Tennis shoes are designed with stability, durability and comfort in mind. Wilson’s popular Rush Pro 4.0s boast an outstanding 4.1 star rating on Wilson and feature a split chassis to support players’ foot movements.
Gael Monfils of Tennis World Federation relies on Asics Gel Resolution 9’s as they provide the perfect combination of comfort, stability, and durability – although their weight may be prohibitive for some users.
1. Neutral
For runners whose feet move in a neutral motion (without pronation or supination), neutral shoes may be their optimal choice. These shoes offer support and cushioning without altering natural foot motion, they do not feature medial posts or guide rails and they’re usually lighter than stability shoes.
If you’re uncertain if your current running shoes are stable or neutral, there are various ways you can check them. One approach is examining their wear pattern: If wear patterns on the inside heel and toe appear to indicate overpronation and require more stable shoes. Another is trying on new pair and running in them around your neighborhood or track; if these new shoes feel comfortable enough that you can run longer and faster in them than your old pair they are probably neutral.
Neutral shoes tend to offer lots of cushioning with minimal support features. They may feature side walls or other structural components to help keep your foot in its proper position and prevent collapsing either medially or laterally, or feature either a rigid or flexible heel counter for additional support and to stop you from sliding out of the shoe.
The ASICS Novablast 3 is an excellent lightweight neutral shoe. Featuring Flytefoam Blast+ midsole technology for softness and guidance for your foot, its redesigned upper and lower heel drop make this shoe suitable for beginners as well as experienced runners with higher mileage needs. Lightweight and easily portable – great for quick workouts as well as longer runs!
2. Flexible
Not everyone with flexible feet has it easy when it comes to finding tennis shoes that fit properly, however. Shoes featuring a molded footbed and flexible upper are more likely to provide a secure yet flexible fit without compromising flexibility. If you have wider feet, shoes with larger toe boxes may work better; K-Swiss sneakers with Durawrap Flex technology that prevents toe dragging might also work well as they feature grooved bottoms for increased stability – Chin recommends these for those wanting an instantaneous yet durable option suitable for use on any court surface.
ASICS shoes have long been favored by professionals like Gael Monfils, Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek for providing excellent support and stability while keeping feet cool with its breathable mesh exterior.
If you play tennis or any racquet sport that requires quick lateral movements and side-to-side motions, having shoes designed specifically to support such linear stop-and-start movements is of utmost importance. Most running shoes don’t provide sufficient support.
Asics worked closely with Novak Djokovic to design his ideal tennis shoes, and came up with the Speed FF 2. Combining elements from both their Gel Resolution and Solution FF series shoes for added support and lightness, these are designed for side-to-side movement with maximum speed in mind – ideal for stopping and starting on any dime without losing stability or support; not recommended for those suffering ankle issues but great option for competitive players looking to boost their game!
3. Supinated
If you supinate, or roll outward from the ankle when walking or running, it’s crucial that your shoe can accommodate this unique movement pattern. People who supinate tend to land on the outside of their foot during heel contact and can lead to uneven wear across the outer edge of their shoes – leading to plantar fasciitis, knee pain, shin splints or discomfort on either the sides or heels over time.
Supinators require shoes with both a firm yet stable platform to absorb impact forces and cushioning that is soft yet bouncy enough to absorb shock and distribute their weight evenly. Neutral shoes tend to offer better cushioning than motion control shoes due to their more flexible material that absorbs shock more effectively and stiffer midsole/arch material constructions.
Pronation, an integral component of gait cycle, allows your feet to absorb shock with each stride. However, overpronation (sometimes known as underpronation) may become a problem for some runners; caused by foot not rolling in enough at toe-off point; chronic underpronation can lead to injuries in feet, ankles, knees hips and backs.
Underpronators require shoes with flexible construction that feature a lower and more rigid last shape to allow their foot to naturally transition through its gait cycle. Rockport, New Balance, Nike, Asics and Clark offer underpronator running shoes; regardless of your foot type you should consider the surface you play most often when selecting new tennis shoes; playing style; shoe size as well as other factors when making your selection in order to maximize training while preventing injury.
4. Flat
Many tennis players prefer lightweight shoes that feel fast, enabling them to move swiftly around the court. Other players may prioritize stability and control more than speed; manufacturers make shoes to meet all three features that most players look for while striking an effective balance between weight, stability and durability in order to meet every player’s specific requirements.
As tennis shoes must provide more support to the foot, as well as withstanding wear-and-tear from hard, clay, or grass courts, they often weigh more than running shoes. This extra weight increases durability while protecting feet from injuries.
Flatness is also key for tennis shoes. Many tennis players who are supinated (i.e. their foot imprint is large and rolls excessively inward during each stride) could benefit from less flexible yet more stable shoes to reduce shock to feet and knees as well as prevent ankle injuries from quick lateral movements.
Others players possess neutral feet, meaning their arches lie near the center of their footprint lines or near it. Players with neutral feet typically can use any type of tennis shoe; however, for added support in quick lateral movements and to prevent overpronation it would benefit from one with extra midfoot support such as Asics Gel Resolution 9. Another excellent choice would be Adidas Barricade 2016 or Nike Zoom Vapor 9.5 Tour models.
5. Cavus
Cavus or high arch feet are defined by firm and rigid structures with overly-supinate and high pressure points on the sole, heel, and forefoot of each foot, leading to foot pain in multiple parts of the body ranging from toes and knees all the way back up through knees and back. While genetic in nature, this foot type may also be affected by injuries and health conditions that make things worse.
Pes cavus is more prevalent among men than women and can affect people of all ages. Treatment depends on its cause; possible solutions could include shoe gear modification, orthotic devices that redistribute weight and help with balance issues, padding for calluses or callus care, bracing or surgery.
An ideal shoe for this foot type will feature nonrigid toe box material that comfortably accommodates a high instep, providing flexibility and cushioning to help adapt to surfaces more readily while relieving stress on heel and midfoot areas. Shoes designed to decrease overpronation will also provide great support.
Cavus foot sufferers should opt for soft cushioned running shoes like the Brooks Ghost or New Balance 1080v7 to compensate for mild overpronation, offering additional cushioning that helps adapt to surfaces while relieving excess pressure from ball of foot and heel that can lead to pain in heels, ankles, legs, knees. Furthermore, these shoes may help reduce fatigue by taking away some of the legwork from foot muscles over long distances.