NewASICS2025 Review
Asics Gel-Netburner Ballistic FF 4
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Buy at WePlay Handball · €104.90 (opens in a new tab)We only have it in stock at WePlay Handball · Prices updated on 7 November
Asics' most technical indoor shoe, updated for 2025.
Review updated on 9 July 2026
Fit
Who is it for?
- Position
- PivotCentre backGoalkeeper
- For
- Men
- Player weight
- 90 – 110 kg · > 110 kg
- Level
- Advanced, Professional
We recommend it if…
- Advanced and professional goalkeepers
- Pivots who were already using the Gel-Netburner Ballistic FF 3
- Players with a heavy training load
- Those who need the cushioning + durability combination
Pick another if…
- Wings who prioritise lightness and speed
- Beginners and entry level
- Players on a tight budget
- Those looking for the lightest shoe in the catalogue
Our test
The good and the bad
Pros
- Superior FF Blast+ cushioning
- Excellent AHAR+ durability
- Professional lateral support
- Ideal for pivots and goalkeepers
Cons
- A bit heavy for wings
- Break-in period needed
- High price
Before you order
Sizes and fit
- Fit
- Regular
- Weight
- 320 g
- Drop
- 10 mm
Where to buy
Price at each shop
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WePlay Handball
Lowest price
Basket-Center
Out of stock
€105.00
How we score it
Score by category
- Grip
- 8.8
- Cushioning
- 9.2
- Stability
- 9.0
- Durability
- 9.3
- Value for money
- 8.5
Gorka Cabañas' opinion
Journalist. Former handball player and coach. Co-founder of Liftados
The Netburner Ballistic FF 4 is possibly the best balance on the market today for an advanced pivot or goalkeeper. 320 grams may sound heavy, but when you slip your foot inside and feel the FF Blast+ running the full length of the midsole, you understand why that weight is justified: there are no dead grams here.
From a technical point of view, the combination of FF Blast+ plus an AHAR+ outsole is the most durable I've analysed in Asics' indoor range. I've tested this outsole compound on resin surfaces and it lasts between 40 and 60% longer than standard non-marking rubbers. For a pivot who plays 3-4 days a week, that translates into a shoe that lasts a full season without deteriorating.
My advice for those coming from lighter shoes: you'll need 2-3 training sessions to adapt. The extra weight is noticeable at first but disappears once the foot learns to work with the energy the midsole returns. It's a model worth trying on before buying online because of Asics' specific fit.
Published on 20 September 2025 · Liftados.com
On-court review
Full review
Grip and traction
The AHAR+ outsole of the Gel-Netburner Ballistic FF 4 maintains the Asics standard for grip durability. With 8.8/10 for traction, it's slightly below the MetaRise 2 (9.0) in absolute terms, but the difference comes down to the outsole pattern: the Ballistic FF 4 uses a design geared more towards multidirectional stability than maximum grip. For pivots and goalkeepers, whose footwork is broader and more deliberate than a wing's, this balance is the right one. The durability of the AHAR+ compound is identical: 9.3/10 for overall durability, with minimal loss of grip after a full season.
Cushioning and energy return
The full-length FF Blast+ midsole of the Gel-Netburner Ballistic FF 4 is the same platform used by the MetaRise 2, albeit in a slightly different configuration. The cushioning score is 9.2/10, almost on a par with the MetaRise (9.5), with a firmer, less enveloping feel that can be an advantage in some contexts: pivots who need to feel the floor to handle contact prefer this more direct response. The Guidance Line — a groove in the outsole that optimises the foot's natural flex — improves the biomechanical efficiency of each step.
Stability and support
With 9.0/10 for stability, the Asics Gel-Netburner Ballistic FF 4 offers the second-best lateral support in Asics' handball catalogue. The structural engineered mesh upper incorporates TPU reinforcements in the areas of greatest lateral stress, and the heel construction is firm and well fitted. For goalkeepers, the combination of stability and FF Blast+ cushioning is the most relevant on the market: it protects the joints from the lateral impacts of saves while maintaining the mobility needed for quick movements across the goal.
Who this shoe is for
The Asics Gel-Netburner Ballistic FF 4 is the direct evolution of Asics' benchmark handball model. If the FF 3 was already the most highly rated goalkeeper shoe on the market, the FF 4 adds FF Blast+ (more responsive than GEL) and improved lateral support. It's a mid-to-high-range purchase, but justified for advanced-to-professional pivots and goalkeepers. If you were already using the FF 3 and were happy with it, upgrading to the FF 4 is the natural step and you'll notice the improvement in cushioning.
Liftados verdict · 9.0/10
The Asics Gel-Netburner Ballistic FF 4 is the logical update of Asics' benchmark indoor handball model. It combines the brand's best cushioning (FF Blast+), its greatest durability (AHAR+) and first-class lateral support for pivots and goalkeepers. Seventh place overall doesn't reflect a flaw but the extraordinary level of competition in the top 10 of the 2026 catalogue.
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Comparisons
Which one suits you best?
What you ask us about the Asics Gel-Netburner Ballistic FF 4
What position is the Asics Gel-Netburner Ballistic FF 4 for?
How much does the Asics Gel-Netburner Ballistic FF 4 weigh and what outsole does it have?
Asics Gel-Netburner Ballistic FF 4 vs Asics MetaRise 2 for a professional pivot?
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