If you play tennis or are an aspiring tennis player, you need to know that the shoes you put on while playing has a remarkable influence on your performance in the game. With the best tennis shoes, you’ll be able to get around the court easily, giving you the winning edge over your opponents and your accidental fall or slip risks are minimal. Unfortunately, not every pair of tennis shoes you see in a store will give you the best support and value you expect from an ideal one. On that note, we’ll begin our review of by introducing you to the things you need to consider in tennis shoes to establish the best pick.
Contents
- Features to consider in Good Tennis Shoes
- The 10 Best Tennis Shoes 2024
- 1. K-Swiss Men’s ST329 Shoe
- 2. New Balance Men’s mc806
- 3. ASICS Women’s Gel-Rocket 8
- 4. Columbia Men’s Redmond
- 5. PUMA Kids’ Roma Basic Jr-K Sneaker
- 6. JOOMRA Women Sneakers
- 7. Cole Haan Men’s Grandpro Tennis Fashion Sneaker
- 8. Ryka Women’s Destiny Cross Trainer
- 9. Adidas Women’s Edge Lux 3
- 10. Mevlzz Men’s Casual Shoes
- Guide to Buying the Best Tennis Shoes
Features to consider in Good Tennis Shoes
Comfort
Your comfort should be the top priority when buying shoes. Traction, ventilation, cushion materials and side supports are among the major factors that influence the comfort of tennis shoes. As such, you should have a keen eye on them whenever you are about to buy shoes for playing tennis.
The best tennis shoes have a mesh overlay to promote good airflow, great cushioning for diffusing and absorbing shockwaves and side supports for good foot stability. The cushioning material could be Ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) or polyurethane (PU) and each of the options has its own advantages and disadvantages. PU cushions are more long-lasting and stable than the EVA type. On the downside, they are heavier.
For traction, a pair of shoes with rubber outsoles is the best.
Size
When it comes to size, the shoes should fit you correctly without leaving too much room to make your feet slide forward and backward or constricting them excessively. Ideally, the best fit should leave a little room between your big toe to the front shoe end.
Wearing the wrong sized shoes can result in feet discomfort and put you at risk of joint problems, muscle pain, and blisters and fatigue. Check if the size shoes that you want to buy corresponds to your feet size and if the sizing is accurate.
Durability
Considering that the shoes are an investment, look for a pair that will offer you great value for a long period. Such shoes have rubber outsoles, durable insoles and majorly leather uppers.
Price
You don’t want to overspend on just a pair of shoes at the expense of other important items, do you? Perhaps you need a new tennis racket or balls. You have bill to pay. So, before you start shopping for the shoes, ensure that you’ve set aside a specific reasonable amount of money for the purchase. Then, make sure that the price of shoes that you buy is within the budget before you pay for it.
The 10 Best Tennis Shoes 2024
With the above factors in consideration, we’ve conducted expense research to establish the best tennis shoes currently available on the market. Eventually, we’ve narrowed down our list to the best 10 and here they are.
1. K-Swiss Men’s ST329 Shoe
Editor’s Rating:
Comfort
With shock-absorbing heels, k-EVA cushioned midsoles, lightly padded collar and tongue and footbeds made from memory foam, the shoes have been designed with your all-day comfort in mind. The rubber outsole has herringbone tread to provide excellent traction, thus preventing accidental slips and falls. If you are tired getting constantly distracted by loose shoe laces while playing tennis, this pair will offer you great relief as it has metal d-ring eyelets which keep the laces in place throughout your game session for a snug and custom fit all day long.
In case you have a weak ankle, you’ll most likely fall in love with this shoe because it has excellent lateral support.
Durability
The rubber outsole and the sturdy leather upper make these K-Swiss shoes very durable.
Size
The shoe runs true to size. However, some users complain that it has an uncomfortable, stiff fit if you buy your actual size.
Price
K-Swiss Men’s ST329 Shoe comes at a budget-friendly price point, which currently ranges from $38.94 to $145.62.
- High durability
- Great traction
- Top-of-the-line comfort
- Wide range of colors
- A few complaints about stiff fit
2. New Balance Men’s mc806
Editor’s Rating:
Comfort
New Balance Men’s mc806 pair has a sufficient-roomed toe box to prevent your toes from cramming on fast start, stop or turns. It feels solid and stable and has moderate arch support. The side panel and the toe part are perforated to allow proper air circulation for the comfort of your feet. The ABZORB cushioning is also another major comfort boost
Durability
With a Herringbone outsole and upper featuring leather and synthetic materials, this pair withstands tennis game rigors for years.
Size
New Balance Men’s mc806 is available in different men sizes and it is true to size, including widths.
