6 Best Nike Tennis Shoes in 2023
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Is it your first time to try Nike tennis shoes or you are about to park your old pair but uncertain which Swoosh to grab? We hope our highly recommended listings below will help you in deciding which one to purchase.
Several factors come into play when picking the best Nike tennis shoes including cushioning, speed, and price competitiveness. We noted all the salient and critical points in filtering our top choices among over 20 pairs we have playtested.
Table of contents How we test tennis shoesBest overallBest for speedBest all courtBest hard courtBest cushionedBest valueComparison
Overview
How we test tennis shoes
- We buy all tennis shoes using our own money to remain impartial with any brand.
- Our tennis experts give a critique on every shoe after rounds of playtests.
- We also consider the opinions of thousands of other verified users to get a more comprehensive summary of the shoe.
- All user opinions receive a ranking from 1-100 through our Corescore.
To sum up, these top picks are derived from the aggregated user and expert feedback plus the result of our auto-generated scaling system.
Best Nike tennis shoes overall
Pros
- Extremely light
- Breathable upper
- Responsive cushioning
- Stable platform
- Glove-like fit
- Comfortable in-shoe feel
- Grippy outsole
Cons
- Constricting plastic wall
- Lacks durability
- Break-in needed
What makes it the best overall?
Vapor Pro is a treat for quick players eyeing a speedy shoe in a multi-layered supportive build. It takes on the best features of the Vapor X without adding an ounce to its weight. A caveat, though, you need to examine the tread if you frequently play on the abrasive hardcourt as it can smooth out rapidly.
Best Nike tennis shoes for speed
Pros
- Good lateral support
- Well-padded upper
- Breathable
- Durable toecap
- Lightweight
- Grippy outsole
- Affordable
Cons
- Poor arch support
- Not for wide feet
What makes it the best for speed?
NikeCourt Vapor Lite isn’t as powerful, stable, and durable as the React Vapor NXT. But it’s one of the cheapest from Nike in the hardcourt range. You can use this shoe to kickstart your interest in tennis and build up your footwork and racquet strokes. However, it isn't supportive enough for a game day. The best part: it isn't expensive.
Best Nike all court tennis shoes
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
What makes it the best all court?
The NikeCourt Zoom NXT keeps you light and bouncy on your toes while also making sure that your feet remain stable shifting side-to-side. It is highly efficient on both hard and clay courts, helping you stop on a dime or slide to quickly reach for the ball. The eye-catching hole in the midsole helps to shave some weight off the shoe, adding a futuristic vibe to this Nike tennis shoe.
Best Nike hard court tennis shoes
Pros
- Bouncy ride
- Glove-like lockdown
- Incredible grip
- No heel slip
- Lightweight
- Flexible textile upper
- Supportive midfoot
Cons
- Tight-fitting forefoot
- Lacks outsole durability
What makes it the best hard court?
The NikeCourt Air Zoom GP Turbo is ready for impactful hard court games because of its reinforced outsole and supportive upper. It has a more generous fit than the Air Zoom Zero, but it delivers the same bounce level needed for quick shots. It's one of the Swoosh shoes ideal for aggressive court movers looking for speed and comfort.
Best cushioned Nike tennis shoes
Pros
- Durable
- Grippy soles
- Protective
- Secured laces
- Well-cushioned
- Sole isn’t squeaky
Cons
- Heavy
- Expensive
What makes it the best cushioned?
NikeCourt React Vapor NXT breaks away from the typical lightweight, and low-to-the-ground profile of the Vapor series with the injection of the Nike React sole and hard-wearing add-ons. It's ready to take on the abrasiveness of the hardcourt, so you can expect this shoe to last for a reasonable amount of time. With an extended break-in period, it shines in the areas of cushioning, stability, support, and traction.
Best value
Corescore
Pros
- Offers comfy feel
- Supportive tennis shoe
- Allows excellent maneuverability
- Feels good even off the court
- Excellent grip
- Good value for money
Cons
- Tight right out of the box
What makes it the best value?
Although its synthetic upper fused with mesh can be a little tight, in the beginning, the NikeCourt Lite 2 is ready for lots of footwork drills. This tennis shoe is packed with supportive elements that keep the player connected on concrete. Given its reasonable price point, it’s a decent option for recreational and budding tennis players.
