The Best Tennis Shoes of 2023
Not to be mistaken for “tennies,” tennis shoes are specifically designed for on-court performance. In fact, at many racquet clubs and indoor courts, you won't even be allowed to play without proper tennis shoes that have non-marking soles. Tennis is both an explosive and an endurance sport, so shoe technology that balances grip, comfort, fit, and stability is critical. And while it can be tempting to get by with running shoes or trainers, don’t skimp on your footwear: Having a dedicated pair of tennis shoes is essential for stability and speed on the court.
What to Look for in Tennis Shoes
When shopping for tennis shoes, there are few key features to focus on. Here’s what you need to know.
Midsole Designs
The best tennis shoes have geometry not unlike lower-cut basketball shoes: They should have wide soles, especially in the toe box. This makes the shoe stable, so you won’t roll your ankle when moving from side to side or changing direction.
Tennis shoes should also have springy midsoles to help you power into serves and groundstrokes. Most modern tennis shoes have a blend of foams in their midsoles to promote comfort and bounce. Even for amateurs and casual players, matches can be long, so having shoes that feel soft and comfortable underfoot is key. Plus, you’re more likely to get out there and play if you have a pair of comfy shoes that you love.
Durable Uppers
Another crucial component of tennis shoes is a durable upper, especially in the forefoot and inside toe area. Because many players drag their trail-foot toes during serves (and some even slide on the court to get to shots), durable materials help prolong the life of the tennis shoe upper and protect your feet. Good tennis shoes have either the rubber outsole material or another durable material extending up and over parts of the toe box and upper that are likely to contact the ground. This helps the shoes withstand contact with the tennis court and general wear and tear. Some tennis shoes even have uppers that are fully encased in a protective rubber shell for maximum durability.
Outsoles
Finally, grip is important to factor into your tennis shoe decision. While most of us in the U.S. don’t experience a ton of court surface variety (anything other than hard courts can be hard to find), tennis shoe outsoles are designed for performance and durability on specific surfaces. Most tennis shoes have a relatively flat outsole with a shallow tread—the best design for the very smooth, firm surfaces of a tennis court.
For hard courts (typically a specialty asphalt surface), you’ll want to look for a more durable outsole that features both herringbone grip and other traction patterns. Most tennis shoes available in the U.S. will have this type of outsole. The herringbone maintains some ability to slide, while the varied tread patterns help the shoe stick to the court when accelerating or changing directions.
When I lived in Bilbao, Spain, the only tennis courts around were clay, and so I picked up shoes with just herringbone outsole tread. This design provides more front-back traction on the looser court, and it allows the shoe to slide left to right.
Grass courts are the slickest tennis surface. For grass courts, it helps to have tennis shoe outsoles with tiny lugs (raised bumps the project downward from the outsole) to help bite into the turf.
If you don’t have a specific pair for the surface you’re playing on, don’t worry: Many tennis shoes these days are marketed as “all-surface” and will perform well anywhere.
This guide highlights the best tennis shoes for every kind of player, from beginners to experts. Read on for my top picks.
The Best Tennis Shoes of 2023
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The Gel Resolution is one of the most popular tennis shoes on the market, and for good reason: It’s an extremely durable and versatile tennis shoe. I’ve tried the previous model, and the shoe has held up wonderfully. Asics does a few things well. First, the upper is caged in a textured rubber overlay, which promotes a secure fit and protects the upper when dragging your feet on strokes or slides. The Resolution 9 has two signature technologies to secure your foot and promote stability: Dynawrap and Dynawall. The Dynawrap design uses strategically placed eyelets to securely wrap the laces around your foot. Dynawall is a rigid piece that covers the outside of the midsole and the side of the upper; a second piece also wraps around the heel. Together, these pieces support your foot and keep it from turning over when chasing down shots. Plus, the Gel pod (essentially, a squishy, gel-like insert) in the midsole makes these shoes comfortable. Overall, the Gel-Resolution 9 is a long-lasting, high-performance tennis shoe for any player.
[$130; amazon.com]
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When it comes to tennis shoes, Babolat doesn’t have the name recognition of other tennis brands. But if the company keeps delivering excellent kicks like the Propulse Fury 3, that will quickly change. I tried this shoe and was really impressed.
The Fury 3 felt comfortable right out of the box, largely due to how well it fit. It has a comfy sockliner, and the laces pull the outer layer of the liner down over the foot for a snug fit. The upper features little dashes of rubber material that get thicker at higher contact areas, like the forefoot and inside of the shoe; this restrained use of rubber helped the rest of the upper breathe well, keeping my feet cool. The Michelin rubber outsole is another highlight. Tennis shoes always have to balance traction with the ability to slide, and the Fury 3 offered the best combination of both. Although I’m not a huge fan of the shoe’s aesthetics, I find myself opting for the Babolats often thanks to their excellent fit.
