Choosing the best tennis shoes is not simple, as there is an overwhelming choice of brands, such as Nike, Adidas, Babolat and K-Swiss. One of the most important considerations when choosing the right tennis shoes is to be sure you support your feet; otherwise, you could injur them. To determine what makes a good tennis shoe, it’s best you evaluate three things: Foot Type, Playing Style and Tennis Court Surface.
Choosing tennis shoes is very technical and complicated, much like the game itself. Along with all other techniques, it is essential to use proper tennis gear, as the sport requires you move forward, backward and sideways, run fast and slow, and sometimes need harsh movement. It will become easier when your shoes support your feet. Therefore, choosing the right tennis shoes is very important for a tennis game.
What is Your Foot Type?
People have different foot types. Some individuals have flat feet, and some have high arches. You can also call them pronators or supinators. As per one research, almost 45% of people are pronators, and 10% are supinators. You can quickly check your foot type by observing your inner shoe sole. You are pronator if the inner side of your shoe sole is wearing out more, and you are supinator if the outer side of your shoe inner sole is wearing out more.
The inner heel edge touches the ground first in flat feet, and the foot rolls inward onto the arch. It’s also called over-pronation or fallen arch. Here, your whole body pressure is on your heel. So if you have flat feet, then always choose tennis shoes that have exceptional heel support. In this way, your heel remains calm during harsh movement, and you will be able to play tennis without any pain.
Some people have high arches. When talking about high arches, the outer heel edge touches the ground first, and your foot rolls outward onto the arch. High arches are also called under-pronation or supination. For under-pronation feet, you need tennis shoes that have more arch support. You can also use an orthotic insole for extra cushioning. Always try to prefer lightweight tennis shoes.
Playing Style
In general, there are three types of playing styles in tennis. Aggressive Baseline, All-court players, and serve & volleys are the main featuring styles.
Baseline players usually play along or back of the baseline, which requires more support to generate strength and power in the shot to cover more distance into opponent yards. Moreover, it also requires a more lateral movement, and short sprints are also needed to achieve the maximum area of the court. If you are a player of that kind, you need stability shoes that help in lateral movements. You also need to be conscious to have a pair of shoes shaped with minimal upper designs but flexible, which may help transfer the weight of your body to the course of your shots with perfection. Featuring above, you also need to choose the shoe which has a good midsole with enough cushioning that helps and prevents injuries while enhancing your short and long sprints and stops. The Heel counter under the heel offers additional support. It locks your heel from the inside and protects you from injuries during quick moves.
All-Court playing style prefer playing from all sides and corners with more frequent running back and forth with side moments. The chances of injury increase if you are this kind of player, and you need to be more thoughtful on how to choose the best and perfect shoes that fit your style. Lightweight and durable shoes are the ones to look for, along with added midfoot cushioning. The shoe outsole with a modified herringbone tread Pattern is better to offer an excellent grip to play freely within 360-degree movements around the court. Midsole cushioning with shock-absorbent cushioning helps to support underfoot during back and forth movement.
Serve and Volley style of play is when the players tend to start at the baseline and then rush the net with quick feet movement. If you are such a player, you should aim for lightweight shoes that are more flexible with less design and weight on the outsole. Since the style of play tends to have more forward and backward movement, you need shoes with toe protection. Most brands offering tennis shoes with toe protection to enhance toe durability during toe dragging.
Tennis Court Surface
The type of court surface does play an essential role in the type of tennis shoes you need. A hardcourt surface may require good durability and a stiff sole, whereas the soft surface requires the shoes to be with more traction and flexibility on the sole.
If you play on a Hardcourt surface, you wish to have a pair of shoes designed with more durability that offers an excellent resilient outsole and more supportive Upper. The hardcourt tends to impact more pressure and force to the foot, so you need to buy the shoes designed specifically with a tougher upper using good leather or vinyl. The tiny holes at the upper improve breathability and keep your foot cool during all-day play. These tennis shoes have a durable rubber outsole that can bear the wear and tear and exert pressure and hardness of the court surface. The shoe outsole pattern should be modified herringbone to offer a firm grip on the hardcourt.
