For The All-Rounders
Tennis is a sport about performance and control. Unlike running and other sports, Tennis is a multi-directional sport. It has a lot of rapid skipping and vigorous lunging movements in all directions. This means that if the shoe isn’t secure and doesn’t fit well, it’s going to be a problem, as there are a lot of forces that tend to cause the foot to slip backward and forward during the game.
This is a very physical game, and your feet bear the brunt of it. Whether you are a newbie or a pro choosing the right footwear is an essential part of the game and the well-being of your feet. The appropriate footwear will not only protect you from injuries but will also maximize your performance.
When we look at Tennis as a sport, there is a long list of playing styles and types of court surfaces. Given to understand this, there are indeed no shortages of various kinds of the best tennis shoes to ensure better protection and performance.
The best tennis shoes, which are most suitable, are indeed out there, but you will need to carefully understand your exact needs and requirements to ensure you pick the right one for yourself.
Let me take this opportunity to help you out with your selection. There are a number of features that most people look at while buying their best tennis shoes.
- Comfort: Tennis shoes usually tend to be stiffer than other shoes because they need to support the range of motions during the game. Irrespective, some tennis shoes put comfort in front of any other features. It would be best if you usually looked for a pair of shoes with a generous midsole with ample cushioning.
- Durability: Here two components are essential, one being the outsole of the shoe and the other being the toe cap. It is vital that a good pair of Tennis shoes should be able to withstand the wear and tear that comes from the hard court’s people usually play on. The outsole is in constant contact with the court and becomes the most critical component. However, the toe cap also takes a beating as players usually drag their feet while serving and periodically during the game.
- Stability: The stability of a shoe is judged basis the sole and the shoe upper, both being equally important. The sole width and rigidity are critical to ensure a stable feel and for a quick start and stop on the court, along with other rapid movements. Ideally, the feet should feel well locked and fit in a pair of shoes so as to prevent sliding inside the shoe during the game. This is where the shoe uppers stability comes into play.
- Support: Arch support is essential to ensure a comfortable & happy foot at the end of your game. One must pick the correct arch support according to your needs. Most Tennis shoes come with moderate or low-end arch support. In case you need additional arch support, you can replace the insole with cushioned soles
- Traction: Material, pattern, and texture contribute to the traction you will feel while playing on the court. Also, the court you are playing on makes a lot of difference. The outsole of your shoes is directly responsible for providing excellent grip on hard courts, something that most players want in their shoes.
- Weight: Speed is something we associate with Tennis. The weight of a tennis shoe can change the way and the speed at which one plays. A heavy shoe may make you feel sluggish and slow, whilst a lightweight one will make you think quick and faster during the game. A lot of shoe companies make a trade-off in-between weight, stability, and durability to ensure the perfect balance for the perfect pair of shoes.
- Types of courts:
There are three types of court surfaces, Hard, clay, and grass. This plays a significant factor in the pair of shoes you buy. Most brands offer all-court tennis shoes that can handle the subtleties of all three court types.
- Hard Courts: Tennis shoes for these types of courts usually are non-marking to avoid scuffing the surface. Their construction prioritizes cushioning and shock absorption to ensure your comfort and support on this hard surface.
- Clay Courts: These courts commonly call for a different type of shoe, as they are much softer than hard courts. Shoes for clay courts are generally made from synthetic uppers and a herringbone thread pattern. This is to ensure they don’t clog with clay and ensure it offers a grip which allows sliding. Also, these shoes are much lighter.
- Grass Courts: All these shoes are designed to ensure one prevents damage to themselves and the courts as well. Grass court shoes have a nub pattern sole to provide improved traction on potentially slippery surfaces.
All tennis shoe design companies are manufacturing shoes that have imbibed in them all of the above characteristics. They also usually have a range of products that either try to offer all these things in equal amounts. Hence, making it easier to cater to a broader market.
Tennis shoes are an essential part of this game; it indeed pays to invest wisely to ensure you protect your feet and avoid any unnecessary injuries. Tracking down or pinpointing the best and most ideal pair for you is undoubtedly going to be a challenge. However, it is a significant challenge you need to win.
The Best Tennis Shoe Reviews
I have pulled together a guide that reviews the best tennis shoes for both men and women, which will help ensure your challenge is won.
Asics Court FF 2 Review
ASICS’s Court FF2 is the market trending favorite shoe for 2020. It pretty much has it all when it comes to features for your best tennis shoes. These fancy, yet perfectly functional shoes are also a favorite choice of Novak Djokovic.
