Unlike many sports, tennis has social distancing built in. But like all sports, the tennis shoes you wear (and equipment you use) can really affect your performance on the court. If you’re serious about playing, you won’t be wearing just any old sneakers.
Tennis shoes are typically a little bit heavier than running shoes and have better lateral support on the inside and outside of the shoe, making them more solid around the whole perimeter. Because of the endless and quick direction shifts in each match, they are more structured and provide more support and stability, and are a little bit more structured than other sneakers.
To find the best men’s tennis shoes, we researched what the tennis shoe experts (including players and retailers) were saying. While we read about roughly two dozen styles, none came up more than the seven below, most of which got mentioned multiple times. All are designed for playing on hard courts, however, experts say that shoes suitable for hard courts will work if you play on any other surface, too. (The only no-no when it comes to tennis shoes is wearing a pair designed for clay courts on a hard court.)
Best overall men’s tennis shoes
Asics Gel-Resolution 8
Experts agree, calling the Asics Resolution 8 a fantastic option that — unlike many of the pairs on this list — should fit anyone comfortably, regardless of the width or volume of their feet. Not only that, but they are suitable for all court surfaces. They have a lower profile and hit all of the requirements for a good tennis shoe, including good lateral support and stability. They come in 3 colors: White/Pure Silver, White/Mako Blue, and Sunrise Red/Eclipse Black.
Best men’s tennis shoes for narrow feet
Nike Court Air Zoom Vapor X – $150 at Nike
Researching this story, we repeatedly heard that with the exception of Asics, different shoe brands are known for designing with particular feet in mind. What we found is that Nike has a reputation for narrower feet, while others, like New Balance or K-Swiss, are known for wider feet. Both the experts and ratings suggest that the Vapor line — the Vapor X in particular — seem slightly better suited to players with narrower feet. The Vapor line has been a staple of Nike’s for more than 15 years, and the Vapor X is a no-frills shoe with enough support for the all-around player an is suitable for all court surfaces. They come in White/Volt/Black, Black/Speed Yellow/White, Metallic Dark Grey/White/Black/Total Orange, Volt/White/Black, and Black/Volt/White.
Best men’s tennis shoes for wide feet
New Balance 796v2 – $85 at New Balance
For players with wider feet, we discovered the popular New Balance 796v2. These are specifically designed for the hard court surface. New Balance has been a strong tennis brand for years, with consistent production quality, and the 796v2 is hugely popular not only with players having wide feet, but those with “heftier” feet, where you need to accommodate both width AND height. Widths range from standard to extra wide. The New Balance 796v2 comes in 2 colors: White/Velocity Red, and Black/Velocity Red.
Best (less-expensive) men’s tennis shoes for narrow feet
NikeCourt Air Max Volley – $90 at Nike.com
Those looking for something a little less expensive from the Nike brand should consider the NikeCourt Air Max Volley tennis shoes. Nike has constructed the Air Max Volley to offer loads of support and cushioning at a great value. It features a stitched down seam from heel to toe and adaptive lacing for a snug, locked-in feel which will contour to the shape of of your foot. The midsole features an air unit in the heel paired with foam for a plush ride, and a responsive feel. A slim profile keeps these shoes a versatile option which will be comfortable for hours on and off the court. These are currently available in 2 colors: Black/White and Chlorine Blue/Black/White/Cyber.
Best (less-expensive) men’s tennis shoes for wide feet
New Balance 696 v4 – $65 at NewBalance.com
As we’ve already mentioned, New Balance is a brand known to be better for wider feet. Strengthen your game with our 696v4. These men’s tennis sneakers have a full-length NDurance non-marking outsole with grip, so you can cross the court in comfort without worrying about your footing. A durable synthetic and mesh upper with lace-up construction offers a breathable, lightweight and snug fit to help keep your feet cool when the match gets heated. These are currently available in 2 colors: White/Thunder and White/Ghost Pepper.
Most comfortable men’s tennis shoes
New Balance Fresh Foam LAV – $150 at Zappos.com
According to the experts, the New Balance Fresh Foam LAV tennis shoes are the softest, most cushiony, most bouncy shoe you can have in tennis – and they come in extra wide widths! To anyone interested in trying them, please note that they will be a firm fit at first, which is a sign of a good tennis shoe – you want them to hold on to you and be tight around the whole foot as you move from side to side and up and back; you can’t have too much movement in a shoe or else you can get blisters. These are available in 3 colors: Vintage Indigo/Reflection, Virtual Sky/Wave, and White/Iridescent.
Most stabilizing men’s tennis shoe
Adidas Barricade 18 – $150 on Amazon
These tennis shoes are so great, they brought them back! Built to deliver the level of performance demanded by professionals, they have a seamless upper that flexes with your foot and Geofit padding for a comfortable fit. A Barricade chassis adds stability in the midfoot, providing support for every twist and lunge. Currently, they are only available in White/Black, and only in the regular width.
