Just like choosing the best tennis racquet, when it comes to finding the right tennis shoes, quite a few factors come into play.
Most players tend to have their brand allegiances and colour choice. However, you also need to think about your foot type (everyone walks and runs a little differently, and different shoes can aid performance/prevent injury), the surface you play on most frequently, your playing style, the size/shape of your foot and finally your budget.
While many recreational players will play in running trainers, you’ll soon realise how quickly they get worn down if you start to play with any frequency.
Proper tennis shoes are designed to stand up to significant wear and tear, allowing for a lot of stopping & starting, pivots, slides and lateral movement.
All the shoes I’ve picked out below provide extra lateral support, robust materials, plenty of cushioning, decent levels of shock absorption, and reinforced soles/toe guards.
As someone with quite wide feet and a tendency to stub my toe when playing, I’ve tried quite a few different shoes over the years from Nike, Asics, Babolat and Prince in the quest for the perfect shoe, so I’ve been able to test (and continue to do so) a lot of what is on offer.
So while I haven’t tried every shoe from every manufacturer (I’m slowly working on it), I’ve tried most of the best sellers and a mix of lightweight ‘speed’ orientated shoes and heavier, more durable ones.
As a result, this guide will help you find a tennis shoe that provides a good comfort level and agility and won’t fall to pieces after two weeks. So let’s begin!
In a rush and want to get the best shoe without reading full reviews? The Gel Resolution 8 is my recommendation for most players as it’s such an excellent all-around shoe.
The Gel Resolution is one of the most popular tennis shoes ever made. Several pros wear them like Gael Monfils, Johanna Konta, Fabio Fognini and Novak Djokovic before switching to the Asics Court FF Novak.
This latest version is the 8th iteration and sees Asics bring a new PU upper with mesh with a wider toe box. They have also enhanced the outsole of this shoe with improved pivot points. Their Dynawrap and Dynawall help lock in the foot and provide the highest level of support and stability.
What sets this shoe apart and makes it my top pick is its all-around performance. Along with top-notch support, stability and durability, you’re also getting a shoe that’s comfortable, well-cushioned and fast-feeling. A six-month outsole durability guarantee also tops things off nicely.
Players looking for a high-end tennis shoe that gives them everything they need can purchase the Gel Resolution 8 with utmost confidence.
> View Gel Resolution 8 Pricing
A good tennis shoe is not a one-size-fits-all thing (pun intended), as most players value some aspects of a shoe more than others. Some want ultra-lightweight to aid with foot speed; others prefer support to stop themselves rolling an ankle.
In general, though, most players are looking for a blend of the following properties:
All tennis shoe manufacturers are producing shoes that offer those characteristics. They usually have various product lines that offer all those things in equal amounts as an ‘all-round’ shoe.
Along with specific models that focus more on one area, e.g. durability, at the expense of another, e.g. speed (or lightweight).
An excellent example is the Gel Resolution line designed to be a durable all-rounder compared to the Solution Speed FF, a lightweight shoe. While they are similar looking, they are quite different in performance.
Most club players don’t have the luxury of an endorsement deal, and from questions, I receive via email, durability tends to be the leading thing players are looking for. With many are often willing to forego a little bit of comfort in exchange for not having to get their wallet out at more regular intervals. My picks below are in the main biased towards durability.
Finally, before we get going, here are some general observations about the mainstream brands; it is reasonably well accepted that Nike shoes, for the most part, tend to be very comfortable and slick looking but suffer when it comes to durability.
With Adidas, you historically had the Barricade line, which is heavy, super stable, supportive, and very durable, but this also made the model relatively uncomfortable. On the other end, you have the Ubersonic, which is super light and comfortable but not as stable or durable.
Asics do a phenomenal job of being very good in almost all aspects performance-wise and are comfortable, which is why they are my tennis shoes of choice.
You then have some lesser-known and, in some cases, cheaper brands that produce excellent quality products like Lotto, Mizuno, K-Swiss, Babolat and Yonex.
Most of the big brands update their designs on a yearly or bi-yearly basis without really changing the shoe’s performance.
That means the ‘older’ model can often be picked up at knockdown prices; for example, the Mizuno Exceed I recommend below is now at iteration 4. But the Exceed 3 is still a fantastic shoe and can be picked up at 40% cheaper than the 4, which is a bit of a no brainer.
From time to time, though, there are changes in construction. For example, I think the Gel Resolution 8 is a significant improvement on the Gel Resolution 7. It’s more flexible, has a roomier toe box and performs better. Would I still buy the seven if the price was right? Yes, but I do prefer the eight overall.
I’ll highlight which area each shoe performs well in and anywhere it’s not up to scratch in all my selections below. I’ll also say whether I think it’s significantly better than the model it’s replacing.
Here are what I consider to be the best tennis shoes you can buy in 2022.
Let’s take a look at each shoe in a bit more detail. Some of the picks have also been reviewed in full on a dedicated post, so if they’re on your shortlist and you want more information, click through to read the full review.
