What is the difference between men's and women's tennis shoes?

You'll find a few key differences between men's tennis shoes and tennis shoes designed for women. Width : Men's shoes are wider and more squared at the toes. Women's tennis shoes are narrower and more rounded at the toes. Design : Men's shoes are designed for strong legs and foot muscles. Women's shoes have a toe box designed to allowing them to dig into the tennis court for extra push economy. Soles : Men strike the ground with the heel more than women. Men's shoes often have a thicker sole than women's for this reason.

How long do tennis shoes last?

According to the United States Tennis Association (USTA), midsoles can wear out quickly, in only about 45 to 60 hours. If you play once a week for an hour, you need to replace your shoes at least once a year. Competitive players should always have another pair on hand.

How do you clean tennis shoes?

Cleaning tennis shoes is a simple process. Mix warm water with a few drops of mild laundry detergent. Then dip a brush or toothbrush in the water and spot treat your shoes. Allow them to air dry. If you don't have much to clean (such as a small spot of dirt), you can use a dry brush instead.

The 7 Best Men’s Tennis Shoes

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Proper tennis shoes allow you to stay light on your feet without the heavy weight of traditional running or walking shoes weighing you down. They allow for speed, agility, and quickness, and have lateral support for considerable range of motion. When wearing tennis shoes, you can move forward, backward, and side to side with greater ease than you can in other types of workout shoes. Even beginners and leisure players will benefit from the efficiencies and advantages of wearing tennis shoes designed just for playing tennis.

We've tested the best tennis shoes for men, whether you're a first-timer or a competitive player.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Adidas Barricade Club Tennis Shoe at Amazon

The entire shoe is lightweight with its EVA and mesh construction, allowing for effortless jumps and easy breathability.

Most Versatile:

Nike Air Monarch IV Cross Trainer at Amazon

The shoe sports a leather upper with flex grooves and perforations—this allows for easy, natural movement in a variety of sports without damaging the shoes or inhibiting movement.

Best for Flat Feet:

Babolat Propulse BPM All Court at Racketsupply.com

The Babolat Propulse tennis shoes feature a FootBelt system for adapting support throughout the shoe.

Best for High Arches:

ASICS Men's Gel-Cumulus 19 Running Shoes at Amazon

The gel heel and forefoot padding protects your foot and toes and allows for more natural movement.

Best for Boys:

ASICS Gel-Resolution 7 GS Tennis Shoe at Amazon

They're made with Flexion Fit mesh and synthetic construction which makes them lighter, more flexible, and a better fit for every kid.

Best Style:

Nike Court Lite Tennis Shoes at Amazon

The Phylon midsole provides cushion for the court without adding weight, and the toe protection keeps your shoes protected from inevitable scuffs and abrasion.

Best Professional Shoes:

Nike Air Zoom Vapor X Tennis Shoes at Dick's

The Nike Men’s Air Zoom Vapor X Tennis Shoes are one of the best pairs of professional tennis shoes on the market.

The Barricade is a popular tennis shoe from Adidas for good reason: it works. This simple sneaker is light, fast, and tough. It pairs nicely with a good racket and is sure to intimidate the opposition.

The Barricade is comfortable and stylish. Feel these sneakers cushion your heel with the Adiprene+ feature, and support your arch with the 3D Torsion System under your midsole. The entire shoe is lightweight with its EVA and mesh construction, allowing for effortless jumps and easy breathability. With a rubber outsole and unique tread design, these tennis shoes have excellent traction. The 360-degree TPU foil and Adituff wrap help protect the shoes from the wear and tear that comes from the normal scuffs of tennis games.

Many tennis players like to incorporate the game as part of a larger exercise routine. Whether you like to play tennis for some fun cardio in addition to your weightlifting or you incorporate the game into your interval training, it’s important to get footwear that can do it all. The Nike Men’s Air Monarch Cross Trainer is an excellent tennis shoe that can be used for a variety of sports and activities.

These simple sneakers come in white, black, or black and white, and are low-cut with a rubber sole. The shoe sports a leather upper with flex grooves and perforations—this allows for easy, natural movement in a variety of sports without damaging the shoes or inhibiting movement. These sneakers breathe well and support your arches. The “encapsulated air sole” unit runs the length of the shoe and offers the cushion you need on a court or in a gym.

Having flat feet means that your feet don’t have strong arches and that the majority of your foot is touching the ground most of the time. This can be challenging for tennis, as your feet hit the court so often as you hustle for a volley or jump to get that perfect hit. If you have flat feet, try the Babolat Propulse BPM All Court Men’s Tennis Shoes. These sporty red or blue sneakers are the ideal tennis shoes for flat-footed men because they protect your feet.

The Babolat Propulse tennis shoes feature a FootBelt system for adapting support throughout the shoe. Additionally, the forefoot has a "Side 2 Side" dynamic response system for great support and comfort within the shoe. These tennis shoes also have Kompressor and heel dampener cushioning systems to prevent foot pain from pounding the court. They even have Michelin OCS2 rubber outsoles to provide unbelievable tennis traction on a variety of surfaces.

