There are more than 18 million tennis players in the United States alone, and if you’ve ever stood in front of the wall of athletic shoes at your local sporting goods shop, you might feel like there are 18 million pairs of tennis shoes to choose from!
Finding the right shoe, however, can make all the difference, whether you’re a beginner hoping to get a feel for the game or a seasoned pro trying to take your weekend matches to the next level. The best tennis shoes will help you look smart, but more importantly, they’ll protect your feet, keep you from injury, and increase your performance.
How We Chose Our Ratings
Accuracy and honesty matter to us, so as we’ve analyzed hundreds of reviews and testimonials from around the web, plus, dug deep into available data, we’ve kept your needs at the forefront. Below, you’ll find our top-rated tennis shoes. No overblown promises here; just the straight facts and the good (and bad) about each shoe.
Buyer’s Guide
It’s tempting to reach for your running shoes when you’re ready to take up tennis, but that can spell disaster for your feet or legs. Not only will certain tennis courts wreak havoc on your expensive shoes, but running shoes are designed for helping propel you forward, not dodge side to side.The lateral movements you’ll be making in tennis mean a running shoe can cause a sprained or rolled ankle, which can be painful and take weeks (if not months) to heal. In fact, those two things are the two factors that distinguish a tennis shoe from any other kind of show: support for lateral movement and the right sole.
How To Pick The Right Kind Of Sole
Your shoe’s exterior should match the kind of tennis court you’re playing on because, as it turns out, not all courts are created equal.A hard court, for example, is a tennis court made from concrete. It’s rough on shoes and will cause them to wear out quickly. You’ll need a tough, resilient sole with a supportive upper (concrete courts are unforgiving, and a strong upper will help to grip your foot).
Clay courts, however, are softer. Shoes with herringbone outsoles are usually the best matches for these types of courts since they’re able to release clay easily from in between the grooves and they won’t damage the court.
Grass courts are less common, but if you are playing on grass, check the court’s rules carefully. You might not be allowed to wear shoes with any kind of traction at all, as it can damage the grass. What you do need, however, is great grip, since that grass can get slippery!
It’s also possible to find tennis shoes designed for multiple courts; we’ll point out a few of those later in our top picks.
Finding The Right Support
The right kind of support in a tennis shoe depends on how you play the game as well as (again) what kind of court you’re playing on. A clay court, for example, plays slowly. You’ll want to prioritize shoes with lots of lateral support and stability since you’ll be moving side to side to set up for big power shots.
For this kind of shoe, you’ll want to feel like you’re sitting low in the shoe; this will help you make sure you’re getting the kind of firm support you need.
On a concrete court, however, durability needs to play a starring role. Concrete courts can eat up shoes quickly, so look for a reinforced toe and a very resilient upper (tough materials include leather and vinyl). At the same time, you should also make sure any tennis shoe for hard courts also has adequate cushion, since you’ll need help absorbing all that shock.
Do You Pronate?
In addition to matching the right sole and support to the court and your game, you’ll also need the right kind of shoe for your foot.
If you’re flat footed and most of the wear on your shoes happens around the ball of your foot, that likely means you tend to pronate when you walk. In other words, your ankles tend to roll in towards each other. In this case, you’ll need to prioritize support with a minimal amount of arch support.
On the other hand, if it’s the outer part of your shoe that’s wearing out, you likely tend to supinate when you walk or run. In that case, you’ll likely have a very high arch and will need strong, high arch support plus a high amount of flexibility.
If you neither supinate or pronate, you have a neutral stance, and can largely focus on fit.
Avoiding Buyer’s Regret
Other things to think about as you choose the right shoe? Price! You’ll often find that the higher the price tag, the more bells and whistles, and it’s easy to leave a store having spent more than you meant to.
To avoid buyer’s regret, set a budget before you hit the store. Typically, beginners do well to start with a mid-range shoe that they can upgrade after they’ve logged a few more hours on the court.
Top 5 Best Tennis Shoes For Men And Women
[amazon link=”B07BJ41SRV” title=”Best for Speed: the Nike Zoom Vapor X” /]
Overall rating: 5 out of 5 stars
[amazon box=”B07BJ41SRV” template= “horizontal”]
Originally developed by and for Roger Federer, tennis champ and winner of over 20 Grand Slam singles titles, the Zoom Vapor from Nike prioritizes speed and stability. While previous versions of Federer’s favorite shoe utilized Nike’s Flyknit technology, the Vapor X, the newest iteration, utilizes Nike’s Dynamic Fit technology in conjunction with synthetic overlays and an open mesh upper.All this means an almost custom fit, thanks to the lace stanchions, and allows you to lock your feet in without having to cinch down your laces. While not overly padded, the Zoom Air unit in the heel provides responsive cushioning that most people appreciate. Plus, the TPU midfoot shank ensures additional stability.
The Vapor X comes with a herringbone pattern, so it’s great for clay courts, but it’s also widely used on multi-use and hard courts thanks to its low profile and durability. Also of note, if you’re used to sliding on a hard court, you’ll like these. Otherwise, you might find them a little too slippery.