I reviewed the Asics Court FF 2 at the back end of 2019, and they quickly became my favourite tennis shoe, replacing a pair of Gel Resolution 7’s I’d been wearing long term.
They’re the shoe of choice for Novak Djokovic and feature a mono sock design that keeps the foot secure and aids how connected you feel to the court.
Not everyone liked the mono sock, but it offered a snug feeling, was easy to get on and gave a nice connected feel to the court despite them sitting higher than some lighter shoes.
The Court FF 2 are my top pick as they’re a great all-around shoe. Very comfortable, excellent durability, and required zero break-in time.
Are they significantly better than the original Court FF? I’d say slightly, I prefer them overall, but some players will choose the softer upper on the Court FF 1 shoe, and they’re worth picking up in the sale.
Read Full Asics Court FF 2 Review
Second on my list and new for 2022 is the latest iteration of the Asics Gel Resolution line: The Gel Resolution 8.
This is Asics’s heavier, more durable model, and it performs exceptionally well. I reviewed the shoes at the start of the year and found them to be the best Gel Resolution shoes to date.
The overall combination of stability, durability, and comfort are, in my opinion, the best in any shoe on the market.
This particular shoe has been developed alongside Gael Monfils, one of the most athletic guys on tour. It seems to address some of the problems some people had with the Gel Resolution 7 model regarding comfort and toe box narrowness.
I like this model because comfort is not compromised despite being very stable and supportive. This does not usually happen with shoes with this durability level, so it’s a top choice for anyone who plays the game.
Is it considerably better than the Gel Resolution 7? I’d say yes; it’s more flexible on the upper and toe area, and the toe box width is improved.
I think they’re comfier too, but the Gel Resolution 7 hasn’t become a lousy shoe overnight, so, at a discounted price, you might get a better price: performance ratio.
Read Full Asics Gel Resolution 8 Review
Brought back due to customer demand after Adidas launched the third iteration of their Ubersonic line, the Ubersonic 4’s are my favourite lightweight shoe and ideal for players who like a fast, light-footed feeling around the court.
I put these shoes third on my list as overall, I value the Gel Resolution 8’s durability more. However, many players think durable-oriented shoes leave them feeling sluggish around the court, especially on surfaces like clay that aren’t so harsh on the soles.
This isn’t the case with the Ubersonic 4’s, as speed and efficiency are excellent. Some players’ only drawback will be the sock fit and no tongue, making them harder to get for some foot types.
Mizuno is a brand I associate more with Golf, but they’ve been making more of an appearance on the ATP Tour of late, sponsoring several players with clothing and footwear.
They are very popular with many doubles players, and Roberto Bautista Agut is probably their most significant singles player. He wears the Mizuno Wave Exceed Tour 3 AC, a quality shoe.
My recommendation here is the Exceed Tour 4 as it’s more readily available; however, if you can still find the Exceed 3 models in stock, get those instead as they will be much cheaper.
From speaking to a friend who has worn Mizuno tennis shoes for the last three years, the Exceed 3 and 4 offers a lot of support and a good amount of traction in a lightweight package. Durability is also above average in their testing. The best description I can give is they’re a slightly less beefy version of the Gel Resolution 7 or 8.
Finally, Mizuno’s consensus is that they run slightly oversized, so many players tend to go half a size down.
Despite being more famed for their tennis racquets and natural gut strings widely used on the ATP and WTA Tours, Babolat also has a range of good quality tennis shoes.
One of my favourites is the Babolat Jet Mach III, as they’re light but still offer excellent levels of support thanks to the aramid and polyamide in the upper.
They’re also one of the most comfortable shoes on the market when fresh out of the box and don’t have a break-in period.
Are they far better than the Jet Mach II? They offer a similar performance to the previous model but are slightly more comfortable and somewhat more durable, thanks to the improved Michelin DIN20 outsole.
Compared to the Jet Mach II, Babolat has made some decent improvements to its durability. The Jet Mach II were on a par with other speed/performance-orientated shoes; now, I’d rate them above average.
On the flip side, they are slightly less speedy than the Jet Mach II, so for players who like that fleet of foot feeling from the light shoes, the Jet Mach II is a better choice.
Finally, be aware that Babolat shoes can run small, and most customers and retailers recommend going half a size up to compensate.
The Power Cushion Eclipsion 3 are the shoes of choice for Stan Wawrinka and Casper Ruud, and they’re Yonex’s flagship shoe for support, stability, and durability.
One of my hitting partners is a long time wearer of Yonex shoes and thinks the Eclipsion live up to the support and stability claims but aren’t the most durable.
The shoe itself has a Power Graphite Drive plate that gives a lot of support and stability, but that also gives the shoes a reasonably rigid, narrow fit, which means they need quite a lot of break-in time.
Traction is also impressive on the Eclipsion, thanks to the multi-directional herringbone pattern. Still, durability isn’t the best and is subpar compared to some of the other shoes in this guide, so while I rate the shoe, they need replacing more often than Asics ones.
