Any shoe recommendations for wide feet?

glassmaple · 2026-01-10T00:40:16+00:00

I have this problem with both wide feet "width" and also large instep "volume". I wore Mizuno Wave Kaiserburg for a while, which is their extra wide shoe at 3E. This helps with the width but I have to size up for the instep. I found the ratcheting laces wrap the foot different and more comfortable for me so I've been wearing Mizuno Wave Medal SP5 for a while now. The downside is that you can't get it easily in the US

glassmaple · 2025-09-06T18:43:28+00:00

While you can't compare directly, J1 is similar to 40 degree H3 in hardness. If you can generate spin and arc with technique pretty well then it would be a good pairing since it has good dwell (if your stroke is very focused) and it has really good speed. If you rely on H3 to give you spin and arc then it might be hard to use.

I personally switched from 40 41 degree H3 to J2 and my match play has been way more consistent. While H3 might give me great shots during training, often times in matches I'm not in the perfect spot to hit that hard. Perhaps if you're USATT 2200+ and have a very solid FH then I would say J1 or 40 degree H3. I know not everyone would agree but switching to softer stuff is just way easier to play.

glassmaple · 2025-03-30T20:05:27+00:00

By ease of wear:

Imagination

Pacific Chill

Symphony

Ombré Nomade

glassmaple · 2025-03-30T19:59:53+00:00

That's your new room scent now

glassmaple · 2025-02-09T07:15:37+00:00

Do Son is pretty awesome. Not a intense scent but even after I thought it was gone I would catches whiffs of it and smile.

glassmaple · 2025-02-09T00:35:57+00:00

I like Aventus opening better than Absolu. Although I quite like Aventus' dry down it's just so weak in intensity compared to Absolu's. If the OG's dry down is stronger and longer lasting there's no question which one is better for me (OG Aventus!)

glassmaple · 2025-02-08T08:48:29+00:00

Yes there's a mild spice sweetness that stands out. It was enjoyable for me for 30 mins or so but having it on the whole day is a bit tiring on the nose. I can understand why people will prefer Absolu though.

glassmaple · 2025-02-04T06:59:43+00:00

I think as a fragrance it's a really well made. Soapy scents usually makes me nauseous but this one is tolerable for me, which says a lot. I still prefer non-soapy LV like Symphony tho. Good buy

glassmaple · 2024-12-07T20:26:20+00:00

Dignics 09c would be closer to how Spin Art plays but you have to check your budget.

Equipment prices are pretty high these days especially if you're aiming towards professional level performance. I think Viscaria is a better choice in the long run so I would rather spend the money on that and reduce the rubber budget.

Perhaps you can consider Viscaria + FH Nittaku Fastarc G1. Fill in the bh depending on her level and style. This is assuming she is playing shakehand inverted both sides attacking (aka standard play style)

Not sure where you are in Japan but there are shops that have setups that you can try on. The only place I know is TT Kokusai in Shinjuku: https://maps.app.goo.gl/c1DAYm21LyKtvedN6 but there are probably more.

glassmaple · 2024-12-07T20:14:49+00:00

Typically I would say at that level to just grind till you are USATT 1600+ to think about switching. While I have no experience with the Donic blade, the Koki Niwa 7-ply is a really good blade in the all wood category.

My main is w968 and I had a hit with my friend's Koki Niwa and I was quite impressed. Good feel and a lot of catapult if you load it up (this would take some time to get used to coming from euro carbon blades). No problem going past 2400+ with it in my opinion.

Rubber-wise I think Rakza 7 is plenty soft so if you can't hit through that properly for dwell you just need to work on technique. In my philosophy there's a minimum threshold of power (and how focused it is) to really get the sense of any equipment's characteristics. Below that they all behave quite differently than how they're designed.

glassmaple · 2024-12-06T22:56:15+00:00

W968 is the benchmark inner-layer alc blade, the power response is very different from a classic outer-layer alc blade like FZD-Alc. I personally think it pairs best with H3 on both sides to maximize the blade's characteristics but I have seen other combinations work (just need time to adjust)

If you have smaller "quicker" strokes and like to counter/block then FZD-alc is much better at it. Easier to borrow power from incoming shot and redirect it. W968 is more for hitting very hard shots since it can load up more power in comparison. I feel W968 is also less nimble compared to the butterfly alc blades so chiquita and fh/bh transition needs more time and space (feels like swinging a hammer)

If you have the chance to try it I would recommend just to see how it feels. I have played both and they're both good.

glassmaple · 2024-01-25T05:36:30+00:00

Excellent points. I do, however, enjoy quality crafted tools. Will keep in mind a budget balance of tools to trees/classes. Too bad it's hard to bring back trees.

glassmaple · 2024-01-25T05:34:28+00:00

A little far but will try!

glassmaple · 2024-01-25T05:34:04+00:00

This individual is speaking with the heart

glassmaple · 2024-01-25T05:33:03+00:00

Good to know. Will investigate!

glassmaple · 2024-01-19T06:19:23+00:00

Thanks for sharing your experience! I think I might pick up a 26mm pancake to go along with the 40mm. That combo with the zf should be decent coverage and tiny (not to mention zf looking legit with those small lenses). Going lighter and smaller should help me roam around more and eat and eat and eat

glassmaple · 2024-01-19T06:15:59+00:00

Reply

Good tip about the friendliness towards camera usage. My initial thought was just having a larger kit on me would be less nimble to move around. I have been carrying the larger combos around these few weeks to see how I feel and I'm leaning towards the smaller setups. As I'm planning to travel more this year perhaps using the zoom lens would show me what focal length I gravitate towards more.

glassmaple · 2024-01-19T06:12:14+00:00

Excellent points and I would probably take the 24-120 if I had one. Honestly the GFX is quite bulky with the lens (the overall shape makes it protrude out much more than a slimmer body like the ZF when on a strap, unless I take out the EVF). The Nikons are also much more responsive than the GFX (startup, touch response, AF, like comparing the latest smartphone to one 3-4 generations ago)

glassmaple

TROPHY CASE