12 Best Tennis Shoes for Women 2020 Review

Every avid tennis player knows the importance of wearing the right footwear. If you’re new to the sport, you might be wondering, which tennis shoes should you buy? So, in this article, we’ll talk about some of the best tennis shoes for women on the market today.

Why not just wear running shoes? You could, but they’re not designed to help you move in all directions with speed, power, and control, while keeping you comfortable and free from injuries when playing.

There are tons of brands that offer both quality and good price, so shopping for these shoes can be overwhelming. Below, you’ll find 12 of the best female tennis shoes on the market, complete with their pros and cons.

12 Best Tennis Shoes for Women Review

New Balance Women’s 896 V2 Hard Court Tennis Shoe

The New Balance Women’s 896 V2 Hard Court Tennis Shoe is the perfect pair for people with wide feet. These minimalist tennis shoes come in seven color variations to make sure they match your style and outfit.

Warm and sweaty feet can negatively impact your game and cause other side effects, such as bad odors, blisters, and infection. The New Balance Women’s 896 V2 Hard Court Tennis Shoe solves this problem with the FantomFit technology and the NB Ice fabric, which work together to allow continuous flow of fresh air inside to keep your feet cool and dry.

The 896 V2 tennis shoes also have a REVlite midsole, which is a foam that’s durable, soft, and springy. To compliment this special foam, the outsole is made of Ndurance rubber that’s wear resistant. The Herringbone tread pattern on the outsole provides strong traction on loose and damp court surfaces.

Pros:

Doesn’t cause feet fatigue Can be worn for more than an hour of playing tennis, without causing blisters or any discomfort Doesn’t usually slip off the back of the wearer’s heel Lightweight women’s tennis shoes (weigh 282 grams or 9.9 ounces)

Cons:

Tight and run a bit small because of the materials used in making them Too low arch support

Adidas Women’s Adizero Club

Crafted by Japanese shoemaker Omori, the Adidas Women’s Adizero Club will surely capture your heart with its simple yet attractive design. If you want to move better in the court and stay comfortable at the same time, these women’s tennis court shoes are for you.

The Adizero Club will make you feel like you’re not wearing any female tennis shoes at all. They’re so light that you’ll waste less energy on moving your feet back and forth, side to side. With mesh uppers, they offer the best possible ventilation, so your feet stay cool and dry for hours.

The foot-hugging construction and supportive chassis will provide a snug fit and extra stability. The shoes also have an Adiwear rubber outsole that provides excellent abrasion resistance, durability, flexibility, and traction. On the toe area, Adidas used a textile upper with their Adituff material to make these one of the longest lasting tennis shoes—even when subjected to repeated strain.

Pros:

Allow good side-to-side and forward court movements Provide extra stability to your feet, without limiting your movement around the court Relatively comfortable and lightweight tennis shoes Have a lot of bounce to them and are sturdy

Cons:

Don’t have much arch support Have a tendency to dig into the outside and/or outside of the feet

NIKE Women’s Court Lite Tennis Shoe

If you love a pair of fresh white sneakers, the NIKE Women’s Court Lite Tennis Shoe is the pair you’ll ever need. These nike tennis court shoes women are made from white leather and synthetic materials, with metallic gray or coral pink Nike logo.

The NIKE Women’s Court Lite Tennis Shoe has a mesh upper for breathability and extra layer of material on the toe box for abrasion resistance. The midsole is made of full-length Phylon, which is light, soft, and responsive (feels like you’re in close contact with the ground). The GDR outsole with herringbone pattern provides long-lasting traction on hard courts.

You don’t need to play tennis to use the NIKE Women’s Court Lite Tennis Shoe. They offer enough room to accommodate foot braces, without losing their shape.

Pros:

Give your feet that extra level of support Can be worn right out of the box, without damaging your feet Feel like wearing “pillows on your feet” Have enough room to accommodate orthotic devices, without losing their shape

Cons:

Too narrow in the toe box Hurt the feet, partly due to an inside seam

K-Swiss Women’s Hypercourt Express

Speed and agility are important for every tennis player. Designed with runners in mind, the K-Swiss Women’s Hypercourt Express will help you move better and get in the right position to hit the ball right off the bounce.

The Hypercourt Express court shoes tennis are equipped with the OrthoLite® X40 Series, which is made from recycled rubbers. This is specifically designed to snugly cradle your entire foot, while providing shock absorption and supporting the arch of your heel for maximum comfort and pain prevention.

