If you’re new to tennis, you might be wondering why special shoes are required. Although your running shoes appear to be a decent fit, tennis shoes and running shoes are designed for distinct motions.
Why get Shoes specially designed for “Tennis”?
When we play tennis, we move from side to side practically continuously, but we mostly move ahead when we run. Tennis shoes are meant to be more laterally stable and are created with that side-to-side mobility in mind. Tennis shoes will also last longer, particularly if you play on hard courts.
>>>You can check list of best tennis shoes here
But, for now let’s look into how to pick tennis shoes.
How to choose tennis shoes for Men and women?
What kind of court do you prefer to play on?
Whether it’s a hard court, a clay court, or a grass court, you should look for a tennis shoe with an outsole made particularly for the sort of surface you’ll be playing on.
Why? Because clay, hard, and grass courts all play differently, your game and footwork will alter significantly as well. Wearing a tennis shoe that is built to handle the construction of the court is essential for maintaining good footing on each court surface.
Outsoles for Hard Courts
A hard court is the most frequent surface. Therefore, when it comes to outsole durability, this court is the most demanding. A modified herringbone pattern is usually used on hard court outsoles to provide the right balance of grip and give on the court.
There are a variety of hard court shoes available, ranging from lightweight speed shoes to more robust and solid choices. Because energetic movers may quickly wear out shoes on hard courts, some shoes come with a six-month outsole warranty.
Clay Tennis Shoes with an Outsole
A complete herringbone (zig-zags) tread pattern is generally found on the outsole of a clay court shoe. When running, pausing, or changing directions, this pattern helps keep clay out of your outsole, allowing you to have a greater grip on the court.
The herringbone pattern makes sliding from side to side more predictable, allowing you to properly glide into and recover from a shot. If any clay does collect between points, a couple of taps on the shoe with your racquet should loosen it. It also gives you the traction you need to go forward and backward safely.
Another reason you’ll want a pair of clay-specific shoes if you intend on playing on clay regularly is that they generally feature a tighter knit top that not only aids instability but also keeps the clay out of your shoes.
Tennis Shoes for Grass Court
Grass, like clay, is gentler on the body and joints. While there aren’t many grass court shoe options, this surface is known for being quick, so you’ll want to wear a tennis shoe with a grass court outsole.
This outsole provides excellent traction for players on slick terrain. The “nubs” or “pimples” on the outsole of a grass court tennis shoe resemble those on a cleat-like shoe. Despite the rough outsole, it should do little harm to the court and let players move swiftly on this fast surface. These, unlike hard court shoes, cannot be used on any other surface.
Tennis Shoes for all types of Courts
Like Nike, Adidas, Asics, and Babolat, most manufacturers now offer all-court tennis shoes that are intended to manage the nuances of all three types of courts. These multi-purpose tennis shoes may be your best choice if you seek a specific surface type.
Consider your style of play
Your shoe type will be determined by one of two sorts of lying methods. These playing styles necessitate shoes that are both sturdy and flexible. Because of the lateral motion, players near the court’s backline require a very robust sole. Consider investing in a long-lasting sole.
The player who serves and volleys: Taking control of the net, their players glide their backfoot down the ground to serve. The show’s main characteristics should be a sturdy toe cap and a medial within the arch.
Type of Foot
The more you know about your foot type, the better equipped you’ll be to discover shoes that have the characteristics you need to perform at your best while avoiding injury on the court.
There are three varieties of feet, and there are a few techniques to figure out which one you have:
Pronated foot type
Players with pronated feet may observe increased shoe wear around the balls of their feet on the inside. If you step in the water barefoot and leave an imprint on the ground, you’ll notice that your whole footprint appears with little or no apparent gap. If you’re one of the 60% of people who have pronated feet, you’ll want to look for shoes that provide better lateral support to protect your knees and ankles.
Supinated foot type
If the outside of your heel and forefoot of your shoes are worn down, you probably have supinated feet. A huge empty gap in the middle arch area of the footprint would be shown by your wet feet test. Players should look for shoes that offer more flexibility and shock absorption, as well as more heel room.
Ideal foot type
In the wet test, players with even shoe wear and a balanced/neutral foot mark have an ideal foot type that is suited for most tennis shoes.
What can you do to improve the comfort of your tennis shoes?
Tennis shoes with a shock-absorbing footbed may be made more comfortable, reducing stress on muscles. We also recommend carefully picking a pair of cushioned tennis socks, which may have characteristics such as moisture-wicking, enhanced breathability, and improved grip, in addition to providing more cushioning.
Final Thoughts about choosing Tennis Shoes
We hope that by the end of this blog, you must have got all the essential information needed to look for the perfect pair of tennis shoes even if you are a newbie or a seasoned veteran! Do you look for any other parameters while choosing tennis shoes? Let us know in the comment section below.