Best Shoes For Playing Tennis Women’s

Tennis is a very popular sport, and it can be played at a professional level or just for fun with your family. Tennis shoes are designed specifically for tennis players who want to improve their performance on the court. They are made with lightweight materials that provide comfort and stability during play. The best tennis shoes also provide you with traction so you can move around the court without slipping.

What To Look For In The Best Tennis Shoes For Women

Tennis shoes are made to give you support as you move around the court, so they should be comfortable enough to wear all day long. Your feet will be under pressure during each match, so you need shoes that will not cause any pain even after hours of play. You should also look for shoes that offer excellent traction so you don’t slip on the court when moving around quickly.

Athletic shoes should have thick soles since this will help protect against injury due to stress placed on your feet. A good pair of athletic shoes will also have shock absorption features built into its design to absorb impact from hard surfaces like concrete or asphalt. Tennis shoes should have reinforced heels and toe guards as well as good arch support to keep your ankles from rolling over while playing tennis

Best Shoes For Playing Tennis Women’s

For those who enjoy outdoor workouts, hitting the courts is a great way to stay in shape, no matter your age or fitness level. And refreshing your tennis gear every few years is essential to remaining at the top of your game. Other than finding the right tennis racquet, investing in the best footwear is critical for upping your game and feeling comfortable on the court, especially during long matches.

Tested & Approved

We like NikeCourt’s Air Zoom Vapor Pro for its fashion-forward design, bright range of colors, and solid support. For even more support, we recommend ASICS’s Gel Resolution 8 Tennis Shoe.

According to Stavros Michalopoulos, the Director of Rackets at Willow Oaks Country Club and professional tennis coach, a few things to keep in mind when shopping for new tennis shoes are “price, looks, brand, reviews coming from reliable sources, feedback from friends, and even which top player is using the product.” 

Balancing all of these factors can make finding the perfect pair a challenge. If you haven’t yet found the ideal shoe for you or you think it’s time to switch it up, we’ve got you covered. We spent 50 hours testing a wide range of women’s tennis shoes for cushioning, outsole performance, upper comfort, lateral stability and support, blister protection, and fit.

Best Overall: Nike Court Air Zoom Vapor Pro

4.9

Nike

Our Ratings

• Cushioning 5/5
• Outsole 4.5/5
• Upper Comfort 5/5
• Fit 5/5
• Value 5/5

Pros

• Large range of colors
• Durable
• Half sizes available

Cons

• Asymmetrical lace format may take some adjusting to
• Better for hard court play

Who else recommends it? The Strategist also picked the Nike Court Air Zoom Vapor Pro.¹ 

We were highly impressed with how the NikeCourt Air Zoom Vapor Pro handled itself during our test and found that it delivered on all fronts, earning a perfect score of 5 out of 5 in nearly all of the seven categories we tested for. It was therefore a clear pick for our best overall women’s tennis shoe. 

Our tester found this shoe to be very stylish, with a sleek design that separates it from traditional tennis sneakers. It was so stylish that, during our test, some onlookers mistook it for a walking or running shoe at a quick glance.

In terms of mechanics, this shoe is lightweight, but still offers solid overall support and traction—earning it a nearly perfect score of 4.5 out of 5 for our outsole attribute and a perfect 5 out of 5 for lateral stability and support. 

Our tester found the shoes very comfortable to wear, and didn’t find that they needed a break-in period. We like that this pair is available in half sizes, making it an ideal choice for most players.

Closure: Lace-up | Material: Mesh and rubber outsole | Cushioning: Soft foam midsole and padding in heel

Best for Support: ASICS Gel-Resolution 8 Tennis Shoes

4.8

Asics

Our Ratings

• Cushioning 5/5
• Outsole 5/5
• Upper Comfort 4/5
• Fit 4.5/5
• Value 5/5

Pros

• Molds to your feet
• Fun, stylish colors
• Clay Court specific version available

Cons

• Slightly heavier feel
• Not great for wider feet
• Expensive

Our testers found that these shoes get more comfortable with each session on the court, as they gradually mold to your feet, which earned them a nearly perfect score of 4.5 out of 5 for fit. This shoe really holds your foot in, especially during those quick transitions and sudden movements on the court. You get that locked in feeling which is great for protecting your feet and ankles during intense match play. 

The toe protector is designed to increase traction, which our tester confirmed delivered during testing. The toe protector should also help reduce wear and tear on the shoe so it will last longer, which is ideal, given the higher price point. 

Our tester did notice that these shoes had a slightly heavier feel than others she tested, but this also contributed to the shoe’s higher level of support and seriously durable rubber outsole. It’s a trade-off, depending on what you’re looking for.

