How To Choose the Right Tennis Shoe
Every player is different. We have varying game styles, play on different surfaces, and have unique foot shapes. Choosing the right tennis shoes can sometimes be very challenging, as there are many aspects to consider. Our guide helps you to choose the best tennis shoes according to 1. the Surface, 2. the Shoe Type and 3. your Foot Shape.
1. Surface
When we talk about the surface of the tennis courts, it is basically about choosing the right outsole type. Ideally, your tennis shoes will have an outsole designed specifically for the type of surface you’re playing on. Why? Clay, Carpet, Hard, and Grass courts all play differently.
Hard / All Court Tennis Shoes
Hard courts are the most demanding when it comes to outsole durability. Therefore, you need a tennis shoe with an outsole that can handle the demands of this surface. Hard court shoes usually have these features:
- Modified herringbone pattern to offer the perfect blend of grip
- Ample cushioning
- Tough upper that will aid in support and durability
The hard court outsole (also called all court) can be used for every kind of surface. It is not the best outsole for clay or grass courts, but it is an option.
Clay Court Tennis Shoes
To maintain optimal footing on clay courts, it’s important to wear tennis shoes that are designed to handle the build of this surface. A clay court shoe is different compared to other tennis shoes because of some of its characteristics:
- Full herringbone tread pattern helps to keep clay out of the outsole, so you can better grip the court
- Tighter knit upper aids in stability
Choosing the right clay court tennis shoes will improve your comfort, your confidence, and your performance on clay courts!
Carpet Court Tennis Shoes
Carpet courts are known for their fast surface. When playing on carpet, it is necessary to have the right outsole for faster movements and better traction on the court. Carpet shoes can only be played on smooth surfaces, and that's why they have one main difference compared to other tennis shoes:
- A smooth outsole without any pattern
We only recommend the carpet outsole if there are no granules on the court. If you are looking for a tennis shoe that is for an indoor court with granules, we would suggest choosing an all court or clay court outsole.
Grass Court Tennis Shoes
Even if there are not a lot of options to choose from, proper grass court tennis shoes have one main difference to other tennis shoes:
- "Nubs" or "pimples" on the outsole that are reminiscent of a cleat-like-shoe for a better grip
Unlike hard / all court shoes, these cannot be used on any other surfaces, except on omni / artificial grass courts.
2. Shoe Type
Finding the pair of tennis shoes that fits your game and movement style can be a key component to feeling dialed in and confident on the court. Are you a light-footed, sprinting all over the court kind of player? Or are you a hard-hitting baseliner who is more concerned about ankle support? Basically, there are two types of tennis shoes: speed and stability shoes. Stability shoes provide ultimate comfort and are built to hold your feet securely, while speed shoes have their focus on quick feet and fast movement on the court.
They have different characteristics:
| Speed Tennis Shoes | Stability Tennis Shoes |
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Check out our characteristics chart below the description of every shoe to find out whether it is a speed or stability shoe and which characteristics the shoe features.
3. Foot Shape
Every tennis player is unique, and so are their feet. But there is no need to worry because we can find the best tennis shoes that perfectly fit the anatomy of your feet.
Find out how to measure your foot size, width and arch type by reading our guide: How to Determine Your Shoe Size and Fit. Finding the right shoe size is not always easy, as each brand uses different sizing charts. Therefore, we recommend using centimetres as a guide. You can find the centimetres details in our sizing grid.
After measuring your foot, take a closer look at the fit details in our product descriptions to determine if the tennis shoes you are interested in are a good fit for your feet. We also provide many video reviews in which we talk about the fit and performance of different shoes to help you choose the best tennis shoes on Tennis Warehouse Europe!
Learn More
Check out our Learning Center to learn more about tennis shoes. Whether you are looking for the best clay court shoes or the best shoes for wide feet, we have you covered. Click on the button below to have a look at our variety of articles.