Price
The price of currently of mc806 ranges from $104.95 to $224.37. Although some people see it as expensive, the majority of its users say that the price is very reasonable, considering the value they get from the shoes.
- High durability
- Runs true to size
- Moderate arch support
- Very stable
- Proper air circulation
- Comfortable
- Quite pricey for some people
- Only available in classic white
3. ASICS Women’s Gel-Rocket 8
Editor’s Rating:
Comfort
No more worries about possible hurting or injuries from hard landings if you have this pair of shoes on. The Forefoot GEL Cushioning System of the shoe absorbs shocks resulting from such impacts. Accidental falls and slips and minimal for the wearers of the shoe, thanks to the gum rubber outsole which provides excellent traction.
Better still, the shoe is light enough (9.4oz) for long game hours. However, if you are in search of shoes with ankle eyelet holes for the laces, Rocket 8 might disappoint you because they lack the holes.
Durability
Despite being lightweight, this pair of shoes is sturdy and durable.
Size
ASICS Women’s Gel-Rocket 8 is available in different female sizes but some customers complain that their sizes are a little bit smaller than the actual ones. For instance, if are size 7.5., size 8 of the shoe will be your best fit. However, most users say that they fit true to size.
Price
The shoe comes at an entry-level price ranging from $41.76 to $123.78.
- Many colors to choose from
- Lightweight
- Comfortable and good shock absorption
- Excellent traction
- Durable and sturdy outsole
- The outsole is friendly to soft court surfaces like grass as they are non-marking
- Don’t have ankle eyelet holes
4. Columbia Men’s Redmond
Editor’s Rating:
Comfort
You can comfortably have a pair of this shoe on in any weather condition because it is waterproof to keep your legs dry while the perforation on the upper allows good air circulation, keeping your feet cool in the midst of hot temperatures in the surroundings. The Techlite™ midsole is lightweight for superior cushioning as well as long-lasting comfort.
Overall, the shoe is lightweight and so, you can have it on for extended hours without feeling them as a burden. The Omni-Grip technology on the rubber outsole provides ultimate traction and grip for your safety while in the court. Better still; the outsole is non-marking, making the shoe suitable for use even on soft tennis court surfaces.
Durability
The rubber outsole and leather upper make Columbia Men’s Redmond last incredibly long.
Size
Although the manufacturer claims that the shoe runs true to size, some customers say that they run quite small. However, this isn’t a big deal. You can just order 1/2 size larger than your actual foot size. Besides, in case it doesn’t fit you, you can return and get your perfect fit.
Price
Columbia Men’s Redmond pair of shoes comes at a fairly pocket-friendly price ranging from $49.90 to $125.06. The price is reasonable, considering the quality of the shoe.
- Durable
- Waterproof
- Good air circulation
- Excellent traction
- Non-marking outsole
- Light weight shoe
- Variety of colors to choose from
- Overall great comfort
- Some customers say that it runs small to size.
5. PUMA Kids’ Roma Basic Jr-K Sneaker
Editor’s Rating:
Comfort
Featuring smooth leather upper and lightly padded collar PUMA Kids’ Roma Basic offers a snug, cozy fit as long as you get your size right. With each weighing 5 ounces, these shoes are lightweight for long hours of wearing. The footbed is well cushioned for all-day comfort while the traditional lace-up front blends with the lightly padded tongue for a secure fit throughout the day.
The arch support is relatively low, especially for wearers with flat feet. However, if you love everything else about the shoe, this shouldn’t prevent you from buying it- just add an insole in each to get the desired comfort.
Durability
The abrasion-resistant rubber toe bumper, the rubber outsole and the upper rubber construction of the shoe make it last for a long time.
Size
This pair of shoes from PUMA runs true to size
Price
A pair of this shoe currently retails at a pocket-friendly price of about $44.94.
- Variety of colors to choose from
- Great durability
- Grippy outsole for high traction
- Runs true to size
- Minimal arc support
6. JOOMRA Women Sneakers
Editor’s Rating:
Comfort
The upper of a shoe of this type features a 3D woven upper and a complex grid pattern which do not only enhances the beauty of the shoes but also allow for the flexibility of your feet. The mesh wire keeps your feet cool all day long. The shoe’s tongue has an integrated collar to provide you with the ideal fit and comfort all day long. The sole technology of the shoes is inspired by the feather shape to make the shoes feel as light as feather while on your feet. It’s one of those pair of shoes that you can wear for an extended period without feeling tired or hurt.
Durability
The synthetic sole of the shoes last long, same case as the
Size
JOOMRA Women Sneakers have a good fit as long as you choose your correct size, something that’s easy to determine as the shoes are true to regular shoe size.
