Best Tennis Shoes of 2022 Guide – Men & Women
Picking the best tennis shoes to suit your needs will require a close examination of your foot type, foot size, play style, type of court you play on, and of course, preference in the types of materials and colors you want. Tennis shoes are designed to hold up to the rigors of the court, factoring in things such as quick stops and starts, short sprints, lateral movements, lunging, jumping, and fast pivots. As a result, tennis shoes will have extra lateral support, heavier and stiffer materials, more cushioning, shock absorption, reinforced soles, and reinforced toecaps. Besides comparing the best tennis shoes (for men and women) out there, we’ll also talk a little about all of the features of tennis shoes and what they do. Ultimately, you’ll want to find a pair of shoes that provide a good level of speed, agility, and endurance tailored to how you play. So, let’s start!
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Tips On Selecting the Best Tennis Shoes For You
What Type of Foot Do You Have?
What Type of Foot Do You Have?
Your foot type influences the way you walk and stand, and can affect everything from the way shoes fit, feel, and perform. There are three main types of feet: pronated, ideal, and supinated. The best way to find out what type of feet you have is do either one of two things:
- Observe the wear on your shoes – Wear on the inside of the sole and around the ball of your foot means you have a pronated foot. Wear on the outside of the heel means you have a supinated foot. A neutral foot type will have even amounts of wear throughout.
- Perform a wet test – To perform a wet test, you’ll want to dip your foot in water and place it on a visible surface (e.g. brown paper bag, concrete) and check out how much inner arch appears.
A large open area means you have a supinated foot, or a high arch. Supinated feet tend to roll outwards since there isn’t much arch to provide inward stability, and supinated feet tend to wear shoes out faster than other types. The best tennis shoes for this type of feet is a pair with lots of durability (especially the sole), cushioning, and moderate to high arch support.
A complete impression of your foot means you have a pronated foot, or a low arch. Those with pronated feet have the tendency to roll their feet inward, which has the most potential for causing injury. Those with pronated feet should look for shoes that provide lots of stability and support, while having moderate to low arch support.
If there is a moderate space that’s visible in the arch area, this means you have an ideal foot, or neutral arch. Lucky for you, almost all types of shoes will meet your needs on the court, it’s just a matter of choosing whether you’d like lots of durability, flexibility, cushioning, stability, or a balance of all.
How Does the Shoe Fit?
How Does the Shoe Fit?
This is pretty self-explanatory. You’ll want to find a pair of shoes that fit comfortably, without being too snug or having too much room. Running in the wrong sized shoes can lead to discomfort, pain, joint problems, and fatigue, and that’s not something to take lightly in such a demanding sport like tennis. So, find out if the shoes you are interested in run true to size, or if they are smaller or larger than normal. The best tennis shoes for you should fit true to size, with enough width and enough arch support for your type of foot.
Play Style
Play Style
Your play style affects the way you move around the court, and there are two general play styles: baseline and serve-and-volley. The best tennis shoes for you will be ones that take into account your style of play.
- Baseline
Baseline players spend the most time at the back of the court, which requires lots of lateral (side-to-side) movement. As a result, tennis shoes with extra lateral support, added cushioning, and a durable sole are highly recommended.
- Serve-and-volley
Serve-and-volley players like to approach the net often, and this play style is completely different from baseline players. Serve-volley-players need a pair of shoes with reinforced toecaps and soles, since a lot of play at the net requires you to be on your toes. Volleys often cause players to drag their feet along the ground as well, which is where the added durability in these areas help. You can also look for shoes with additional arch support since you’ll be on your toes often.
Court Surface Type
Court Surface Type
On to court surface type. It should be pretty clear that some court surfaces can wear out your shoes faster than others. Most notably, concrete tennis courts wear out shoes the fastest. This is due to the high amount of friction that results when your shoes drag along the ground. So, when playing on concrete, it’s best to find shoes that have a durable outsole, a reinforced upper, and an all-around sturdy construction to provide stability and support for lateral movement. Playing on softer courts like grass and clay will call for a different kind of shoe entirely. The best tennis shoes for these types of courts are ones that provide good traction–since grass and clay make players prone to slipping and sliding–while also having a non-marking outsole that doesn’t damage the court.
Shoe Materials
Shoe Materials
Shoes are made out of all kinds of materials and different areas of a shoe are designed individually to factor in things such as wear and traction. To find the best tennis shoes for you, you’ll want to find a pair that has features that focus on your type of play. Things such as reinforced uppers and extra cushioning would suit baseline players, while reinforced toecaps and soles can benefit players who like to volley. It all depends on what you want in a shoe.
The different parts of a shoe include:
- Midsole / Sockliner – The midsole/sockliner lines the bed of your shoe and provides cushioning and comfort. Depending on your foot type and preferences, the thickness of the midsole can vary. Most midsoles are made of either EVA or PU, which are both lightweight, flexible, and durable materials.
