Best Men's Tennis Shoes 2019

We selected our top 4 clay court, hard court, lightweight and stability tennis shoes, which received high praise from both our playtesters and the tennis community.

Why did we chose these 4 categories? We want to help you understand the differences between these types of tennis shoes so that you can pick the right ones for your feet, surface and game!

Let's start with two of the most popular tennis surfaces: clay and hard courts. Both courts play differently; therefore, your game and footwork will change slightly. In order to maintain optimal footing on each court surface, it’s important to wear a tennis shoe that is designed to handle the build of the court.

One main feature differentiates a clay court tennis shoe from a hard court or a grass court tennis shoe: the outsole.

• The outsole of a clay court tennis shoe will usually feature a full herringbone (zig zags) tread pattern. This pattern helps keep clay out of your outsole so you can better grip the court when sprinting, stopping or changing directions. If some clay does gather, a couple of taps on the shoe with your racquet between points should knock the clay loose. The herringbone design makes sliding from side to side more predictable so you can perfectly glide into a shot and recover a la Nadal. It also provides the traction needed for securely moving forward and backward.
• The tighter knit upper of clay court tennis shoes aids in stability and also helps keep clay from entering your shoe.

If you plan on playing on clay on a regular basis, you should consider picking up a pair of clay court specific tennis shoes in order to optimize your movement and stability on court. The right shoe for the right surface.

With the Air Zoom Vapor X, Nike has strengthened Roger Federer's signature shoes, improving their durability without sacrificing any of the lightweight responsiveness that made them a favorite. All the bells and whistles are still there: the Dynamic Fit system, the Air Zoom midsole and the high-performance, low-to-the-ground feel. The balance of comfort, stability and lightweight responsiveness impressed our playtesters. The Air Zoom Vapor X shoes raise the bar for the look and feel of performance tennis shoes.

Fit Detail:

Length: True; Width: Medium; Arch: Medium

Our playtesters loved the combination of all-around comfort, lightweight materials, stability and durability. The full length Boost technology in the midsole provides comfort and responsive rebound in every step. However, some playtesters had trouble with the fit as the forefoot is slightly wide, while the midfoot is narrow.

Fit Detail:

Length: True; Width: Wide in the forefoot; Arch: Medium-High

A great option for the club player who demands comfort. You will feel light and cushioned on the court. The seamless Skin Light upper provides lightweight support and a step-in soft feel around your feet.

Fit Detail:

Length: True; Width: Medium; Arch: Low

With an updated mesh upper, the 3.0s are lighter than the previous version. Thanks to good stability, our playtesters felt confident making quick cuts on the court. This shoe remains a comfortable and durable option for even the most aggressive movers.

Fit Detail:

Length: True; Width: Snug medium; Arch: Medium

Hard courts are the most demanding when it comes to outsole durability.

• Most often hard court tennis shoes feature an outsole with a modified herringbone pattern to give you the perfect blend of grip and give on the court.
• Hard court tennis shoes will often feature ample cushioning and a midsole that will help transfer energy into every step you take as well as absorb shock from the harder surface.
• They usually feature a tough upper that will aid in support and durability.

This premium version of the Sprint features an updated upper constructed from a unique SuperFabric¨ material that is abrasion resistant, stable and very light. Our playtesters enjoyed the bootie construction, which hugged their feet for a comfortable and secure fit. The length is slightly short; we recommend going a half size up.

Fit Detail:

Length: Slightly short; Width: Medium-narrow; Arch: Medium

This is a great option for players who demand heavy-duty outsoles but still want to be able to move fast and feel supported. If sliding on hard courts is your thing, our team would encourage you to take these shoes for a spin. Our playtesters initially found it hard to slip their feet into these shoes because of the updated bootie construction. However, these shoes only got better with time, and the team found complete comfort after a solid week of wear. The length is slightly short; we recommend going a half size up.

Fit Detail:

Length: Slightly short; Width: Snug medium; Arch: Medium

Our playtesters enjoyed the cushioned Wave technology which provided comfort and support while keeping the ankle locked in the right position for sharp and aggressive movements. They loved the lightweight feel combined with good stability and support on the court. The durable all-court outsole offers great traction on court and a new upper provides a natural fit with improved resistance. The shoe runs long, we recommend going a half size down. If you experience heel slippage, use the last eyelet for a more secure fit.

Fit Detail:

Length: Long; Width: Narrow; Arch: Medium

This shoe was designed with the help of top pros to offer premium stability and comfort in a lightweight package. The SYN-PULSE technology provides responsive comfort and rebound, keeping movement healthy and spry. The innovative geometric outsole grips the court well and is durable enough for extensive use. Our playtesters also liked that the shoe comes with two Ortholite insoles which have different thicknesses (4mm & 5.5mm) for extra cushioning on hard surfaces.

