7 Best Tennis Shoes

The king of all tennis shoes is the ASICS Court FF 3 and its game-optimizing features serve as a testament to its superiority. This shoe has no issue facing frequent wear because of its reliable construction. And on the game proper, it proves to be energy-saving every landing and supportive on every position shift.

In our lab, we measured its midsole’s softness. With a 31.5 HA value displayed on our durometer, this shoe’s midsole falls within the average, granting us supreme responsiveness and extra stability on the court. Although we subjected Court FF 3 to a lot of games, the outsole remained intact. As it turned out, our durometer detected the outsole hardness at 85.3 HC, which is close to the 87.3 HC average. When we applied our Dremel to the outsole, a 0.4 mm dent was derived, which has 0.1 mm less depth than the average.

Our caliper recorded heel and forefoot stack heights of 28.8 mm and 20.6 mm. While the amount of cushioning is average, with a 6.3% lesser difference than their averages, we didn’t feel the need for more since the dual-density foam and the incorporated gel inserts took care of the impact protection and smooth propulsions.

We found the ASICS Court FF 3 snug. With our caliper, we realized that the 101.8 mm width across the widest part of its toebox is just standard among tennis shoes. If you require more room for your toes, we advise getting the pair in a larger size or opting for other wide-fitting tennis shoes.

Following rigorous testing on the court and in the lab, the ASICS Gel Challenger 14 offers fantastic support and an outsole that’s both grippy and long-lasting. Its stable feel allows us to focus on our game fully. Plus, its $100 price point is non-intimidating, making it our best tennis shoe for beginners.

From quick lateral movements to sudden direction changes, we never felt like losing control or balance. The DYNAWALL system has such a strong midfoot hold and even our ankles and heels are held firmly in place. Our manual assessment backs us up with 5/5 and 4/5 torsional and heel rigidity scores, respectively.

Sliding and stopping as needed felt easy thanks to the outsole’s effective, yet not overpowering traction. Our durometer shows it’s almost as hard as the average at 86.5 HC, but shows less wear than average in our abrasion test, proving its durability.

However, breathability is limited, which may feel suffocating to players in hot weather. Those who need more ventilation should explore other alternatives.

The Adidas Barricade 13 was the best tennis shoe for stability. Not only was the platform wide enough to contain our feet at all times, but it was also stiff enough to protect us from painful foot twists. We also appreciated that the shoe was structurally flexible, allowing it to follow the natural flexions of our feet as we chased after the ball during tennis matches.

Using a caliper, we learned that the platform was significantly wider than usual. At the forefoot, it was 115.4 mm wide when the average was only 111.7 mm. At the heel, the reading was 95.3 mm, convincingly eclipsing the 89.7 mm average. There was no way our feet would still fall off the footbed with that much space!

Aside from being wide, the base of the foot was amazingly resistant to twisting. We subjected this tennis shoe to manual twists in the lab, and we had to sweat a lot before we could make it yield. We gave this shoe a 4 out of 5 for torsional rigidity.

While the base resisted twists, it still retained its linear flexibility. In the lab, we learned that the Adidas Barricade 13 needed only 23.8N of force to bend at a 90-degree angle. The typical tennis shoe would have required as much as 30.1N.

Too bad breathability was a bit overlooked by the makers of the Adidas Barricade 13. It felt hot, and this shoe performed poorly in our breathability assessments. It only got a 2 out of 5 for ventilation.

Establishing superiority in durability among all the other tennis shoes we’ve tested, ASICS Gel Resolution 9 has utterly fascinated us. We discovered that this tennis shoe is the perfect pair for engaging fiercely on the court because apart from its first-rate quality, it is energy-efficient, protective, and extremely grippy!

We exposed this shoe to our Dremel tool and the result led us to believe that it would last us a long time. The upper acquired no scathes or damage, getting a 5/5 in durability. Meanwhile, the outsole only obtained a subtle groove of 0.4 mm, which is just like the average. Plus, on the court, even if we skid and halt abruptly, the outsole kept its integrity. Speaking of quick movements, we also felt safe playing in Gel Resolution 9 without uncontrollably sliding because of its notable traction. At a hardness of 85.5 HC, the outsole sits around the average and ensures grip and endurance.

