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Whether you are just getting into the sport or have been an avid tennis player for years, choosing the best pair of tennis shoes can help elevate your game to new heights.
Just like other pieces of tennis equipment, tennis shoes have come a long way in their development. They’ve never been so lightweight while providing so many bells and whistles.
A good pair of tennis shoes should be comfortable both on and off the court. More importantly, tennis shoes need to be supportive and offer stability.
If your chosen tennis shoes do not feature an appropriate level of support, you can increase your risk of developing ankle injuries. The outsole also needs to be durable enough to withstand the significant demands of the sport.
If you choose a low-quality pair of shoes, there is a good chance they will wear out quickly, and you will need to replace them before the tennis season is even over.
Choosing the Correct Pair for Your Preferred Playing Surface
Since you can play tennis on different court surfaces, the shoe you choose will depend on where you plan on playing.
For those who prefer to play on hard courts, you will want to choose a pair of tennis shoes that offer a significant amount of cushioning and extra shock absorption.
Those who play on clay courts may want to prioritize traction as they can also be quite slippery.
The Best Women’s Tennis Shoes
#1 Adidas – Women’s AdiZero Ubersonic 3
Best Overall
- Extremely light
- Comfortable but supportive
- Decent traction (suitable to use on all non-grass surfaces)
- Stylish design available in three color schemes
- Somewhat expensive compared other available options
The adidas Ubersonic 3s were designed to be one of the lightest tennis shoes on the market. Despite their lightweight design, these shoes offer significant traction, effective foot support, and an incredible degree of stability.
They are also incredibly comfortable and stylish. With effective ventilation throughout the shoe and a durable, yet comfortable sole, you will not be aching to take these off at the end of your next match.
The shoes are really easy to slip on and off, but they still manage to hug the foot quite well. What stood out to us about the Ubersonic 3s is how adidas balanced support and stability with comfort.
At first glance, they feature almost sock-like construction. But after you try the shoes on, you realize how supportive they actually are.
The traction and lightweight design allow you to maneuver quickly from one side of the court to the other, no matter what type of surface you are playing on.
They offer a significant upgrade over the Ubersonic 2s, which many tennis players felt were somewhat uncomfortable, especially around the toe box.
#2 New Balance – Women’s 696 V4
Best for Hard Surfaces
- Herringbone patterned outsole for added traction during lateral movements
- Non-marking outsole
- N-durance outsole offers excellent support and durability
- Available in a variety of colors
- A little stiff - takes a few games to properly break-in
New Balance has been releasing some impressive tennis-specific shoes and the V4 Hard Court shoes are no exception.
To ensure they perform well on hard court surfaces, New Balance designed the shoe with a herringbone-patterned outsole.
This zig-zag pattern helps with traction and is self-cleaning, so you will not have to worry about clay and other pieces of debris sticking to the underside of your shoes.
This cushioned herringbone outsole gives you all the grip and control you need for hard surfaces, and it provides plenty of padding for the underside of your foot.
New Balance also equipped the top of the shoe with plenty of perforation, which is why it is so lightweight and breathable.
New Balance’s unique REVlite cushioned midsole offers plenty of support without adding unnecessary weight.
The V4s are available in a variety of colors. Whether you prefer to wear a classic white tennis shoe, or brighter colors, you will be able to find what you are looking for with the New Balance V4s.
#3 Nike – Women’s Air Zoom Vapor X
Best for Stability
- Comfortable and breathable fit due to Dynamic Fit system and open mesh design
- Zoom Air unit in the heel offers cushioning and stability during changes in direction
- Unique outsole tread pattern offers outstanding levels of traction
- 7.5mm tread added to high-wear zones for added durability and support
- Quite expensive (tends to be a Nike thing...)
The Vapor X is one of the most supportive and comfortable tennis shoes on the market. They feature Nike’s Dynamic Fit system, meant to offer step-in comfort and a glove-like fit the first time you put them on.
They also feature Nike’s notorious Zoom Air heel, a cushioned heel and midsole that offers the perfect mixture of comfort and support.
The outsole pattern offers several pivot points so you get plenty of traction no matter which direction you are moving in.
In terms of durability, Nike added extra treading in high-wear zones while removing rubber from areas that make less contact with the court.
This keeps the overall weight down while ensuring that the shoes will not wear out in the areas that make the most contact with the ground.
A padded collar provides additional support around the ankle. Unlike their predecessor, the Nike Vapor 9.5, the Vapor X Hard Court shoes are designed to last.
