5 Best Clay Court Tennis Shoes in 2023
Investing in a dependable, performance-ready tennis shoe that matches you step by step is highly recommended. This is especially true when playing tennis on a clay court. This type of surface requires a reliable pair that offers more stability, lateral support, and solid grip.
Clay courts can be pretty challenging even to seasoned professional players. Great pros like Roger Federer or Daniil Medvedev had some hard times playing on dusty clay courts, except, of course, the fantastic king of clay -- Rafael Nadal.
To help you pick the perfect pair for your style or other specific needs, we’ve listed below the best clay court tennis shoes available today. We have tested all pairs in the lab and in the clay court for this guide. Head on to take a closer look at our top picks.
How we test clay court tennis shoes
For this selection, we carefully analyze all the footwear in the catalog. This includes scrutinizing each shoe inside the RunRepeat testing lab. We double-check the materials, weigh and qualify all technical components found in the footwear. We also test them in actual games of tennis.
Our whole approach includes:
- Procuring all the clay court tennis kicks from a wide variety of brands using our own money. We do not accept sponsorships from third parties to keep our reviews 100% objective.
- Subjecting the shoes to hardcore tennis matches to assess their out-of-the-box comfort, fit, support, and break-in period. We take note of the traction, cushioning, weight, breathability, responsiveness, durability, et cetera.
- Each shoe profile is further supplemented by feedback from pros, other shoe experts, and avid club players.
Aside from qualitative reports of the shoes' performance, all the pairs of clay court tennis shoes are assigned a CoreScore ranging from 0 to 100. The overall rating is the weighted average based on the aggregated data above.
Best clay court tennis shoes overall
What makes it the best?
Pros
- Secure fit
- Stable midfoot
- Prevents lateral rollover
- Flexible rubber
- Lightweight
- Responsive
- Hard-wearing sole
- Reinforced toe
- Budget-friendly
Cons
- No outsole durability
- Thin laces
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Best stability clay court tennis shoes
What makes it the best?
Pros
- Springy on the toes
- Great lateral stability
- Comfortable in-shoe feel
- Works on all courts
- Great for wide feet
- Durable outsole and toecap
- Uncanny traction
- Breathable
- Visually appealing
Cons
- Loose for narrow feet
- Lace eyelets rip easily
- Mesh rips on hard court
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Best cushioned clay court tennis shoes
What makes it the best?
Pros
- Supple uppers
- Grips a variety of surfaces well
- Plush cushioning
- Amazing value
- Breezy even when it’s hot
- Can take a beating
- Eyecatching looks
Cons
- Not for aggressive movements
- Narrow fit
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Best lightweight clay court tennis shoes
What makes it the best?
Pros
- Needs no break-in
- Well-fitting with roomy toebox
- Stays comfortable for hours
- Soft yet responsive cushioning
- Feels supportive
- Lightweight on the foot
- Excellent traction
- Aesthetically pleasing
Cons
- Tongue digs into the ankle
- Laces are too long
- Durability could be better
- Lacks breathability
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Best speed clay court tennis shoes
What makes it the best?
Pros
- Lightweight
- Responsive
- Durable
- Protective
- Breathable
- Mutes out impact
- Sufficient underfoot support
Cons
- A bit tight
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Comparison of the 5 best clay court tennis shoes
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