The shoes upper comes with a brilliant and super comfortable near to perfect bootie design made of updated PU; this provides foam fitting comfort without losing out on support. MONO-SOCK Technology Fit System helps keeps the foot well secured. This helps ensure you are well connected with your shoes for an outstanding performance and game.
A little more breathability would have made these shoes only god gifted. The outsole helps with extra protection, TWISTRUSS Technology provides better swiftness by enhancing internal twist while reducing the weight of the sole unit.
The outsole offers plenty of traction; this is achieved by an extra-durable AHAR rubber with unique herringbone-like patterned threading, which is brilliant on hard courts.
At the midsole, the Court FF 2 features Asics proprietary FlyteFoam, which offers exceptional comfort that they claim provides 76 percent better cushioning while being 55 percent lighter than standard EVA foam.
All said and done, these ASICS Court FF2 are premium tennis shoes that have stolen the hearts of many tennis players and will remain a favorite in the near future as well. These all-rounders are an excellent pick for those who want zero break-in time.
They are available in bright and fun color options and combinations for both men and women.
Nike Air Zoom Vapor X Review
Air Zoom Vapor X, is a reflection of Nike’s attention to detail and design. Everything from its Dynamic Fit system to its comfortable and responsive midsoles all imbibes the brand’s true values. The brand ensures it provides every customer value for money and helps this by also providing them with a 6-month durability guarantee.
One of the many reasons why this Air Zoom is so loved is because they deliver excellent performance in an amazingly light package. At the heel, you’ll find Nike’s low profile Zoom Air technology, that is combined with Phylon throughout the midsole, this offers highly responsive comfort.
These shoes also feature a breathable mesh upper, which also makes it one of the best-ventilated shoes on the shelves. This is also the part reason how the brand keeps its lightweight title.
These beauties are one of the most popular in the tennis market, with a fantastic star-studded line up of athletes who wear them. Roger Federer being the highlight.
Lastly, they are one of the most stylish tennis shoes in the market; you can find them in a wide range of color options and combinations than most of your best tennis shoes. This Grabs a broader range of people as its customers.
They come in both men’s and women’s styles and sizes.
Asics Gel Resolution 8 Review
The Gel Resolution series of ASICS has been one of the most successful series they have had in tennis shoes. Ever since its release, it has always held a spot in the best tennis shoe category.
The Asics Gel Resolution 8 falls in the all-rounder category of shoes, with its ample cushioning, brilliant stability, exceptional comfort, abrasion resistance, good traction, and eye-catching unique looks.
The uppers come with a glove-like comfort, which has a Flexion fit. Alongside this, the shoe maintains its stability with Dynawall technology. Its outsole features ASICS’s durable AHAR+rubber material, which is three times better as compared to standard rubber, to ensure high levels of durability and ample traction. They also have a well patterned sole base to allow it to be an all-court pair of shoes.
My favorite part of these shoes is its midsole; you will realize that ASICS’s Gel cushioning ensures you feel great around your heel and ball of your foot at all times. This cushioning helps reduce the shock created on impact. This is one of their features that needs a standing ovation. FlyteFoam provides all-round comfort and performance uplift.
These pair of ASICS’s are heavier and more durable than most of their models. They are also the best Gel Resolution shoes you can find in the market. This particular series has been designed and developed alongside “Gael Monfils”, who is one of the best French professional Tennis players. What more can we ask for coming from the pro?
This Gel Resolution series comes in a wide range of color options and styles for both men and women.
Adidas Adizero Ubersonic 3 Review
Adidas has a motto that states, “We strive to help you perform your best,” this defines the quality and functionality of their shoes. Everything they do is deep-rooted in sport.
A brand that has always been driven by their immense desire to keep innovation alive and at the top, inculcating their accumulated knowledge of sports science, they ensure a very well designed and durable pair of shoes.
Now let’s talk about Adizero Ubersonic 3. One of its most unique features is its upper. It has a high-performance outer cover made of Vectran and Dyneema fibers that provide durability and extra lightweight stability. Their polyurethane midsole offers excellent cushioning and an even better response feeling.
The outsole features a herringbone tread like design, which make it very durable and allows us to use it on a wide range of court surfaces. Their sockliner fits like a closed cocoon. It is also a very well-ventilated pair of shoes that ensure good breathability for better comfort during long hours on the court.
After listing all the fantastic features of these shoes, if on the off-hand you are still not satisfied with these shoes, Adidas has a first-rate Customer Service system that will make things right for you.
It is available in both men’s and women’s styles.