Closure: Lace-up | Material: Rubber outsole, rubber toe protector | Cushioning: Gel cushioning throughout midfoot and heel

Best Budget: Nike Court Air Max Volley Tennis Shoe

4.3

Nike

Our Ratings

• Cushioning 4/5
• Outsole 4.5/5
• Upper Comfort 4/5
• Fit 4.5/5
• Value 4/5

Pros

• Sleek style
• Lightweight
• Female specific design

Cons

• Inner sole grips socks may not be for everyone
• Not as durable as other options we tested
• Requires some breaking in

For anyone on a budget (or beginners looking for a smaller investment), we recommend NikeCourt Women’s Air Max Volley Tennis Shoes. Our tester noted that the shoe provides plenty of traction, keeping you stable while you play, which is why we gave it a perfect score of 5 out of 5 for lateral stability and support.

The ergonomic heel design creates solid support as you navigate the court. And, the layout of the laces allows you to tighten the shoe so it conforms to your foot and keeps it in place throughout movement. Mechanics aside, this pair’s stylish design is another added benefit that our tester loved.

Closure: Lace- up | Material: Rubber tread | Cushioning: Padding in heel, foam insole, foam pods

Best for Pros: Adidas by Stella McCartney Tennis Shoes

4.9

Amazon

Our Ratings

• Cushioning 5/5
• Outsole 5/5
• Upper Comfort 4.5/5
• Fit 5/5
• Value 5/5

Pros

• Plush cushioning
• Solid ankle support
• Breathable mesh upper

Cons

• Fabric on upper and around heel may show signs of wear after extended use

This stylish shoe has a great silhouette and comes in a few different colors. We also like that, according to the manufacturer, 20 percent of the upper is made with a minimum of 50 percent recycled material. The upper is also very comfortable and breathable, which is why we gave the shoe a nearly perfect score of 4.5 out of 5 for upper comfort. In particular, our tester found the area around the ankle offered really plush cushioning and added comfort. 

The Adidas Stella McCartney Tennis Shoe may not weigh much, but it’s still sturdy and supportive, earning a perfect score of 5 out of 5 for lateral stability and support. There is breathable mesh on the upper and a cushioned midsole for a snug fit that’ll keep you feeling light on your feet, even after a long match.

Closure: Lace-up | Material: Mesh upper, integrated shoe tongue, rubber outsole and protective toe guard | Cushioning: Foam midsole

Best for Wide Feet: New Balance Fresh Foam X Lav V2

4.9

New Balance

Our Ratings

• Cushioning 5/5
• Outsole 4.5/5
• Upper Comfort 4.5/5
• Fit 5/5
• Value 5/5

Pros

• Lightweight
• Good heel support
• Standard and wide widths available

Cons

• Expensive
• Only comes in one color

Finding the right tennis shoes when you have wide feet can be challenging, but we were impressed by the comfort and performance of the New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam X Lav V2. This shoe is comfortable, without feeling clunky or awkward, which is why we gave it a nearly perfect score of 4.5 out of 5 for upper comfort and a perfect score of 5 out of 5 for fit.

New Balance offers this shoe in two widths, standard and wide, making it an ideal shoe for those with wide feet. The design features a synthetic and mesh upper that makes the shoe breathable. Our tester appreciated the full-length outsole and toe drag tip that make the shoe really durable and help it to hold up well during play on varying surfaces. But, this pair is more expensive than others on our list.

Closure: Lace-up | Material: Synthetic and mesh upper, full-length rubber outsole, toe drag tip | Cushioning: Foam midsole

Best Lightweight: Adidas Adizero Ubersonic 4 Tennis Shoe

4.7

PGA Tour Superstore

Our Ratings

• Cushioning 4.5/5
• Outsole 5/5
• Upper Comfort 4.5/5
• Fit 5/5
• Value 4.5/5

Pros

• Easy to clean
• Solid ankle support
• Stylish design

Cons

• Felt some uncomfortable rubbing around ankle during longer sessions
• No tongue design may not suit everyone

A favorite sneaker of one of our experts, our tester had high expectations for the Adidas Women’s Adizero Ubersonic 4 Tennis shoe. The shoe has no tongue, which may take some time to get used to. However, this design does result in an incredibly comfortable, snug fit, that holds the foot well during play which is why we gave this shoe a perfect score of 5 out of 5 for fit. This design also adds ankle support, which is crucial on the court.

Our tester noted that this durable sneaker held up well on all different court surfaces. Between the outsole (which earned a perfect score of 5 out of 5) and the recycled materials, the shoe was easy to keep clean, which is especially beneficial for those who play on clay courts.