Price
A pair of this shoe is very affordable as it is currently retailed at $29.99.
- Beautiful design
- Gentle and interiors
- Good breathability
- Lightweight
- Durable
- Affordable
- Doesn’t have arc support
7. Cole Haan Men’s Grandpro Tennis Fashion Sneaker
Editor’s Rating:
Comfort
The EVA outsole and the textile-covered footbed offer the wearer of this shoe great comfort. The textile footbed is not only gentle but also support the shoe’s breathability. The forefront and the heel feature rubber pods for excellent traction. Additionally, the shoe is lightweight for additional comfort. However, it doesn’t have in-built arch support.
Durability
With its upper being 100% leather and the outsole having been made from rubber there’s no doubt that Cole Haan Men’s Grandpro is a durable shoe.
Size
Cole Haan Men’s Grandpro is available in many different male U.S sizes ranging from 7 to 15
Price
A pair of Cole Haan Men’s Grandpro is currently at about $130.
- Light weight
- Gentle textile-covered footbed with good breathability
- Excellent traction
- Durable rubber sole and 100% leather upper
- Classy design
- A wide variety of men sizes
- No in-built arch support.
8. Ryka Women’s Destiny Cross Trainer
Editor’s Rating:
Comfort
Featuring lace-up closure, padded tongue, and collar, textile lining, a cushioned memory foam footbed, Ryka Women’s Destiny Cross Trainer shoe, is comfortable with a good fit as long as you choose your correct size.
However, if you’d feel that the cushion isn’t enough, you can’t remove the existing insole at it is pretty well glued down. All you can do is not add another one on top of it. The shoe is pretty roomy, so the new insert will most likely fit well. The outsole is moderately super grippy, enabling to help you move and turn safely but efficiently.
Durability
The synthetic sole and the textile upper of the shoe are sturdy and so, long-lasting.
Size
Ryka Women’s Destiny Cross Trainer shoe might run a half size smaller than your normal shoe size. As such, you can consider ordering one that’s half size larger than your usual size
Price
Ryka Women’s Destiny Cross is currently selling between around $25 and $57. It is a very good quality shoe for the price.
- Padded tongue and collar, textile lining, a cushioned memory foam for great comfort
- Moderate grip
- Durable shoe
- Roomy enough for women who wear wide sizes
- Accommodates additional insole
- A variety of color options to choose from
- Reasonably priced
- The insole is not removable
- It might run a half size smaller than your usual size
9. Adidas Women’s Edge Lux 3
Editor’s Rating:
Comfort
The shoe is comfortable on your feet because of its stretch mesh upper which offers excellent breathability and the gentle bounce cushioning which allows the flexibility of your feet. You’ll hold well to the ground with this shoe, thanks to the rubber outsole which offers excellent traction.
However, if you’d feel that the cushion isn’t enough, you can’t remove the existing insole at it is pretty well glued down. All you can do is not add another one on top of it. The shoe is pretty roomy, so the new insert will most likely fit well. The outsole is moderately super grippy, enabling to help you move and turn safely but efficiently.
Durability
The textile upper construction and the artificial rubber outsole are durable and so is the entire shoe.
Size
The shoe is available in various female sizes. However, it may run smaller to your actual size. As such, you can order a 1/2 size larger than your usual size for a perfect fit. However, instead of arch support, the shoe has a soft underfoot. Besides, although the laces are not elastic (silky cotton instead), you can still tie them with double knots and they won’t untie throughout your game session.
Price
Adidas Women’s Edge Lux 3 currently retails at $43, a price that’s very affordable for most people.
- Gentle bounce cushioning
- Excellent traction
- Excellent breathability
- Durable
- Very affordable
- It might run about a half size smaller than your normal size
10. Mevlzz Men’s Casual Shoes
Editor’s Rating:
Comfort
Mevlzz Men’s Casual Shoes features a knit upper material for ideal breathability and flexibility to keep your feet cool and with minimal irritation when you are playing tennis or doing other physical exercises such as running, walking and playing baseball.
The padded collar and the adjustable laces provides a good fit while the soft lining and memory foam insole keep your feet comfortable, with the latter offering you sufficient support. The midsoles adapt well to the ground, helping to be greatly stable while the outsole is specially engineered to offer excellently bounce. However, some customers complain that the insoles feel a bit weak.
Besides, the shoes are lightweight, meaning that you can have them on all day long without getting tired.
Durability
The MD outsole and the innovatively knit upper make Mevlzz Men’s Casual Shoe durable.
Size
The shoes come in a vast variety of men sizes ranging from EU37/5 D (M) US Men-Feet length to EU47/13 D (M) US Men-Feet length. They fit true to size.
