Our verdict

K-Swiss Hypercourt Express 2 deserves our admiration because of its comfortable, well-cushioned, and lightweight design. This tennis shoe pampered our feet straight from the box and it's the kind of shoe that we could easily wear for hours on end. And for its below-average price point, we cannot believe how many benefits it has to offer to those who want a light and speedy shoe.

Pros

  • Light and nimble on the feet
  • Mind-blowing durability for the price
  • Well-balanced soft cushioning
  • Wide and stable platform for a speed shoe
  • Excellent grip and give
  • Amazing in-shoe comfort
  • Ideal for wide feet

Cons

  • Lacks breathability
  • Not for narrow feet

Audience verdict

86
Great!

Who should buy

At its moderate price point, the K-Swiss Hypercourt Express 2 has a lot to offer to the players who:

  • prioritize comfort in their tennis shoes (plush upper and pleasant cushioning)
  • have wide feet and need a more spacious fit
  • need both grip and give to move around the court

K-Swiss Hypercourt Express 2 review

Who should NOT buy

Players with slenderer feet will most likely not find peace with the fit of the K-Swiss Hypercourt Express 2. Even in the medium width, it is quite roomy and there is not much one can do to tighten up the shoe. We recommend looking into the ASICS Solution Speed FF 2 or the Nike Vapor Pro for a more one-to-one fit.

We believe that you will also appreciate these two options if you happen to play in hot climates. Both proved to be better ventilated than the K-Swiss Hypercourt Express 2.

K-Swiss Hypercourt Express 2 lab test

Breathability

Playtesting the Hypercourt Express 2 in warm weather, we were glad the temperature wasn't so hot that day. Despite having a mesh upper, this K-Swiss shoe didn't feel so well-aerated on our feet.

To make sure that our perception didn't mislead us, we also ran our in-house breathability test.

As the smoke began to fill up the shoe's upper, we could see how low its ventilation capacity actually was! Compared to the ASICS Solution Speed FF 2, the Hypercourt barely lets any heat escape. Thus, on a 1-5 scale, where 5 is the most breathable, we gave this K-Swiss shoe a lower score of 3.

We wouldn't call it a stuffy shoe either as it didn't leave our feet that sweaty. You can see that it's got a semi-transparent upper material in our light test below.

We also checked the texture up close through our microscope to get an even better idea.

K-Swiss Hypercourt Express 2 microscope

The mesh chainlinks can be seen in between the protective Durawrap overlays. But they are so tightly woven that it is no surprise that the K-Swiss Hypercourt Express 2 falls short in the breathability department.

Test results
Hypercourt Express 2 3
Average 3.2
Compared to 23 all court tennis shoes
Number of shoes
1
Breathability
5

Durability

Toebox durability

The Hypercourt Express 2 may not look aggressive but it's a devil in disguise. K-Swiss went for a protection feature called the DuraWrap Flex which lines the upper with sturdy rubbery overlays for durability but still lets the shoe be flexible.

Sliding around the court is no joke for tennis shoes, so we equipped ourselves with a Dremel to test the Hypercourt's capacity to withstand abrasion. Drilling it for 12 seconds at a speed of 5K RPM, we were extremely pleasantly surprised.

K-Swiss Hypercourt Express 2 Toebox durability

The DuraWrap didn't let the sandpaper tip get all the way through to the mesh so we readily gave the shoe's toebox durability a maximum score of 5 out of 5.

It was also very smart of K-Swiss to raise the rubber outsole on the medial side for added toe drag protection.

K-Swiss Hypercourt Express 2 toe drag guard

Test results
Hypercourt Express 2 5
Average 4.1
Compared to 21 all court tennis shoes
Number of shoes
1
Toebox durability
5

Heel padding durability

We couldn't help but notice that the brand paid just as much attention to the interior of the shoe as it did to the exterior. Applying the Dremel to the inner side of the heel collar for 4 seconds at a 5K RPM speed, all we got was a minor scuff.

