The Best Women’s Tennis Shoes

Buying Guide

Women’s tennis shoes are for more than just tennis players. While on the court they help with short sprints and quick lateral movements, off the court they work well with any casual outfit and elevate your sense of style.

The way the game of tennis is played actually informs the design of the shoe. Tennis shoes are flat on the sole, which helps the players with frequent lateral movement across the course. Tennis shoes are also sturdier than other types of athletic shoes because they have a thick sole. While other athletic shoes are designed to increase forward movement, tennis shoes are designed to help with side-to-side movements as well as balance and stability.

If you’re buying women’s tennis shoes to improve your game, consider what type of surface you play on most. For example, if you’re playing on a hard court made of concrete, then you’re going to want to choose a tennis shoe that has a resilient outsole and a supportive upper. For those that play on soft or clay courts, a tennis shoe with non-damaging traction is key. If you play on different types of surfaces, then opt for a tennis shoe that is durable enough for a hard court but won’t damage a soft court.

You’ll also want to consider your foot type when choosing a women’s tennis shoe. If your have overpronation, you may roll your foot inward when you take a stride. As a result, a stabilizing shoe will be a good choice for you. If you have under-pronation, then you may tend to roll your foot outward on a stride. As a result, a flexible shoe is the right choice for you. If you have a neutral foot, you are in luck. Any type of tennis shoe will provide the support you need.

• Getting the size of your tennis shoes right can be a challenge, especially when you’re shopping online. Here’s how to make sure you get the right size shoe: You have to carefully trace and measure your foot. Start by wearing a pair of socks that you would wear while playing tennis. Place a foot on a large piece of paper on a flat surface. Trace around the outside of the foot while keeping your weight on the foot. To get your foot length, measure the drawing vertically from the toe to the heel. To get your foot width, measure the widest part of the drawing. Compare these measurements to the sizing charts for the shoes you’re interested in.
• If you’re not a tennis player but love the look of tennis shoes, you can still enjoy them. They work well off the court as well as on the court. You can wear women’s tennis shoes with a pair of jeans, yoga pants, sweat pants or leggings, paired with a casual t-shirt, tank top or sweatshirt.
• When it comes to colors, you have options. Many tennis shoes come in neutral colors like white, black and grey, and these are a good choice for those who want their shoes to blend in with the background. If you’re on the bolder end of the fashion spectrum and like your shoes to catch the eye, you can go with a stronger color like pink, orange, blue and green.
• Having lightweight shoes is key, whether you plan to focus on your game or just walk around town. Be sure to check the material the shoes are made from to determine whether they will weigh you down.