Pros
- A long history of successful tennis use
- Little to no break-in period
- Feels very lightweight on the foot
- Great multi-use tennis shoe
Cons
- Durability might be low on hard courts
[amazon link=”B078T7C2PS” title=”Best for Clay: Asics Solution Speed FF” /]
Overall rating: 5 out of 5 stars
[amazon box=”B078T7C2PS” template= “horizontal”]
Asics is a popular brand in the world of the best tennis shoes, and the new Solution Speed FF (FF stands for “FlyteFoam”) makes a great option for all-around play. Thanks to a Clay version (the Asics Solution Speed FF Clay), which has a full herringbone pattern as opposed to a partial herringbone, this is also a fantastic shoe for anyone who likes to tear it up on a soft court.
The shoe is a lightweight shoe, so if you’re looking for something with extremely high levels of stability, this isn’t the shoe for you. That said, for a lightweight shoe, users do feel very well supported.The FlyteFoam used in the shoe creates a comfortable plush midsole that even aggressive players appreciate. Plus, the PGuard Toe Protector and GEL Cushioning Systems work together to absorb shock for a comfortable yet agile feel.
Most players report this shoe has mid-range traction (it’s neither sticky nor slick), though, like most Asics, you might find that the heel cup is too shallow for insoles.
Pros
- Great for clay courts
- Lightweight shoe for maximum agility and aggressive play
- Good durability
Cons
- Might not provide enough ankle support
[amazon link=”B0798SKFVV” title=”Best All-Court: Babolat Propulse Fury” /]
Overall rating: 5 out of 5 stars
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If you’re looking for a sturdier shoe that will maximize durability and comfort, the Propulse Fury from Babolat is a great option in a line that has some of the best tennis shoes for men and women.
The shoe is known for being extremely stable, and that’s helped by the fact that it has two power straps that help lock the foot down, in addition to the laces. For players who rely heavily on lateral footwork, this helps to provide flex without losing support.
The shoe also shines when it comes to durability; in fact, the Propulse Fury comes with a six-month durability guarantee. This is possible thanks to the sole’s studs, created by the Michelin tire company.
The Fury also maximizes comfort, so if you rely on a cushioning insole, you’ll appreciate the Ortholite insole made from memory foam. There’s also something called a Kompressor system that increases the shoe’s ability to absorb shock, easy the wear and tear on your feet, ankles, and knees.
Pros
- Six-month durability guarantee
- Increase comfort and shock absorption
- High levels of stability
Cons
- Not especially lightweight
[amazon link=”B07B93RKSN” title=”Best for Wide Feet: Fila Axilus Energized” /]
Overall rating: 5 out of 5 stars
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The Axilus Energized from Fila is one of the best tennis shoes for players with wide feet. It is agile and lightweight, so it makes a great shoe for a wide range of performance levels, including more aggressive players and it has the extra notoriety of being worn by Marin Cilic, US Open Champion and ATP star.
The Axilus Energized is well ventilated with a light but comfortable cushion. Players report that its side to side stability is strong, but what they rave about is how suitable it is for people with wide feet, thanks to its wide forefoot, toe box, and mid-shaft.
A six-month durability guarantee is also a huge plus with this shoe, especially as it provides a solid level of traction on hard courts. Speaking of traction, Fila has brought back its Evergrind rubber soles, which have versatility over a variety of court surfaces.
Pros
- Great for wide feet
- Breathable mesh and anti-slide nylon upper means your feet resist slipping while playing
- TPU MIdfoot stabilizer gives a strong feeling of support without adding weight
Cons
- Might be too wide for people with narrow feet (and might require modification, such as two pairs of socks)
- Some heel slippage supported
[amazon link=”B072FH2HLX” title=”Best for Aggressive Movers: Adidas Barricade 2018″ /]
Overall rating: 5 out of 5 stars
[amazon box=”B072FH2HLX” template= “horizontal”]
Even if you think the Adidas Barricade is too built up for your aggressive playing style, the new 2018 model is worth a second look. Its supportive midfoot and plush cushioning somehow manages to feel lightweight and locked in without weighing your foot down.
In fact, that extra heel cup with help lock your foot in place more firmly throughout those lateral transitions. Players also report that the Barricade’s seamless Forgedmesh upper managed to create a firm yet flexible support that also feels soft and comfortable.
Adidas’ Geofit padding is a memory foam that connects to a ghillie lace loop to combine deep comfort with strength. Plus, Adiwear 6 on the sole means you’ll get maximum durability out of your shoe.
Pros
- A stability shoe for aggressive movers
- Lightweight feel, despite heavy cushion and tech
- Consistently known for providing strength and durability
Cons
- Needs a break in period (might experience digging arches and jamming toes for first 4-5 hours of wear)
- Consistently runs half a size small
Comparison Table
[amazon box=”B07BJ41SRV,B078T7C2PS,B0798SKFVV,B07B93RKSN,B072FH2HLX” template=”table”]
Choosing The Best Tennis Shoes For You
Finding the best tennis shoes doesn’t need to be difficult, and thanks to today’s lineup, you’re well on your way to finding the shoe that’s going to take your game to the next level.