Tennis Shoes for soft courts or clay are designed with more traction in mind. Shoes for such surfaces are mainly synthetic Uppers and a Full Herringbone outsole pattern that will not clog with the clay and offers a good grip that still allows sliding. They are lighter in weight for easy maneuvering and speed to the player. The long tongue at the upper helps to protect clay particles from entering the shoe.
Like for Clay court, Grass court tennis shoes are also designed to prevent damage to the court and have a nub patterned outsole to give you better traction sideways and front-back movement, especially on the grass that tends to slip. They are composed of synthetic material and a good mesh combination keeping a lightweight feeling to the player.
Noah Rubin Loses Tennis Shoes (vs. Isner @ Citi Open 2018)
Here’s a little humor and the reason why you need to choose the best tennis shoes.
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Amazon Top Picks for Men’s Tennis Shoes
- Men's casual sneakers with a clean look
- LIGHTWEIGHT COMFORT: Synthetic upper for durability and light weight
- TWO-LAYER SOCKLINER: Cloudfoam Comfort sockliner is ultra-soft and plush, with two layers of cushioning topped with soft, breathable mesh
- RUBBER OUTSOLE: The rubber outsole provides outstanding grip and a sleek, low-profile look
- MADE IN PART WITH RECYCLED CONTENT: This product features at least 20% recycled materials. By reusing materials that have already been created, we help to reduce waste and our reliance on finite resources and reduce the footprint of the products we make
- Synthetic leather overlays: Help provide good durability
- Solution dye sockliner: Helps reduce overall water usage by approx. 33% and carbon emissions by approx. 45%
- TRUSSTIC technology: Improves stability
- Wrap-up outsole and wider gauge: Help create smoother and more balanced movements
- Flex grooves in the outsole: Improve flexibility
- Men's tennis shoes with a padded collar and a durable outsole
- BREATHABLE UPPER: Open mesh upper is breathable and flexible
- LIGHTWEIGHT MIDSOLE: EVA midsole provides lightweight cushioning
- ADIWEAR OUTSOLE: Adiwear outsole offers the ultimate in high-wear durability
- MADE WITH RECYCLED CONTENT: Made with a series of recycled materials, this upper features at least 50% recycled content. This product represents just one of our solutions to help end plastic waste
- Durable synthetic leather toe overlays:
- Solution dye sockliner helps reduce overall water usage by approx. 33% and carbon emissions by approx. 45%: Improve stability
- TRUSSTIC technology and wrap-up outsole: Improve stability
- GEL technology cushioning: Provides excellent shock absorption
- DYNAWALL construction: Improves lateral movement for a smoother return to a ready position
- DYNAWRAP technology: Secures the foot comfortably for added stability during side-to-side movements
- Full-length outsole: Provides complete ground contact for better grip
- Rearfoot and forefoot GEL technology: Provides maximum shock absorption to create a softer feel on landing and reduce impact on joints
- PGUARD toe protector: Improves durability
- Flexion Fit Upper: Proprietary upper which provides form fitting comfort without sacrificing support.
- PGuard Toe Protector: Enhanced toe durability.
- DYNAWRAP Technology: Enables better midfoot stability by keeping the foot centered on the shoe's platform.
- AHAR Plus Outsole: Strategically positioned in critical areas of the outsole, this exceptionally durable compound is 50% more durable than standard ASICS High Abrasion Rubber.
- Trusstic System technology: Reduces the weight of the sole unit while retaining the structural integrity of the shoe.
- AHAR Outsole: Acronym for ASICS High Abrasion Rubber. Placed in critical areas of the outsole for exceptional durability.
- FLYTEFOAM Midsole Technology: Our FLYTEFOAM technology provides exceptional bounce back and responsiveness no matter the distance, utilizing organic super fibers to help reduce packing out that traditionally happens with softer, low density foams.
- FLYTEFOAM Midsole Technology: Our FLYTEFOAM technology provides exceptional bounce back and responsiveness no matter the distance, utilizing organic super fibers to help reduce packing out that traditionally happens with softer, low density foams.
- Trusstic System technology: Reduces the weight of the sole unit while retaining the structural integrity of the shoe.
- Rearfoot and Forefoot GEL Technology Cushioning System: Attenuates shock during impact and toe-off phases, and allows movement in multiple planes as the foot transitions through the gait cycle.