K-Swiss used the Aösta 7.0 rubber compound for the outsole to provide heel-to-toe traction and durability, even after you spend long hours on the court. To make sure they don’t wear down easily, K-Swiss used their DragGuard Shoe Technology that’s strategically located in the high-wear areas of the shoes.

These are made of soft and wear-resistant synthetic leather. Inside, the collar is lined with fabric that can keep your feet warm, without causing them to sweat a lot, thanks to its absorbent and breathable properties.

Pros:

Have a wide toe box for comfort, improved agility, and prevention of hammertoe or bunion A breath of fresh air from brightly colored tennis women shoes Perfect for playing tennis and pickleball Don’t cause pain when worn for prolonged periods and offer great arch support

Cons:

Run a bit too big, particularly in the heel Too much padding in the sole, making them look bulky

Prince Women’s T22

Do you play tennis or pickleball at least four times every week? If yes, the Prince Women’s T22 is one the best tennis woman shoes that you’ll find in years.

The uppers are made from a synthetic material and mesh panels that improve flexibility, without sacrificing comfort and ventilation. The midsole of the Prince Women’s T22 is made of EVA foam with ShockEraser heel and SoftSpring PU forefoot inserts—all of which uniformly distributes shock throughout the sole, while providing excellent cushioning.

These ladies tennis shoes are fully equipped to keep your feet stable during aggressive movements. The TPU straps and wishbone shank make sure your forefoot and midfoot are always stable and to prevent unnecessary twisting.

Pros:

Lightweight but durable (could last more than three months) Best womens tennis shoes for wide feet and women who like to drag their feet Have a good ankle and arch support Look great and available in twelve colors

Cons:

Look huge on your feet due to the extra width (around two inches) Could irritate your ankles due to the Achilles collar rubbing those areas

ASICS Women’s Solution Speed FF Clay

The ASICS Women’s Solution Speed FF Clay tennis shoes look amazing. Who doesn’t need a pair of baby pink and blue or black-gold asics tennis court shoes once in a while? We all do.

These shoes aren’t just eye candies. They have the right features to keep up with your aggressive movements, while keeping your feet comfortable.

The midsoles are constructed using the Asics FlyteFoam technology. This technology produces midsoles that are significantly lighter, provide a more cushioned feel, and can return to their original shape quickly.

The ASICS GEL technology gives the extra cushioning in your rearfoot and forefoot. By strategically placing gel where you need it the most, you get better overall performance, shock absorption during forward movements, and protection from aches and fatigue.

The ASICS Women’s Solution Speed FF Clay tennis shoes also have Flexion Fit® uppers. The form-fitting uppers keep your feet comfortable and stable, without sacrificing flexibility. As a result, you get tennis shoes that are relatively safe and able to keep up your fast and explosive movements.

Do you wear any orthotic device? The sockliner of the Solution Speed FF Clay is removable to accommodate any medical orthotic device.

Pros:

Relatively comfortable tennis shoes Light, while still providing adequate support and cushioning Look great, with various styles and colors to suit your preference Good tennis shoes for narrow feet

Cons:

Rub the top of the foot, causing discomfort Not for people with wide feet

New Balance Women’s 806 V1

The New Balance Women’s 806 V1 is the ideal pair for players who need great support and stability in tennis court shoes womens. The New Balance Rollbar® technology (a molded plate under the heel) makes sure these shoes fulfill that purpose by preventing your ankles from rolling inwards or outwards as you speed around the court.

The outsole is made of a unique rubber material that won’t leave unsightly marks on any indoor surface area. Etched into the outsole is a closely-spaced herringbone pattern for good grip and durability.

The New Balance Women’s 806 V1 shoes are designed to keep your feet stable, without sacrificing flexibility. That’s why New Balance combined their C-Cap® and ABZORB® technologies to improve midsole flexibility and shock-absorption in the heel and forefoot.

These shoes for tennis women are available in three colors: graphite, purple, and white. The uppers are made from full-grain leather with a drag tip for durability and moisture resistance.

