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10 Best Tennis Shoes To Improve Your Game
Whether you’re a casual, twice-a-year kind of tennis player or you’re on the courts several times a week, a high-quality pair of tennis shoes can drastically improve your game. Not only will you be more comfortable in a pair of shoes designed specifically for tennis, but you’ll have more stability and support, which can go a long way in sharpening your confidence and therefore, skills.
Shoes of any type are, of course, deeply subjective. In addition to stylistic preferences, everyone has different foot shapes and fit requirements. While we can’t make the decision for you, we can help. To that end, we’ve compiled this list of 10 of the best men’s tennis shoe options out there to help you narrow it down, whether you want something for casual, everyday wear or truly need a pair to help you up your tennis game.
Best Buy
1. ASICS Gel-Resolution 8
Based on the number of tennis professionals who choose to wear the ASICS Gel-Resolution 8 (we’re looking at you, Gaël Monfils and Fabio Fognini), it seems to be one of the most popular tennis shoes of all time. ASICS’ Gel-Resolution line is a longtime success, and this newest version is better than ever. The shoe is outrageously supportive, combining DYNAWALL and DYNAWRAP technology to lock the foot in, particularly during rapid lateral movements.
Beyond that, the shoe is lightweight, well-cushioned, and very comfortable no matter what you’re wearing it for. Another area where the Gel-Resolution 8 shines is its fit – remarkably, this shoe fits well whether someone has an exceptionally wide or narrow foot and regardless of what type of arch they have. The company even brought Monfils in as a consultant to develop the shoe!
2. Cole Haan ZEROGROUND Winner
You may think of Cole Haan as strictly a fashion label as opposed to a brand making solid athletic wear and shoes but hold that thought. Cole Haan is certainly an upscale label, but they actually have technical and athletic items dialed in really well, too. Take, for example, the men’s ZEROGROUND Winner Tennis Sneaker. A single glance tells you it’s a super stylish shoe, but diving into the technical specs quickly reveals that these are impressive on the court, as well.
A comfortable padded bootie with a snug fit and a unique GRANDFOAM midsole make these shoes springy and comfortable, while also keeping the heel in place. You’ll immediately feel the difference the intuitive, low-to-the-ground profile makes in helping you make (and keep) contact and move side-to-side. These tennis shoes are undoubtedly sleek, plus they come in a variety of fashionable colorways that complement athleisure outfits off-court.
3. Nike Court Lite 2
You really can’t go wrong with Nike for any type of athletic shoes, and these Court Lite 2’s are a fantastic pick. Focusing primarily on supreme traction and comfort, these men’s tennis shoes are great for any level of player, but especially for beginners or more casual recreational players.
The shoes offer excellent traction with no slippage whatsoever, so stability certainly isn’t a concern. Keeping true to the brand, the Court Lite 2 is also exceedingly durable. They’re made entirely of leather and have a reinforced toe, so these tennis shoes are up for the challenge no matter how many times you scuff your toe or drag your feet.
From a fashion point of view, the embroidered tennis court and Nike logo on the back of the shoes add visual interest and a fun pop. The shoes are also almost surprisingly affordable, so the value aspect is there, and there are a few colors to choose from.
4. adidas Adizero Ubersonic 4 Tokyo
Drawing on the success of its predecessors the Adizero Ubersonic 2 and 3, this 4th version combines all the best features into one extremely lightweight tennis shoe. The minimalist-style shoe has a sock-style fit with no tongue, which some people love and others strongly dislike. In fairness, the sock fit does make the shoes a bit more difficult to get on, but this is largely a personal preference.
These tennis shoes feature a super bouncy, responsive Lightstrike midsole with a contoured, low-profile fit. Combined with the general lightweight design of the shoe, the insole offers lots of rebound for a fully immersive experience on the court. For a shoe this lightweight, the sole is surprisingly dense and durable – particularly in high-wear regions of the foot. That should give you some peace of mind if you’re not used to minimalist shoe styles.
5. New Balance 696 v4
New Balance makes great sneakers for just about every purpose, and the 696 v4 is no exception. These men’s tennis shoes are especially great for people with wider feet (actually, New Balance as a whole is generally an excellent footwear option for people with wide or unusually-shaped feet). In fact, co-owner of Weed Sport, David Wilfert, Weed Sport, a CBD-based muscle rub, appropriately likens these shoes to wearing Crocs – they really are that comfortable.
For all this talk about their comfort, though, the New Balance 696 v4s also provide a great deal of support and mobility. The best way to describe them is plush, with ample cushioning and unique perforations that provide ventilation throughout the entire shoe. Thanks to the impressive traction and outstanding comfort, several reviewers also mention that these shoes are also a top choice for pickleball and racquetball.
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6. K-Swiss Hypercourt Express 2
K-Swiss has been trendy off and on for years in athleisure and even high fashion circles, but it’s been a consistent staple in the tennis world for decades. The Hypercourt Express 2 checks boxes off for both style and functionality, with a sleek look and comfortable fit right out of the box.
