Shopping for Tennis Shoes
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Finding the Right Tennis Shoe
Whether your just a casual player or training for a tournament, having the right pair of tennis shoes on your feet is just as important as having a good racquet in your hand. While many factors are largely personal preference, there are a few universal elements you should be keeping in mind when buying a pair of tennis shoes.
A Few Tips
The best thing you can do is to first read up online about any specific shoe model that you are interested in, and then head into your local sporting equipment store to try them on for yourself. Here are a few things to keep in mind when shopping for tennis shoes:
- Non-marking sole: For outdoor players, this isn't an issue, but if you do plan on playing tennis indoors at any point, many gyms require you to wear non-marking soles as to not scuff their floors. Most tennis shoe soles are non-marking, but confirm with the sales associate before making your purchase.
- Lightweight: Like running shoes, having lightweight tennis shoes make for a more comfortable and less tiring experience. It can make your game unnecessarily difficult if the shoes you are wearing are too heavy. Ideally, it should almost feel like there is no additional weight on your feet at all.
- Lateral support: Tennis involves a lot of lateral movement, so it's important that your feet and ankles are properly supported. One of the most common injuries is ankle rollover or "twisting your ankle", so ensure that your shoes can handle the quick changes in direction inherent to tennis play. A wide footprint, a flat sole, and a good lacing system are usually good indications of adequate lateral support.
- Durability: Especially if you're playing outdoors on hard courts, you want soles that can last and withstand the natural wear that occurs with playing tennis. Of course, harder soles weigh more, so find the balance between weight and durability that works best for you.
- Cushioning: If you play primarily on hard courts (as opposed to grass or clay courts), then having proper cushioning and shock absorption is of great importance, especially giving the jarring nature of tennis movements. You will be performing many quick stops and starts, so make sure the shoes you select have adequate cushioning. Good socks also help.
Shoe Brands
The names that you know and trust when it comes to considering a pair of shoes for basketball, running, and cross-country also come into play when you consider picking up a pair for your tennis needs. The three biggest names in the industry are:
Tennis Brands
Although you may only think of these brands when it comes to picking equipment -- like racquets, balls, attire, strings, and the like -- there is also an excellent selection of tennis shoes from these well-known names as well:
Pricing
You will find that whether you take a more conventional route and stick to "shoe" brands like Nike, or take the more specialized selection from "tennis" brands like Head, the pricing will be competitive and in the same range. For the most part, you can expect to pay anywhere between $50 to $100 for a decent pair of tennis shoes, with higher end models, of course, going for more. Keep in mind that shoes are 'wear' items and will need to be replaced, and if you are serious about your game, you would not be ill-advised to have a pair of shoes that you only use for tennis, to avoid the wear and tear of everyday use.
Related Buyers Guide Links
- How to Buy Tennis Lessons
- How to Buy a Tennis Racquet
- How to Buy Men's Sneakers
- How to Buy Men's Socks
- How to Buy Golf Shoes
This page has been accessed 728 times. This page was last modified 21:43, 24 April 2006.
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