Closure: Lace-up | Materials: Rubber outsole, woven mesh upper | Cushioning: Lightweight foam midsole

Best for Narrow Feet: ASICS Solution Speed FF 2 Tokyo

4.6

ASICS

Our Ratings

• Cushioning 4.5/5
• Outsole 5/5
• Upper Comfort 4/5
• Fit 4/5
• Value 4.5/5

Pros

• Hard-wearing toe box
• Great traction
• Really molds to foot

Cons

• Better for clay courts
• Can take some breaking in

The ASICS Women’s Solution Speed FF 2 Tokyo was our testers’ top choice for players with narrow feet. For players who like the ASICS Women’s Solution Speed FF line of tennis sneakers, then this special edition color is worth checking out. While this shoe features a bold design, it offers a minimalist, lightweight construction, but does not sacrifice technology for comfort. The heel area of this shoe is designed to adapt and mold to the unique shape of your foot, giving a customized personal feel to the shoe. While this can take some getting used to at first because it can feel very fitted, it’s worth it to have the shoe really hold your foot and meld to your unique footprint.

There is solid support delivered from gel cushioning throughout play which really helps during those sudden movements and change in direction on court, which is why we gave it a nearly perfect score of 4.5 out of 5 for cushioning. These shoes are also very durable. With a rubber outsole (which earned a perfect score of 5 out of 5 during our test) and very minimal fabric exposed on the exterior, they hold up well and are super easy to keep clean which definitely comes in handy for frequent players.

Closure: Lace-up | Materials: Extended rubber outsole, toe protector | Cushioning: Gel cushioning

Final Verdict

For a committed tennis player ready to invest in solid footwear to help keep their competitive edge on court, we recommend NikeCourt’s Air Zoom Vapor Pro. Sleek design aside, this sneaker is lightweight, sturdy, durable, and it responds well to multiple court surfaces. 

For tennis players looking for even more support on the court, we recommend ASICS’ Gel-Resolution 8 Tennis Shoe. During our test, these shoes earned a perfect score of 5 out of 5 for lateral support and stability, making them some of the most supportive tennis shoes our tester tried.

How We Rated the Tennis Shoes

4.8 to 5 stars: These are the best tennis shoes we tested. We recommend them without reservation.

4.5 to 4.7 stars: These tennis shoes are excellent—they might have minor flaws, but we still recommend them.

4.0 to 4.5 stars: We think these are great tennis shoes, but others are better.

3.5 to 3.9 stars: These tennis shoes are just average.

3.4 and below: We don’t recommend tennis shoes with this rating; you won’t find any on our list.

How We Tested the Tennis Shoes for Women

To gain an understanding of current products on the market and key elements to look for when considering what tennis shoes to test, our tester interviewed two tennis professionals from the Willow Oaks Country Club in Richmond, Virginia, Stavros Michalopoulos (the Director of Rackets) and Rafaela Wenzelas (Assistant Director of Rackets). Given that these two pros spend their entire day on the court coaching tennis, we found their input really helpful before we dove into our own research and made selections for which shoes to test. 

After making our top selections, we tested each pair of shoes in action on the court at least three times. These testing sessions involved varying levels of play and typically resulted in 5-7 hours of play in each shoe. 

The first test session consisted of a short easy clinic or casual rally. In the second session, our tester underwent more grueling intensive time on the court, such as a challenging competitive match. The third and final testing session was the longest and our tester focused on how each shoe felt for an extended period of play. During our test, we also considered the court surface. Our tester wore every pair of shoes on both hard indoor courts and outdoors on clay courts. 

After testing each shoe, we scored each pair on a scale of 1 (would not recommend) to 5 (highly recommend) for seven key attributes—cushioning, outsole, upper comfort, fit, lateral stability and support, blister protection, and value.

What to Look for in a Tennis Shoe for Women

Traction

A shoe’s sole should have good traction, so you can push off, jump, and move in different directions. When you buy a new pair, try testing out the shoes by performing various fast and powerful movements, such as running from side to side, stopping quickly, and jumping. The shoes should have a firm grip on the ground, but not feel so sticky that they slow you down. 

It’s also important to consider what kind of court you’ll be playing on. “The shoe needs to grip the court, especially if you are buying a hard court shoe, and also allow you to slide in control, when you buy a clay court shoe,” Michalopoulos says.

Comfort

“The most important thing about tennis shoes is comfort,” Wenzelas says. Make sure you can wiggle your toes, and that you don’t feel restricted in the shoes. If they are too tight, you risk chafing, blistering, and other foot injuries like plantar fasciitis, which could take you out of the sport for an indefinite amount of time. 

Make sure you can wiggle your toes and that you don’t feel too restricted in the shoes. If they are too tight, you risk chafing, blistering, and other foot injuries, such as plantar fasciitis, which would take you out of the sport for an indefinite amount of time.

Cushioning

“Cushioning is important in tennis because it absorbs the vibrations from the impact of the shoe to the ground when you run” Michalopoulos says. One way to check for the right amount of cushioning is to make sure your tennis shoes feel supportive in the midsole and toe. “Top tennis shoe models use air, gel, or soft materials that give the shoe the ability to absorb almost all the vibrations,” Michalopoulos says. This protects your body from impact and possible injury.