If you’re one of the millions who picked up tennis as a hobby in recent years, then you know that the best tennis shoes are key to feeling comfortable and confident on the court. But if you’re a tennis newbie or you’ve sworn by the same shoes for years and are looking to change things up, it’s hard to know where to start when it comes to finding the best tennis shoes for women.
“The design of the tennis shoe is meant for more lateral movement and stopping and starting as opposed that of a running shoe — which is built from more forward movement,” Bondi says.
How often should you replace your tennis shoes?
“Shoes degrade naturally,” Patton explains. “The PU [polyurethane] material becomes less springy over time.”
Bondi agrees. “According to the USTA, the midsole of the tennis shoe starts to wear down between 45 to 60 hours, at which point the shoes should be replaced,” she says. “If you play tennis for an hour or more at a time, that means you could look at replacing your shoes pretty often, and less if you’re more of a casual player.”
Bondi mentions there are also other factors that can shorten the lifespan of shoes, including the court surface, style of play and weight of the player.
“The singles, hard court, or more aggressive player is going to wear down a shoe quicker than other court and player types,” says Bondi.
So, ready to find your perfect match? With the help of our experts, we compiled the best tennis shoes for women you can buy. Shop them ahead.
K-Swiss Ultrashot 3
K-Swiss is known for making low-profile tennis shoes. Patton, who was formerly sponsored by K-Swiss, is a fan of its styles. He also points out that the brand started with making tennis shoes before branching out to other products. “K-Swiss styles are well known for fitting like a glove on your feet, having the best blend of qualities and not needing any break in period, ” he says.
Babolat Jet Match 3 All Court
“People are raving about [Babolat’s styles] as low-profile performance shoes,” says Patton. “There’s great quality craftsmanship in this brand.” The Jet Match 3 is one of Babolat’s most popular styles and comes in wide widths. If you’re not looking for a wide shoe, the brand makes plenty of other standard and narrow fit options, too.
Adidas Stella Court
Designed in partnership with Stella McCartney, the Adidas Stella Court shoes deliver on style and performance. They feature a breathable Prime-Knit upper, 3D-Torsion system for stability and support and boost capsules under the heel to create extra bounce and energy return. Patton is also a fan of Adidas, noting that its styles are very popular and worn on tour by many top players. “Adidas shoes are great for performance, but tend to slide on smoother surfaces,” he adds.
So, ready to find your perfect match? With the help of our experts, we compiled the best tennis shoes for women you can buy. Shop them ahead.
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