You love playing tennis! The hand-eye coordination, the nimble movement, the aerobic activity, and the camaraderie all add up to your enjoyment of the game. Besides having the right tennis racquet, investing in the best footwear is critical to putting your game at the next level and being comfortable on the court. What makes a good tennis shoe? Not just a good tennis shoe, but the best tennis shoe for you?
What should I look for when buying tennis shoes?
Well, part of the answer is dependent on you, so it is relative. For example, getting a tennis shoe that fits the size and shape of your feet, as well as supports your arch, has much to do with getting a great shoe. But, a common aspect of finding the right tennis shoes involves the shoes’ ability to support you on the court.
A tennis shoe is very different from a walking or running shoe. The best tennis shoes for women support your feet during quick side-to-side movements or shifts in weight. The best tennis shoes require certain qualities to give you the support you need on the court. And, of course, it goes without saying that you need the most comfortable tennis shoes to play a good game. At North State Resurfacing, we have a wide selection that provides any type of tennis shoe you need. In this article, let’s look at some of the features you should consider when purchasing the best tennis shoes for women.
Surfaces
The type of court surface you play on has an impact on the type of tennis shoes you need to purchase. In order to maintain optimal footing on each court surface–whether it’s hard, clay, or grass, it’s important to wear a tennis shoe that is designed to handle the build of the court. The best shoe for you, if you are primarily playing on a hard court surface like concrete, is a shoe with more durability. On the other hand, if you are playing on a court with a soft surface, you need a shoe with more traction on the sole.
Hard Courts
Typically, a hard court is the most popular and common tennis court surface. It is the most demanding when it comes to outsole durability. Therefore, you need a very durable shoe when playing on hard courts. New tennis shoes that have a resilient outsole and a supportive upper are best for playing on a hard court surface. Soles may wear out more quickly on hard courts, so you need to check your pair of tennis shoes periodically for wear and replace them when it is necessary.
Most often, hard court tennis shoes feature a modified herringbone pattern on the sole to give you the perfect blend of grip and give. Hard court shoes feature ample cushioning and a midsole that helps transfer energy into each step and absorb shock. These tennis sneakers are designed to be tougher and many times use leather or vinyl that aids in support and durability. Many tennis shoes for hard courts have a built-up toe area that protects the toe drag tip.
Soft or Clay Courts
Soft court surfaces require a different tennis shoe because they don’t require non-damaging traction as a hard court does. The outsole of a clay court shoe usually features a full herringbone (zig zag) tread pattern. This type of pattern is an ideal shoe because it keeps clay out of your outsole in order for you to grip the court better when sprinting, stopping, and changing directions. You can slide from side to side more predictably with the herringbone design. Clay shoes have a tighter, yet flexible knit upper, as well as a breathable mesh upper. The tighter knit aids in stability and helps keep the clay from entering your shoes.
Grass Courts
Grass courts are much like clay in that they are much softer on your body and joints. This surface tends to play fast, so you need a tennis shoe that has a proper grass court outsole. An outsole that works well on a grass court has nubs, also called pimples, that are like a shoe with cleats. This type of outsole provides a great grip because grass tends to be slippery. Unlike hard court shoes, these shoes can’t be used on other surfaces.
Multi-Surfaces
And, you may be playing the game on different court surfaces, both hard and clay courts. If so, you should look at women’s tennis shoes that allow you to play in conditions with a hard or soft court without changing your shoes.
Durability
Especially on hard courts, comfort and durability are essential when selecting the right tennis shoes. A durable shoe helps you glide on the court with ease and confidence. A durable shoe will create maximum stability and provide ankle support.
A shoe that is worn out can leave you with soreness in your ankles, lower back, and knees. Not even to mention that a shoe past its prime can lead you to injury. Additionally, given the cost of new tennis shoes for women, you want to be sure you are getting a shoe that is durable and a shoe that lasts as long as possible.
Here are some quick tips for maximizing your tennis shoe budget and finding quality, durable tennis shoes:
- Look for women’s tennis shoes that have a durability guarantee. Most brands have at least one shoe model that features a wear guarantee. This means that if you wear through the outsole within the warranty period, you can send the shoes back to the manufacturer for a one-time free replacement. (For instance, our K-Swiss Ultrashot 2 tennis shoe is extremely durable and has a 6-month guarantee).
- Think about avoiding a shoe that is lightweight, especially if you are playing on hard courts. This type of tennis shoe can feel fast but you give up some durability for it. This is less of an issue when playing on a clay court.
- If you are a tennis player who drags the toe of your shoe when serving or going for a wide ball, you are probably finding you have a rip through the upper of the shoe. This type of wear isn’t covered by durability guarantees. It is best to try to break this habit. But, until you accomplish this, look for a shoe with a reinforced toe drag tip. A reinforced toe panel will help resist abrasion somewhat and can enhance the longevity of the shoe.
Support
Support is high in importance when selecting the best women’s shoes for tennis. Support has a lot to do with your arches, the shape of your feet, and the way you play tennis. A great shoe has both of these covered. Everyone’s foot is different. Your feet are unique to you. In light of this, you need to know the shape of your foot and the type of arch you have. You can determine the size and shape by drawing around your foot on a piece of paper. In order to see what type of arch you have, wet the bottom of your foot and step on a piece of cardboard.
Given both of these, your arch and the shape of your foot, you can begin looking for shoes that are best for both. Our ASICS’ Gel Resolution tennis shoes are rated highly in arch support as well as aggressive play on the court:
Our Top Women’s Tennis Shoes
We have some of the top-rated tennis shoes on the market. Here are a few.
Best Overall Shoe For Tennis:
According to Forbes, the K-Swiss Women’s Hypercourt Express 2 Tennis Shoe is the best overall tennis shoe with its lightness and comfortability, breathability, and generous fit.
Best Women Tennis Shoe For Beginners:
Some of the best tennis shoes for women who are just beginning to play include:
Adidas Women’s Courtjam Bounce:
ASICS Women’s Court Speed FF Tennis Shoes:
Best Shoes For Support:
The ASICS Women’s Gel Resolution 8 Tennis Shoes are some of the best for lateral support:
Best Budget Tennis Shoes:
Tennis Companion has rated the Adidas Women’s CourtJam Bounce Tennis Shoes as one of the best budget tennis shoes on the market:
Best Tennis Shoes for Wide Feet:
According to the NY Magazine’s The Strategist, the K-Swiss Women’s Hypercourt Express 2 has come in as a great shoe for players with wider feet.
Adidas also makes shoes for women that are optimum for wide feet, for example, the Adidas Women’s SoleCourt Boost Tennis Shoes:
Best Shoes For Narrow Feet:
Some of the best tennis shoes for women with narrow feet are the Babolat Jet Mach II:
Shop North State For All Of Your Tennis Equipment Needs
Shop North State Resurfacing for some of the best tennis shoes for women you’ll find on the market! Additionally, we offer wide selections of tennis apparel for women and men, tennis racquets, and tennis court supplies. Contact us today for all your tennis needs!