With summer here, who doesn’t love a good old game on the tennis court? From a knock about with your mates to a full-on grudge match with your tennis club nemesis,to really score the advantage you need to make sure you have the gear to match.
Whatever your tennis level, grabbing any old pair of sneakers for a blast on the tennis court simply just won’t do. Unlike running or general sports shoeswhich are generally softer, for a fast-paced game like tennis you also need support and stability to help you play harder, faster and stronger. Simply put – you want to be able to do a victory leap over the net after busting your opponent’s serve than be left in chalk dust when your footwear lets you down.
So, if you are looking to channel your inner Pete Sampras this season, then let us help you find the perfect love match when it comes to your next pair of tennis shoes.
The Best Tennis Shoe For Men
1NIKE Men’s Court Lite Tennis Shoes
For a no-nonsense tennis shoe, check out Nike’s Court Lite. Durable, with enough comfort and stability to see you through the twists and turns of a good game, the hardwearing Court Lite also offers lasting traction on tougher surfaces.
When it comes to looks, this isn’t the sharpest kid on the block, but it’s ultimately a fantastically straightforward tennis trainer that can step up to the baseline as your game develops. Great value all-rounder that does what ‘it says on the tin’.
Made with textile and synthetic materials
A mesh tongue for extra ventilation
GDR outsoles for adequate and durable traction
Extra-material for toe protection
- BrandNike
- Model845021
- Weight3 pounds
2Adidas Men’s Gamecourt Tennis Shoe
Take a spin with these phenomenal shoes that provide enhanced traction for the playing field. Whirls and slides have nothing on these outsoles; they were made to support such fast action moves. With quality and durability being the priority, the Adidas Men’s GameCourt Tennis Shoes was made from quality materials set to withstand the constant frictions and fast-paced action on the tennis court. The soles are made with rubber to provide a non-slip base that will withstand the elements and still provide the superior balance every play craves.
For an Adidas brand, they are quite inexpensive and provide the support and comfort required by every sportsman. You don’t have to break the bank to afford quality shoes that provide comfort, a perfect fit and durability anymore. The textile and synthetic make ensures it still stands up to the quality Adidas has worked so hard to establish and maintain. The ingeniously designed patterns on the base make it easier to move on the court, make easy and swift moves and gain the confidence you need to win.
Affordable and high performance
Rubber soles
Lightweight with an excellent fit
Sturdy with good lateral stability
- Brandadidas
- Weight12 ounces
3New Balance Men’s mc806 Tennis Shoe
If you’re looking for an all-round tennis shoe at a decent price, then you can’t go wrong with New Balance’s mc806. Happiest on a hard court – with its herringbone sole and reinforced toe it makes light work of concrete – it also features a non-marking outsole and good traction, allowing this stylish tennis sneaker to step it up if you move over to clay. The mc806 also offers stability and support, helping to sustain your balance and pace, even in the most fast and furious of matches.
Leather upper and synthetic sole
Reinforced, perforated toe box and side panel
ABZORB cushioning
C-CAP midsole and non-marking outsole
Herringbone outsole provides traction for lateral motion
- BrandNew Balance
- Modelmc806
- Weight1.6 ounces
4Adidas Men’s Barricade Club Tennis Shoe
A firm favorite on the court, the BarricadeClub will give you the advantage when it comes to combining performance and value. Lightweight but with the cushioning and support you would expect from a more expensive tennis shoe, the Barricade is no budget store player.
The more aggressive player will also appreciate the Barricade’s midfoot support system that makes light work of every twist and lunge to get you through the most intense of rallies.
Slim fit, durable design
Supportive midfoot TORSION system
Removable insole
ADIPRENE under the heel for extra cushioning
Reinforced toe to protect against drag
- BrandAdidas
- Modelbarricade club-M
- Weight3 pounds
5K-Swiss Men’s Hypercourt Express
Super comfortable and light on its feet, the Hypercourt Express is one of the speediest tennis shoes on the circuit. With just the right amount of rigid support to keep your foot stable, the Hypercourt is built to cope with the rigors of both fast to the net sprints and intense lateral play.
Some K-Swiss diehard fans may rally against the use of breathable fabric rather than the typical all-leather this Californian company is known for, but this lightweight tennis sneakerhas the balls to get your game flying high.
Rigid 180 PCS mid-foot support chassis
Breathable fabric lining for in-shoe comfort
Molded insole offers underfoot cushioning
EVA midsole provides shock absorption
Durable rubber outsole for durability and traction
- BrandK-Swiss
- Model03377
- Weight3 pounds
6ASICS Men’s Gel-Dedicate 5 Tennis Shoe
Designed for regular tennis players with medium-intensity footwork, ASICS Gel Dedicate 5 are hardwearing enough to take you from starter player to game smasher.