New to the list as of March 2021 is the Asics Solution Speed FF 2, the revamped version of the previous Solution Speed FF shoe.
The first FF line didn’t receive excellent feedback when it hit the market. However, the second generation has righted those wrongs, and Asics have produced a top-quality lightweight tennis shoe.
Fans of the pre FF Solution Speed line will definitely like this model, and it’s one of the best ‘speed’ orientated shoes on the market.
It’s, of course, both light and comfy as you’d expect, but in my testing, the most significant plus point was the traction. The sole design just seems to grip when you need it to.
The only negative is the durability, but that’s the sacrifice you have to make when you are after the lighter tennis shoes.
Read full Asics Solution Speed FF 2 review
As a long time fan of the Diadora Blueshield 5, when the Italian brand launched the Speed B.Icon as their most performance orientated tennis shoe to date I was keen to try it out.
As you can see, it’s made my best-of list and after testing and I believe this shoe is rather close to toppling Asics as my preferred tennis footwear.
The Speed B.Icon is a performance and streamlined tennis shoe built more for speed and it has a pretty interesting design.
The most eye-catching thing about the design is the external TPU stabiliser where the lace loops through. I thought that was purely an aesthetics thing at first but it is there to help provide lateral control and stability, without needing to put stiffer plastic inside the shoe which can make them stiff and uncomfortable.
I also like how the lace eyelets let the laces come over the shoe to lock in your heel and ankle so they offer plenty of stability and support.
The soles are also an interesting design, while it’s quite a broad grip area, there’s a breakpoint under the big toe that allow you to bend in the shoe when pivoting quickly.
This tapered channel seems to do a good job of bending more on the outside when you push from the outer part of your foot but staying firmer when pivoting under your big toe joint.
In terms of a break-in period, there’s a small one around the forefoot area, but the foam is super soft from the outset so it will likely depend on your foot shape. I was also impressed at the arch support on offer in a ‘speed’ shoe of this nature.
The best way for me to sum up the Speed B.Icon is that it’s a ‘minimalist’ type speed shoe but feels like a much more supportive shoe.
Overall I am a big fan of the lateral stability they have and my ability to push off when defending while still feeling speedy makes them a really great package.
I think for hardcore sliders and toe draggers, then there is quite a bit of exposed foam on the shoes that might see you burn through it quite quickly. I’m not a slider so it’s not an issue for me but it’s something to be aware of.
The overall design and colours aren’t the most attractive either, but that’s always been the case with Diadora shoes in my opinion. Function trumps aesthetics on tennis gear though.
Like the Asics Gel Resolution 8 shoes and Babolat Propulse Fury, KSwiss also offers a 6-month outsole warranty on their Ultrashot line.
The Ultrashot shoes are built in a very durable fashion thanks to the DragGuard and the Aosta 7.0 high-density rubber outsole, providing a durable shoe.
That makes the shoes quite heavy, but once on, they feel a bit lighter than their weight on the scales would suggest. So for players looking for a stable and locked-in feeling, the Ultrashots 3’s are great shoes.
One downside would be the shoes’ breathability, but that’s common across most tennis shoes focused on durability. Although the sock liner does an excellent job with moisture, it will need to dry off after a few hours of playing on a hot day.
Are these a significant improvement over the original Ultrashot and Ultrashot 2’s? KSwiss has undoubtedly fixed the issue many players discovered with the small tongue lacking padding on the originals, and I found them more stable than the Ultra Shot 2.
The shoe of choice for Milos Raonic and named Lav was the Canadian’s grandfather giving him that nickname (Serbian for Lion) when he was a kid.
The Lav is New Balance’s premium tennis shoe and is pretty slick looking with a complete bootie design and a knit/stitched upper, which helps with breathability and flexibility.
The key feature of the Lav is comfort, thanks to the fresh foam midsole, which provides a lot of cushioning. Couple that with the bootie construction, and you still get low to a ground feel.
Interestingly, the shoes are pretty heavy when you drop them on the scales, but they don’ feel too cumbersome once on. That’s likely due to the foam, which gives you a feeling of light footedness.
The Lav’s sole is a one-piece design that would make you think they’re not flexible like some of the Asics shoes in the midfoot, but they aren’t stiff and offer similar flex levels.
Despite the weight, the area the shoes disappoint is durability, but like some of the others in this list, New Balance does offer a 6-month outsole warranty that provides some peace of mind.
The following tennis shoes are ones I have not yet tested but have seen score well in playtests and receive positive feedback on the various forums like Reddit, Talktennis, Facebook etc.
In previous years, my top 10 tennis shoe list has always featured at least one pair of Nike tennis shoes, most recently the Nike Air Zoom Vapor X, which I liked.
I was a long time wearer of the Nike Vapor 9.5. Primarily for the slick-looking design as I think they’re one of the best looking shoes on the market.
However, neither of those shoes are available anymore, and they have been replaced by the Air Zoom Vapor Pro, which came out at the start of 2021.
I got a pair to review, but I am not a massive fan of the new Vapor Pro a few weeks in. The price: performance isn’t great, and I decided to remove it from the list and replace it with the Asics Solution Speed FF 2, which is a better buy.