New Balance 996v4 Review
These New Balance FuelCell 996v4 tennis shoes are very well-designed shoes, which both men and women will love. They are designed to improve your game and be your best with our comfortable, durable, and super stylish range. These have been worn by pros like Nicole Gibbs.
These FuelCell 996v4 tennis shoes are designed with 50% Synthetic and 50% Mesh. The uppers for these shoes are constructed with Hypoknits, which ensure breathability is top-notch, yet providing the shoe is very lightweight.
The FuelCell foam midsole delivers the pinnacle of propulsion, which helps you push your limits during the game.
The underfoot comes with a full-length NDurance non-marking outsole, which helps give you excellent ground feel to ensure you are able to move around the court like a pro. This outsole is made of NDurance rubber, which is very sparingly used for maximum durability, yet keeping it much lighter than most of its competition in and around the market.
Lastly, it has a PU toe cap, which helps provide extra upfront protection for excellent services and great games.
If you are in the market for a great pair of lightweight tennis shoes, then these are the best tennis shoes for you. Stop hunting, because we have found what you are looking for.
These come in vivid and fantastic color options for both men and women and offer excellent all-court performance.
NIKE Men's Court Lite Tennis Shoes Review
In Greek mythology, Nike means the Winged Goddess of Victory. The ‘swoosh’ symbolizes the sound of speed, movement, power, and motivation.
Why buy Nike?
Their primary focus has always been consumer satisfaction or dissatisfaction; quality and reliability have always been vital. This helps them ensure their consumers get a top-notch product after their purchase and continue to be satisfied. Making them one of the best tennis shoes on the market.
Court Lite tennis shoes are designed to cushion and support your feet during practice and play. It’s upper is made from a combination of leather and Textile to ensure durability and comfort.
They have a Phylon full-length midsole, which provides proper support without adding the extra weight. This Phylon midsole technology is unique to Nike. The manufacturing involves heating up compressed EVA foam and then allowing it to cool in a mold.
Since these low-profile and lightweight midsoles are molded, they can be made into different shapes to ensure great arch and foot support.
A mesh tongue reinforces breathability. They also have an added layer of material on the toe area for better abrasion resistance.
GRD Outsoles ensure better and more durable traction. Most Tennis shoes were worn by either newbies or pros always take a beating because of the intensity of the sport and its movements. Hence, durability has always been paramount.
These are one of the most durable shoes in the current market and come in options for both men and women.
Wilson Rush Pro 2.5 Review
For those of us who like to play a fast and explosive game of Tennis, these are the shoes for you. Wilson, as a brand, has had a successful run with Sensifeel Technology. Rush Pro 2.5 ensures both comfort, along with stability, for the best possible outcome.
This is a very lightweight pair of shoes, which feels like an extension of you, rather than just a pair of shoes at the end of a long session. This makes it a brilliant choice for those of us who love playing really long sessions.
They come with an Endofit Sockliner and R-DST, which ensures excellent cushioning, leaving your feet happy throughout. These shoes give excellent responsiveness so that your feet can adapt to every step it takes. It also has a superior technology that it uses to provide stability for the arch.
Pro Torque chassis ensures great torsion control so that you can be confident even during fast lateral movements. They ensure that your feet remain supported and comfortable. Lastly, but most importantly, it comes with a brilliant Duralast outsole.
The only thing that seems like a tiny issue is the soft toe guard. However, Wilson, as a brand, ensures they have developed something special for every tennis player. If you’re a pro or a newbie, their Rush Pro line will ensure you find the ultimate durability, cushion, breathability, lightweight, and overall comfort.
The brand name goes hand-in-hand with Tennis, and they are point on in terms of the latest trends and fashion sensibility.
They come with various styles and color options, in both men’s and women’s styles and sizes.
Adidas SoleCourt Boost Review
The last two years highlight a bold new direction for Adidas and their tennis shoe line. They have broken all stereotypes and launched the top of the line Adidas SoleCourt Boost. These are some of the best tennis shoes you will come across from Adidas.
This line increased the usage of Adidas’s popular Boost foam. They also have a redesigned chassis to ensure outstanding stability and support for its sleek and new aesthetic line of shoes.
The SoulCourt Boost provides step-in comfort. The Abrasion-resistant Adituff toe upper comes with a soft, while well-structured stable thermoplastic polyurethane, which provides a structured and supportive feel.
RPU dots allow the shoe to stretch and bend naturally during the course of the game. The shoe has a wider toe box and provides extra plush comfort and energy return with an EVA foam cushioning.
