Whether you are an avid tennis player or a weekend warrior, your tennis shoes have a huge impact on your confidence and your performance. Finding the best shoe can be like finding a needle in a haystack, however, help from a shoe expert can go a long way. There are many things to consider when searching for the best shoe to improve your game, comfort, width, and durability to name a few. Below are the best tennis shoes going right now, and you can always head over to our Men’s Tennis Shoes page for greater details.
adidas Barricade
A legend has re-entered the game! First released in the year 2000, the Barricade helped bring about the normalization of the hardcourt slide. The Barricade is designed as a shoe for the ultimate athlete who craves support and performance. For torsional stability, adidas built the Barricade with a TPU midfoot shank. The shoes’ lacing system is built-in to secure the foot using the integrated eye stays, and there is extra protection for the medial laces thanks to the asymmetrical design. To improve the durability of the shoe, ADITUFF abrasion mapping and a new ADIWEAR rubber compound are included in the outsole. The previous Barricade models were the market standard for stability, but they were pretty heavy. This new version maintains stability, but it is also lighter and faster than the previous iterations. Dominic Thiem, Felix Auger Aliassime, and young American Sebastian Korda are wearing the Barricade on tour.
New Balance Fresh Foam Lav v2
The Lav v2 is the shoe of choice for Milos Raonic and Tommy Paul on the ATP Tour. New Balance made some subtle improvements over version 1. The most obvious change is the shoe is much easier to get into now that the upper has a more traditional tongue. The back of the shoe features an extended heel counter for greater support, and the ankle collar comes up higher around the Achilles tendon for a more locked-in fit. NB’s Fresh Foam X updates the midsole for improvements in rebound and comfort, and the upper FITWEAVE construction should be familiar from fans of their running shoes. The white and laser blue colorway exudes the class of Wimbledon, but for those who seek a little more color, there are plenty of bright options headed your way this fall.
NikeCourt Vapor Pro
Nike’s touring pros made the shift to the Vapor Pro earlier this year at the Australian Open. The Vapor Pro continues the strong tradition of the outgoing Vapor X, with an incredibly lightweight game-day shoe. This version is lighter than the X, but also more supportive. The soft foam midsole pairs nicely with a Zoom Air unit in the heel for close to the court comfort. The full-length foot frame bolsters the stability on the shoe’s lateral side to protect the foot during intense lateral bursts. Just turn on the Tennis Channel for a few minutes and the odds are you will see Nike Vapor Pros on the world’s top players.
NikeCourt REACT Vapor NXT
After lots of success in the running category, Nike brings REACT foam to a tennis shoe for the first time. This shoe keeps the “Vapor” moniker, but the shoe ups the comfort and support of the Vapor Pro, albeit with a heavier weight. The REACT foam is a softer foam under the arch, paired with firmer foam on the lateral side to keep the foot closer to the court for dynamic play. Additionally, the REACT Vapor has bolstered the medial forefoot with tough plastic to protect the shoe’s integrity from court abrasions, and a new outsole design encourages those who incorporate hard court sliding into their game. The shoe’s lateral side features a stiffer frame for support that mirrors an athlete’s most common movements on the court.
NikeCourt Zoom NXT
The ZOOM NXT takes up the mantle of the GP Turbo, and the previous model, the Zoom Zero. The most striking design feature of the shoe is the unique FLYPLATE. This creates a gap between the outsole and the midsole. The technology was taken from a recent Jordan basketball shoe and modified for the side-to-side movements on the tennis court. The ZOOM NXT is surprisingly fast and stable, and it offers a more voluminous toe box and forefoot than the popular Vapor Pro. Nike’s curved Zoom Air unit provides responsive cushioning, and a super-soft tongue and ankle collar help with a locked-in yet comfortable fit. Pro tennis star Frances Tiafoe wears the Zoom NXT on tour!
