Tennis is an active, physical sport, and your feet take the brunt of the punishment. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just getting started on the court, selecting the right tennis shoe is an important part of the game.
Tennis has a plethora of playing styles and court surfaces, as well as a wide range of tennis shoes. The outsole is the most important consideration when choosing a tennis shoe.
Tennis shoes are classified according to the type of surface they are designed to perform on. Another critical factor to consider is the trade-off between comfort, durability, weight, and stability.
Tennis is a sport of fast stops and starts, short sprints and quick lateral movements. That’s why you need the right shoes for your game.
When choosing your new tennis shoes, consider your personal playing style, court surface, and comfort needs.
Here are 5 tips to keep in mind when buying tennis shoes
- Perfect Fit
The most important factor to consider when purchasing a new pair of tennis shoes is the fit. Let me walk you through a few different topics to consider when evaluating shoes.
Size: When it comes to getting the right fit, the size of your shoe is perhaps the most obvious. But how certain are you of your size?
You should have about a half-inch (13mm) of space between the tip of your big toe and the front of your shoe. Adequate room on the front of your shoe enables to avoid jamming your toes together and prevents blisters. Additional space also allows your feet to breathe and stay cooler.
Tennis shoes that are too big, on the other hand, can also cause excessive movement of your foot. It may cause blisters, black toes and troubles with your calf muscle and Achilles heel.
Width: Standard or regular width shoes are adequate for the majority of the world’s population, but if you fall outside of this range, it is critical to find the correct width for the health of your feet.
Toe Box: The width of a shoe will correspond to the available space for your toes. However, because most shoes are standard sizes, some have tighter or more roomy toe boxes than others.
Ankles: Although this isn’t usually a problem for most people, some may experience discomfort if the bones at the outer edge of their ankles (fibula and tibia) come into contact with the upper edge of their shoe. When first trying on a shoe, keep an eye out for any rubbing around your ankles. This is exacerbated when playing tennis and can cause discomfort.
- Comfort
Tennis shoes are naturally stiffer than many other types of shoes because they must support a wide range of motion, including lateral movements required when hitting the court. However, some tennis shoes place a higher priority on comfort than others.
Generally, you should look for shoes with a large midsole. The insole can also provide additional support and should be replaced if it is removable for added comfort.
- Stability
Sharp or abrupt movements are common when playing tennis. Your shoes must provide adequate stability whether you’re moving side to side hitting groundstrokes, coming forward and approaching the net to volley, or moving back to track down a lob.
A shoe’s stability can come from a variety of sources. The width of a tennis shoe at the front can help provide a platform for balance, making the shoe feel more stable.
Furthermore, the sole of a shoe must be rigid enough to handle the quick start and stop movements on the court. Many shoes use a rigid plastic insert called a shank near the center of the sole to help increase stability and prevent the shoe from twisting.
Finally, the upper part of a shoe is often associated with stability, particularly at the ankle. Your feet should be “locked in place”, not allowed to slip forward when stopping suddenly.
- Durability
Tennis shoes must be durable because the vast majority of players play on hard courts. The outsole at the bottom of the shoe, which is in constant contact with the court, is one of the most important components of a shoe’s durability.
However, it is not the only component of the shoe that must be long-lasting. The toe of a tennis shoe frequently makes contact with the court, and the forward upper section of the shoe can scrape the court from time to time during a slide or lunge.
Different styles of play can cause wear in different areas of a shoe, and each player has unique movements that can also cause unexpected wear. For example, some players drag their foot when serving, necessitating a more durable toe cap in order for their shoes to last.
- Weight
Many tennis players associate the weight of a tennis shoe with speed. A lightweight shoe feels fast, whereas a heavier shoe may feel sluggish. To achieve an appealing balance, shoe manufacturers frequently make a tradeoff between weight, stability, and durability. When material is removed from a shoe, it becomes lighter, but the stability or durability of the shoe is usually sacrificed.
The DT Footwear solution
- Make sure your current line of court tennis shoes is strong enough to support your movement on the court
- The tennis shoe has a fuller toe box
- Reinforced mid-section and at least a four-ply heel counter support system
- Cushioning support
- Extended bottoms
- Have the strongest midsection and heel counter support
- Any width any size
- Balance, support, comfort, widths, and styling in all our tennis shoes