Moreover, we love that our feet are guarded from any impact caused by our forceful motions. This is all thanks to the effective shock absorption brought by the heel and forefoot stack heights of 32.5 mm and 21.6 mm which only exhibited a 5.5% and 4.3% greater difference from their averages, respectively. Unfortunately, when it comes to weight, Gel Resolution 9 bears slight heaviness at 13.86 oz (393g), surpassing other tennis pairs' weight by 5.6%. If you prioritize a weightless feel in your tennis shoes, we suggest investing in other lightweight pairs.

The Nike Zoom GP Challenge 1 was an absolute pleasure to test in the court and analyzing it further in the lab blew us away. It has solid responsiveness that’s balanced by stability elements to ensure we remain in control. Blending comfort, support, and energy into one, we awarded it as the best-cushioned tennis shoe.

Upon slicing the midsole, we discovered two Zoom Air units in the forefoot and heel, softening each landing and propelling us forward every time we chased the ball. It kept us quick on our feet without losing our balance thanks to the firm 30.2 HA midsole. Overall, the cushion achieves the equilibrium between stability and responsiveness.

The midsole also draws stability from its rigid shank and wide platform, measuring 112.2/92.9 mm in the forefoot and heel, respectively. Even the outsole allowed us to take charge with its herringbone pattern. It has a lot of grip and give for braking and sliding. We never held back when we wanted to shift our directions in a heartbeat.

However, we found the shoe quite heavy at 14.7 oz (417g) compared to the 12.8 oz (364g) average. Those who prefer a weightless experience should find another pair.

Solution Speed FF 3 is in a league of its own. Already in its name, it’s our top-speed tennis shoe, allowing us to move quickly and gracefully through the court with its light build and responsive ride. Our lab confirms the exceptional control, grip, and durability of the shoe, allowing us to stay at the top of our game effortlessly. 

During our matches, we easily forgot about the shoe as it melted away on our feet. Our scales confirm its weightless and sleek design at 10.9 oz (309g), 15.1% lighter than average. The FlyteFoam cushioning keeps us connected to the court while offering energetic responses, enhancing the shoe’s light and nimble feel. Our durometer reveals the foam is a balanced 31.5 HA, enhancing our stability.

Further enhancing our control over sudden changes in footwork is the reliable traction of the Precision Sole. Its pattern keeps us surefooted while its 84.0 HC toughness ensures a long lifespan. Solution Speed FF 3 isn’t afraid of friction from all angles, as its outsole (42.9% less wear), toebox (5/5), and heel (5/5) all resisted our rigorous Dremel remarkably. While most durable uppers sacrifice breathability, this shoe defies our expectations and delivers a jaw-dropping 5/5 breathability rating, keeping our feet cool during heated games.

However, we don’t recommend this pair to wide-footed players as the forefoot runs narrower than average.

Ready for heat, toe drags, and repetitive use, the NikeCourt Vapor Lite 2 was a pleasure to wear in our playtests. While the average lab-tested tennis shoe costs $132, this pair delivers excellent value for money at its $85 price, making it our best-budget tennis shoe.

Light in the pocket and even on foot! NikeCourt Vapor Lite 2 weighs only 11.9 oz (336g), 7.7% below average. It sports a moderate stack that feels well-balanced and protective, confirmed by our durometer with a 26.3 HA reading.

The flowing ventilation adds to its weightless feel. It earned an impressive 4/5 breathability rating in our smoke test, confirming it can handle summer games. Sliding felt effortless in this shoe and we had no hesitations because of the solid toe drag guard, which scored a remarkable 4/5 durability rating in our Dremel test.

Beneath the midsole is a hard-wearing outsole. Visually, there were no signs of wear after extensive testing. Even our Dremel had no power over the tough 90.0 HC rubber, as it managed to dent it only by an insignificant 0.3 mm vs. the 0.8 mm average. However, while the grip is sufficient for beginners, it doesn’t deliver the strongest braking power for more seasoned players. Those who need aggressive traction should invest in another shoe.