I get the feeling Nike has lost its way with tennis shoes over recent years, and it doesn’t seem to be a massive area of focus. They definitely make stylish tennis footwear, but durability seems to decrease year on year, yet the price only goes upwards, so I can’t recommend them.
If you can stomach the durability, then the Vapor Pro are lightweight and give an excellent low to the ground feel, but you’ll need to replace them often.
This article primarily focuses on men’s tennis shoes as those are the models I have tested. However, most of my picks have a women’s version, which is identical in performance, so the selections also apply to the ladies.
However, I haven’t included a couple of shoes that perform well for the girls here, so a complete guide is coming soon.
So here are my top tennis shoe picks for 2022; I hope you found it helpful regardless of what level of the game you play.
I tried to highlight some of the general quirks or tendencies that brands have in terms of having two different kinds of models, the heavier, more stable, supportive, and more durable one and the lighter, faster, more comfortable ones but less durable version.
I hope you picked up how all of the different brands have common features regardless of what marketing spin they put on it.
If comfort is what you want out of your shoes, I suggest you get any of the Nike shoes, especially the Vapors. Asics are also a great option here—particularly the Court FF 2.
When it comes to durability, stability, and support, the Babolat Propulse Fury and the Asics Gel Resolution 8 are good options if you want durable shoes that are still comfortable.
The Gel Resolution 8’s are good for narrow feet as the new lacing system allows them to pull very tight. People with wider feet would probably feel most comfortable in the Nike Zoom Vapors or KSwiss shoes.
As a final recommendation, I would say, if in doubt, get the Asics Gel Resolution 8. I prefer the FF 2, but I think the Gel Resolution are the best model on this list and more suited to most players.
There are tons of players on the lower levels of the tour that are not sponsored that choose to wear the Gel Res line despite having many other options, so that is a decisive vote of confidence.
Finally, the most crucial takeaway is there is no such thing as a perfect shoe; you will have to make compromises in one area or another at some point.
You can sometimes get close to finding the best fit as there are so many available options, but chances are you’ll always be searching for that bit more comfort, stability or cushioning as tennis is hard on the feet.
Go to a store (try to support your local tennis shop if you can), try some on and if you want the best possible price, you can always shop online to find the best deal.
What are the best tennis shoes for wide feet and excellent support?
Generally, KSwiss, Diadora or Yonex Shoes are well suited for wider feet. I have pretty wide feet, and I’ve had no issue with Asics or Nike Vapors either. Other players I know say Nike Cage are also suitable for wider feet.
What other shoe brands offer good options that you haven’t mentioned?
I’ve heard many good things about Lotto shoes, particularly their Stratosphere model. Also, New Balance and Diadora have some interesting models that are getting good reviews.
I am looking for a low to the ground shoe but also has good cushioning; which models have these characteristics?
In general, I’d pick Asics shoes; they will give you plenty of cushioning whilst low to the ground. The Court FF 2 is a good pick. If you prefer other shoes, then using an insert is also a great idea to add cushioning to a shoe.
Is speed or stability more important in a tennis shoe?
Most of the time, there will be a compromise as light/fast shoes usually will not be as stable as a heavy shoe, but I find that the Asics Gel Resolution 8 has the best of both worlds and therefore is the best shoe to use. But if I had to choose one, it would be stability because I think it is essential to feel safe changing direction.
Which tennis shoes are best for weekend club player that are also cheap?
Barricade Team, if you can find them or look for shoes on sale, others in the tennis community recommend K-Swiss or Wilson shoes like the Rush Pro 3.0.
Leave a comment below or contact me, and I’ll get back to you, usually the same day but always within 48 hours.
If you have any feedback on any of the shoes above from your own experiences, do let me know in the comments.
No spam, just the latest tennis news and guides.
@Jon, based on your review I will definitely try the Asics Gel Resolution 8 (already have 2 pairs on my Amazon cart). Last year I purchased 7 Vapor X and I love their looks and are really comfy, but spending $1,000 per year on shoes is not good for my bank account 😜
2nd – Wow what an article – Respect Jonathan !!
Cheers, it’s an update and expansion of a post I wrote a few years ago that was a bit of out date. So refreshed for 2020.
This is just excellence, thank you Jonathan.
I have read a few negatives on the Gel Resolution 8 but like you I think they are much improved shoes over the Asics Gel Resolution 7. They feel very stable on court. My go to shoe.
Cool thanks. Yeah, I am a big fan of the 8’s. Like I wrote in the post I think I prefer the FF 2 overall personally but I’ve been wearing the Gel Res for the last month as they were the only pair I had with me and I like them a lot.
The Court FF 2 are a great shoe, comfort straight out the box. I had to exchange an 11 for a 10 so maybe they run big? But when I put them on to play, I was a huge fan. Comfy and the support is ideal for my foot with a medium arch.
