Product Review: Gable Ultimate & eBay Shoe Bidding

From time to time, I test new wrestling products, including videos, shoes, shorts, energy bars, and other miscellaneous items.

Below is a performance review of the Gable Ultimate wrestling shoes by Asics.

The Gable Ultimate, the latest in the line of Asics shoes endorsed by legendary Dan Gable, combines design elements from previously released Asics wrestling shoes. The thinly lined durasuede upper provides the same lightweight flexibility as the Asics Dave Shultz Gold Medal (previously released as the Asics Quicksilver in the late 1980's). The stiff polyurethane sole and intercrossing webbing bring similar traction and support as the Asics Rulon.

I tested the performance of this shoe while competing against former Division I wrestlers and talented high school standouts. The traction of the shoe enabled explosive offensive shots (while leaving a white streak across the mat). However, the stiffness of the shoe restricted my ability to elude my opponent's attacks to a degree. My inadequacy in mat wrestling made the performance of the Gable Ultimate irrelevant in that position.

Overall, the Gable Ultimate is a good choice for all levels of competition. However, I encourage every wrestler to maintain a few pairs of quality shoes that can be rotated throughout the season. This approach forces their reactions to grow in depth (based upon the capability of the shoe) while also extending the life of the shoe. The rigidity and support of the Asics Gable Ultimate is ideal for wrestlers who like the performance of the Asics Rulon or the Adidas Mat Wizard. If you prefer a shoe that is more lightweight and flexible, you may want to consider a pair of Adidas Combat Speed or Asics Super Lyte.

eBay Bidding

Check out eBay if you are in the market for vintage wrestling shoes. I have been able to procure unused gems dating back to the late 1980's for less than the original retail price (ORP). Last year, I provided the winning bid ($55) for an unused pair of Asics Purple Lyte (ORP = $100, c.a. 1990).

Buyer beware: I have also found myself in bidding wars with fellow wrestling shoe aficionados who are willing to pay top dollar in an attempt to recapture the nostalgia of their youth. A year ago, I was battling for a pair of never-been-used Asics Gable Ultra XL. As the bidding came to an end, I kept picturing Tom Brands sitting at his desk clicking "Refresh" and increasing his maximum bid in order to "break" his opponent (me, in this case). Time expired with me desperately trying to keep up with my obsessive opponent, but ultimately falling short. The winning bid was $160 (ORP = $85, c.a. 1987). I know how Joey Gilbert must have felt.

For nearly 10 years, I have coveted a pair of white/green Adidas Equipment wrestling shoes (ORP = $130, c.a. 1993). My heart skipped a beat when a used pair appeared on eBay a few weeks ago. The shoes were in fair condition and probably had a few years left in them. At closer look, they showed substantial wear in the soles. The seller admitted to making a hasty decision in buying the shoes a few years earlier despite the fact that they weren't his size. As a fellow wrestling shoe junkie, I empathized with him.

These opportunities are as rare as a Ben Askren haircut. He set the minimum bid at $200 in order to recover his original investment. Five days into the bidding process, the minimum bid was achieved by a passionate (and wealthy) bidder. After a significant amount of soul searching, I passed on the opportunity. I guess I'll have to wait for the stars to align when these shoes appear on eBay again.

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Product Review: Gable Ultimate & eBay Shoe Bidding

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