court, the impact of some harder footfalls are felt and heard rather clearly. It would be nice if version 2.0 had just a bit more padding in that part of the shoe.
Bottom Line
The Court Burst is a capable court shoe, scoring high notes for comfort and speed. Add footwear to Diadem’s growing catalog of impressive gear.