I’m a UK 10 and the FF 2 fit me well. But I do often try to get half a size bigger as my feet are fairly wide but I didn’t need 10.5 in these so maybe you are right…
I have wide feet and have to wear New Balance tennis shoes. I have 5 other pairs of Assics shoes and would love a pair of their tennis shoes, but apparently there aren’t enough 4e feet around to justify making wide ones. Paul Braithwaite.
Asics are the only shoes that work for me. Gel Res 8 is the best tennis shoe I have ever put on. Out of the box comfort and extremely stable base.
Quite a few people say the same thing about Asics been the only trainers they can wear for running/tennis etc.
I can wear most brands without too much fuss but I do think Asics are the comfiest. Like I put in the post, the fact so many players wear these out of their own pocket is a good advertisement.
I just checked that the Gel Resolution 8 are on sale on the local Decathlon store for 105€. Too bad that my shoes are still good! Haha. For someone with flat feet as me and prone to feet sprains I guess that the prime attributes would be stability and small ground clearance. Thick soles make me fear side tripping…
Pretty good price considering they are new.
Trainers and tennis shoes are too expensive in general though tbh, especially when you know such a high % goes on marketing rather than the manufacturing. All over $100 in the main but not much we can do about it 😆
Good post, my go to shoe is always the Gel Res line.
A couple of friends like the New Balance Lav you mentioned too, but I ike the Gel Resolution 8 for hardcourts which is all we have where I am.
Have you used the Wilson Rush Pro 3.0? If so, how does it compare to the Asics Court FF 2 and the Asics Gel Resolution 8? I play outdoors, on hard courts. Never on clay or grass. My primary concern is stability and not rolling my ankle. In the past, I have had injuries from turning over on my ankle, including fractures (not often, but happened, and I am aging, so safety matters). Any thoughts or recommendations appreciated.
I haven’t tried them. Just by quickly comparing I would think the Gel Res 8 offer more stability, but the Rush Pro look pretty good and are lighter.
These are all great shoes for normal tennis players. I’m a fat guy taking up tennis looking for a shoe with max cushioning. I’m not running & sliding anywhere for a while, just getting use to rallying etc. So what shoe would have the most cushion in a wider size to keep us fat guys on the court? I grabbed a pair of T22.5, I guess there fine for what they are but just not to comfortable. tks
I would probably go with Gel Resolution 8 or the Wave Exceed 4. Mizuno has a 30-day guarantee too which I believe they honour.
The Fresh Foam Lav from New Balance also have good cushioning. Seem to work for Raonic, he’s up at 100kg which is fairly hefty for a tennis player.
It seems like it’s bad luck if you have wide feet. I can’t find tennis shoes wide enough for my 2e or 4e feet, so I choose cross trainers in preference to feeling like Bozo the clown in shoes that are too long.
Which ones have you tried? KSwiss are good for wide feet.
Great article as always. Quick question: Are Nike Vapor X discontinued? Can’t find them at all.
Yeah there doesn’t seem to be any new models coming out of late. Still plenty available though and at reduced prices. Where are you looking?
I’ve been looking at Tennis Warehouse and other online stores. There are discounted pairs left, but unfortunately I can’t find my size or any color I like.
By the way Kyrgios seems to be wearing them for AO21.
Hi! Did you have a chance to try out the new Gel Resolution 8 Wide model? My son wore the Kids’ Resolution but now that he grew into Men’s sizes, he says these are too tight/narrow on his growing foot. I am wondering should I try the Wide model, or Court FF 2’s (he does love Novak Djokovic :)) Thanks!
I have only tried the standard ones and they are fine for me and I have quite wide feet.
But if they are too narrow for your son, give the wide ones a go? They are no different in design etc. just wider so if the only issue was narrowness, he will be fine.
I do like this new colourway from Asics in the Wide (2E) style though so if I replace them soon I might test the wide model – https://www.perfect-tennis.com/go/asics-gel-resolution-8-wide
Thank you, Jonathan! Are Court FF 2’s a little bit wider than the regular Resolution 8?
Sorry for the slow reply. I have just measured them at the widest point of the forefoot area so from where the base of your big toe would be across to the other side.
FF2 were 109mm, the Gel Res 8 were 111mm. Both EU 45.
2 questions What are your thoughts in clay court specific shoes – do they make a difference?
You mention you have a wider fit. Which brand are a bit in the wider Side (just in their normal widths (I know new balance offers lots of wide A more curious about generally wider)
Yeah if you always play on clay I’d get clay court soles, the herringbone design is more uniform for sliding. Whereas hard court shoes have different bits of traction for pivoting etc.
Ascis work for me, Kswiss too. Nike Vapor were also pretty good for wider feet but I have not tried the latest ones that have just come out.
I play on AstroTurf that is sanded and found Asics Gel shoes unstable when the court is still damp as the grooves in the sole fill up with sand and give poor grip. Which shoes would you recommend for these conditions?
I play on artificial grass quite a bit too and mainly use the Court FF 2.
Are you using the all court (hard court) version of the Gel Res 8? I would get a clay shoe with a herringbone sole, they are better on clay/artificial grass and they release dirt easier.
