Ace Your Game With These Editor-Approved Tennis Shoes

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LET'S TALK tennis. With the US Open behind us, it's on the forefront of everyone's minds. Naturally, you've probably started to evaluate your own game or have merely felt the itch to get back out there. Before you hit the courts, it's a good idea to make sure you've got the most important part of your gear down—the shoes.

Tennis shoes are about way more than meets the eye. The trifecta you should look for: comfort, support, and durability. Specifically, you want to find tennis shoes that have lateral support, toe guards for protection, flat and thick outsoles for stability and durability, and a quality midsole to absorb shock. Some of our favorite sneaker makers are making men's tennis shoes that encompass all of these qualities; with so many great options out there today, you can choose from a dedicated tennis brand like Babolat or an all-around performance brand like Nike or Adidas.

To find the best men's tennis shoes, our contributor and a couple of MH editors spent hours testing shoes by practicing and playing matches on clay and hard courts to evaluate them firsthand. We also spoke to Life Time Galleria Tennis Leader Gary Armstrong and Life Time Charlotte Tennis Leader Eric Winn to learn what lessons they've learned about the best tennis shoes for men throughout decades playing and coaching the sport.

Armed with their advice, we rounded up the eight best men's tennis shoes on the market today. From New Balance to K-Swiss to On, we've delved deep into what makes these pairs top of the line. Make your game a whole lot smoother and check our top picks below.

SFX3 Tennis Shoes

Babolat doesn't just make stellar tennis rackets; the brand's tennis shoes are in a league of its own. With a soft upper and ventilated mesh, the SFX3 delivers comfort and breathability in each wear. Babolat doubles down on the comfort with an OrthoLite insole that molds to the shape of your foot. A premium cushioning system absorbs shock in landings, which is super important for comfort and keeping your knees feeling good after a match. The shape and composition of the materials in the sole are segmented into nine key pressure points to deliver maximum responsiveness.

Armstrong also recommends these shoes for beginners. "In my experience, beginners need to look for something that may not require a huge investment, but also provides all the benefits needed to play tennis comfortably and safely," he says. "Generally, the shoes that are in a new player's price range and then feel the best, are the best shoes for them."

Propulse Fury 3 All Court Men

Babolat's newest model is loaded with support, stability, and durability, making it suitable for aggressive movers who are pulling quick pivots and gravity steps left and right. Babolat also added a Powerbelt that straps around the midfoot to give extreme lateral support and a tailored fit.

These are another favorite of Armstrong, who has three pairs of the Propulse Fury 3. "They fit my earlier-mentioned criteria of durability, comfort, and are easy on my Achilles," he says. "The shoe also comes with a six-month sole warranty."

Gel-Resolution 9

Asics is not just my favorite tennis shoe brand, but it's also a favorite of Winn's as well. One editor who tested this faces knee pain, and she found that the Gel-Resolution 9 is extremely supportive with all lateral movements so it's easy on her joints. It is also lightweight, making it perfect for quickly maneuvering around the court. The brand's proprietary midsole technology and arch support also serve to cushion the foot, which is ideal for those suffering from certain types of foot pain (like Plantar Fasciitis), according to podiatrist Mark Mendeszoon. And for transitions, there's even a locked-in feel from a strategic pressure providing support.

Don't just take it from us. "Asics has skyrocketed to the top over the last few years," says Winn. "It feels like a running shoe. It’s durable and supportive. It's my favorite shoe on the market."

Hypercourt Express 2 HB Tennis Shoes

Trying to nail the classic white tennis shoe look? K-Swiss delivers a shoe that embodies the timeless style without compromising on quality. Lightweight and breathable mesh encases the foot, and an OrthoLite insole cools and comforts. The Hypercourt Express 2 has good lateral stability, and a flexible midsole helps with energy return and a Durawrap Flex means that there's no break-in period. One of the best parts of the design? The laces are coated to help them stay tied, so you won't need to worry about refastening them between every set.

Our pros liked these shoes for beginners and experts alike. "When you first put them on they already feel broken in," Winn says. "I have also played in the K-Swiss Hypercourt Express 2, which is similarly very comfortable, durable, and supportive." The main take away? They are a versatile classic-looking shoe for all types of players.

Fresh Foam X Lav V2

New Balance takes the cake when it comes to tennis shoes for those in need of a little extra stability. Both tennis instructors we talked to agree that the Fresh Foam x Lav V2 delivers on comfort, support, and above all, stability. Between the precise underfoot cushioning, superior durability, toe drag tip, or external heel counter, the elements all come together to form a thoughtful deign.

"They're well-made, so they last a long time and are very comfortable," Winn says. Armstrong also adds, "Looking around and asking a few of our senior players, [the New Balances] seem to be a fan favorite." At the end of the day, comfort and stability are the leading factors in selecting a shoe for seniors, both of which this shoe excels in, according to Armstrong.

