Much like buying a tennis racket, you’ll want to find out what’s best for you when shopping for tennis shoes.
There is no single best shoe for everyone, so below we’ll help you decide which shoe is right for you.
Parts of tennis shoes
Before discovering the right shoe, there are some shoe terms that you must know to understand this information fully.
- Sole or Outsole – The bottom of the shoe. Usually made of rubber.
- Insole – Pads go inside the shoe under your foot.
- Upper – The top of the shoe covers the foot. Typical are textiles & synthetics.
- Tongue – The part of the shoe under the upper that goes over the top of your foot.
- Laces – You better know what laces are
Want a more durable or lighter shoe?
You ceaselessly have to choose the mix of sturdiness and weight that you wish to have with sneakers.
Durability Helps the Tennis Court Shoes Last Longer
This is important for professional gamers who constantly play tennis and move around on the court, but don’t want to buy new shoes often. Players who opt for a more durable shoe will have better support.
On the other hand, to create a side tennis shoe, shoe manufacturers must add more materials to the shoe. This is also the reason why shoes are heavier.
Several technologies and materials can make a shoe lighter and more durable. Playing tennis is tough on sneakers, and all materials will eventually wear out. Adding an inch to the sole can make the shoe more durable, which designers do in most cases.
Lightweight Shoes Help the Tennis Player Move Faster
A light shoe will obviously allow you to play tennis more easily. Tennis players who are fit and like to cut, jump and run fast will often need a lighter shoe.
In general, a lighter shoe will probably wear out faster, so you’ll need to buy a new shoe every six months, depending on how intense your tennis is.
The best tennis bags often have shoe pockets to protect them better.
Flexibility & Performance vs Support & Stability
Choosing between flexibility and support is like choosing between a lightweight and durable shoe. Meaning, if you choose one, then you have to sacrifice the other.
Who Uses More Flexible Shoes?
Flexibility allows the sole to enhance grip on your foot as you move across the tennis court. A more flexible shoe will allow you to cut and run on the court better, because as you move, the material inside the shoe adjusts to your movements.
In most cases, a flexible, high-performance shoe is for the professional player, who is in good health and is less prone to injury. These tennis players move quickly on the court and they desire a shoe that can accommodate their movement.
A general rule of thumb is that the more flexible you are, the more flexible your shoe will be. Also, a more flexible shoe will in most cases have less support.
Who Needs a More Supportive Shoe?
Support provides stability and cushioning for your legs and joints. A supportive shoe can be higher than the ankle. It may even have additional cushioning in the sole and upper to keep your foot stable in contact with the tennis court. This reduces pain and will help prevent damage to your legs, but it also reduces your flexibility.
If you’ve had a previous tennis, ankle, or knee injury, support is definitely a concern for you. For extra support, you should choose the best pair of tennis socks.
Also, if you are new to tennis or are about to start getting more involved and plan to play on hard courts, we recommend prioritizing support. Playing tennis on hard courts can be harder on your joints, so it’s a good idea to choose a supportive shoe initially.
Note: If you have ever been injured or harmed, please contact your doctor about the appropriate type of shoe and sole for you. We are not medical professionals.
