What To Look For
Contrary to popular belief, not every tennis shoe is designed the same. While some shoes are designed to be lighter, more agile, and easier to move around in, others are designed to be more durable, supportive, and shock absorbing. Depending on the type of tennis player you are, you may need any number of these characteristics in your tennis shoes.
Common Pitfalls
Many players make the quick assumption that a lighter shoe like the Nike Lunar Vapor, worn by Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, is necessarily best suited for their type of play. While it is true that the lighter your shoe is, the more agile you will be on the court, it is also true that these light shoes are typically made lighter because they lack significant durability, insole cushioning, and arch support. If you tend to wear through your shoes quickly, have frequent soreness in your joints from heavy impact, or have high arches, then these lightweight shoes may not be well suited for you.
Where To Buy
Most sporting goods stores like Sports Authority or Big 5 Sporting Goods sell athletic shoes that are well suited for playing tennis. Cross trainers or running shoes sold at these stores can be used, but typically wear out very quickly because of the unique type of wear and tear that the tennis shoe goes through. If you really want your shoes to last, you should consider shopping at tennis pro shops like Golfsmith or Tennis-Warehouse.com, where you can find professional grade tennis shoes that last longer and are sold with warranties in case the shoe does wear out faster than advertised.
Cost
Professional grade tennis shoes may last longer and have better warranties than the cross trainers and running shoes sold at regular sporting goods stores, but they also typically cost substantially more. Popular tennis shoes like the Adidas Barricade or the Nike Lunar Vapor can cost anywhere from $75-$150 per pair. A good pair of tennis shoes, thus, is a long term investment.
Insider Tips
If you are considering buying a professional grade tennis shoe, but are concerned about the price, you might consider shopping for an older model tennis shoe at an online warehouse like Tennis-Warehouse.com or Zappos.com. Designer models like the Adidas Barricade are remodeled every year, making the older model cheaper to buy, but harder to find. Adidas Barricade models I-V, for example, can be purchased for $60 to $80, more than half the price of the Adidas Barricade VI.
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