This tennis shoe is a real all-rounder and has been designed for both hard and soft surfaces without compromising on durability or performance. With its classic good looks, you’ll feel the part as you step up to serveand, with its impressive cushioning and traction, you’ll be ready to bring the game on.The Gel-Dedicate 5 also comes in at a great price point for new to the court or recreational players.
Flexible upper shoe design
Stability for all court surfaces
Solid rubber outsole for enhanced durability and traction
Forefoot GEL Cushioning System for effective shock absorption
Trusstic System Technology for a lighteroutsole
- BrandASICS
- ModelGEL-Dedicate 5-M
- Weight2 pounds
7New Balance Men’s MC1006v1 Tennis Shoe
With top-notch comfort and performance, along with uncomplicated looks, what’s not to love about the MC1006v1 tennis shoe? New Balance has placed stability, cushioning and breathability at the forefront of this shoe’s design, resulting in a classic all-surface tennis trainer that will keep you cool when the temperature on court rises.
A great fit for those of us with feet on the wider side, its rigid outsole is also extremely hardwearing, but this does mean that it’s perhaps not as flexible as some other tennis shoes on the market. But if comfort and value for money are as important as performance, then the MC1006v1 is good bet.
Cushion-and stability-minded tennis shoe
Breathable mesh insets
Speed-boosting REVlite lightweight foam midsole
Non-marking Ndurance outsole
Six-month durability guarantee
- BrandNew Balance
- ModelMC1006V1 Tennis Shoe-M
- Weight3 pounds
8Adidas Men’s Approach Tennis Shoe
With good traction and grip, the Approach is more geared to a hard court, but is adaptable enough to switch it up on softer surfaces. Solid and unfussy, with the typical Adidas credentials, the Approach tennis shoe is an extremely sturdy sneaker that is just lacking a bit in the cutting edge looks department. But looks are not everything and its strength is in the power it can put in your foot when you step up the pace. A comfortable, hardworking tennis sneaker for everyday play.
Stylish leather-look upper
Perforated for added ventilation
Padded ankle collar, padded tongue
EVA foam midsole
Durable, non-marking ADIWEAR outsole
- BrandAdidas
- ModelApproach
- Weight3 pounds
9ASICS Men’s Gel-Resolution 7 Tennis Shoe
If you are an aggressive baseline player, then the ASICS Gel-Resolution 7 offers awesome stability, even in the fastest of games on a hard court. This tennis shoe can take whatever you throw at it, without sacrificing comfort or support. Rear and fore foot gel cushioning provide effective shock absorption while a tough outsole, outer panels and toe protector support a wide range of fast-paced as well as lateral movement.
The Gel-Resolution 7’s sturdy design and cushioning systems mean that they can be a little snug at first, but this is a definitely a shoe to bear with and your game will thank you for it!
Durable synthetic outer panels
Flexion Fit Upper for comfort without sacrificing support
Rearfoot and Forefoot GEL cushioning systems
PGuard Toe Protector for enhanced toe durability
Six-month outsole warranty
- BrandASICS
- ModelGEL-Resolution 7-M
- Weight15 ounces
10Adidas Men’s Barricade 2018 Tennis Shoe
Stepping up from the Barricade Club, the Barricade 2018 tennis shoe has been designed to give professional player performance at an affordable price. Its Geofit construction offers comfort and cushioning where you need it the most and supports you as you up your game. The Barricade 2018 also has a flexible, man-made upper that stretches to adapt to your every move and can weather the hardest of serves, volleys and extreme speed moves.
But its impressive flexibility does compromise stability. Its chassis construction provides a secure lock-down fit that also gives the right amount of cushioning and freedom of movement plus a tough outsole to absorbs the shocks of a hard game. All in all, a durable tennis shoe that can take every twist, lunge or sprint in its stride.
Seamless forgedmesh upper for support and stretch
Soft, stretchable tongue and bootee construction for snug fit
Adiprene+ in the forefoot maintains propulsion and efficiency
Abrasion-resistant Adituff to help protect against foot drag
Adiwear 6 outsole offers the ultimate in high-wear durability
- BrandAdidas
- Weight15 ounces
Tennis Shoe Buying Guide
How We Chose Our Selection of Tennis Shoes For Men
From casual play or the occasional knock-about to a more serious player with a competitive edge, the type of tennis sneaker you choose needs to game, set, and match your own tennis ambitions.
Brand - Sport shoes need to be made of good quality materials for top performance during activities that require high levels of energy and movements. We made sure that all the products we chose were from good brands that deliver high-standard shoes that can take the heat on the court.