HEAD Revolt Pro 4
The HEAD Revolt Pro 4.0 is the update to HEAD’s most stable and durable shoe. A brand new upper design features a mesh and PU molded chassis, which pairs with T-KORE 360 to give the shoe a responsive, supportive ride. New in version 4 is a slightly higher heel design for better dampening, and a more spacious toe box to fit a wider variety of foot shapes. HEAD used a PU insole this time to improve durability, breathability, and comfort. The Revolt Pro 4 features a 6-month outsole guarantee. The HEAD Cooling System, a ventilation window on the bottom of the shoe, has been expanded in this model to improve ventilation. For those who are tough on shoes, the Revolt Pro 4 is a great choice.
adidas Ubersonic 4
After a slight hiccup with the Ubersonic 3, The 4th generation Ubersonic has come to play! A major upgrade from adidas is the LightStrike midsole. This makes the shoe more comfortable while maintaining the close to the court feel of the previous versions. The 4 features the most comfortable inner sock construction around, and it blends seamlessly with the shoes’ mesh upper to reduce the shoe’s overall weight while increasing breathability. adidas PrimeGreen incorporates recycled material in the Ubersonic 4 for a more sustainable performance shoe. This shoe perfectly fits the silhouette of the foot, and it is probably the closest thing to playing in a sock.
Babolat Jet Mach 3
Babolat’s Jet Mach 3, as the name might imply, is all about SPEED! Matryx® EVO fabric throughout the shoe’s upper is incredibly lightweight and consists of Aramid and Polyamide threads for greater flexibility and comfort. The heel also features KPRS-X cushioning for shock absorption and increased comfort. These shoes fit true to size, and like a glove. Compared with the previous version, this update has a rockered heel for easier weight transfer and more cushion underfoot.
Fila Axilus Energized
The Fila Men`s Axilus 2 Energized Tennis Shoe represents a vibrant new look for Fila’s most popular tennis shoe. It promotes responsiveness, stability, and comfort. This upgraded model is a great all-around performance shoe. See for yourself why top ATP athletes like John Isner and Diego Schwartzman trust Fila for their tournament gear. The Axilus features a six-month outsole guarantee and is a great shoe for a wider foot. One of the standout features of this shoe is the very soft and padded tongue. It allows the laces to be tied tightly, without experiencing any discomfort on the top of the foot.
Diadora Men’s B.Icon
This new shoe from Diadora is a departure of sorts because it doesn’t include Blueshield cushion technology. Instead, the brand borrowed from their distance running category and integrated DD Anima into the midsole of the B.Icon. The material is the lightest, most stable, and most responsive foam ever made by Diadora. The shoe hugs the court, and it feels faster than the Blueshield FLY and the renowned Speed Blueshield. Diadora’s ATP and WTA athletes will wear the shoe on tour. Take note, the B.Icon runs a little large, so we recommend going down a half size.
K-SWISS Men’s Ultrashot 3
K-Swiss has always had a following due to the wider toe box and more spacious forefoot sections of the shoe. The Ultrashot 3 features the same sixth-month outsole guarantee and impressive stability that the previous model was known for, but introduces new Surgelite midsole technology for lightweight cushioning and energy return. As stable as this shoe is, the mesh upper allows for greater airflow. The redesigned tongue is more comfortable than ever. The Ultrashot is the shoe of choice for K-Swiss players on the pro tour.
Yonex Power Cushion Eclipsion 4 (arriving in May 2022)
Yonex created a roomier toe box and forefoot to improve the fit of the shoe over the previous generation. To add agility to an impressively stable design, the brand incorporated a new 3D POWER GRAPHITE DRIVE. The technology also includes a 3D graphite plate in the midfoot for quicker reactions and faster acceleration. New Feather Bounce FOAM was inserted into the midsole for improved comfort. Power Cushion+ returns in the forefoot and heel to improve energy return and cushioning, and the heel is further stabilized by a TPU HEEL STABILIZER. The shoe`s one-piece outsole design is built to hold up during the toughest matches on hard court surfaces.
Mizuno Wave Exceed Tour 5 (arriving in April 2022)
The Mizuno Men`s Wave Exceed Tour 5 features a modified 3D-Solid construction for the shoe’s upper. This is designed with greater flexibility but not at the expense of durability. Under the hood, a new bootie construction supports the foot. However, it has some comfortable stretch and flex to ensure a comfortable fit. Mizuno added an ENERZY insole with bolstered cushioning. They also added greater energy return for the ball of the foot and heel section respectively. And it wouldn’t be the “Wave” Exceed Tour without the famous Mizuno Wave Plate. The Wave Plate keeps the ankle in the correct position and adds extra cushion in the rear foot. The Wave Exceed Tour 5 is lighter than the previous version, but it still has a 6-month outsole guarantee.
One thing we have learned over the years is that a single tennis shoe is NOT for everyone. Everyone’s foot is a little different, so look for the perfect match for your game at Tennis Express.
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