If you ask my husband, I have a shoe obsession. I would tell you that it’s simply a deep appreciation. And among the shoes that I appreciate the most are my adidas Stan Smith classics. While they may seem simple by modern tennis shoe standards, they were actually fairly revolutionary when they were introduced because the Stan Smiths were the first tennis shoes to use leather.
We now have tennis shoes that are specifically designed for the type of court you play on, your style of play, and if you have an overpronated, under pronated, or neutral foot type. The selection is overwhelming. To help you narrow it down and make an informed decision, here’s the ACTIVE Reviews Team's breakdown of the best shoes for tennis in 2023.
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The Shoes for Tennis - Our Top Picks
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- Best Overall Shoes For Tennis: ON The Roger Advantage Shoes - Men's | Women's
- Best Lightweight Shoes for Tennis: adidas adizero Ubersonic 4 Tennis Shoes - Men's | Women's
- Most Comfortable Shoes for Tennis: New Balance Fresh Foam X Lav V2 - Men's | Women's
- Best Budget Shoes for Tennis: Asics Gel-Game 8 - Men's | Women's
- Best Tennis Shoes for Wide Feet: Babolat Jet Mach 3 Wide Tennis Shoes - Men's | Women's
Best Overall Shoes for Tennis - ON The Roger Advantage Shoes
SPECS
- Best for: Multi-court
- Weight: 11 oz.
- Material: Soft vegan leather
- Colors: 4 (men's), 3 (women's)
- Gender options: Men, women
A partnership between a tennis great and a running shoe company may seem like an odd collaboration on paper. Well, it's a good thing that tennis isn't played on paper. The sleek and simple design of this shoe is a nod to the classic white tennis shoes of the past. The classic look allows these shoes to go easily from the court to wherever your day takes you.
When you are on the court, however, you will quickly see why we picked the Roger Advantage as our best overall shoe for tennis. The modified herringbone tread provides incredible grip on a variety of surfaces. Another key component of this tennis shoe is the formidable heel cup that keeps your heel securely in place even as you move from side to side. On Running uses their CloudTec cushioning in the midsole, which allows you to have a custom strike no matter your striking style. This is a lightweight shoe that is ready to serve and volley as soon as you lace it up.
What We Like
- Stylish, throwback design
- Lightweight
- Great for tennis courts and casual outings
- Comfortable midsole
- Durable outsole
What We Don't Like
- Pricey
- Some complaints of heel blisters
BUY: ON The Roger Advantage, Men's | Women's
Best Lightweight Shoes for Tennis - adidas adizero Ubersonic 4 Tennis Shoes
SPECS
- Best for: Hard court
- Weight: 13.5 oz.
- Material: Knit mesh
- Colors: 3 (men's), 2 (women's)
- Gender options: Men, women
For tennis players who have an aggressive style of play, the lightweight adidas adizero Ubersonic 4s are a fantastic choice. These shoes weigh in at 13.5 ounces, which allows for an excellent combination of balance and pace. The upper is made of knit mesh, and it provides comfort and flexibility.
Overall, the adizero Ubersonic 4s are best suited for hard courts, and they are offered with a variety of outsole treads including flat racing skid herringbone and contrasting herringbone. These treads will enable you to slide and change directions easily. If you have high arches, the Ubersonic 4s may not be the best option for you. Other than that, however, these stylish shoes are great for nearly everyone.
What We Like
- Super lightweight midsole
- Easy maneuverability
- Grippy soles
- Excellent breathability
What We Don't Like
- Lacks ankle support
- Not great for those with high arches
- Thin laces
BUY: adidas adizero Ubersonic 4 Tennis Shoes, Men's | Women's
Most Comfortable Shoes for Tennis - New Balance Fresh Foam X Lav V2
SPECS
- Best for: Multi-courts
- Weight: 15.4 oz.
- Material: FitWeave with knit sock liner
- Colors: 4
- Gender options: Men, women
We are so glad that New Balance gets that not all feet are made the same, and as such they offer almost all of their shoes, including the Fresh Foam X Lav V2s, in a wide width. They don't stop there, however. These tennis shoes are also lightweight, stable, and provide overall comfort.
Aggressive movers will enjoy the speed and stability that these shoes offer. They form around your foot and deliver a glove-like fit. Unfortunately, as much as they have to offer, the Lav V2s can feel stiff, and they have a long break-in period.
What We Like
- Stability
- Offered in wide width
- Lightweight
What We Don't Like
- Long break-in period
- Overly stiff
BUY: New Balance Fresh Foam X Lav V2, Men's | Women's
Best Budget Shoes for Tennis - Asics Gel-Game 8
SPECS
- Best for: Multi-court
- Weight: 10.1 oz.
