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
- 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
- AOSTA 7.0 OUTSOLE: High-density rubber compound outsole provides unsurpassed durability from heel-to-toe
- DRAGGUARD 7.0: Located in the high wear areas of the toe and heel offering elevated outsole durability
- DURAWRAP FLEX UPPER: A durable, yet light material that provides protection and flex so there is no break-in period
- HEEL GRIP LINING: Made of interlocking fibers that grip the sock to minimize heel slippage
- SURGE 7.0 MIDSOLE: Lightweight premium cushioning system providing maximum energy return
- TORSION-RESISTANT & NON-SLIP OUTSOLES: Upgraded Outsoles with improved performance provide you solid gripping and motion stability. The Dual Density EVA and anti-torsion TPU features durability and stability. The enhanced non-slip design, allowing you walk and play tennis freely on any surface.
- SHOCK ABSORPTION MIDSOLES: EVA mid-soles act as shock absorbers and reduces impact from intense motion while providing maximum comfort and cushion.
- ERGONOMIC ORTHOLITE INSOLES: OrthoLite insoles enhance stability and facilitate natural foot motion for shock absorption and pain relief. Breathable material promotes air circulation with superb cushioning and shock absorption.
- UPGRADED BREATHABLE UPPER: With an upgraded breathable upper, your feet will remain cool and dry after hours of intense rally.
- ROOMY TOE BOX: FitVille shoes are designed for wider feet, more flexibility in the forefoot allows your foot to move more fluidly.
- Wilson Rush Pro Ace Men's Tennis Shoe - White/Black, Size 13 US
- Generous Fit: Accommodates players with wider feet for a more comfortable fit and feel
- 4D Support Chassis: Provides superior stability to help control pivot movements
- Composition: Technologies enhance comfort and support with breathable mesh and additional cushioning
- Ideal Playing Surface: All Court Surfaces
- Wilson Rush Pro Lite Men's Tennis Shoe - China Blue/White/Snow White, Size 10.5 US
- FIT: Focus on Comfort Its wide toe box and minimally layered upper create a lightweight and generous fit that's breathable, holistically supportive and optimized for all-day comfort.
- FEEL: All-Purpose Support Full-length chassis provides arch support, paired with cushioning that enables smooth, heel-to-toe transitions.
- FUNCTION: Versatile Performance on the Court Designed for both practice and match play, this shoe offers the stability and durability needed for players seeking reliable performance without the demands of high-intensity competition. It's an excellent choice for hobbyists or players with moderate performance expectations.
- Wide Toe Box: Wide toe box accommodates players with wider feet for a more comfortable fit and feel.
- FuelCell foam delivers a propulsive feel to help drive you forward
- NDure upper technology designed for superior durability
- Added lockdown and stability through heel and saddle
- NDurance rubber outsole technology provides superior durability in high-wear areas to help get more out of the shoes
- Non-marking outsole
- MIZUNO WAVE: The MIZUNO WAVE plate disperses energy from impact to a broader area providing a stable platform and a superior cushioning.
- MIZUNO ENERZY (FOAM): Offering versatility in its application, while still maintaining softness and resilience. It will help enhance performance capabilities.
- POWNCE: An exceedingly lightweight mid sole material with excellent comfort and resilience properties.
- D-Flex Groove: Diagonal flexible groove. A diagonal groove in the mid foot area allows the player to turn at maximum speed and power by efficiently transferring natural body movement and shift in direction.
- 3D-Solid: A unique upper providing the highest level of softness and durability, while maintaining breathability.
- Fit Note: This shoe runs large, we recommend sizing down a half size.
- PGUARD technology: Helps increase durability in the upper's forefoot inside area
- DYNAWALL technology: Helps improve stability
- DYNALACING technology: Helps create a stable fit during dynamic movements
- AHARPLUS outsole rubber: Improves durability Forefoot GEL technology: Improves impact absorption and creates a softer feeling at footstrike
Amazon Top Picks for Women’s Tennis Shoes
- NDurance rubber outsole technology provides superior durability in high-wear areas to help get more out of the shoes
- Film drag guard
- Non-marking outsole
- Synthetic and mesh upper
- Adjustable lace closure for a customized fit
- 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
- Wilson Intrigue Pro Women's Tennis Shoe - White/Lavender Blue/Silver, Size 8 US
- FIT: Built for Women Women's-specific design provides optimal stability, arch support, and heel containment for the female foot.
- FEEL: Cushioned and Playable Engineered mesh upper is lightweight and breathable, while the molded foam midsole with performance sockliner prioritizes comfort and responsiveness.
- FUNCTION:Tennis - Hard Court / Clay Court All-court performance with exceptional durability, abrasion-resistance, and grip.
- Duralast: High-density, consummately durable rubber compound provides abrasion resistance and maximum traction on all surfaces.
- 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
- Fit Note: This shoe runs narrow. We recommend sizing up a half size or purchasing your usual size in Wide.
- PGUARD technology: Helps increase durability in the upper's forefoot inside area
- DYNAWALL technology: Helps improve stability
- DYNALACING technology: Helps create a stable fit during dynamic movements
- AHARPLUS outsole rubber: Improves durability Forefoot GEL technology: Improves impact absorption and creates a softer feeling at footstrike
- FLYTEFOAM technology: Helps provide lightweight cushioning
- SPEEDTRUSS technology: Improves quickness and cutting motions
- AHARPLUS rubber: Improves durability
- The sockliner is produced with the solution dyeing process that reduces water usage by approximately 33% and carbon emissions by approximately 45% compared to the conventional dyeing technology
- Women's cushioned tennis shoes for owning the court
- MESH UPPER: Mesh upper for breathability and light weight
- TORSION SYSTEM: Support between the heel and forefoot for a stable ride
- BOUNCE: Lightweight Bounce cushioning provides enhanced comfort and flexibility
- ADIWEAR OUTSOLE: Adiwear outsole offers the ultimate in high-wear durability
- AOSTA 7.0 RUBBER COMPOUND: High-density outsole provides unsurpassed durability from heel-to-toe
- 180 PSC PLANTAR: A 180 degree thermal plastic Plantar Support Chassis that enhances mid-foot stability
- SURGELITE: Lightweight, flexible, and durable cushioning technology for maximum comfort
- DURAWRAP FLEX: A durable, yet light material that provides protection and flex so there is no break-in period
- ORTHOLITE SOCK LINER: The unique open-cell structure of OrthoLite foam creates a moisture management system, helping to move moisture away and provide a cooler, drier, healthier environment
How to Choose Tennis Shoes
Article by John Barry. For a complete buyer guide please visit https://besttennisreviews.com
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