Just as the right tennis racquet will help you play your best services; the right tennis shoe will transform your gaming style while playing tennis. Shoes that professional tennis players wear while playing tennis are designed to withstand significant tear and wear. They additionally provide great control and dynamic to your feet and their movements.
The structure and support of the tennis shoe make the player handle the quick direction changes with precision. The tennis shoes are normally much heavier than regular running shoes and thus a player needs to test them out before become completely comfortable wearing them all the time during the game. So, what makes a tennis shoe perfect and premium?
Here are the factors that you should be looking for:
- Stability
- Support
- Traction
- Comfort
- Durability
Best Shoes for Playing Tennis for Men & Women
Here are the best professional tennis shoes for women
Mizuno Women’s Wave Exceed Tour 4 All Court Tennis Shoe
Named “Critic’s Choice of the Year”, this tennis shoe is extremely comfortable all around and fits all types of feet. It has great stability and holds up very nicely. The shoe sole is made of rubber and it is closed up at the front. The Parallel Wave design offers the perfect cushion where the feet can rest comfortably. The cushion also assures equal energy dispersion thus allowing the foot to move in a natural motion.
The outsole of the shoe will last up to 6 months. This tennis shoe provides a natural fit and feel. It has a lightweight midsole that is comfortable and has excellent resilience properties. The cushioning material is light enough to absorb shock. It has fast rebound properties and helps keep the transitions smooth and fast. It has 4.2 stars out of 5 on amazon.com. Customer reviews label this shoe as “comfortable” and “durable”.
ASICS SOLUTION SPEED FF 2
The Asics Solution Speed FF2 is better when compared to the brand’s other model- Asics Resolution. This imported tennis shoe is a lighter and more flexible option. It has a little less cushioning allowing players to speed up on the court. The design of this tennis shoe is reconfigured to increase flexibility and prevent the toes from punching at the toe box. It comes with a traditional lace-up closure for an optimum fit. The lateral propulsion design at the forefoot allows for responsiveness and control during intense play. PGUARD® tech protects against toe drag damage during any lateral motion. The DYNAWRAPTM tech keeps the foot centred and helps to improve quickness.
The FLYTEFOAM® midsole technology provides the comfort of lightweight cushioning. The FLYTEFOAM PROPEL™ technology controls the centre of weight to the forefoot for a quick start. TWISSTRUSS™ tech is extended forward for improved cutting motion and quickness while serving. The Rear GEL® technology gives the shoe good shock absorption and protection. The non-marking ASICS RUBBER™ increases grip whilst in a dash motion. The customers who had purchased the shoe reviewed the product and stated it was very lightweight. They praised the support that the shoe provides and how snug they are. They also commented on how fast and agile the shoes make them feel while playing. Critics of the ASICS Solution Speed FF2 did not like the narrow design of the shoe.
New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam Lav V1 Hard Court Tennis Shoe
These tennis shoes are comparable to Addidas’ Ultraboost. The New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam Court Tennis Shoes are the most cushiony and bouncy shoes in the market for female tennis players. These shoes provide the best grip and comfort. The Fresh Foam cushion delivers an ultra-cushioned and lightweight ride. The kinetic stitch construction adds support without comprising stability and flexibility.
The bootie upper construction feature provides a snug and supportive fit. It has a rubber sole. The shoe is available in two colour options- Vivid Coral/Virtual Sky (as pictured above) and Lemon Haze/Citra Yellow. The synthetic and mesh material gives it a lightweight and breathable feel. It has 3.7 stars out of 5 based on 6 global ratings on amazon.com. Top reviewers praised the comfortability of the shoe. Whilst the critics criticized the small size and the lack of a wider width in the shoe.
Wilson RUSH PRO 3.0 Tennis Shoes Women
The Wilson Rush Pro 3.0 tennis shoes are famed for the extra support and stability they provide. It has a rubber sole. The 4D support has supination and torsion that helps to control pivot movements. It does this without comprising powerful strokes thus creating superb stability. It offers an intuitive fit through a full inner sock construction. The shoe has an asymmetrical and elongated medial side TPU heel counter to provide higher stability and arch support, especially for women.
According to experts, it is the go-to shoe for people with slightly wider feet. The Df2 provides the user with a cushioned court feel that yields a satisfactory compromise between comfort and performance. The product has 4.5 stars out of 5 bases on 224 ratings on amazon.com. Verified purchasers on Amazon praise it “snug fit” and overall comfortable experience having worn the shoe.
Babolat Women’s Tennis Jet Mach II All Court
The Babolat Women’s Tennis Jet Match shoes are a good fit for women who have narrower feet. It will fir them properly. This lace-up tennis shoe is supportive and versatile making it fit for all types of courts- clay or hard. The shoe is lightweight and breathable. Such features make the shoe a perfect one to play tennis. The qualities of the shoe are largely due to the Matryx SL woven upper made material that is made with polyamide fibres. The Babolat shoe has Kevlar inserts for extra support. It also comes with an Ortholite memory insole Kompresor system that makes it comfortable during matches and training.
The Active Flexion and Michelin outsole provide the player with an excellent rebound. The shoe boasts an aerodynamic design which is ideal for players who want premium performance. It has 4 stars out of 5 based on 3 ratings on amazon.com The sizing information of the shoe can be a bit ambiguous to understand. If you are looking to purchase this shoe make sure to be sure of the sizes the website provides. Also, compare them to your feet size and in what size measuring they are in-UK or the US. You can estimate a rough shoe size. Then convert it in your size and order.