It also has a 3D molded foam around the ankle, which provides extra comfort and support. Overall an excellent cushioning ensures you feel great and energized on the court. The upper material is lightweight.
In terms of a great sole, this shoe steals the show. This durable non-marking rubber outsole provides plenty of lateral support for changes in movement and direction, and the TPU chassis bumpout provides extra stability.
The boost technology at the midsole provides excellent response and comfort as well. It is incredible for long sessions on hard courts, as it helps shock absorption and puts in an extra bounce for all movements. Lastly, the sole base has deep herringbone tread like patterns that provide an excellent blend of traction and facilitate great sliding and actions on all types of court surfaces.
There is a lot to love in Adidas’s SoleCourt Boost, from many hallmark features like support, stability, and durability, all rolled into a design that is more dynamic. While I’m sure all of us are going to lose the six-month outsole guarantee, the SoleCourt Boost is more than capable of providing comfort, support, and top of the line stability for even the most demanding of tennis players.
This cool and functional pair of Adidas shoes come in a range of color options and styles for both men and women.
Mizuno Wave Exceed Tour 4 Review
Mizuno is a Japanese sportswear company founded in 1906. It has always been a leader in the business of running shoes. The Mizuno Wave technology provides a top-notch pair of shoes for Tennis.
There are a lot of famous doubles players, and Roberto Bautista Agut is probably their most significant singles player, who vouches for these shoes.
Their shaft measures approximately low-top from arches. The parallel Wave provides perfect cushioning and energy dispersion, which in turn allows the foot to move in its natural motion during the game.
A lot of people vouch for their product quality, and they also provide a six-month warranty on the outsole. These outsoles come with durable Mizuno rubber that provides longer wear in high impact locations of the shoe.
The D-Flex diagonal groove in the midfoot area allows the player to be able to turn at maximum power and speed by an efficient shift in direction and natural body movement transfer.
It comes with an ultra-lightweight midsole material with a much lighter cushioning that helps provide more comfort, better shock absorption, and faster rebound properties. This ensures a very comfortable, smooth, and swift transition.
This Wave Exceed tour 4 is one of Mizuno’s best tennis shoes and comes in a stylish range of options for both men and women.
KSwiss Ultrashot 2 Review
The Ultrashot 2 is a premium line of tennis shoes from K-Swiss that provides impressive comfort and stability.
The Ultrashot two comes with an upper that combines various materials, including mesh for ventilation and synthetic leather around the front of the shoe for extra durability. The midsole has Surglite, for better comfort and stability.
The outsoles of these shoes come with Aosta 7, which is a high-density rubber compound that is known for its durability and the reliable traction it offers. Finally, Durawrap is strategically placed at the top of the shoe’s upper for premium stability and added strength at the toe and sides of the shoe.
These shoes are designed and built using DragGuard, which ensures long-lasting shoes. This makes the shoes quite heavy, but once on, they feel a bit lighter than what they really weigh.
The Ortholite X-40 sockliner does a brilliant job with moisture. You will need to ensure they dry off after a few hours playing on a hot and humid day. Its wider toe box gives players better breathability, mainly when their feet swell up from all the running or standing during play.
Like many other big names in the industry, KSwiss also offers a 6-month outsole warranty on its Ultrashot line.
The durability and stability offered by these KSwiss Ultrashot 2’s surpass a lot of competitor shoes sold at the same price point. They come in both men’s and women’s options.
Conclusion
According to my research and understanding, my ranking for the best tennis shoes is as follows,
- Top Pick: Asics Court FF 2
- Best Quality: NIKE Court Lite Tennis Shoes
- Best Value for money: Wilson Rush Pro 2.5
- Best Functionality: Asics Gel Resolution 8
- Best Lightweight shoe: Adidas Adizero Ubersonic 3/ New Balance 996v4
- Roger Federer’s choice and most stylish: Nike Air Zoom Vapor X
Like what I say for all shoe scouting, in the end, the choice comes down to what is your personal favorite and what you will be using them for. When buying shoes for high-risk games, I recommend you go the extra mile when it comes to cost. Let’s ensure the best to prevent any injuries during your games.
Competitive and even leisure tennis players need the right shoes to ensure injury protection and also ensure they reach their maximum potential. Always ensure you pick the pair of shoes which you think is the most comfortable for your feet and your game.
Since sports is something that interests you, check out our article on The Best Lebron Shoes.
Please note that I have not been able to try and test all of these products. The information is purely research-based and feedback based.
Happy Feet, Happy Games, Happy Us…