Tennis is a fast-paced sport, whether you are a casual hitter or a competitive player. But no matter what brings you to the court time and again, having the right footwear can improve your play while keeping you safe and comfortable. I’ve been playing tennis for 25 years, and my love for the sport hasn’t diminished, even after years of hot Southern summers spent at tennis camps and playing competitively. While my serve doesn’t have the same top spin it once did, the upgraded tennis shoes I’ve tried undoubtedly help me move around the court better than I ever have—from the age of six to now.
Tennis is a life-long sport for me, and with the right footwear, rolled ankles, wiggling feet, and skinned knees due to poor traction are in the distant past. The best tennis shoes fit securely on the foot to prevent sliding or blisters while offering excellent speed control on the court. No matter your court of choice, whether you’re popping them into your carry-on bag for vacation play or heading to your local gym, the best pairs will be supportive and comfortable. We tested a variety of tennis shoes from top brands like Adidas, K-Swiss, and Asics to find the best options for beginners and seasoned players alike.
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What to Consider
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Although these shoes have a bulky design, they do not have the maximum amount of arch support, which can be a drawback for those with high arches.
Those looking for hard-working tennis shoes that can stand up to hard court play will find them in the K-Swiss Hypercourt Express 2 shoes. These tennis shoes are durable and can withstand wear and tear over time while maintaining a clean appearance on both clay and hard courts. With lots of structure, the shoes provide much-needed support to both the ankles and the sides of the feet. There’s no worry of slipping, rolling ankles, or tiring your feet while sprinting, stopping, or changing direction across the court either.
With your feet securely in place, the shoes are comfortable from the first wear without any rubbing or chaffing—which means players will not form blisters or hot spots while using this style of K-Swiss shoes. Whether you are playing competitively or for fun, this might quickly become your go-to pair.
The Details: Size 5-11 | Rubber and mesh | All court
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The Adidas Adizero Ubersonic 5 Tennis Shoes offer the best traction of any shoe I’ve tried. Equipped with minimal cushioning and an extra Speedframe outsole on the heel, these shoes stop without any lagging or dragging on the court. Thanks to its low profile, I found these shoes to fit close to the foot for plenty of security during side-to-side motions that could keep up with any movement.
In addition to the excellent traction, one of my favorite features of this shoe is that there is a wedge of mesh upper that is not reinforced with synthetic material. While the synthetic material lengthens the lifespan of the shoe, the small section without it allows for your foot to easily bend without pinching or rubbing against the extra, thicker material.
The Details: Size 5-12 | Rubber and mesh | Hard court
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Few things are better than shoes that immediately deliver comfort without needing to be broken in, and this was true of the women’s Asics Solution Speed FF 3 Tennis Shoes. Unlike most tennis shoes, these are less bulky and boxy and have the profile of a running shoe. With a comfortable fit for walking to the court, the shoe can become a little slippery when sprinting during a match. Although the outsole could use more traction, we found the shoes provided ample support and stability for both the foot and ankle. Designed to improve speed, the shoes did amplify agility and pace.
The Details: Size 5-12 | Rubber and mesh | All court
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Despite a low profile, the Diadora Blushield Torneo 2 W AG Tennis Shoes provide a surprising amount of stability to the foot and ankle. While this pair of shoes does not provide springy energy transfer, it does offer a grounding feel and ample traction as you move across the court. The medium-weight shoes are an excellent choice for those who are prone to rolling their ankles. Made with high-quality materials, the construction, including the insoles and outsoles, of the shoes is sturdy and built to withstand regular play.
The Details: Size 6-11.5 | Ethylene-vinyl acetate and rubber | Hard and clay courts
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Designed to be light and quick, the Mizuno Wave Exceed Tour 6 All Court tennis shoes deliver good traction and comfort while sprinting around the court. Though the shoes feel quite tight during the first wear, we found the shoes felt comfortable during play and broken-in within an hour of first use. Made with sturdy outsoles, Mizuno includes a six-month guarantee to back-up the shoes’ performance and durability through wear and tear. Though the shoes do not provide the most support, they include enough cushioning to make them comfortable for all-day wear—on and off the court.
The Details: Size 6-11 | Rubber and mesh | Hard court
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The Roger Pro 2 Clay tennis shoes by On are made for great play on clay courts. Designed with a wide tread, it’s easy to knock the loose bits right out of your shoes, so there’s no worry of tracking it home. Though the shoes are wide and require a few wears to break-in, they are instantly comfortable and deliver a lot of ankle support from the first wear. The shoes rely on stiff soles to steady the foot, but the lightweight, rigid build is what creates the best ankle support. Do be aware, however, the white outsoles may discolor on orange clay over time.