Here are the best professional tennis shoes for men
ASICS Men’s Court FF 2 Tennis Shoes
The FF in the name stands for FlyteFoam which Asics claims solve the constant dilemma of how to deliver a lightweight shoe without compromising on cushioning. The Court FF tennis shoes are stylish and carry a lot of reinforcement. The soles of the shoe have a new wavy pattern that helps the players get a better grip on the court. It also provides the player with some leeway whilst sliding. This heavy-duty shoe has plenty of room in this toe box and the forefoot.
They are suitable for players who have wider feet with its PGuard Toe Protector. This tennis shoe comes with the MONO-SOCK technology fit system that provides an elastic internal sleeve that replaced the traditional tongue providing a “sock-like” fit. The PGuard Toe Protector makes sure to provide enhanced toe durability. The mono sock design provides stability due to its lacing system, making the foot feel secure. It provides a nice balance on both grass and clay courts. It has 4.6 out of 5 stars based on 288 ratings on amazon.com. The top reviews from verified purchasers label it as “spacious” and “best tennis shoes ever” praising its fit and support.
Also, know the Top Running Shoes for Men in India in 2021
Asics Gel Resolution 8
The Asics Gel Resolution 8 is a heavier and more durable model with an exceptional performance reputation. They are the best Gel Resolution shoes in the market. The overall stability, durability and comfort are exceptional in this product. It is more flexible on the upper area and has a wider toe box for extra comfort and ease while playing tennis. The Rearfoot and Forefoot GEL Technology Cushioning System absorb shock during impact and toe-off phases. It even allows for movement on multiple planes and comes with a PGuard Toe Protector. It is way superior in quality and performance to Gel Resolution 7.
The shoes are not compromised despite being so stable and supportive. However, it does not have a proper ventilation system. It is quasi-ventilated in only the tongue area. The rest of the shoe is airtight. It is not the most breathable shoe. It has 4.4 stars out of 5 on amazon.com based on 904 ratings. The 5-star reviews on amazon praise its stability and comfortability and its perfect fit. However, some users did have an issue with its non-breathable material, poor ventilation and poor sole quality that wears out too fast.
Adidas Adizero Ubersonic 4
The Adidas Adizero Ubersonic 4 was brought back in the market due to popular public demand. The third iteration of their Ubersonic line, these lightweight shoes are ideal for players playing tennis who like a light-footed and fast feeling while playing tennis on the tennis court. The speed and efficiency of the shoes are excellent. The only drawback of this model will be the sock fit and the no tongue which might make it hard to fit for some foot types.
However, it does provide the player with good stability even if it is lightweight in construction. It comes in three colours- Solar Yellow/Black/Hazy Sky (as pictured above), White/Black/Halo Blue and Screaming Orange/Black/Screaming Pink.’The Adidas Adizero Ubersonic 4 has 4.4 stars out of 5 based on 79 global ratings. The top reviews brand this tennis shoe as “flashy and functional”, “great lightweight shoe” and “perfect”. The negative reviews however complain of the pressure over the top of the foot causing pain to the customer. The shoe’s design is thus not universal for all feet types.
Babolat Jet Mach II
The Babolat Jet Mach II is a super-light shoe. Still, it offers excellent support levels because of the Kevlar and the polyamide present in the upper. For players who like the feeling of a lightweight shoe but don’t want to risk a slippery shoe that slips when moving out to the corners, the Babolat Jet Mach II is the best option. They aren’t durable. However, these Michelin-rubber soled tennis shoes are speed and performance-oriented. These shoes are a more subtle update of the Jet Mach I shoes.
However, they are less tight and wider than the previous model. They are not a good fit for people with wide feet. It comes in one set design of a blue-black colour combination. If you want to buy this shoe, we would recommend to buy ½ a size larger. It has 4.7 stars out of 5 based on 12 ratings with more than 70% 5-star ratings on amazon.com. The top reviews hail the shoes as “comfortable” and “lightweight”.
YONEX Men’s Power Cushion Eclipsion 3 Tennis Shoes Red
The Yonex Cushion Eclipsion 3 Men’s Tennis Shoes are the perfect fit and companion for Swiss Grand Slam winner, Stan Wawrinka. These shoes are the hallmark of Yonex’s support, stability and durability for playing tennis. The shoe has Power Graphite Drive Plate that not only provides support and stability but also gives a rigid and narrow fit. This means the tennis shoe needs a bit of break-in time. It offers great traction thanks to its multi-directional herringbone pattern.
The synchro-fi provides additional support. The full length, power cushion midsole provides a responsive underfoot sensation. The Power Cushion+ in the forefoot and heel further enhances cushioning and energy return. It is made of high-density rubber. However, it is subpar compared to other shoes in the department of durability. The Yonex Cushion shoes have a rating of 5 out of 5 stars on amazon.com based on 1 global rating.
Conclusion
There is no such thing as a perfect shoe. You always have to make some of the other compromises in a department or other. However, you can find the best fit according to your needs and feet size and court type from a wide array of options available online. Search for comfort, stability and cushioning as tennis courts are quite hard on the feet. Transform your tennis playing experience!