Best Tennis Shoes
Best Overall Tennis Shoes for Men
Best Overall Tennis Shoes for Women
Best Tennis Shoes for Comfort
Best Tennis Shoes for Clay
Best Tennis Shoes for Grass
Do I need tennis shoes?
Tennis shoes versus running shoes, explained
You may be wondering why you can’t just wear any old pair of athletic shoes for your tennis game. The design of tennis shoes is much different than a normal pair of walking or running shoes. They’re typically flat with specific soles to suit the type of court you play on. When you put on a pair of tennis shoes, you’ll notice they’re sturdier and without as much cushion as a running shoe. Not only will wearing a shoe with a design conducive to the sport help your game, but it will protect your knees and ankles.
What makes a great tennis shoe?
Material
First and foremost, the material of tennis shoes shouldn’t be soft. Instead, it should be hard and have a strong grip. The outsole should be conducive to lots of traction.
Support
Tennis shoes have thinner midsoles to allow for better movement and support on the court.
Durability
You want to be able to wear your tennis shoes for the long haul. Durable shoes have things like toe caps to prevent wear-and-tear.
Court type
The style of your tennis shoe depends on the type of court you play on. There are three types of tennis court, each with a different corresponding best shoe.
- Hard court: the outsole of your shoe should be durable, have a strong grip, and ample absorption to bode with the hard surface of the court.
- Clay court: zig-zag patterns on the outsole are typical for clay court tennis shoes to keep clay out of the shoes when you move.
- Grass court: these courts can be slippery so your shoe should have a bumpy outsole for grip and quickness to support the fastest game on grass.
Foot type
Different types of tennis shoes support different feet. Your feet are either wide, medium, or narrow. There are best tennis shoes for flat feet and shoes with arch support. When buying online, it’s best to measure your foot beforehand. You can measure your foot by following these steps:
- Put a piece of paper on a flat surface
- Wear tennis socks and stand on the paper
- Trace your foot
- Measure vertically for length
- Mesure horizontally for width
All the works
Laces
Most tennis shoes come with their own laces. If you want to snazz it up, make sure to choose laces that fit the shoe and are not too long. There are several shoe lacing techniques you can look into for optimal performance. Certain lacing techniques can also reduce pressure on sensitive areas of the foot.
Socks
While you can wear any old socks, you probably want to go with a sock that has some cushion on the heel. Choose a sock that’s thin enough to not bunch in the shoes or around the toes. Thorlos Tennis Crew Thick Cushion Socks are particularly popular amongst tennis aficionados. Depending on how prone your feet are to blisters or dryness, it might be worth the investment.
Best Overall Tennis Shoes for Men
This is an all-around men’s tennis shoe that performs on any type of court. The midsole has lots of cushion. There is a small vent in the bottom of the shoe for breathability and to keep your feet from getting sweaty.
The baseliner’s dream
Head’s energy frame and the lockdown straps on the shoe ensures that your foot stays in place when making lateral movements.
Best Overall Tennis Shoes for Women
As you adjust the laces of these women’s tennis shoes, they mould to your feet. You’ll feel support and control when it’s needed most on hard courts. There are caps at the tips of the toes for long lasting effect, even after matches of lots of driving up to the net.
Approved by the pros
Not only does Maria Sharapova approve of these shoes, but she considers them one of her favorites. That in itself is enough to safely consider them one of the best tennis shoe options.
Best Tennis Shoes for Comfort
Available for both men and women, these are the winning tennis shoes contestant for comfort on the court. People with a wider foot shape tend to say these shoes fit especially well. Stability and durability don’t go remiss either, due to the shoes’ wrap-around sock liner that moulds to the foot.
It’s all in the padding
These tennis shoes have a padded heel and Adidas’s iconic Boost midsole making them extra comfortable.
Best Tennis Shoes for Clay
These women’s shoes are best on clay. There is a chevron pattern on the sole for extra grip on the slippery surface. The sock shape hugs tight on the foot for sliding and lateral movement.
Light and stable
Due to their emphasis on stability, sometimes tennis shoes get a bad rep for feeling heavy or clunky on the feet. These shoes have an impressively lightweight feel even while they keep everything in place on clay. Due to their lightness, many say they walk around in them, even off the court.
Best Tennis Shoes for Grass
Asics is famous for its innovative designs when it comes to tennis shoes. The mesh layer on the top of the shoes is great for breathability when a match heats up. The insole consists of EVA, a product known for comfort. There are two layers of memory foam on the collar if that wasn’t enough.
Grip and no slip
The rubber pimples on the outsole of these shoes keeps you stable on grass courts.
FAQs about the best tennis shoes
How often should I buy new tennis shoes?
This depends on how often you play. Most tennis shoes last between 6 months and a year. If you notice your soles have worn or your feet are sore after you play, it’s probably time for a new pair of kicks.
Are tennis shoes worth the price?
You may have noticed that tennis shoes are a bit pricier than the average running shoe. If you’re heading to the courts often, it’s worth the investment. It’s also important to note that certain tennis clubs require you to wear the right shoes so you don’t damage the court’s surface.
Can I play tennis in running shoes?
You can technically play in running shoes, however, it will probably make your life more difficult. Running shoes have a design for moving forward and backwards, as opposed to laterally. Tennis shoes support and stabilize you on the court.