Read more: Best New Balance Shoes

Barricade Tennis Shoes

The Barricades are a go-to for all training sessions and matches for players who prioritize comfort. When shopping for tennis shoes, Armstrong says, "Players have different criteria as to what makes a shoe great for tennis." Personally, I want something that is durable, supportive but not too bulky, and comfortable. Armstrong, who teaches/plays almost every day of the week, needs something that feels good on his notoriously aching Achilles tendon. Adidas makes this pair that does all of this, and are even a favorite of Armstrong's father (who tore his Achilles a few years ago) because of their unrivaled comfort.

Wonder why? It might have something to do with the shoe's foam Geofit Sensepods to securely lock in the heel, a cushioned Bounce midsole, and asymmetrical laces to help guard against the effects of foot drag. There's also a sustainability component, with 50 percent of the yarn in the upper being recycled. It's a purchase you can make with a clean conscience.

Read more: Best Adidas Shoes

THE ROGER Pro Clay

No matter what level tennis player you are, you need to consider the type of court that you will be playing on before buying a new pair of tennis shoes. Armstrong shares why, explaining, "Tennis requires a player to perform specific movements on specific surfaces...There are also different court surfaces that may require specific tennis shoe soles—those for grass, clay, and hard courts all have a certain sole that helps with traction and support."

For clay court, you want a pair of shoes that are designed especially for it. Thinner and lighter soles, herringbone tread for traction, and uppers made from materials that keep clay out are three of the factors that go into the specially designed shoe to make it have the support that Armstrong mentions. They are also GOAT-approved, designed with Roger Federer's expertise to make sure they achieve the highest of standards. Need a show for a hard court? Check out this On x Roger version.

Read more: Best On Running Shoes

Solution Speed FF 2 Clay

We turn to Asics for a shoe fit for the clay court speed demon. As Winn says, "A great shoe is something that has solid support yet is so lightweight it feels like a running shoe." Asics' Solution Speed is aptly named, giving you that barely-there feel that translates to quick movements and transitions. It's lower to the court than the brand's previous iterations, delivering explosive cuts. A Twistruss System that provides structural integrity through the sole and reduces the weight to keep things featherlight with each step.

While lightweight shoes are preferred by some, it's important to recognize that some of the support and stability is lost. Armstrong adds, "I've met other players (both men and women) that want a shoe that is light and quick while others focus only on comfort or even style/color. In my mind, a great tennis shoe should be durable, comfortable, great for lateral support, and fit the foot properly to avoid injury." Asics' shoe has those components, but it's still a shoe for the person that prefers speed over support.

Read more: Best Asics Running Shoes

What Are the Benefits of Wearing a Tennis Shoe?

The ultimate goal of a specialized tennis shoe is to enhance performance and reduce the risk of injury. As Winn says, it's important to find the right shoe for you in order to "grip and to prevent injury."

Armstrong adds, "For moving laterally, the shoe needs to have great support on the sides of the shoe to prevent the shoe from rolling over. Because of the lateral movement, the shoe should also not have too high of a profile which can cause ankle turns."

What is the Best Tennis Shoe for Beginners?

When it comes to shopping for shoes for beginners, the three key factors to consider are comfort, support, and affordability. While Winn prefers K-Swiss because of how little you have to break them in, Armstrong says to look at pairs that won't break the bank. "Almost all major tennis shoe brands have great shoes at a lower price point including Asics, Nike, Addidas, Babolat, Wilson, K-Swiss, New Balance, etc," he says.

Why You Can Trust Us

At Men's Health, we take great pride in providing our readers with reliable and trustworthy product recommendations. We believe that our readers deserve the best, which is why we always make sure to conduct thorough research and testing before making any recommendations. Our writers and editors thoughtfully select experts for collaboration on product recommendations, and are also experts in their own right, using their informed opinions to select products and ensuring that our content is of the highest quality.

Our product recommendations are purely editorial, and while we may receive free products to test and review, we only recommend the products we are most impressed by. We never let retailers or public relations contacts dictate our content or product coverage. Which is why you can trust us to provide you with reliable and unbiased product recommendations.

How We Selected the Best Tennis Shoes

For the past several years, Men's Health's fitness editors and writers have been testing the best tennis shoes for hard court and clay court training and matches. Experts including our own fitness and commerce editor Talene Appleton, NASM, and fitness writer Caroline Lubinsky have been playing tennis for years and evaluating shoes on their fit, support, comfort, performance, and of course, value. We also talked to two Life Time tennis instructors for this story: Gary Armstrong, who has been playing tennis for 34 years, has been an instructor for 15 years, and continues to play at a 5.0 level several times a week, and Eric Will, who has been a tennis coach for 22 years and still plays in the 5.0 USTA leagues.

In addition to our personal favorites, also considered Reddit reviews to discover which men's tennis shorts for hard court and clay court have gained popularity with the general public. The list above represents our honest picks for the best tennis shoes for men in 2023.

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