Woody Schneider, co-owner of NYC Racquet Sports, says the ideal shoe is “the one that fits your foot the best.” It can be difficult to get a sense of the fit of a sneaker if you’re not wearing it on the court, it, so it’s a smart idea to try the shoe on in person. The alternative problem - a fit that’s too tight - can lead to bloody toenails and blisters. A shoe that’s too large (or has a toe bed that is too big for narrow-footed players) will lead to jammed and bruised toes.

Layton explains that tennis shoes are “heavier than running shoes” and “have better lateral support on the inside and outside of the shoe” to protect the ankle so you don’t strain or twist it when you’re moving side to side.įit: Fit and comfort go hand in hand for tennis shoes. If you were looking for a streamlined shoe or something sleek like soccer cleats, you might be disappointed by how chunky and almost orthopedic tennis shoes appear, but the apparent clunkiness is important in creating sufficient support. Given how tennis calls for tons of lateral movement and frequent changes in direction, tennis shoes must be designed to handle this demanding sort of action. Support: When you think of Andy Murray’s grinding style of play, you can probably see why he might need two ankle braces. But if you’re training and playing at a competitive level, three months is typically the maximum life span. If you’re wondering whether you need to replace your shoes, try this test that writer and former IMG Academy tennis trainee Emilia Monell recommends: “Place the two ends of one shoe between your hands and apply pressure - if the shoe caves in on itself, it’s lost support, and it’s time to get new ones.” Monell notes that shoes for recreational players (weekend matches or biweekly drills) can last as long as a year. Layton explains that tennis shoes “are more solid around the whole perimeter of the shoe” and may seem clunky at first, but the bulk is necessary for the shoe to last a reasonable amount of time.

But if you need more guidance, read on for eight options that will have you sliding across clay or bounding up to the net in no time.īest overall | Best for sliding | Best for narrow feet | Best for wide feet | Best for plantar fasciitis | Most stabilizing | Most comfortable | Best for older playersĭurability: A sport that involves so much starting and stopping can wreak havoc on your gear. All pairs featured are designed for playing on hard courts, and our experts say that shoes suitable for hard courts will translate well to clay (and other surfaces if you’re so lucky). If you already know what sort of shoe you’re looking for, use the quick links below to navigate. The eight pairs below (most of which were mentioned by multiple experts) were consistently described as the best for various reasons including being suitable for those suffering from the common complaint of plantar fasciitis. To find the best men’s tennis shoes, I spoke to former players, pros, and tennis-store owners from around the country. Mike Layton, owner and CEO of Westside Tennis in California, says, “If you start changing directions in a running shoe, you might hurt yourself because you are not going to be able to pivot on the ground as easily as you would with a tennis shoe.” Despite the difficulty of acquiring just the right pair, it’s important that round-robin veterans and new players alike get properly fitting tennis shoes because footwear can greatly affect performance on court.įootwork in tennis spans a wide range of movement: running backward, lunging, sidestepping, and even sliding (think Novak Djokovic at Arthur Ashe Stadium), which is why running shoes and other nonspecific sneakers won’t cut it on the court. The increased interest has boosted demand for tennis gear, which in turn has led to a shortage of sneakers, according to Mark Mason, owner of Mason’s Tennis in NYC. Photo-Illustration: The Strategist Photos: Retailersīecause it’s an ideal sport in the age of social distancing, tennis has surged in popularity over the past few years.

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