Fit Detail:

Length: True; Width: Medium; Arch: Medium

Now more than ever, the margins between winning and losing are very narrow. Players are always looking to get that little edge on court, and footwear is integral in contributing to the success of players at all levels. When searching for the right lightweight tennis shoes, we suggest taking into account shoes with:

• A low static weight
• A speed-oriented design
• Stability built into the materials of the tennis shoe
• A low-to-the-ground, responsive midsole

The Ubersonic 3s are one of the highest scoring shoes our playtesters have reviewed in quite some time. From the light and flexible upper to the responsive, full-length PU midsole and glove-like bootie construction, our testers were delighted with this update's lightweight performance. The sturdy Sprintframe construction did an excellent job of supporting our testers' feet on court, while still offering enough flex to feel light and speedy. The traction came in on the slicker side, which should be well suited to aggressive movers with a propensity to slide into shots. All in all, our testers were extremely impressed with this update.

Fit Detail:

Length: True; Width: Medium; Arch: Medium

One of the fastest shoes on the market just got even better! Asics has refined its Gel Solution Speed 3s to create the all-new Solution Speed FFs, which feature FlyteFoam cushioning and a slightly wider fit for the ultimate responsive, lightweight experience. Multiple testers rated the Solution Speed FFs as one of their favorite pairs of shoes to wear on court. The seamless PU uppers added flex to complement the sturdy Trusstic system, which helped prevent unwanted twisting on sharp cuts and turns. Our testers raved about the blend of grip and give from the outsoles, which allowed them to access the full range of aggressive movements, from cuts to slides and everything in between.

Fit Detail:

Length: True; Width: Medium; Arch: Medium

With a new sleek design and improved performance, Babolat propells itself to the top of performance-oriented shoes with the Jet Mach II. Made to increase lateral stability, this shoe incorporates a one-piece construction and an EVA foam pad to keep the foot locked in and comfortable. A Michelin rubber outsole continues to offer reliable resistance to the wear and tear of frequent play, keeping you on the court grinding it out for as long as possible. The length is short; we recommend going a half size up.

Fit Detail:

Length: Short; Width: Narrow; Arch: Medium

With one of the most forward-thinking designs we've seen in a shoe, the Nike Air Zoom Zero piqued our playtesters' interest as soon as they opened the box. The unique curved outsole of these shoes creates a rocking motion to better utilize natural momentum shifts during play. The bootie-constructed canvas upper hugged our playtesters' feet tightly and provided exceptional stability, although it may girdle wider feet too snugly. The real highlight of these shoes was the full-length Air Zoom unit. It felt plush, while still allowing our testers to feel extremely connected to their movements— and that is no easy feat (pun intended).

Fit Detail:

Length: True; Width: Medium; Arch: Medium

Directional changes, jumps, slides, multidirectional sprints…

Tennis is very demanding on your lower body and puts your legs under a lot of pressure. Therefore, the level of stability provided by your tennis shoes is a determining factor in feeling secure on court as well as in preventing injuries. Here are some of the best stability tennis shoes from this year so far.

The Asics Gel Resolutions are known to be top of the line shoes when it comes to premier support, stability and durability, without sacrificing comfort and performance. With the Gel Resolution 7s, Asics introduces a new polyurethane upper material providing even more support and stability and a more seamless fit. Sure enough, our testers were extremely impressed with the all-around performance of this update.

Fit Detail:

Length: True; Width: Medium; Arch: Medium

Designed to be comfortable, stable and fast, this is a premium option for both competitive and avid players looking to move their best on court. The bootie construction and strap on the upper provides a unique locked-in feel while allowing the shoe to naturally flex for an organic and comfortably snug moving experience. The Ortholite insoles feature yoga mat material under the balls of your feet and when coupled with KPRS-X midsole technology, make the underfoot feel perfectly soft, yet responsive.

Fit Detail:

Length: True; Width: Snug through heel and midfoot; Arch: Slightly Low

Our testers found that the Eclipsion 2's large AgilityBolt shank resisted twisting and folding to provide extreme levels of stability, especially when coupled with the PU upper. These shoes were defined by their supportive feel. Some testers complained about the rigid, narrow fit pressing into their feet, which was alleviated somewhat as the shoes broke in over the course of the playtest. The traction seemed to be spot on for our playtesters. They found an ideal balance of grip and give on starts and stops, which inspired confident movement from all areas of the court.

Fit Detail:

Length: True; Width: Snug medium; Arch: Medium

The Fresh Foam Lav won over all of our playtesters! It checked all the boxes from a performance and design standpoint! Full-bootie construction for secure fit? Check. Kinetic Stitch upper for a blend of stability and flexibility? Check. Fresh Foam midsole that's both plush and responsive? Check. Our playtesters were also very impressed by the overall comfort of the Fresh Foam Lav, especially the underfoot cushioning.

Fit Detail:

Length: True; Width: Medium; Arch: Medium