Being almost untouchable, the Hypercourt Express 2 received a solid 4 out of 5 for heel padding durability from our end.

K-Swiss Hypercourt Express 2 Heel padding durability
Test results
Hypercourt Express 2 4
Average 3.2
Compared to 21 all court tennis shoes
Number of shoes
1
Heel padding durability
5

Outsole hardness

Featuring a proprietary Aosta 7.0 rubber, the outsole of this K-Swiss shoe is a very firm compound. We pressed a durometer against it and got a reading of 91.0 HC which is among the hardest in our lab by far.

Harder rubbers are not only perfect for sliding but also prove to be more lasting than softer ones.

K-Swiss Hypercourt Express 2 Outsole hardness
Test results
Hypercourt Express 2 91.0 HC
Average 85.7 HC
We use an average of four tests. The photo shows one of those tests.
Compared to 23 all court tennis shoes
Number of shoes
73.4 HC
Outsole hardness
92.0 HC

Outsole durability

We grabbed our trusted Dremel again to go really hard on the outsole of the Hypercourt Express 2. This time, we amped up the speed to 10K RPM and drilled for a longer period of 22 seconds.

Just as we expected, the tool's tip failed to give even a millimeter of damage to the rubber! Our tread gauge showed a pretty shallow 0.7 mm dent.

K-Swiss Hypercourt Express 2 Outsole durability
Test results
Hypercourt Express 2 0.7 mm
Average 0.6 mm
Compared to 21 all court tennis shoes
Number of shoes
0.0 mm
Outsole wear
2.0 mm

Outsole thickness

The third component of outsole durability is, of course, its thickness. Using a caliper, we measured it at 4.0 mm. This is a solid standard amount of rubber for a hard-court shoe.

The only downside is that the K-Swiss Hypercourt Express 2 doesn't come with an outsole warranty. But given the price, we believe it's fair.

K-Swiss Hypercourt Express 2 Outsole thickness
Test results
Hypercourt Express 2 4.0 mm
Average 4.2 mm
Compared to 23 all court tennis shoes
Number of shoes
3.3 mm
Outsole thickness
5.1 mm

Weight

Our playtest went easily and effortlessly thanks to the reasonable weight of the Hypercourt Express 2.

K-Swiss Hypercourt Express 2 lightweight

Putting it on a scale, we got 12.3 oz (349g) in a men's US size 9. We are happy to report that it's lighter than average and the shoe's streamlined and simple design makes it feel even lighter.

K-Swiss Hypercourt Express 2 Weight
Test results
Hypercourt Express 2 12.31 oz (349g)
Average 12.84 oz (364g)
Compared to 23 all court tennis shoes
Number of shoes
10.30 oz (292g)
Weight
14.71 oz (417g)

Cushioning

Heel stack

For its weight class, the Hypercourt comes with plenty of cushioning and impact protection.

We turned to our caliper to measure the shoe's stack in the heel and got 29.2 mm. That's an average amount of foam for a tennis shoe. And more than enough to take care of hard landings.

K-Swiss Hypercourt Express 2 Heel stack
Test results
Hypercourt Express 2 29.2 mm
Average 29.3 mm
Compared to 23 all court tennis shoes
Number of shoes
25.3 mm
Heel stack
33.0 mm

Forefoot stack

Given how much this shoe wanted us to stay on our toes, it also provided adequate cushioning under the balls of our feet. Our caliper showed 19.4 mm of stack in the forefoot which is standard for tennis shoes.

On moves like split tests, we got enough of both impact protection and movement control for quick footwork.

K-Swiss Hypercourt Express 2 Forefoot stack
Test results
Hypercourt Express 2 19.4 mm
Average 19.8 mm
Compared to 23 all court tennis shoes
Number of shoes
17.0 mm
Forefoot stack
23.4 mm

Drop

We also enjoyed a fine balance of cushioning and court feel thanks to the moderate drop of the Hypercourt Express 2.

Based on our stack measurements, there is a 9.8 mm difference in height between the shoe's heel and forefoot. This is a sweet spot for those who want something in the middle.