Amazon Top Picks for Women’s Tennis Shoes
- Women's tennis shoes with a padded collar and a durable outsole
- BREATHABLE UPPER: Open mesh upper is breathable and flexible
- LIGHTWEIGHT MIDSOLE: EVA midsole provides lightweight cushioning
- ADIWEAR OUTSOLE: Adiwear outsole offers the ultimate in high-wear durability
- MADE IN PART WITH RECYCLED CONTENT: This product features at least 20% recycled materials. By reusing materials that have already been created, we help to reduce waste and our reliance on finite resources and reduce the footprint of the products we make
- AOSTA 7.0 RUBBER COMPOUND: High-density outsole provides unsurpassed durability from heel-to-toe
- DURAWRAP Flex: A durable, yet light material that provides protection and flex so there is no break-in period
- DRAGGUARD 7.0: Located in the high wear areas of the toe and heel offering elevated outsole durability
- SURGE 7.0: Lightweight premium cushioning system providing maximum energy return
- 180 PSC PLANTAR: A 180 degree thermal plastic Plantar Support Chassis that enhances mid-foot stability
- Leather Upper
- Textile Collar Lining
- Polyurethane Foam Sock Liner
- K–EVA: Special formula EVA to provide maximized cushioning and enhance durability of the midsole
- AOSTA II RUBBER COMPOUND: High-density outsole provides unsurpassed durability from heel-to-toe
- DYNAWALL construction: Improves lateral movement for a smoother return to a ready position
- DYNAWRAP technology: Secures the foot comfortably for added stability during side-to-side movements
- Full-length outsole: Provides complete ground contact for better grip
- Rearfoot and forefoot GEL technology: Provides maximum shock absorption to create a softer feel on landing and reduce impact on joints
- PGUARD toe protector: Improves durability
- SIZING: We recommend ordering a 1/2 size up from your normal street shoe size for best fit
- FIT: The pickleball shoe is designed as a stability shoe for the short lateral and front/back movement required by the game. It may take some time to adjust to the fit if you have been playing in a sneaker or neutral athletic shoe
- TARGET PLAYER: An all-around shoe, perfect for the new or frequent player. Super competitive players and daily players, we recommend the Pickleball Supreme shoe
- DRAGGUARD 7.0: Located in the high wear areas of the toe and heel offering elevated outsole durability
- DURAWRAP UPPER: Provides an extra line of defense against excessive toe-dragging
- Durable synthetic leather toe overlays:
- Solution dye sockliner helps reduce overall water usage by approx. 33% and carbon emissions by approx. 45%:
- TRUSSTIC technology and wrap-up outsole: Improve stability
- GEL technology cushioning: Provides excellent shock absorption
- Wide fit:
- Women's lightweight tennis shoes designed for agility on the court
- ADITUFF TOE: Abrasion-resistant Adituff wraps around the toe and medial forefoot to help protect against foot drag that occurs during serves, volleys and extreme lateral movements
- BOUNCE: Lightweight Bounce cushioning provides enhanced comfort and flexibility
- ADIWEAR OUTSOLE: Adiwear outsole offers the ultimate in high-wear durability
- MADE WITH RECYCLED CONTENT: Made with a series of recycled materials, this upper features at least 50% recycled content. This product represents just one of our solutions to help end plastic waste
- Wilson Rush Pro Ace Pickler Women's Pickleball Shoe - White/Grey/Baby Blue, Size 8.5 US
- 4D Support Chassis limits supination and torsion to help control pivot movements while loading up for powerful strokes, creating superior stability; Sensifeel features a minimally layered upper to upgrade comfort while maintaining superior support; Women's Specific Support includes asymmetrical and elongated medial side TPU heel counter specifically for women to provide higher levels of stability, arch support and control
- DF2 provides cushioned court feel, yielding compromise between comfort and quick performance (DF2 = HT Drop 9 mm); Rubber Medial Drag Pad supplies added durability and protection when dragging the foot
- R-DST+ offers the best combination of cushioning and rebound for more dynamic performance; Duralast consists of a high-density, consummately durable rubber compound that provides abrasion resistance and maximum traction on all surfaces
- Wide Fit (2E) construction accommodates wider foot for more comfortable fit; Designed for best performance on pickleball court surfaces
How to Choose Tennis Shoes
Article by John Barry. For a complete buyer guide please visit https://besttennisreviews.com
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