The best Nike shoes for tennis
Buying guide
Take a look at this selection of the best shoes for tennis for men and women, selected for their superior stability, support and traction on the court.
Many people use the term "tennis shoes" to refer to any pair of rubber-soled sneakers. But when it comes to playing tennis versus just acing your court style, you'll want a shoe built to support your game.
Ahead, we're sharing what to look for in a tennis shoe (and how they compare with running or gym sneakers), plus the best Nike tennis shoes, with input from Erin Gleason, Nike product line manager for global footwear.
Which shoe is good for tennis?
"Tennis is a very multi-directional sport", Gleason says. A good tennis shoe will have a multi-directional traction pattern (typically a herringbone pattern) to handle side-to-side shuffles and slides, forward and backward movement to execute volleys, smashes and drop shots, and other sudden changes in direction and angle to respond to the ball's trajectory, speed and spin.
Depending on your experience level or style of play, you might want a tennis shoe designed to be more focused on speed or stability—important to help keep your feet from rolling during quick movements and changes in direction. Durability is also key in a tennis shoe, especially for a hard court, which can be a demanding surface. ("Tennis players destroy product!" Gleason says of the wear and tear they put on shoes.)
Just as you'd wear different running shoes for the track or trail, choose a tennis shoe built for the court surface you'll be playing on. For a red clay court (popular in Europe), choose a tennis shoe that provides traction specifically for the slippery surface. Nike Claybreaker technology provides extra grip in the forefoot and midfoot and has a wide traction pattern to help you slide on clay with control—and keep clay out of the outsole.
Are running shoes OK for tennis?
Running shoes are designed for forward motion, while tennis shoes need to support lateral movement, like sliding across the width of the court during baseline rallies, as well as explosive movements, like an overhead smash. So, while running shoes can work in a pinch, they aren't a good substitute for tennis shoes if you plan on playing regularly. Not having the proper foot support can affect performance—and open you up to pain or injuries.
What's the difference between tennis shoes and running shoes?
Since they're made for different types of movement, tennis shoes and running shoes vary in their overall design, cushioning and traction. Overall, tennis shoes usually have less cushioning than running shoes and instead focus more on durability, lateral support and grip to keep up with cross-court movements and sudden sprints and stops.
Best Nike shoes for tennis
1. The best tennis shoes for comfort
"Cushioning is important in a tennis sneaker for both performance and comfort", Gleason says. This is where the Nike Air Zoom unit comes in, helping you push off for serving or lunging to return shots. It also absorbs some shock from repetitive high-impact movements like running and jumping that can cause pain (or even lead to common tennis injuries). The GP Challenge 1 (for men and women) has Air Zoom units in both the forefoot and heel and is extremely comfortable thanks to a heel with extra padding.
2. The best lightweight tennis shoes
If you're seeking lightness and speed above all else, try the NikeCourt Air Zoom Vapor Pro 2. Available in men's and women's silhouettes and for both hard and clay courts, it's a lightweight, breathable and durable tennis shoe. With its lower-to-the-court design and cushioned midsole with springy Air Zoom cushioning, it's designed to support quick bursts of movement. For extra support, you'll find reinforced mesh that also helps keep your feet cool without slowing you down with extra weight.
3. The best tennis shoes for stability
"The Nike Zoom GP Challenge 1 (available for both men and women) is also the best tennis shoe for both stability and power", Gleason says. Made for hard cuts, it offers a "hugged" feel and a strong midfoot plastic plate, giving you side-to-side stability for quick cuts. The heel was also designed with Air Zoom technology and extra padding to keep you feeling supported. As for the all-important durability factor, this tennis shoe also has you covered with high-abrasion rubber in the forefoot and extra rubber in the big-toe side area.
4. The best tennis shoes for support
NikeCourt Zoom Vapor Cage 4 Rafa—named for tennis great Rafael Nadal—is a great men's tennis shoe for support and cushioning. Like other tennis shoes on this list, it has an Air Zoom unit for responsive cushioning, but it also boasts a stiff frame on the side to keep you stable during aggressive side-to-side movements. It also has a sock-like fit and unique lacing that wraps your foot for a snug, supportive fit and quick, agile movements across the court to help players emulate the moves of its namesake.
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Words by Kylie Gilbert