This type of sole design works best.
And where is Tarahumara 2021, please?
Actually I’m interested in the model: Tarahumara Natural with Lifetime Support.
And Tarahumara Full Air Rocky Natural Injury-Free .
Why don’t you write a post about running styles for tennis and I’ll publish it.
Just don’t send it, have me edit it, and then say you don’t want me to publish it like last time 😂
Yes, Jonathan, I don’t want you to to publish, because the post is still on my blog (not edited, just like all other posts of mine). It was meant as a joke but I see, you don’t like it, so please edit/delete all my posts above 🙂 I’m appreciating a lot your knowledge and know-how even if my opinion is, shoes are so individual, that you go to the (recreational or club court), where people have no deals with manufacturers and everyone wears another brand/model. My rule is – if I just found a comfortable shoe, I’m looking for new model, once the current pair is no more usable and I cannot find the old model to get identical (or a new model, but possibly close to 100% identical with the old one). PS: I can’t recall, why I didn’t want you to publish the post edited by you. Must have been in times, I had a lot of conflicts here (mostly not with you).
SIMPLE WAY TO NORMALITY IN TENNIS (in any shoes ;)) http://prf-mypassions-tennisandmore.com/simple-way-to-normality-in-tennis/
Rublev is another good example for the russian sport wonder (the WADA knows). Playing a few 2-3 hour lasting matches in a row without any signs of fatigue…
Not only this. Look his reaction speed. Yes, he has inborn aggression, was always playing like a boxer. But can professional boxer almost kill each other while bleeding themselves and going for a high risk of kill the other or be killed by him, without any drug, disabling the instinct of survival? In tennis it’s not about physical survival but about winning. Rublev, Medvedev and recently Karatsev have very similar careers. Until about 23 years of age they both were terminal lights of first Top100. Then suddenly reaching the top. Both without meaningful muscles. Only aggression. I cannot believe it to not be heavily supported with doping. Using drugs helps to reach high concentration levels, which looks like doing something without the use of a brain. Pure instinct. Maybe pure, but for sure not clean. Did you watch Rublev-Nadal in MC? Nadal told, his serve was a disaster and that’s why he lost. Not really. Nadal’s serve was never his main weapon. Nadal’s serve (and consequently the whole game) collapsed after he realized, whatever he plays, balls come back with lightning-speed and inhuman accuracy. Only machine can play like this. Nadal is a big fighter but he tried out his whole arsenal and nothing changed. The game was too fast for him and would be for anyone, including Big3+Thiem. Only Khachanov seems not to belong to the Doping Club. I guess, if WADA allows this or cannot find anything because it’s a new kind of doping, Russia will deliver another 5 or 10 features or challenger mean players (not heroes like Dustin Brown), who after a year of preparation will be ready to reach the Top. While Medvedev is definitely not likeable as person, Rublev apparently is. But the change on the face and eyes when he enters the court is making him a horror character. If this will not be stopped, by the end of 2021 Rublev&Medvedev are no. 1-2 of the ranking and Karatsev maybe Top5. Good for Fed, that his career is coming to the end and he doesn’t need to meet these monsters.
Good recommendations! I might just go with one of the Asics you recommend. I’ve been wearing various of the Adidas Barricade series for the past few years and liking them. Then I saw a ‘used in great condition’ pair of Diadora Speed Tech II shoes -leather uppers like imo most of the best shoes (at one time) used to be. I got them and snagged another, and my feet and game (4.5 looking to get to 5.0) were both happy. Now both pairs are nearing end of life and I can’t find any in the size I wear (size 8).
The current Diadora lineup confuses me, and their website is not much help. Do you know what the corresponding current model in the Diadora lineup to the Speed Tech II’s would be? Or something comparable in Asics? I have found I really do prefer leather uppers.
The Blushield 4 or 5 is probably closest. You won’t find any with a leather upper though, most are now mesh.
There is also one called the Diadora Speed Star which I think is leather (or at least faux leather) upper. Not sure if they are freely available though.
I’m in my 60’s, a seasonal tennis player, playing to improve skills as a challenge to myself. I’m looking for a sneaker that give me good lateral support, while providing good cushioning/shock-absorption under foot to help out a torn meniscus repair in my knee. What sneakers would you suggest I start to look at? Also, do you have any thoughts on the On tennis shoes? They seem to have a product line named after Federer. Thanks.
I would go with Asics Gel Resolution 8: https://www.perfect-tennis.com/go/asics-gel-resolution-8
or the Mizuno Wave Exceed Tour: https://www.perfect-tennis.com/go/mizuno-exceed-tour
They both offer great support and cushioning.
The On shoes are only for Federer, they are not selling them yet, maybe they will in the future.
Does anyone know of anyplace that still does sole replacement for leather upper shoes? That used to be a thing when I was a Junior! 😉
Hi! Which would you say are the most breathable on the list? I have a pair of Adidas Ubersonic shoes right now that are not only giving me a blister on my second toe, but also leave my feet feeling… swampy. Ugh. Thanks!
