Get the best tennis tips and offers!
Diadora B.Icon 3 AG Men’s Tennis Shoe Review (2025)
In this article, I have tested the following Diadora men’s tennis shoe models. The products have been received from Diadora in exchange for reviews, and the reviews reflect my true opinions.
This article includes affiliate links, indicated by an asterisk (*). If you purchase through these links, the author may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you.
Diadora B.Icon 3 AG
Pros & Cons
Details
Model Name: Diadora B.Icon 3 AG
Price: $170.00
Court Type: Hard
Summary
The B.Icon 3 is Diadora’s most responsive premium model, designed for intermediate to advanced players. While it’s built for speed and responsiveness, it still provides a solid level of comfort thanks to its sock-like interior and well-padded heel.
This review was a bit tricky to write, because on one hand the shoes are excellent quality and offer strong performance, but on the other hand they just didn’t fit my feet as well as I hoped. Overall, the build quality is great, and players with different foot shapes might find this model a really good match.
When I tried the B.Icon 3 for the first time, they felt snug and comfortable. The heel is nicely padded, and the sole shape feels spot-on. At first the sole felt a bit stiff, but after a few sessions it began to break in.
However, I ran into two major drawbacks: the tongue and the ankle area. The ankle area felt a bit loose when I first tried them on, so I laced the shoes all the way through the final eyelets. That is where the issue started, because the tongue is very lightly padded. Tightening the laces fully made them press uncomfortably into the instep during faster movements. The thin tongue design ended up making the shoes slightly uncomfortable to play in.
The second drawback was also foot-specific. The ankle collar was slightly too high for me, and it pressed against my outer ankle bone.
Overall, the Diadora B.Icon 3 is a high-quality performance shoe, but it simply did not suit my foot shape. If you think this model could fit your feet well, I would still recommend giving it a try.
Special Features
- ANIMA technology increases midsole responsiveness by 30 percent compared to the standard EVA Light compound, giving the shoe a quicker and more energetic feel.
- CCB medial stabilizer helps control torsional stability in the arch area while still maintaining solid shock absorption, providing support without feeling stiff.
- D-SKIN technology for maximum breathability.
- DURATECH 5000 for improved durability in high-wear areas.
Material Quality 9/10
The overall material quality of the B.Icon 3 is excellent. The upper is lightly coated with a mesh-type fabric, and the high-wear areas are reinforced with rubber for added durability.
The standout features are the high-quality padding around the ankle and the detailed finishing of the sole. The padding makes the ankle area feel extremely soft yet snug, while the sole is rigid and provides solid grip and durability.
The inside of the shoe is also well-finished, and I did not notice any material rubbing against my foot.
Material-wise, the only major drawback is the tongue. It is very lightly cushioned, and because of that, the laces can press against the instep, which felt uncomfortable for me during faster movements.
Overall, the B.Icon 3 offers some of the best material quality and finishing in its category, aside from the tongue.
Comfort 7.5/10
Cushioning:
The shoes are very well cushioned overall, except for the tongue, which is very lightly padded.
Stiffness:
They have a medium level of stiffness and offer good responsiveness on court.
Heel:
The heel area is nicely padded, although the ankle collar sits slightly high.
Toes:
There is good room in the toe box without the shoe feeling loose.
Prolonged Use:
Due to the lightly padded tongue and the high ankle collar, the shoes did not provide enough comfort for me during longer playing sessions.
Support And Stability 9/10
Lateral Support:
The shoes provide solid lateral support, and it is easy to stop or change direction without the ankle rolling.
Ankle Support:
The ankle area is well supported, and the foot does not move unintentionally inside the shoe. However, I needed to lace the shoes all the way up to fully secure my ankle. This created extra discomfort for me because the laces reached an area of the shoe with minimal padding.
Arch Support:
The arch support is neutral, making the shoe suitable for players with either overpronation or underpronation.
Agility 9/10
Changes of Direction:
The shoes felt agile during direction changes, although nothing particularly standout.
Speed:
They felt responsive on the court, without any clumsy or heavy sensation.
Flexibility:
The flexibility was a bit on the stiff side for me. For a shoe designed to be responsive, I would have preferred slightly more flexibility.
Grip 9/10
Sole Shape:
The sole features two raised sections with a slight inward curve in the middle.
Grip on Court:
The grip felt solid and reliable during play.
Grip in Long Use:
I did not notice any loss of grip during prolonged use.
Breathability 9.5/10
Moisture:
Thanks to the mesh finishing on the shoe I didn’t have any problems with moisture control.
Weight 9/10
In terms of weight, the B.Icon falls into the medium range at 15 ounces (430 grams). For comparison, the Wilson Rush Pro 4.5 comes in at 14.3 ounces, while the Nike GP Challenge 1 is 15.6 ounces. Although not the lightest in its class, the B.Icon’s slightly heavier build is balanced by added comfort and durability.
The shoes didn’t feel heavy neither especially light.
The Fit 9/10
Size in General:
The shoes fit true to size, so there is no need to size up or down. For comparison, with Wilson shoes I usually have to go one size larger, since their sizing tends to run small.
Width:
The sole is wide enough and does not squeeze the foot laterally. The toe box is also wide, yet still supportive.
Adjustability:
The fit is easy to fine-tune with the laces, which hold securely.
Value For Money 8/10 (for me) 9.5/10 (potentially)
Price range: The new Diadora B.Icon 3 retails for $170, placing it in the higher premium category. Shoes in this category are designed to offer the best performance and features. However, comfort-wise the price of the model doesn’t quite match because of the lightly cushioned tongue of the shoe. It’s possible that this might not affect very performance based players but more beginner to intermediate players might find it troublesome.
The other materials and the features in the shoe are justified with the higher price.
Lifespan: The shoe is made from high-quality materials and with regular to more intensive use they should last well over 6 months.
Where Should I Buy Diadora Tennis Shoes?
FAQ
What does the ‘AG’ stand for in the models’ names?
— ‘AG’ means All ground, so it is suitable for every court surface type.
Read More:
Diadora Men’s Tennis Shoe Models Explained (2025)