- Material: Mesh uppers
- Colors: 8
- Gender options: Men, women
Although tennis doesn't require a lot of equipment, it can still become a pricey pastime. Therefore, it is always good to look for ways to save some cash when possible. When it comes to shoes, the best way to keep within your budget while still slipping your feet into some quality construction is to get a pair of Asics Gel Game 8s. These shoes are great for casual players and those who are just starting out on the courts.
With the Gel Game 8s, you won't have to worry about your feet getting overheated because the breathable mesh uppers keep them cool. The mesh material allows for airflow to come in while moisture goes out. Despite being a more inexpensive shoe, the Gel Game 8 brings a lot in the way of support and stability.
What We Like
- Budget friendly
- Great stability and support
- Ample cushioning and shock absorption
- Lightweight
What We Don't Like
- Lack of durability
- Not great for average-to-wide feet
- Can be squeaky
- Comes with short laces
BUY: Ascis Gel-Game 8, Men's | Women's
Best Tennis Shoes for Wide Feet - Babolat Jet Mach 3 Tennis Shoes
SPECS
- Best for: All-court
- Weight: 10.2 oz.
- Material: Matryx EVO
- Colors: 3 (men's), 2 (women's)
- Gender options: Men, women
If you want comfortable shoes from the moment you lace them up, you will definitely want to try out the Babolat Jet Mach 3s. From the moment you slip them on, you'll notice the ample cushioning. And the cushioning doesn't come at the expense of stability, as you will see that Jet Mach 3s are very stable.
Considering that the outsoles are made by Michelin, it’s safe to assume that in addition to being comfortable, these shoes are also tough and durable. Also, I can't help but be a fan of the gripability, as well as how easily these shoes slide.
What We Like
- Out-of-the-box comfort
- Michelin-made outsoles
- Lightweight speed
What We Don't Like
- Underfoot cushioning can break down after a long session
- Not great for wide feet
BUY: Babolat Jet Mach 3 Tennis Shoes, Men's | Women's
How to Choose the Right Shoe for Tennis
Shoes that are specially designed for tennis have features that distinguish them from other athletic footwear. Whereas running shoes are designed for repetitive forward motion, tennis shoes are made to withstand frequent stops and moving from side to side. Additionally, tennis shoes soles are flatter and don't have a lot of cushioning. The soles of shoes designed for tennis will have different patterns that correspond with different court surfaces. Along with comfort, ankle support, and cushioning, here are some of the factors that you will want to consider when purchasing tennis shoes.
Style of Play
Baseline players, those who spend most of their time along the back line of the court, will require a stable shoe that can withstand a lot of side-to-side motion. If this is how you prefer to play, you will want to look for shoes with a lot of lateral support and a very durable sole.
If you are frequently charging the net after dragging your toe during the serve because you like to serve and volley, you will want to look for tennis sneakers with a reinforced toe cap and arch support.
Court Surface
Most tennis shoe manufacturers such as adidias, Asics, Babolat, and Nike design multi-purpose shoes that can be used across the three main court types: hard, clay, and grass. These will serve most players well.
However, if you primarily play on hard (concrete) courts, look for durable, shock-absorbing shoes with strong, non-scuffing outsoles. Soft (clay) courts need speedy, lightweight shoes. You will also want to pay attention to the tread on the soles. Clay courts are easier to handle with a sole that has a herringbone tread pattern. Shoes that don't have this pattern can get clogged with clay and won't slide well.
Foot Type
As with any athletic shoe, it is advisable to know what kind of foot type you have. The three basic foot types are overpronation, under pronation, and neutral.
Benefits of Shoes for Tennis
Do you really need shoes that are made specifically for tennis? The answer is short and sweet: yep. It may seem like you could just wear running shoes when you take to the courts, but you don't want to do that.
When you are running, your goal is to move forward continuously, so running shoes are designed with this in mind. Running shoes have flexible outsoles that help absorb your foot striking the ground over and over again; however, with tennis, there are a lot of lateral movements and quick bursts with sliding or abrupt stops.
In addition to lateral support, tennis shoes also have the added benefits of toe guards and flat, thick outsoles. Running shoes will not stand up to the demands of tennis.
FAQs About Tennis Shoes
What's the difference between tennis shoes and sneakers?
Tennis shoes are designed for lateral movement and for quick bursts of activity that are followed by sliding or abrupt stops.
Should you size up in tennis shoes?
Tennis, like most other physical activities, may make your feet swell during the course of play. Therefore, it may be advisable to size up a half to whole size when you are purchasing tennis shoes.
How long do tennis shoes last?
The longevity of a pair of tennis shoes depends on several factors such as style of play and type of courts. However, a general rule is that you should replace them after every 45-60 hours of use. At that point, the midsole starts to wear out and cannot give you the same benefits as a new shoe.