- Upper – The upper refers to the area that wraps over the entire foot, and is what distinguishes your shoes from sandals. Most uppers are made out of a highly durable material, such as leather or synthetic. Some also use mesh to reduce weight, stay cool, and provide for a breathable material. An upper can also be a combination of different materials, such as synthetic to cover the areas that wear the most while mesh covers places that don’t contact the ground to provide for cooling and breathability.
- Vamp – The vamp refers to the part of the toe box area that bends if you were to stand on your toes. Often perforated for breathability, the vamp must remain flexible.
- Outsole – The outsole is specifically the bottom of the shoe, which provides traction, stability, and support. This is probably the part of the shoe that wears the fastest, since it’s in constant contact with the ground, producing friction every time. With that in mind, you’ll want to look for an extremely durable outsole while also looking for a traction pad that will suit the type of court you play on. Also, remember that it’s important to consider your foot type and decide whether or not you need additional arch support or a reinforced heel.
- Heel Counter / Collar – The heel counter is a plastic or composite insert that fits into the heel cup of a shoe, reinforcing it as a whole and increasing support. The collar is the top part of the upper above the heel counter, which should fit comfortably without rubbing too high on your foot.
- Toecap – The toecap is located right above the toes and should be reinforced to provide toe drag and medial foot drag protection.
- Toeguard – A toeguard is extra rubber material added to the front of a shoe for additional toe drag protection.
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Best Tennis Shoes For Men 2022
For the best tennis shoes for men, we’ve gathered together shoes from Adidas, Asics, Babolat, Head, New Balance, Nike, and Wilson. You’ve probably heard of these brands before since they’ve been dominating the market of tennis shoes for a while now and are constantly improving on their previous models with newer technology that helps you play harder, better, faster, and stronger.
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Specs:
Built to provide lightweight support without sacrificing on performance, the Adidas Defiant Bounce can be worn all day without any irritation, thanks to the life-saving Bounce cushioning. The unique one piece upper made of Adidas’ patented knit material conforms to move with your feet as you play, while a mesh overlay helps to provide stability and breathability. A durable Adituff outsole means you can wear them on both hard courts and clay surfaces.
Specs:
Freshly updated for the new year, the Adidas Ubersonic 3.0 are synonymous with lightweight and responsive performance, just like you’d expect. A supportive chassis made out of textile, Dyneema yarn, and featuring Sprintframe construction, helps add stability while a full-length PU midsole equates to responsive comfort. All in all, these shoes are made for tournament play, just don’t expect any extremely high marks in terms of durability as they are so lightweight. |
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Specs:
Just as the name implies, the Asics Gel-Court Speed are built for speed although comfortable enough to play multiple sets with in a day. A seamless construction helps provide comfort, while Asics’ amazing GEL technology provides forefoot and rearfoot cushioning. Our favorite feature on these shoes would have to be the Impact Guidance System, which helps to absorb shock while keeping the foot in a neutral positoin. Exceptional support and durability are also big pluses in our book.
Specs:
The 7s are the successor of the already amazing ASICS Gel-Resolution 6. The Asics Gel-Resolution 7 has inherited all the great qualities of its predecessor and refined them further for extra stability and longevity. It also includes a six month warranty which is quite nice. Another feature we noticed is the gender-specific cushioning for added comfort. All in all, you can’t go wrong with the ol’ reliables. |
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Specs:
What makes the Babolat Propulse Fury shoes stand out is great cushioning, stability and excellent lateral support. It features an ingenious upper that perfectly wraps around the feet to help you achieve the best locked down feeling of security. And with generous cushioning, a natural fit and a fair price tag, what more could you ask for?
Specs:
The Babolat Jet Mach II is one of those shoes that ticks all the boxes a tennis player needs in a shoe mainly because it was made with professional players in mind. This means the designer factored in speed without sacrificing on comfort and durability. Weighing only 11.5 ounces and featuring Kompressor Heel design for better cushioning, you get a performance driven pair. |
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Specs:
The Head Revolt Pro 2.5 will take you into the new era of high-performance ultra-comfortable footwear. It comes packed with technologies meant to improve on comfort, speed, and flexibility. Just like the Babolat Jet Mach II, it features the Tri-NRG design that includes a shock absorbent heel. However, it goes a step further to include a TPU shank for extra torsional support. Other great design features include Hybrasion+ durable rubber that offers added grip, the drift defense technology to protect the toes and EVA material for a high rebounding response. |
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New Balance 806
The New Balance 806 is exceptional because it offers superior support and stability than any other shoe on this list, perfect for players who tend to overpronate. Moreover, it has a classic style and look that makes the 806 an extremely popular choice among tennis players. |
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Specs:
The Zoom Prestige is a shoe that offers both flexibility and breathable comfort. It combines a dynamic fit design to promote a snug fit. The flexible Nike Air Zoom technology offers a responsive lightweight cushioning. It features added lateral support and stability from its A TPU shank and the XDR rubber outsole provides traction and durability. |
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Specs:
The Wilson Rush Pro 2.5 is great for those who play a fast and explosive style. Just like the Air Zoom Prestige, it is designed for both comfort and performance thanks to its Sensifeel technology and lightweight build. |
Best Tennis Shoes for Women 2022
Now we’ll be going over the best tennis shoes for women. In our opinion, the best shoes available are also from the most notable brands such as Adidas, Asics, Babolat, Head, New Balance, Nike, and Wilson.