[$139; amazon.com]
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I’m a sucker for tennis drip: The clean polos, high socks, and cool kicks are part of the fun. The NikeCourt Vapor Pro 2 is a low-profile, sharp-looking shoe that pulls its weight in performance, too. I’ve worn the previous iteration of this shoe, and the simple, smooth outsole and low-cut design make these some of the best shoes to slide in. The upper features rubber checking to ensure protection while maintaining breathability. And at $120, the Vapor Pro 2 is actually a fairly good deal compared to other top picks.
[$120; nike.com]
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It is easy to get off balance in tennis, and having shoes that stay planted on the ground is critical. The Adidas Barricade provides stability and poise on hard courts. The shoe features a rigid torsion plate in the midfoot to help resist twisting, and the asymmetrical lacing is designed to lock your feet in to prevent in-shoe movement. Together with a wide toe box and grippy outsole, the Barricade offers an abundance of stability for tennis players. Better yet, the toe is reinforced and the upper is covered with an overlay for improved durability.
[$150; adidas.com]
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Tennis shoes can be heavy: With so much rubber required to withstand scrapes and bumps against the court surface, many shoes can feel a bit hefty, limiting your top speed. The Mizuno Wave Exceed Light weighs just 10.3 ounces, but it doesn’t skimp on features. The midsole is made with the brand’s EVA-based Enerzy foam, which creates a comfortable feel that’s firm enough for quick movements, and the outsole has a durable, thick tread for long-wearing grip. This shoe doesn’t have an extremely robust upper like some other picks, which makes it less durable but more breathable. Because of that, the Wave Exceed Light is my choice for warmer climates or summer tennis.
[$110; mizunousa.com]
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While the vast majority of tennis shoes feature a low-top design, some players want a little more ankle support, especially since so much of the game is played in side-to-side movements. American tennis star Coco Gauff’s signature shoe is designed for players who want more ankle protection and support, and it also has a really cool retro aesthetic. The midsole features NewBalance’s FuelCell material, a very springy, comfy foam, and it’s paired with an embedded carbon fiber plate to help boost energy return for powerful ground strokes and serves. All of this combined creates a peppy feel and excellent stability for those prone to turning ankles.
[$170; dickssportinggoods.com]
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Diadora is more popular overseas than in the U.S., but I’ve been a fan of the brand’s tennis shoes and soccer cleats for a long time. The Speed B.Icon 2 is its most ambitious high-performance tennis shoe yet, and it looks a bit like something out of the future. The company designed this shoe to provide shock absorption and energy return in the places where tennis players need it most (the heel and forefoot). The most unique feature is a hook mounted on the outside of the shoe through which you run a lace; it’s designed to help lock down the fit (all the stopping and starting in tennis can lead to heel slippage or foot shifting). If you love the challenge of getting to every ball, the Diadora Speed B.Icon 2 will help you sprint—and stop on a dime—all around the court.
[$160; amazon.com]
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Although I only tried this shoe on briefly, the Head Sprint Pro 3.5 impressed me: It felt great as soon as I slipped it on. The Sprint Pro has two things working for it. First, the Delta Strap in the lacing system creates a snug, secure wrap around the middle of the foot. Also, the upper is a lot more flexible than other tennis shoes, which made this option feel like it conformed to the shape of my foot more readily. Beyond the fit, the midsole features an energy returning shank and a triple density foam for springy cushioning.
[$129; zappos.com]
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For beginners or those who don’t play tennis often, grabbing a budget-friendly pair of tennis shoes is always a smart move. The Adidas Gamecourt 2.0 is a great choice: It offers some of the features and tech of the Barricade above, but at less than half the price. The Gamecourt 2.0 is built with an Adiwear outsole for both traction and durability, and the midsole uses reliable EVA foam for cushioning. The upper isn’t adorned with as much protection as top picks, but the toe is capped and these shoes will be more breathable than some heavily-protected options. If you need a non-marking, solid pair of tennis shoes for less than a hundred dollars, the Gamecourt 2.0 is the best option.
[$70; adidas.com]
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In my experience, tennis shoes tend to be narrow—and I don’t even have particularly wide feet. For anyone with wide feet, choosing a pair designed with a spacious toe box is critical, and the K-Swiss Hypercourt Express 2 (in the 2E size range) is a great pick that offers a more generous fit. This shoe looks decidedly different than most K-Swiss shoes, and it has a contemporary appeal and a lot of tech packed in. With its very durable caged upper, a super lightweight and well-cushioned midsole, and a grippy herringbone-tread rubber outsole, the Hypercourt Express 2 is a seriously capable shoe. With the 2E last, it’s an ideal choice for those with wide feet.
[$110; amazon.com]