ASICS Men's Gel-Cumulus 19 Running Shoes

The ASICS Mens-Cumulus Shoes use the FluidRide Midsole—a midfoot support system—that works well with high arches to cushion the foot and add a much-needed bounce for tennis. Additionally, this sneaker offers forefoot and heel cushioning with gel features. The gel heel and forefoot padding protects your foot and toes and allows for more natural movement. The entire sneaker is made with ASICS Impact Guidance System, paying particular attention to natural contact points.

ASICS Kids’ Gel-Resolution 7 GS Tennis Shoes are a great option for boys and girls getting into tennis. These simple shoes are high-quality sneakers that won’t break the bank. They're made with Flexion Fit mesh and synthetic construction which makes them lighter, more flexible, and a better fit for every kid.

These shoes sport a rearfoot gel pad for shock absorption as well as cushioning. The rubber outsole provides traction while the toe box has added protection, increasing the durability of this shoe. The tongue and collar are cushioned for added comfort—the laces are also really simple to tie, making it great for kids. They come in muted gray and black designs as well as brighter orange shades.

When it comes to looks, not all tennis shoes are the same. Some may provide cushion and traction, but they look awkward or clunky. The Nike Men’s Court Lite Tennis Shoes have no such issue. These sharp, low-cut shoes work great for tennis and look even better. Available in a variety of designs, including white with accent colors, Jordan brand designs, and bright colors, you’ll easily find the one that matches your look.

Aside from the styles, the Court Lite Tennis Shoes are excellent sneakers for this sport. The Phylon midsole provides cushion for the court without adding weight, and the toe protection keeps your shoes protected from inevitable scuffs and abrasion. Additionally, the upper is made for looks as well as durability and breathability. The GDR outsoles provide excellent traction, and a cushioned collar protects your heels with comfort for long days of training.

Nike Men’s Air Zoom Vapor X Tennis Shoes

Roger Federer has won Wimbledon eight times and a total of 20 Grand Slam titles—the most of any male tennis player ever. Why not try his shoes for your next match? The Nike Men’s Air Zoom Vapor X Tennis Shoes are one of the best pairs of professional tennis shoes on the market. They sport a mesh and synthetic upper construction that is light and breathable, paired with a rubber outsole sporting a high-walled toe for protection and durability.

The Dynamic Fit system lets the shoe fit as snuggly as a sock, plus it has cable supports. The full-length TPU frame adds side support while the flex grooves allow natural motion with damaging the shoe. The shoe sports extra material in areas that commonly become worn over time, and has Zoom Air and Phylon midsoles for that tennis-specific cushion.

What to Look for in Tennis Shoes

Support

Tennis requires constant position changes: Back and forth, side to side, and quick, explosive jumps. To power through these movements, you need a shoe that allows for great range of motion, is lightweight, and feels comfortable during directional switching.

The shoe should feel snug, not tight, and offer plenty of ankle support. You should also be able to wiggle your toes without any problem.

Proper Cushioning

Look for good cushioning in the toe and mid-sole, and if possible, dampener cushioning systems to prevent foot pain from the beating your feet take jumping on the hard court.

Grip

Your shoes should be able to grip the tennis court without sliding. Because tennis requires quick movements, any sliding can cause injuries. So look for shoes that offer good traction. If you can, purchase shoes from a store that offers a return policy in case you find yourself slipping and sliding on the court.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between men's and women's tennis shoes?
You'll find a few key differences between men's tennis shoes and tennis shoes designed for women.
- Width: Men's shoes are wider and more squared at the toes. Women's tennis shoes are narrower and more rounded at the toes.
- Design: Men's shoes are designed for strong legs and foot muscles. Women's shoes have a toe box designed to allowing them to dig into the tennis court for extra push economy.
- Soles: Men strike the ground with the heel more than women. Men's shoes often have a thicker sole than women's for this reason.
How long do tennis shoes last?

According to the United States Tennis Association (USTA), midsoles can wear out quickly, in only about 45 to 60 hours. If you play once a week for an hour, you need to replace your shoes at least once a year. Competitive players should always have another pair on hand.
How do you clean tennis shoes?

Cleaning tennis shoes is a simple process. Mix warm water with a few drops of mild laundry detergent. Then dip a brush or toothbrush in the water and spot treat your shoes. Allow them to air dry.
If you don't have much to clean (such as a small spot of dirt), you can use a dry brush instead.

Why Trust Verywell Fit?

Sam Hayes began writing online content and articles for various businesses on a wide range of topics, from bicycle touring to cooking, as a college student. He has written for Verywell, TripSavvy, and The Spruce since March 2018. Sam graduated with bachelor’s degrees in journalism and political science from UMass Amherst.

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