What To Look For
Though every pair of tennis court shoes has its own benefits that will help you on the court, no shoe is perfect, and typically there are significant drawbacks as well. Choosing the best pair of shoes for yourself is mostly about understanding your own needs as a player. Arch support, ankle support, durability, stability and weight all factor into the decision of choosing the right shoe. No shoe will ever have all of these qualities, so you first need to decide what qualities you need for yourself.
Common Pitfalls
Many players make the mistake of assuming that a lighter shoe will be the best choice for their game. While it is true that many shoes such as the Nike Lunar Vapor--worn by Roger Federer--are designed to be lightweight and easy to move around in, typically these shoes sacrifice durability and cushion in the insole to be this light. If you are heavy on your feet and/or need a lot of cushion in your shoe, lightweight shoes may not be your best choice.
Where To Buy
As with any apparel purchase, it is always best to first try on a few pairs of shoes at a tennis pro shop, which typically carry the newest and most popular tennis shoe models worn by tennis pros. Pro shops can be expensive, so consider purchasing the shoe which you find most comfortable online at a warehouse like TennisWarehouse.com or Zappos.com. Keep in mind that pro shops typically offer a warranty on the shoes they sell, and you most likely won't receive this kind of warranty if you buy online.
Cost
Most tennis shoe designers produce a new model of the same shoe every year as a means of marketing their product. Aside from flashy colors these newer models don't typically feature anything significantly better than the older model, but are sold at at least $50 to $100 more than the older model. The Adidas Barricade, for example, has six generations of new models. The first generation is just as good as the sixth, and costs significantly less.
Insider Tips
Though professional tennis court shoes are usually much more expensive than the average running shoe, they are almost always worth the price, especially if you wear through your shoes quickly. Not only are most tennis shoes designed to be more durable in locations that cheap running shoes are not--like the toe and insole area, which is frequently worn down by tennis players--but professional-grade tennis shoes are also usually sold with factory warranties that can be used to get a new pair of shoes for free if the first pair wears out within a certain amount of time. Buying an expensive pair of tennis shoes is an investment.
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