Fifteen millimetres difference between the heel and the forefoot: the Netburner Ballistic FF 4 is intentionally angled forward, and that is the whole spirit of the Asics Gel Netburner shoes, designed to get you moving faster than your opponent.
Made for speed, they are suitable for handball players who rely on their bursts of acceleration, available in both men's and women's versions.
The Netburner Ballistic FF 4 offers great flexibility for quick transitions, according to Asics. Its Speedtruss is a support designed for acceleration and sharp direction changes. The lightweight FlyteFoam cushioning absorbs impact without weighing the foot down. It’s aimed at agile players who move in all directions.
The outer sole, called Precision Sole, has a pattern designed using 3D modelling to grip where the foot presses the hardest. In the flex grooves, the X-Guidance system guides the foot's movement. The seamless mesh upper and loop lacing complete a design focused on responsiveness. The model has been tested at the Asics sports science institute in Japan.
The Netburner range is made for various indoor sports, but specialist retailers also mention handball among its recommended uses. A wing or centre-half who plays on starts will find it beneficial. A pivot, however, will look for more lateral support.
The Netburner Ballistic FF MT 4 completes the lineup. At Asics, the MT label indicates a mid-cut upper: check the colourway’s specification for the height of the upper if ankle support is important to you.
The Sky Elite focuses on jumping rather than speed. The Gel Tactic prioritises stability, while the Upcourt emphasises lightness. All ranges are on the shoes Asics page.
A large part of the page features women's models: the women's clearance is worth a look. The special shoe offers collect the other discounts.
A high drop places the foot at a slight incline forward, like in a starting position. It helps with starts, at the cost of feeling slightly less close to the ground than a flatter shoe.
It’s the profile that benefits the most: starts, short pushes, and jumps in the corner. Its flexibility assists in counter-attack recoveries.
It primarily focuses on speed and flexibility. For a game made up of duels and contacts, the more stable Netburner Shield FF or a Gel-Tactic provide better side support.
Opinions vary: compare your foot length with the size chart. As always with Asics, women’s versions follow their own size chart.
Wipe the sole before the match and reserve the pair for the gym: a clean rubber maintains the grip that the Netburner needs for its starts.