The Details: Size 5-11 | Thermoplastic polyurethane, rubber, and carbon fiber | Clay court
Other Tennis Shoes We Liked
Throughout our tennis shoe tests, some pairs didn’t make our list of favorites. Nonetheless, we still liked a couple of pairs that are worth considering.
Nike Vapor 12: Designed for durability, this pair of shoes is less comfortable and requires more breaking in. Although there is good traction, the shoes did not feel as stable as others we tested. Overall, the fit of the shoe is good, but expect to spend some court time breaking them in due to the sturdy, reinforced material on the upper.
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Wilson Intrigue Pro Women’s Tennis Shoes: This pair of tennis shoes offers some of the best traction we experienced while testing, but the shoes were simply too roomy. Although they have good arch support, the wide footbed and toe box provide too much room for your foot to move around while playing. Despite being comfortable right away, the shoes are not as durable as other pairs we tested.
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Our Testing Process
During our testing period, T+L testers wore each pair of shoes at least two times, for two hours at a time, while playing tennis. After opening the shoes and during each wear, the pairs were evaluated across a number of categories ranging from design to functionality. We evaluated the comfort, support, quality, and value of each pair of shoes. On the court, the tennis shoes were assessed for traction and performance. Many were used to play on both hard courts and clay courts, while others were only used on hard courts.
Using these parameters, we checked whether the tennis shoes were good for walking around, running drills, playing matches, and even whether those that were used on clay courts would track debris. We noted if the shoes caused irritation or blisters or foot pain in the arches, heels, toes, and/or ankles. We also looked at the materials used for the shoes for durability, in action on the court, and off-court performance.
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Tips for Buying Tennis Shoes for Women
Look for arch support
A good pair of tennis shoes should fit close to the contours of your foot without squeezing or rubbing your heel or toes. To check for proper arch support when shopping, feel for a flexible toe and a rigid midsole. The more structure the shoe offers in the middle and back of the shoe, the more arch support you are likely to have. Try twisting the shoe in your hands or pushing it from the heel to see if the shoe buckles in the middle. If it does not, your foot should be supported.
Know your court
While many of our favorite pairs of tennis shoes are designed to be used on any court, it’s helpful to know what kind of court you plan to play on most frequently. Those who play on clay should look for tennis shoes with wide tread that the clay won’t cling to. The shoes should easily release clay with a quick shake or tap, so you don’t track clay home, or into your tennis bag, once you leave the court.
Shoes with durable rubber outsoles are best for hard courts. This ensures the shoes can stand up to hard play without scuffing or tearing, which can occur with thinner materials. Selecting shoes with ample traction for hard courts is also helpful for fast-paced play.
Get the right size and fit
Tennis shoes should fit snugly on your foot without causing blisters or sores. However, a shoe that is too big can cause your feet to move inside the shoe. This increases foot fatigue and decreases stability. Pay close attention to the sizing information from the manufacturer to ensure you order up as needed for shoes that run small or your typical size for standard-fitting pairs.
Frequently Asked Questions
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How do you choose your tennis shoes?
The two most important things to consider when choosing your tennis shoes are where you will play and how well the shoes fit. Instead of focusing on a brand, shop with fit in mind first and the style of court you plan to play on second. A shoe that works well on the court, but not on your foot, will not last very long.
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What are the best tennis shoes for walking all day?
The best tennis shoes for walking (or playing) all day are the ones that fit you well and keep you comfortable. While a strictly comfortable pair might be great for walking all day, a pair of tennis shoes that provides ample support, cushioning, and stability will keep your feet happy during long hours of play. These factors prevent foot fatigue and injury while feeling good to wear.
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Should tennis shoes be breathable?
Yes, tennis shoes should be breathable to prevent your feet from sliding inside the shoes. Breathable shoes also help keep your feet cool and dry, which can prevent blisters from occurring. Dry feet not only keep you more comfortable, but they also prevent fungal infections, too.
Why Trust Travel + Leisure
Molly Harris thoroughly tested multiple pairs of tennis shoes and combined her experience with T+L testing insights to find the best pairs for women. We played matches, ran drills, and participated in casual hitting to determine the quality of each pair of shoes. Molly has played tennis for over 25 years and has honed her eye for tennis shoe design over the years.
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