9 Best Tennis Shoes for Men, Reviewed by Experts
Volley, serve and practice your backhand wearing these cushioned shoes, recommended by pros.
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If you routinely hit the tennis courts or are looking to try a similar sport like pickleball, chances are you may be in need of a new shoe for your next match. There is a vast amount of shoes on the market, which is why we spoke with tennis pros to narrow down the top-performing tennis shoes for men that are worth buying, including bestselling picks for every level, style and budget.
Our top picks:
Our experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab have evaluated nearly every kind activity-based shoe from the best indoor cycling shoes and hiking shoes to the best walking shoes and running sneakers. To find the best tennis shoes for men of 2023, we spoke with professional players and tennis coaches as well as drew from research when writing our round-up of the best tennis shoes for women. We kept in mind fit, cushion, comfort and consumer reviews to see how the shoes hold-up on the court.
Continue on to read our top-rated picks for men's tennis shoes — as well as advice on what to consider when shopping. Looking for more footwear for men? Check out our round-up of the best walking shoes for men.
Asics is a frontrunner in the category, thanks to its tennis shoes' durable design and ample cushion. One five-star review writes that their son "is on the tennis court about 15 hours a week and wears them for everyday use as well because of the comfort and support." The Gel-Resolution 9 has a redesigned midsole and outsole meant to improve stability and durability, respectively.
The heel is separated from the outsole, which is meant to provide quicker recoveries between shots, while a gel cushioning technology improves shock absorption. All of these perks come at a higher price, but paying extra on a pair of quality shoes can be worth it for more advanced athletes or beginner players looking to pursue the sport long term. Choose from six neutral and bright colors, including antique red (pictured), white and hot pink.
Fit: Standard | Court type: Not listed | Sizes: 6-15
Asics Gel-Dedicate 7
This best seller on Amazon also happens to be under $80 (depending on which of the seven colors you chose). Although more basic in design and features compared to our best overall pick by Asics, the Gel-Dedicate 7 remains a solid tennis shoe that has a 4.4-star rating on Amazon with 2,800 online ratings and counting. "After my first use, I fell in love. This tennis shoe provides great support, stability and is very comfortable," says one five-star review. We appreciate the synthetic leather around the toe to help guard against scruff marks as well as a wrap-around outsole to aid with stability. Similar to the Gel-Resolution 9, this pair also has gel cushioning for shock absorption.
Fit: Standard | Court type: Hard | Sizes: 6-14
RELATED: 14 Best Sneakers on Amazon With Over 500 Five-Star Reviews
Babolat Jet Mach 3 All Court
Designed for tennis players with wide feet, these shoes are also "lightweight, comfortable and built for speed," per Babolat's description — which sounds like a triple threat on the court to us. The shoes are super lightweight, thanks to the patented material Matryx Evo. The shoe's heel is made of EVA foam for great shock absorption, and the shoe has an Ortholite insole for added comfort. We like that Babolat re-thought the shoe's sole so that now it's larger in more-used areas and smaller in areas that experience less playtime, which in turn helps improve the shoe's overall lifespan. While there is only one color available, five-star customer reviews love the shoe's perfect fit for wide feet.
Fit: Wide | Court type: All | Sizes: 8-14
Adidas Barricade Tennis Shoes
Tennis professional and coach Larry Lebatique describes Adidas sneakers as very stable and adds that, "they really keep your feet safe," which is important if you are playing tennis for the first time or are picking up a racket after a hiatus. Although Adidas tennis shoes can be on the heavier side, this is a good characteristic for beginner shoes — you can always upgrade to a lighter tennis shoe down the line.
Available in seven colors, the Barricade has asymmetric lacing intended to keep your foot secure during lateral movements as well as the brand's Bounce midsole which aids in quick recovery. The shoes are also made from a minimum of 50% recycled materials which makes them a nice pick for the sustainable-thinking tennis player in your life. Some online customer reviews note that the shoes do not last as long as they hoped given the price tag.
Fit: Standard | Court type: Not listed | Sizes: 6.5-16
You can't forget about Nike when it comes to athletic footwear, especially tennis shoes. "Nike makes a great tennis sneaker for competitive play," says Lebatique, adding that the Nike Vapor Line in particular is stable and lightweight, which makes moving side-to-side on the court easy. These hard court shoes are available in seven colors and have a low-to-the-ground design meant for feeling closer to the court as you carry out quick movements. Note that the lightweight style may not be suitable for beginners who could benefit from a heavier shoe to start out. The shoes have a full-length frame for stability and a cushioned midsole for support that won't weigh you down. Online customers leave positive reviews for fit and comfort, with one five-star review saying, "Super supportive shoe, great grip on outdoor courts and minimal break-in period."
Fit: Standard | Court type: Hard | Sizes: 6-15
New Balance Fresh Foam X 1007
Extra cushion can mean a chunky-looking shoe, but you'll appreciate having a foam midsole during those longer matches. This shoe is made with breathable mesh materials to help with ventilation, plus it has a synthetic toe guard meant to provide extra stability, per the brand's description. We like that the rubber outsole is designed for multi-court play and won't mark up the court, so you can get the most bang for you buck with this purchase. Choose from two neutral shades, white with navy (pictured) and black with gray.
Fit: Standard | Court type: Hard, clay | Sizes: 7-15
Since Coco Gauff won the US Open, the CG1 by New Balance has risen in popularity among tennis players — and we understand the appeal. Inspired by Coco's personal style, the shoe is an ode to basketball silhouettes and '90s aesthetics. Aside from its good looks, the shoe is built for dynamic play, thanks to foam cushioning designed to drive you forward and a midsole meant to help you make the most of your movements. We like that the shoes are available in both standard and wide sizing, and that the unique mid-height shoe can provide more ankle support. However, the height may require some breaking-in for players who are used to a lower-to-the-court style.