This shoe’s uppers are made of breathable mesh and lightweight synthetic material, so they’re up for long, intensive games and hot days. One of the things people love about these tennis shoes is the DragGuard toe box. This innovative concept makes the toe area more durable, particularly against abrasions, which is one of the common complaints in tennis shoes.
Frequent quick stops and slides = substantially more wear on the front of the shoes. Finally, the Hypercourt Express 2 is frequently recommended for people who have especially wide or voluminous feet, as it’s designed to accommodate just about every foot type and shape.
7. Wilson Kaos 3.0
When you think of tennis brands, it’s near impossible to not immediately think of Wilson. The sleek, low-profile Kaos 3.0 has a ton to offer and is the perfect choice for those looking specifically for a lightweight men’s tennis shoe. They’re comfortable right out of the box, fit a wide variety of foot types and sizes, and don’t require any breaking in.
Shoes with an integrated bootie or “sock” aren’t for everyone, but Wilson seems to have hit the nail on the head with these. They pull right on without much fussing, and they’re comfortable immediately. Some shoes out there require lots of adjusting and tugging, but that isn’t the case with the Kaos 3.0. Similarly, these tennis shoes have a quick-lace system, which people generally love or hate.
This one is easy to learn and adjust, making it better than many out there. The Kaos 3.0 is extremely flexible, so those looking for an ultra-light, breathable shoe will be plenty happy.
8. Diadora Speed Blushield Fly 2
Italian label Diadora may be closely associated with soccer, but don’t discount it for quality tennis shoes. Combining distinct looks, a lightweight profile, and plenty of cushioning, the Speed Blushield Fly 2 is a fantastic choice for casual and more serious players alike.
This tennis shoe features an integrated full bootie, traditional laces, and a mesh upper for breathability and comfort. The Speed Blushield Fly 2 is also reinforced in high-wear areas including the toe and heel, and the outsole even comes with a six month durability guarantee.
Still need a bit more convincing? One recent review says, “These are the best tennis shoes I have purchased in 10 years – and I buy a lot of shoes.”
9. New Balance Fresh Foam Lav 1
Named Lav in honor of tennis star Milos Raonic’s childhood nickname, this shoe was designed specifically for serious players and is a go-to for numerous pros. Thanks to the wide range of colorways available, it’s a favorite of shoeheads and more casual athletes, too.
The New Balance Fresh Foam Lav 1 has an innovative inner bootie, knit upper, and signature Fresh Foam insole for supreme cushioning and comfort. Interestingly, these shoes aren’t the lightest on the market in terms of actual weight, but the airy, breathable materials feel exceptionally light on.
These men’s tennis shoes are comfortable right out of the box and don’t require any break-in. However, their unique construction does make them slightly narrower than other New Balance models, so keep that in mind when ordering.
10. ASICS Court FF 2
We’re starting and ending our list of the best men’s tennis shoes with pairs from ASICS, and there’s good reason for that: the company has support, comfort, and wearability dialed in, making its shoes a fantastic choice for most players.
The Court FF 2 is the go-to choice for tennis pro Novak Djokovic, so it should come as no surprise the shoe is designed “for the most aggressive of movers.” Its sides are noticeably sturdy and rigid, designed specifically to support fast movements. At the same time, the unique Twistruss midsole is super flexible and meant to allow for slides. Combined, these innovative features make it so that you don’t ever have to question your shoes, allowing you to focus on improving your game.
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Tennis Shoe FAQs
Tennis shoes are generally heavier and offer more built-in support and stability than cross-trainers or running shoes. They’re designed specifically with tennis maneuvers in mind, enabling you to quickly (and safely!) pivot, whereas gym or running shoes are designed more aerodynamically with the main goal of simply being fast and light. Keeping this in mind, the soles of tennis shoes are often noticeably flat and also made to be worn strictly on hard courts, providing sufficient grip and comfort.
Tennis shoes should generally be very “grippy,” meaning their soles help you to stop and pivot quickly without scuffing or sliding at all. Having said that, one important question is where you’ll be wearing the shoes. While most men’s tennis shoes are designed for hard courts, there are some models intended specifically for clay courts. Shoes with hardcourt soles can be worn on any surface, but those with soles designed for clay courts shouldn’t be worn on hard courts.
Beyond that, it’s all about the fit and comfort of the tennis shoe for your feet specifically. Some tennis shoes are more minimalistic in style, while others are more burly. The best tennis shoe for you is the one that fits you the best and offers the most comfort, support, stability, and mobility.
This is largely a subjective question, but there are certainly some big players in the tennis shoe game. ASICS, New Balance, Nike, and K-Swiss all offer excellent tennis shoes, but they’re far from the only ones. Our list of the 10 best tennis shoes for men is a great place to start your search!
