NewASICS2025 Review
Asics Upcourt 6
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Buy at WePlay Handball · €42.40 (opens in a new tab)Compare 3 shops · Prices updated on 8 November
The perfect entry into handball. Asics quality without breaking the bank.
Fit
Who is it for?
- Position
- WingCentre backBack
- Player weight
- < 75 kg · 75 – 90 kg
- Level
- Beginner, Intermediate
We recommend it if…
- Children and young people starting out in handball
- Families looking for Asics quality on an entry-level budget
- Feet that need kids' or junior sizes
- School use and a first contact with the sport
Pick another if…
- Players who already compete at federated level
- Those who train more than twice a week
- Contact positions that need advanced cushioning
- Intermediate level or above in any position
Our test
The good and the bad
Pros
- Very low entry price
- Guaranteed Asics quality
- Comfortable from day one
- Available in kids' sizes
Cons
- Basic performance
- Not recommended for serious competition
- Little lateral support
Before you order
Sizes and fit
- Fit
- Regular
- Weight
- 280 g
- Drop
- 10 mm
Where to buy
Price at each shop
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WePlay Handball
Lowest with price
Decathlon
Amazon.es
Basket-Center
Out of stock
€45.50Atmosfera Sport
Out of stock
€110.00
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Buy at WePlay Handball · €42.40 (opens in a new tab)How we score it
Score by category
- Grip
- 7.8
- Cushioning
- 7.2
- Stability
- 7.5
- Durability
- 7.8
- Value for money
- 9.5
Gorka Cabañas' opinion
Journalist. Former handball player and coach. Co-founder of Liftados
The Upcourt 6 is the shoe I recommend when someone asks me from scratch, on a tight budget and without knowing yet whether handball will be a one-season hobby or something more serious. Asics has built an honest entry-level model: it does what it says, lasts a reasonable time for the price and doesn't cause injuries through poor support.
What I value about the Upcourt, coming from the world of footwear analysis, is that Asics hasn't sacrificed the fit or the forefoot width to bring the price down. It's a mistake many brands make in their entry range and it causes fit problems. The Upcourt has a normal-to-wide fit that works well for most European foot shapes.
Its limitation is objective: GEL cushioning in the heel only is insufficient for intensive training or for players who have been competing for more than two years. From intermediate level upwards, the jump to the Beyond FF or the Rocket 12 is worth it. But as a first technical indoor shoe, the Upcourt 6 is a smart buy.
Published on 10 September 2025 · Liftados.com
On-court review
Full review
Grip and traction
The non-marking rubber outsole of the Asics Upcourt 6 scores 7.8 for grip, a basic but functional result for the level it's aimed at. Asics' standard non-marking compound offers reliable grip on parquet and vinyl courts without reaching specific compounds such as AHAR. For beginners playing handball on standard municipal sports hall courts, the grip is more than enough. The Upcourt 6 doesn't use AHAR or AHAR+: it's Asics' most basic rubber, functional but without the durability of mid-range models. For the profile it targets — beginners and school use — it's perfectly adequate and lasts as long as a youth season does.
Cushioning and energy return
The GEL Technology in the heel of the Asics Upcourt 6 scores 7.2 for cushioning, the most basic level in the Asics catalogue that still includes real GEL. The difference compared with the Gel-Rocket 12 (more advanced GEL, more generous midsole) is noticeable: the Upcourt 6 has less GEL volume and a thinner midsole that offers less joint protection. For occasional matches and short school-level training sessions, it's enough. For players who train regularly or are heavier, the Gel-Rocket 12 is the minimum recommended step. The 10 mm drop is standard and doesn't cause any adaptation issues.
Stability and support
With 7.5 for stability, the Asics Upcourt 6 offers basic containment suitable for the level it's aimed at. The basic mesh upper is breathable but lacks the structure of mid-range models, which means lateral containment in sudden movements is limited. For children's and school handball, where movements are less explosive and physical contact is minimal, it's sufficient. Availability in kids' sizes is one of the model's strong points: it's one of the few Asics indoor shoes that covers every size from the smallest up to adult.
Who this shoe is for
The Asics Upcourt 6 is the entry point to the Asics catalogue: at an entry-level price it offers the Japanese brand with real basic GEL and a solid construction. With 9.5 for value for money, it's the right choice when the budget doesn't stretch to the Gel-Rocket 12 and you want the backing of the Asics brand. Compared with the Hummel Perfekt Cl or the Select Pivot 68, the Upcourt 6 offers Asics GEL technology at an entry-level price. For parents looking for a reliable indoor shoe for their children who are starting out in handball, the Upcourt 6 is the most balanced option on the market at its price.
Liftados verdict · 7.5/10
The Asics Upcourt 6 is Asics' beginner shoe: basic GEL, a functional outsole and the backing of the Japanese brand at an entry-level price. For school and children's age groups who want Asics quality on a tight budget, it's the right choice. It isn't for serious federated competition, but for taking your first steps in handball it's perfectly adequate.
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Comparisons
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What you ask us about the Asics Upcourt 6
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Is the Asics Upcourt 6 worth it compared with the Asics Gel-Rocket 12?
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