Price
If you are low on budget and would like to buy a classy, comfortable and durable men’s pair of tennis shoes, you can’t go wrong with a pair of Mevlzz Men’s Casual Shoes at it is currently retailing at $22.
- Excellent breathability
- Flexible mesh upper minimizing feet irritation
- Lightweight
- Memory foam insole for additional comfort and good fit and support
- Durable MD outsole
- Very affordable
- Fit true to size
- You might find the insoles feel a bit weak
Guide to Buying the Best Tennis Shoes
Besides comfort, price, size and durability, there are more things that you need to consider, such as feet type, the type of tennis court surface and your play style, for you to determine the best tennis shoes for you. Let’s see how these factors influence the shoes.
Play Style
Tennis players have different styles of playing the game and each has their favorite style. Every style requires particular shoe features to support the involved movements.
The best tennis shoes for a baseline player are those with additional lateral support and cushioning as well as long-lasting cushion materials. This is because the player is mostly at the back of the court and so, will spend most time moving from side to side.
If you are a serve-and-volley player, you have to play a lot at the net and mostly on your toes and dragging your feet. As such, your ideal shoes should have reinforced toecaps and soles as well as additional arch support.
The type of your court surface
Tennis courts feature different surface types, mainly grass, concrete, and clay. Let’s see the features of the best tennis shoes for each type.
Concrete (hard) Court
Of the three, a concrete surface is the roughest and wears shoes the fastest. Therefore, if you often play on such a court, you need to get shoes with durable and sturdy construction, especially the outsole. Rubber is the most durable outsole material. Besides the sole being sturdy, the ideal one for a hard court should have herringbone texture through pattern engravings for sufficient traction.
Also, the midsole of a hard court shoe is designed to provide you with some level of cushioning since playing on a hard court can be hard on your joints. The outsole should be able to absorb such shock as well.
Clay Court
Clay courts are more slippery as compared to hard courts and so, require shoes with higher traction. As such, the ideal clay court shoe has patterns going across its outsole to enable proper griping into the clay court surface without a lot of clay sticking to the outsole. It is for this reason that the majority of clay-court players wear shoes with a full herringbone pattern.
A shoe that’s suitable for clay court also offers more lateral support in its upper part to hold your feet well into place while sliding which is quite common in this type of courts. To prevent the clay from getting inside it, a clay court shoe should have a tighter upper, especially the collar.
Grass Court
Just like clay, grass courts are very slippery and so, the ideal shoe for the surface must have excellent grip on its outsole. If you are looking for high-traction tennis shoe for a grass tennis court, consider one whose bottom has small nubs or rubbery cleats. However, it is worth to bear in mind that such shoe is exclusively designed for use on a grass court; not clay or concrete courts.
Type of your feet
Different people have different foot types and the way you walk/stand and how a shoe shoes fit, feel, and perform on your feet depending on your leg type. Pronated, neutral, and supinated are the major foot types. If you aren’t sure of your type, you can observe how your shoes wear and you’ll get a good clue.
If you notice that your shoes are wearing on the sole’s inner area around your foot’s ball, then your feet are pronated. The best pair of tennis shoes for this foot type has moderate or low arch support and high level of stability and support.
If the wear is on the heel’s outside, then your foot type is supinated. As such a pair of tennis shoes with highly durable sole and cushioning plus moderate/ high arch support is the best for your feet.
However, an evenly distributed amount of wear on your shoes indicates that you have a neutral foot. In such a case, you can wear nearly any type of tennis shoes as long as it fits you and has your specific preferences.
Alternatively, you can do a wet test to determine your foot type. Watch this video to see how to perform the test.
Why Do You Need Tennis Shoes?
From the 12th century to date, tennis has gained much prominent and is among the most loved sports. Besides creating millionaires like Serena Williams and Novak Djokovic, the game offers lots of health benefits including reducing resting heart rate and body fat, increasing bone density and improving the human body’s metabolic function.
For you to achieve the maximum benefits of the game, you need to have good shoes. Although you can put on any shoes that you find comfortable for playing tennis, shoes that are specifically designed for the game are the best.
This is because the tennis shoes are uniquely designed to provide you with the traction, cushioning as well as the support you require to run around and make quick starts and stops on a tennis court comfortably, conveniently and safely. The shoes also offer you the necessary support and cushioning for lateral movement. Therefore, if you are a tennis player and you don’t have at least a pair of tennis, shoes, you should consider buying them as soon as you can.
Hopefully, you’ll now a nugget wiser when it comes to the shopping of the best tennis shoes. And since sharing is caring, why don’t you share these great insights with your tennis buddies? Also, in case you want to buy a pair of shoes now or soon, rest assured that you can’t go wrong with the ones we’ve listed here.