Fit: Standard, wide | Court type: Not listed | Sizes: 4-15
For a basic tennis shoe that will help you feel comfortable on the court and deliver good serves, consider K-Swiss. In particular, the Hypercourt Express 2 has all of the necessary features for strong playing — on top of 11 different colors to choose from (although note that inventory for some sizes and colors may be limited). This new version has an improved midsole design for a more comfortable fit and lightweight feel, plus an overall sleek and modern style. We appreciate the included Ortholite insole and the rubber outsole for durability. The brand claims that the shoe lacks a break-in period, but we were not able to confirm this in Lab or in consumer testing just yet.
Fit: Standard | Court type: Not listed | Sizes: 7-14
Wilson Rush Pro 4.0 Men's Tennis Shoe
Match the yellow tennis ball in these neon tennis shoes by Wilson (also available in seven other colors if yellow isn't your favorite). The popular Rush Pro 4.0 has a 4.1-star rating on Wilson across almost four dozen customer ratings, with one five-star review saying, "The shoe locks the heel in place very well and feels extremely stable when making aggressive movements." Designed with durability and power in mind, these shoes have a split chassis under the foot to provide ultimate support as well as added rubber in areas where you may drag your foot for increased durability. An EVA foam midsole helps with impact and the transfer of body weight between movements. While the shoe is on the higher-end in terms of price, it isn't the most expensive shoe on the market either.
Fit: Standard | Court type: All courts | Sizes: 7-14
How we choose the best tennis shoes for men
At the Good Housekeeping Institute, our experts evaluate a wide variety of sports and fitness gear including tennis rackets. To select the best tennis shoes for men, we interviewed experts in the field to gain their firsthand knowledge, reviewed products from the leading brands and read online consumer reviews, keeping performance features like cushioning, fit, stability and comfort top of mind.
What to look for when shopping for the best tennis shoes for men
✔️ Court type: When deciding on the best tennis shoe for your playing needs, the first thing to consider is the surface you are mostly likely to play on. The most popular court types are clay, hard or grass. While some shoes are multifunctional, other tennis shoes are specifically designed for certain surfaces. Your shoe will need a different amount of traction to provide the correct amount of grip whether you play on a hard, clay or grass court.
✔️ Support: Tennis involves a fair amount of side-to-side movements, so you want a shoe that will make you feel secure as you play. A shoe that offers extra stability is ideal for beginner players, although this type of shoe may feel too heavy for some. Meanwhile, a lightweight pair is the way to go for more advanced players who want a shoe designed for speed.
✔️ Fit: Lebatique notes the importance of choosing a tennis shoe that feels comfortable and responds well when you make sudden, quick movements on the court. "If either of those do not feel right when play-testing a sneaker, go onto the next one."
Some shoes are designed for wide feet while others have a standard fit. In general, you'll want a shoe that isn't too snug so your toes aren't squished. Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab Product Analyst Grace Wu at the GH Institute recommends about a finger-width amount of extra space between your toe and the top of the shoe. Make sure that the shoe isn't too big either, as you don't want your heel to slip out from the shoe.
✔️ Price: Tennis shoes can definitely be an investment, with some on our list ringing in at over $150, but there are other sneakers that are closer to $100 or even under $80. Our research suggests that the best tennis shoes for men fall somewhere between $110 and $140, and Lebatqiue adds that "You cannot put a price on keeping your feet safe when playing tennis. And when you feet are safe, then the rest of your body can perform at its best on the tennis court."
✔️ Style: Tennis shoes can range in color, whether it be a more neutral shade like white or black or a brighter hue that will stand out on the court. Of course, you want a shoe that fits well, offers support and makes you feel stable while playing, but you also want a shoe that has an aesthetic which matches your style and you'll be excited to wear. "I personally also like to look for colors and the look of the sneaker," says Lebatique.
What is the difference between tennis shoes and running shoes?
While running sneakers may work in a pinch for a last-minute match, they won't provide the same kind of support and stability as your tennis shoes, explains Wu. Running shoes are meant for forward movement while tennis shoes are designed for side-to-side movements. "Tennis shoes are engineered for the sport, accounting for everything from the intended motion of game play to the surface of the court," says Wu.
Athletic sneakers can look similar but running and tennis shoes have some major design differences that don't make them an equal swap:
✔️ Cushion: Running shoes often have more cushioning than tennis shoes because you "don’t want to feel the ground when running — especially if it’s on a rugged trail," says Wu. Meanwhile, you'll want to have to have less cushioning and more grip when it comes to tennis shoes.
✔️ Midsole: Tennis shoes have a thinner midsole than running shoes to help provide stability so you can safely perform side-to-side movements. Running sneakers are also more flexible as tennis shoes are designed with support in mind and tend to be stiffer.
✔️ Outsole: Both shoes differ in outsole design. Though even within tennis shoes and running shoes themselves, there is a lot of variety given that outsole design depends on the surface you are playing tennis on or running on.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Elizabeth Berry is the updates editor at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she collaborates with Lab experts to help ensure product guides reflect accurate information.
She researched the best tennis shoes for women, and called on her background in tennis to find the best men's tennis shoes. Elizabeth consulted Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab Product Analyst Grace Wu to learn more information on the engineering of a tennis shoe, as well as Larry Lebatique, a tennis professional at the Bass River Tennis Club and the Head Tennis Coach at Austin Prep High School, to gather recommended picks.
Elizabeth Berry (she/her) is the Updates Editor at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she optimizes lifestyle content across verticals. Prior to this role, she was an Editorial Assistant for Woman’s Day where she covered everything from gift guides to recipes. She also has experience fact checking commerce articles and holds a B.A. in English and Italian Studies from Connecticut College.
