Parts of a Tennis Shoe
- Lining – The fabric inside of a shoe. Very soft and meant to improve comfort
- Eyelets – Holes near the top of the upper guides shoelaces in place
- Lacing – Traditional shoelaces allow for the most adjustment in fit
- Ventilation holes – Helps to add breathability to a shoe
- Toe cap – Often reinforced for improved durability
- Toe guard – Protects the toe from abrasion to increase durability. Also helps your form when keeping on your toes
- Upper – Often made of leather, synthetic, or mesh that will allow full freedom of movement
- Heel panel – The piece of fabric covering the heel portion of the shoe
- Tongue – A lightweight, padded tongue helps to increase comfort and fit
- Insole – The footbed for your feet. Some can be removed to add your own orthotic insole
- Midsole – The cushioning in-between the insole and outsole. Often foam-based and thicker in the heel for optimal running
- Heel counter – A tough plastic insert in the back of the shoe that helps to support the heel
- Collar – A padded collar helps to improve comfort and fit
- Non-marking outsole – The bottom of the shoe that provides traction. A special non-marking rubber keeps courts streak-free
- Heel traction – Some tennis shoes have additional traction in the heel area for braking
- Arch – The middle area of a tennis shoe, could have arch support depending on model and insole type
- Flex grooves – Helps to increase the flexibility of the overall shoe when bending the forefoot
- Toe traction – Some tennis shoes have additional traction in the toe area for better grip when pivoting and staying on your toes