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Specs:
The Adidas Defiant Bounce, featuring Adidas Bounce cushioning, can be worn all day without any irritation. If lightweight support is what you’re after, these shoes might be your winning ticket. The unique one piece upper made of Adidas’ patented knit material conforms to move with your feet as you play, while a mesh overlay helps to provide stability and breathability. A durable Adituff outsole means you can wear them on both hard courts and clay surfaces.
Specs:
Freshly updated for the new year, the Adidas Ubersonic 3.0 are synonymous with lightweight and responsive performance, just like you’d expect. A supportive chassis made out of textile, Dyneema yarn, and featuring Sprintframe construction, helps add stability while a full-length PU midsole equates to responsive comfort. All in all, these shoes are made for tournament play, just don’t expect any extremely high marks in terms of durability as they are so lightweight. |
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Specs:
Just as the name implies, the Asics Gel-Court Speed are built for speed although comfortable enough to play multiple sets with in a day. A seamless construction helps provide comfort, while Asics’ amazing GEL technology provides forefoot and rearfoot cushioning. Our favorite feature on these shoes would have to be the Impact Guidance System, which helps to absorb shock while keeping the foot in a neutral positoin. Exceptional support and durability are also big pluses in our book.
Specs:
The Resolution 7 offers all you would expect from an ASICS Gel Resolution tennis shoe and even more. Comfort, support, and stability are some of the basic features woven into this shoe. When we dig a little deeper, we find that it is specially designed for women. This includes cushioning in the toe area to suit women’s feet and midsole compression thanks to a low-density top layer in the midsole. Durability and stability are also enhanced by the outsole construction, midfoot support, and lower heel counter. |
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Specs:
The Propulse Blast is a home run for Babolat due to being chock-full of exceptional features to offer comfort and support for women’s feet. The shoe also has great breathability and is very light. What’s more exciting is that the performance matches the looks. Comfort is another aspect we love about this pair. This is thanks to the great traction offered by the outer sole and ankle support that keeps your feet anchored. |
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Specs:
Are you looking for a shoe that offers a smooth, fast performance without sacrificing on style? Then look no further than the Head Sprint Pro 2.0, built with great traction and while being lightweight and comfortable to wear. One more surprising thing is that the outsole comes with a six-month warranty. It is developed with cutting-edge technology that includes three-part Trinergy technology for extra torsional stability, impact absorption, and rebounding energy. It is an exceptional option that falls under the speed category. |
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Specs:
If you are looking for more stability and less flexibility in a shoe, the New Balance 806 is the perfect pair for you. This shoe is all about comfort, grip, and sure footing for those who tend to overpronate often. It comes with a roomy toe area to accommodate orthotics as well. Moreover, it features an oil and slip resistant non-marking sole for extra grip and stability. It also has a smooth seam-free fit thanks to the no-sew synthetic upper that is also easy to clean. The Fresh Foam midsole premium cushioning offers plush comfort throughout the day. |
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Specs:
The Vapor X is the latest update that lives up to the expectation of the Nike range of tennis shoes. Playability and comfort are the key features that popularized the Vapor line. Fortunately, this iteration has maintained these features with updates on the outsole pattern and has also introduced a new Dynamic Fit System. The lacing design locks your feet in more than ever while the innovative outsole aids aggressive movements. These new features combined deliver a stellar experience on the court.
Specs:
The NikeCourt Lite performs as great as the Air Zoom Vapor X. However, just as the name suggests, the women’s NikeCourt Lite is built minimally to shed weight. As such, it excels in speed and also in durability, stability, and comfort, making it perfect for all level of players. For added comfort, extra padding on the toe area offers abrasion resistance while the GDR outsole is very durable and provides traction. |
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Specs:
One of the most noteworthy features of the Wilson Rush Pro 2.5 is the innovative Sensifeel technology. It effectively drives explosive speed and enhances comfort without sacrificing stability. Sensifeel technology includes layers of cushioning for extra comfort. A modified herringbone tread pattern is engraved on the Duralast rubber outsole for increased traction and durability. |