Best of all, they are incredibly light, which is surprising for a tennis shoe that offers so much support.
They are available in a variety of colors that range from traditional all-white to eye-catching splatter designs.
#4 ASICS – Women’s Gel Game 7
Best Budget Option
- Removable Ortho-Lite sock liner (moisture management & prevents overheating)
- GEL cushioning system for enhanced shock absorption
- ASICS quality at an affordable price
- Solid rubber outsole with effective (grippy) traction pattern
- Iner sole is less supportive than other available options
ASICS has built a strong reputation for offering running and tennis shoes that are both comfortable and supportive.
The ASICS Gel Game 7 line of tennis shoes features a lightweight design and the brand’s well-known Rearfoot GEL cushioning system.
The shoes also feature the brand’s unique mid-foot Trusstic System, which ensures a comfortable experience for the wearer and helps with stability. The shoe also has a solid rubber outsole that features an effective traction pattern.
The top of the shoe is flexible and features breathable mesh ports, so it has a comfortable feel that will not leave your feet feeling overheated.
For fast lateral movements, the shoes have a wider heel cage that gives the heel more support and helps you push off the court with more force.
Given that the ASICS Gel Game 7 is our top pick for the best budget-friendly women’s tennis shoe, it is no surprise that it is also available at a reasonable price.
Buyers have their pick of eight different color options, so you can find the perfect shoe to match your preferred style.
#5 Wilson – Rush Pro 3.0
Best for Speed
- Perfect balance between weight and stability
- Durable rubber outsole
- Sleek, eye-catching design
- Combination of support and traction in a lightweight shoe
- Narrow toe box - not a good option for those with wide feet
Wilson is one of the biggest names in the sport. Their Rush Pro 3.0s offer step-in comfort in the form of a durable tennis shoe.
For those looking to buy a shoe that will help them add speed to their game, the Rush Pro 3.0 could be the perfect shoe.
The softer upper portion of the shoe is lightweight and allows for quick movements. Even though the shoe helps you feel much quicker on your feet, it still has all of the support and stability you would expect from a high-quality tennis shoe.
Wilson outfitted the shoe with its unique DuraLast rubber outsole, which gives the shoes reliable traction and an impressive level of durability.
This traction lets you switch directions quickly and effectively without having to worry about slips.
Even though we chose to highlight this shoe for its speed, durability was one of the major highlights. The outsole can stand up to serious play on even the hardest and most uneven courts.
The toe bumper is extra-thick, which helps, especially given this area wears out the quickest on most tennis shoes.
We also liked how lightweight and streamlined the shoe feels when you wear it, which partially explains why they help so much with speed.
Not only does this shoe stand out in terms of performance, but it also offers plenty of styles. With four unique colors to choose from and a clean overall look, you will not regret investing in a pair of Wilson Rush Pro 3.0s.
#6 K-Swiss – Women’s Hypercourt Express
Best for Wide Feet
- One of the plushest and cushioned tennis shoes on the market
- Flexible interior cushioning accommodates both wide and narrow feet
- Respectable level of traction on the outsole
- Added support around the ankles helps prevent injuries
- Little bit heavier than some of the other tennis shoes on the market
K-Swiss has been improving their tennis shoes recently, and the new Hypercourt Express shoes offer a balance between comfort and performance.
Despite their lightweight design, the Hypercourt Express shoes are extremely cushioned. They give players a comfortable fit, no matter how wide or narrow their feet are.
The cushioning is flexible but still offers enough support to be an effective tennis shoe. We also liked how breathable they feel.
While the plush cushioning is the highlight of the Hypercourt Express shoes, they also offer an impressive level of traction.
If you have a wider foot profile and are looking for a supportive shoe that will still feel comfortable, you cannot go wrong with these affordable and comfortable tennis shoes from K-Swiss.
Wrapping Up
Before you choose a pair of new tennis shoes, consider the features that most apply to where and how you play. If you need a shoe that offers greater support, choose one of the options we listed that has added ankle support.
If speed is important to the way you play tennis, choose a lightweight shoe that will help you play at higher speeds.
Any of the shoes we reviewed above are excellent options that will help you take your game to the next level! Hopefully you agree with our assessment of the best women’s tennis shoes available on the market.
If your feet are wide and our #6 option doesn’t work for you, check out our review of both the best tennis shoes and the best tennis shoes for wide feet. These are reviews of men’s shoes, but if the women’s wide selection isn’t sufficient for your feet, men’s shoes are naturally wider.