K-Swiss Hypercourt Express 2 Drop
Test results
Hypercourt Express 2 9.8 mm
Average 9.6 mm
Compared to 23 all court tennis shoes
Number of shoes
6.3 mm
Drop
12.4 mm

Midsole softness

Note: a low durometer measurement equals a soft material, whereas a high measurement means it's firm.

The K-Swiss Hypercourt Express 2 delivers a great deal of comfort with its fairly soft midsole foam. Using a durometer, we got a reading of 24.5 HA which is as much as 30% softer than average!

But let us reassure you that it is not a mushy experience at all! The plushness is encased by the hard rubber outsole and is stabilized by a stiff midfoot shank. As a result, we got a controllably bouncy ride that kept us nimble on our feet.

K-Swiss Hypercourt Express 2 Midsole softness
Test results
Hypercourt Express 2 24.5 HA
Average 29.3 HA
We use an average of four tests. The photo shows one of those tests.
Compared to 23 all court tennis shoes
Number of shoes
21.5 HA
Midsole softness (soft to firm)
34.0 HA

Insole thickness

Like its soft midsole wasn't enough, K-Swiss also threw a very thick, generously padded insole into the Hypercourt Express 2. Measuring it with our caliper returned 8.5 mm which is notably thicker than the average.

K-Swiss Hypercourt Express 2 Insole thickness
Test results
Hypercourt Express 2 8.5 mm
Average 5.3 mm
Compared to 23 all court tennis shoes
Number of shoes
3.9 mm
Insole thickness
8.5 mm

Stability

Lateral stability test

Considering the lighter weight and overall nimble design of the K-Swiss Hypercourt Express 2, its stability level is quite impressive. It is more forgiving than shoes like the ASICS Resolution 9 and the Adidas Barricade 13 but offers just enough support for a serve-and-volley type of player.

Torsional rigidity

A stiff shank embraces the shoe's midfoot quite firmly, making it nearly impossible to twist the Hypercourt. In our manual test, we rated its torsional rigidity almost as high as we would a stability tennis shoe. On a 1-5 scale, where 5 is the stiffest we gave it a high score of 4.

Test results
Hypercourt Express 2 4
Average 4.3
Compared to 23 all court tennis shoes
Number of shoes
1
Torsional rigidity
5

Heel counter stiffness

Where the Hypercourt Express 2 gets more pliable than most tennis shoes is the heel counter. Giving it a push-and-squeeze in our manual test, we assessed its stiffness as only 3 out of 5.

K-Swiss Hypercourt Express 2 support

We didn't face any glaring issues with the heel hold in this shoe but we wouldn't recommend it to players who have overpronation or are used to feeling extra support around the ankle.

Test results
Hypercourt Express 2 3
Average 3.8
Compared to 23 all court tennis shoes
Number of shoes
1
Heel counter stiffness
5

Midsole width in the forefoot

On a lighter note, we are quite happy with the platform width of this K-Swiss shoe. It is an essential part of every tennis shoe's stability.

K-Swiss Hypercourt Express 2 lateral flange

The brand's decision to go with extended rubber on the lateral flange was a smart one!

Measuring the distance between the widest points of the forefoot, our caliper showed 116.4 mm. This is tangibly wider than average and is even wider than some stability shoes! For example, the Adidas Barricade 13 is a few millimeters narrower at 112 mm.

K-Swiss Hypercourt Express 2 Midsole width in the forefoot
Test results
Hypercourt Express 2 116.4 mm
Average 111.8 mm
Compared to 23 all court tennis shoes
Number of shoes
105.3 mm
Midsole width in the forefoot
117.4 mm

Midsole width in the heel

The Hypercourt Express 2 also boasts a nice and wide heel area. It is not much wider than the average but is more than enough at 91.0 mm.