I think the Solution Speed FF 2 – https://www.perfect-tennis.com/go/solution-speed-ff-2
Or the Gel Res 8 are the most breathable shoes I have used.
Are you playing in a hot climate?
I think the socks can make a big difference, I have some Uniqlo sports ones that are quite thick but also have a sort of mesh design which do a decent job at wicking some of the moisture.
Warning do not buy ubersonic 4 if you can feel the plastic plate on the upper shoe pressing down on your foot. It hurt my foot for 1.5 month and the upper fabric was ripped after 2 month and I had to throw them out after 3 month. Also they are clunky and slow. Do buy the babolat jet march 3 best shoes I ever had. Very fast compared to ubersonic 4. They should be on the list feels better than march 2 to me.
Hi Jonathan. I was wondering how do the shoes influence the stress on the knees, if at all. What would be the more important factor, cushioning or stability? And is there any model that comes to mind that you esteem specially protective of the knees? Thank you very much for this great article!
I would say both are equally important. Stability can stop the knee twisting and going in directions it shouldn’t and cushioning is important to help reduce the forces when jumping, sliding etc. So I’d go for the shoes with the most cushioning (which also tend to be the most stable) and avoid some of the lighter ones.
The Asics Court FF 2 would be my pick. Yonex Eclipsion and K Swiss Ultrashot 3 are other good ones with a lot of foam in the sole. Also, Nike GP Turbo is another but not my fave.
Some years ago I had Prince shoes equipped with an insole with memory effect (like in ski shoes, I guess – I can only guess, because I was never skiing ;)). But then the thing seemed to have disappeared and I could not find the technology in any new model. Those were one of my best shoes ever and I think, I still have the pair or at least I have used them for some years for tennis and then another years for daily use in the wood and garden. Maybe you know some newer shoes with the same or similar technology? Hmmm … would you have recommended shoes to Fed, maybe he would never need knee surgery ??? 🙂
You could just buy a memory foam insole and use that in the shoe?
I doubt a shoe would have made a difference but who knows. From what I hear about the On Shoes, they do not have much cushioning, so maybe he should bump it up a bit.
Well, first I didn’t hear about memory foam insoles. But the memory foam in my old Prince shoes was applied everywhere in the shoe, so insole does not resolve everything?
T o be more serious, I think, Federer has first of all specific footwork (Tarahumara-like) which is saving ankles and knees and everything depending on the footwork. And I guess, his knee injuries came simply from wear and tear, not from wrong shoes or something. Well, you never know but at the same time you have no Federer B to make a real-time simulation for different shoes, different bathroom floors 😉 etc.
Ah ok I didn’t realise it was like a snug fit all around the foot? Not sure how you can replicate it, doesn’t it make it less breathable?
I agree on Fed, it is wear and tear. Unlikely shoes would make a huge difference, but who knows. He does have some external knee rotation naturally, so the foot goes inwards to compensate for that. I dunno if a shoe can fix that, or it can lead to knee problems though as I haven’t read enough about it.
Yes, it was all around fit. I still have them and they all still still OK, the foam memory still working, only the sole tread a bit too much worn for tennis, but still perfect for daily use far from the court 🙂 The brand was Prince Infinity. Cannot find a word about them now in Google. The only place, where there was no memory foam, was the upper front part above the toes. Maybe they were too good and durable and that’s why they disappeared?
Haha, yeah could be, wouldn’t be the first product to be deemed too good, boilers spring to mind, they used to last 20 years, now they are designed to break after five and are impossible to fix.
Prince actually went bankrupt. Then made a comeback, but they are USA only now.
Yeah, good example. You do good products, you go bankrupt. Yes, boiler. I have bought one when I was preparing to leave Warsaw ang go to live in the wood for ever (2001). It was some standard Polish product, not from any renowned western brands, quite cheap. It had guarantee for 3 years, which was more than usual. I have it still up and running, no any single problem, no traces of rust. Well, I have good water – from own well or from communal water supply – and it goes through central softening filter, so the whole water installation gets soft water. The same with a fireplace from Norwegian classic brand Jotul, but they give 20 years guarantee for the whole fireplace and 60 years guarantee for burnout of any part made of cast iron. And my 20 years old Honda CR-V (one of last made in Japan). And finally myself 😉 With 70+ I’m still up and running and playing tennis and doing everything home, because my dog refuses to help with splitting wood for the fireplace or bake the bread. They say “youth comes with age”. Fed needs only to repair what was worn so far and can play another 40 years 🙂
I think Prince went bankrupt as they got complacent and started making some pretty crappy racquets. Babolat came along and captured lots of their customers.
But they are one of the most important brands historically, made oversized racquets popular, made extended-length racquets popular, made synthetic gut popular.
Now they have some decent racquets again, Ripstick is fun to play with. But we will never see much of them in Europe.
I know Jotul, cool products.
I can recall only 2 big names in tennis, playing Prince racket: Isner and Ferrer. Ferrer switched then to Wilson, while just going to retire. No idea, what models did they use.