Price - There’s always a product affordable enough for practically everyone looking to buy good tennis shoes. We went the extra mile to ensure our list had a variety of products with a price range a lot of people will comfortably afford.
Reviews - Reviews are extremely important; they validate the efficiency and true quality of a product. We thoroughly went through the reviews on a wide range of products to ensure they were worth the hype. The products that were outlined above had a great number of positive feedbacks that qualified them to make the cut.
Features To Look for In Tennis Shoes
Materials - Sports shoes need to be durable enough for the friction and scraping they endure on the court. They have to be made of materials that are strong enough to stay intact from the constant high-tension play. These shoes are usually shock-absorbent and also provide adequate support for the ankles during playtime.
Comfort - In as much as the shoes have to be made from top quality, durable and sturdy materials, they should also be comfortable enough to accommodate the feet. Regardless of the terrain being played on, the shoes should be comfortable and light on the feet to get you through every game, hurt-free. They should also be made of materials that encourage ventilation and extra-breathability so the feet stay adequately hydrated through the game.
Durability - Good tennis shoes should be made to last the long haul, due to the terrains and the high-energy sport. It is both expensive and unnecessary to keep changing tennis shoes regularly as they should be sturdy enough to keep form over time.
Cushioning - Tennis is undoubtedly a high-performance game; it’s hard to get through such a routine with uncomfortable shoes. That is why the shoes have to be adequately padded for enhanced cushioning. The padding should cover the insoles and the sides and the tongue, providing comforting support on every turn.
Outsole - The outsole of every shoe has direct contact with the ground; some are thick while others are lighter. Consider the turf or terrain you’ll be playing at so as to pick out shoes that have the right outsole for that. They should also have good traction and shock absorbance qualities to take the constant friction from the various terrains.
Insole - Let’s be real, tennis games are quite challenging; moving sharply and tenaciously from one side of the court to the other. The insoles are the first contact your feet have before the outsoles; they provide the necessary support the feet require to keep going on. You should also ensure the in-soles fit the whole length of the shoe to prevent injuries or future pain.
Things To Consider With Tennis Shoes For Men
When it comes to acing your game, it isn’t a case of one size fits all, you need to match your tennis shoes to how and where you play.
Court Surface
Tennis can be played on a variety of surfaces, and the court type has a bearing on the tennis shoes you need.
So, whether your preferred surface is hard court, soft clay, or grass, you’ll need to choose the type of shoe to keep you match fit.
For hard court surfaces, such as concrete, you’ll need a shoe with increased durability to ensure the shoe’s outer sole is resilient and that there’s sufficient cushioning and support in the shoe’s upper to keep your foot protected. Hard courts can also wear out your soles more quickly so keep an eye out for any wear and tear.
The play on a soft or clay court is slower than on a hard surface, so you need tennis trainers designed with lateral support and traction in mind as you power-play from the baseline. They also need a sole that grips without leaving marks on the court surface.
For grass courts, you’ll need a good grip as it can be slippery underfoot and a flatter outsole so you don’t damage the turf. You don’t need as much durability in your tennis shoe if you are playing on grass as the surface is softer underfoot.
Do you play where the chance takes you? If you’re mixing it up on grass, concrete, or clay, then opt for a multi-court shoe that’s been designed for play on different surfaces, saving you the cost of buying different types of tennis shoes for men.
Playing Style
Are you an aggressive baseliner, prefer to serve and volley, or are you an all-court player? Whatever your playing style, you need to choose a pair of tennis shoes that can keep up.
Playing from the baseline means you need durable soled shoes to support you as you move from side-to-side and provide stability as you power the ball down the court. But for a serve and volley player, you’ll also need a durable toecap and well-fitting insole to protect your foot in the forward and back movement as you play.
If in any doubt, chat to the fitting expert in your sports store, and you’ll soon get matched up with your tennis shoe ‘sole’ mate.
Tennis Shoe FAQ
Q: What’s the difference between Sneakers and Tennis Shoes?
A: Tennis shoes are specifically designed for playing on the various tennis courts, they support the feet during play and provide shock absorbance, stability, and the necessary traction. Sneakers can be worn regularly as dressing shoes and are not necessarily designed for the field.
Q: Do tennis shoes make a difference?
A: Tennis shoes definitely make the difference since they are designed specifically for the sport. Some amateur players actually play with sneakers that are not so safe; sneakers are more comfort-designed. Tennis shoes provide support and stability on the court while providing enough cushioning to keep you comfortable.
Q: Is it important to wear court shoes while playing tennis?
A: Yes it is, tennis shoes provide the traction and cushioning you require on the field as a tennis player that other sports shoes may not provide.