K-Swiss Hypercourt Express 2 Midsole width in the heel
Test results
Hypercourt Express 2 91.0 mm
Average 89.7 mm
Compared to 23 all court tennis shoes
Number of shoes
82.4 mm
Midsole width in the heel
99.7 mm

Flexibility

Stiffness

The stiffness of this K-Swiss shoe kept us on our toes through the entire playtest!

K-Swiss Hypercourt Express 2 flexibility

To check exactly how the Hypercourt Express 2 fares against other tennis shoes in this regard, we measured its rigidity with the help of a force gauge. Fixing the shoe to the table, we bent it to a 90-degree angle and measured how much force it took to do that.

Requiring 38.2N, it is 12% stiffer than the average tennis shoe. Bending the foot is going to feel less natural but you're going to benefit from the propulsion.

Test results
Hypercourt Express 2 38.2N
Average 30.7N
We use an average of four tests. The video shows one of those tests.
Compared to 23 all court tennis shoes
Number of shoes
20.6N
Stiffness
44.9N

Grip / Traction

The shoe's semi-herringbone pattern and rubber type offered us a wonderful tandem of grip and give.

We felt confident enough to sprint forward, stop on a dime, and then slide out of a shot. Every move and step felt surefooted.

K-Swiss Hypercourt Express 2 outsole

Size and fit

Toebox width at the widest part

If you are someone who often struggles to get enough space in a tennis shoe's toebox, your pain ends here with the K-Swiss Hypercourt Express 2.

K-Swiss Hypercourt Express 2 fit

From the off, the shoe required absolutely no breaking in! It felt fabulously spacious on our medium-width feet. But this may not be good news for some players who rely on extra-cinched foot containment.

Keep in mind that in a standard width, the Hypercourt measures 104.1 mm in the widest part of the toebox. That's a few millimeters wider than average.

K-Swiss Hypercourt Express 2 Toebox width at the widest part
Test results
Hypercourt Express 2 104.1 mm
Average 101.2 mm
Compared to 23 all court tennis shoes
Number of shoes
98.2 mm
Toebox width at the widest part
105.0 mm

Toebox width at the big toe

There is also no significant tapering at the tip of the toebox. It remains nice and spacious at 76.6 mm at the big toe mark. But not too roomy to cause unwanted in-shoe play.

K-Swiss Hypercourt Express 2 Toebox width at the big toe
Test results
Hypercourt Express 2 76.6 mm
Average 76.7 mm
Compared to 23 all court tennis shoes
Number of shoes
74.8 mm
Toebox width at the big toe
79.8 mm

Tongue: gusset type

The tongue on this shoe is non-gusseted, meaning there are no attachments to the upper on the sides. Having experienced that feature in many other tennis shoes, it has long become a must for us rather than just a welcome touch.

But even though the lack of it wasn't a disaster in the Hypercourt Express 2, a slight shifting of the tongue on forceful movements made us wish it was there.

K-Swiss Hypercourt Express 2 Tongue: gusset type
Test results
Hypercourt Express 2 None

Comfort

Tongue padding

This K-Swiss tennis shoe is all about comfort! We fell in love with its supple confines the moment we got our foot in.

The padding is VERY generous in both the collar and the tongue. Measuring the tongue thickness with a caliper, we got 10.0 mm which is puffier than the average.

K-Swiss Hypercourt Express 2 Tongue padding
Test results
Hypercourt Express 2 10.0 mm
Average 7.8 mm
Compared to 23 all court tennis shoes
Number of shoes
2.5 mm
Tongue padding
13.1 mm

Heel tab

There are no pull tabs or finger loops to hold on to in the Hypercourt Express 2. But slipping into it is easy given the non-gusseted tongue that grants a very wide shoe opening.

K-Swiss Hypercourt Express 2 Heel tab
Test results
Hypercourt Express 2 None

Removable insole

The shoe's stock insole is easy to remove in case you want to swap it for an orthotic. But keep in mind that the shoe has a thicker-than-average insole and a roomier-than-average fit, so the replacement shouldn't be too thin.

K-Swiss Hypercourt Express 2 Removable insole
Test results
Hypercourt Express 2 Yes