Yes in recent times there are not many. Iga Swiatek was using Prince before Tecnifibre signed her after she won the French Open. They made a racquet for her based on the Prince one.
Sharapova, Pat Rafter are the ones I remember.
Well, good manufacturing means nothing these days. The marketing reigns. Sad. So actually Tecnifibre gave Swiatek the Prince racket and Tecnifibre brand. Money rules. Nothing new. I can recall, I have translated (being then sworn translator) documents about owners’ relations for a big Austrian (???) holding in civil construction. On the end of the chain there was a single physical person with Arab name. And the chain was quite long. For whom or for what this Arab person stood, it was not documented. Mafia?
Yeah, I’ve just started a new blog post today about the various racket brands and if there is any real difference between them.
Interesting 🙂 Maybe they all play Prince? Hahaha …
Jonathan, does it count? Old post updated.
Great article, I have mizuno exceed 4, what 2-3 sneakers are the most compatable?? Thanks.
I think Gel Res 8 are comparable, just a bit heavier and more durable.
Head Revolt Pro 3.0, FF 2, Lav 2.
Stock issues with all shoes at the moment unfortunately so I am not sure what is in stock at most places, but there are some new Wave Exceeds coming soon.
Thanks. Was going to call tennis warehouse tomorrow. I have a adidas solecourt, k swiss mens hypercourt supreme, and HEAD Men’s Revolt Pro 3.0 Homme Tennis Shoe on queue size 10. I slip my orthodics in the sneaker and take out the inlet. Need something now if/when mizuno come back ill grab those. Between those 3 where you leaning I am a 5.0 player.
I’m in my 60’s, a seasonal tennis player, playing to improve skills as a challenge to myself. I’m looking for a sneaker that give me good lateral support, while providing good cushioning/shock-absorption under foot to help out a torn meniscus repair in my knee. What sneakers would you suggest I start to look at? Thanks!
For cushioning and lateral support my top picks are the Gel Resolution 8 and the Diadora B.Icon
The Diadora in particular has a really nice foamy feeling when new. If you are only playing a few times over the summer months, that fresh bouncy feeling should last you quite a long time.
The Nike GP Turbo would also be one to look at, it has really good cushioning so will be good for your knee.
Any of those three will make good picks, I would go with whichever you can try on in a shop or can get for the best price. Although finding tennis shoes right now is not easy, still in short supply.
Hey this article was extremely valuable. I was looking for a lightweight tennis shoes since my feet have been hurting a lot lately. Thank you for this great piece of information.
What are the white Nikes in the main picture?
Thanks for mentioning the best shoes.
Thank you for that informative article Jonathan. My son and I have always just recycled our running shoes to the tennis court. But now would like to buy our first tennis shoes and think we’d like to go with the resolution gel 8’s. My question is that since we are close to our tennis playing weather being over in the Northeast, should we wait for the gel 9’s to come out? Or not much difference, look for sales this winter on the 8’s and snatch them up? Also, any advance Intel on the 9’s? My son has a pronation problem and would benefit from any advancement in that area. Thanks.
I don’t think the Gel Res 9s will be here until Spring next year so you have a long-ish wait. I have not tried them but seen some pictures and they look nice, they look a bit more like running shoes in the sole/midsole area than the current generation.
Personally, I would get the 8’s. Not sure you will find a price drop but maybe.
Over pronation? What is the cause? Flat feet? Gel Res have ok arch support, might need an insole though.
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
No spam, just the latest tennis news.
Yeah, straight back at it today, I bet they are tired. Rod L...
Cheers, yeah, no more clothing posts 😲 I wonder if Uniqlo wi...
A very Roger-esque finale having a match point on serve and...
Yeah, straight back at it today, I bet they are tired. Rod L...
Cheers, yeah, no more clothing posts 😲 I wonder if Uniqlo wi...
A very Roger-esque finale having a match point on serve and...
peRFect Tennis started back in 2011 as a tennis news site. Since then it’s gone on to be one of the largest independently owned website for tennis news and a platform for fans to share their views on the game.
The site primarily focuses on the men’s game with a bias towards Roger Federer but also covers the financials of the sports, equipment reviews, strings, and every tournament at Grand Slam, 1000, and 500 level.
The mission of the site is to allow tennis journalists and fans freedom and creativity in their writing, personal commentary, and out-of-the-box analysis.
If you want to learn a bit more about peRFect tennis and what to expect from the site, then head over to the about page.
Federer Bids Farewell to Professional Tennis at the Laver Cup https://t.co/eeJyekmp1e
RT @peRFectTennisUK: Which Rolex watches does Federer wear? https://t.co/sYnbcyzbfn
@Toujosama Yes I will write something today, not sure what...
The original RF, Robert Federer was as chill as ever last night, kept it together when everyone else was in bits.… https://t.co/4JUo5InlJX
@honeypabs I'm not a huge fan of farewell tours as he's not really going anywhere, and I never felt like he needed… https://t.co/ehH2jRZwQ8