Pros:

One of the best shoes for everyday use Prevent or reduce overpronation and underpronation Suitable for people who are flat-footed Give great grip on the court

Cons:

Narrow and run short Stiff shoes that are most likely to take longer to break in

ASICS Women’s Gel-Resolution 7

The ASICS Women’s Gel-Resolution 7 is the go-to women’s tennis shoes by players who put a premium on durability. To meet this need, Asics used the AHAR® PLUS rubber material on critical areas of the outsole to prevent rapid abrasion, while the PGUARD toe protector adds extra durability in the toe box.

Asics designed these shoes with overpronators in mind. The I.G.S® (Impact Guidance System) technology and Trusstic System® provide stability and control, so your feet can perform more naturally as you swivel around and sprint around the court.

With the addition of the P.H.F (Personal Heel Fit) technology, the Gel-Resolution 7 tennis shoes are able to mold into your foot shape for a more personalized fit. The SpEVA 45 technology and GEL® technology work together to help cushion your entire foot, so you can take on your opponent in comfort and with efficiency.

Pros:

Offer top-notch stability and support for fast foot work Suitable asics womens tennis shoes for toe-draggers Have excellent lateral support and cushion Don’t feel heavy or look bulky despite the extra cushioning

Cons:

Too narrow and shallow in the instep Stiffer than its predecessors

ASICS Gel-Court Speed Women’s Tennis Shoes

Except for the design, the ASICS Gel-Court Speed Women’s Tennis Shoes and ASICS Women’s Gel-Resolution 7 share almost the same features. But, if you’re searching for the most comfortable womens tennis shoe, the Gel-Court Speed shoes are better options.

These shoes feature the Trusstic System® structure, which allows more efficient foot function and forward propulsion. In addition, the Rearfoot and Forefoot GEL Technology Cushioning System and the spongy AHAR outer sole decrease the impact on your feet and knees to prevent injury, without compromising the durability and structural integrity of the ASICS Gel-Court Speed.

Note: The insole is removable, so you can still wear these shoes even if you’re wearing a support brace.

Pros:

Lightweight womens asics tennis shoes that allow good lateral movement Extremely comfortable Provide comfortable and secure fit Can be worn by people with an orthotic device

Cons:

Have enough support but they may still cause overpronation sometimes May slightly rub against your outer ankle bone, but not too much

Babolat Propulse Rage All Court Men’s Tennis Shoe

The Babolat Propulse Rage All Court Men’s Tennis Shoe is probably one of the coolest looking shoes out there. With eight color combinations to choose from, these shoes are a great way to add a punch to your usual tennis outfit.

The upper and tongue are made of breathable mesh fabric to allow your foot to stay dry and cool when playing for hours. The straps on the upper give you that snug fit, while still allowing your foot to comfortably flex, which every quick tennis player needs.

To keep your feet more comfortable, the insole of the Babolat Propulse Rage features the OrthoLite open cell foam with a yoga mat material. The yoga mat material helps direct sweat away from your foot to create a cool, comfortable, and infection-free environment.

Designed for quick, explosive movements, the Babolat Propulse Rage features the soft and supportive KPRS-X midsole technology to cushion your foot’s impact with the ground. The durable Michelin rubber outsole with a modified herringbone pattern provides firm grip of the ground, so you can turn and run in whatever direction with stability.

Note: The outsole comes with a six-month durability guarantee.

Pros:

Generally comfortable court shoes for women Have extra support to help prevent injuries Great for everyday use because of their appealing design Available in different colors to match your outfit

Cons:

Run a half size too short Narrow shoe design, limiting you to wearing thin socks

Wilson Womens Rush Pro 2.5

For this updated version of the Wilson Womens Rush Pro tennis court shoes, Wilson kept the low-profile design and added a form-fitting and flexible upper. They also included women-specific features, such as an elongated and extended TPU heel counter, to increase the shoes’ comfort and stability.

Wilson’s Endofit full-construction inner sleeve makes sure your foot stays locked in place. This, plus the Pro Torque Chassis arch technology, keeps your feet more stable and prevents excessive midfoot twisting. The R-DST+ midsole strikes a perfect balance between cushioning and rebound for better shock absorption.

Wilson’s Duralast outsole will work on any court, whether it’s clay courts or hard courts. It’s made of high-density, durable rubber with a full herringbone tread pattern that offers good abrasion resistance and traction on all surfaces.

Pros:

Prevent the heel from slipping while running or walking Don’t restrict blood flow since you don’t need to tie them so tight Can be used for tennis, pickleball, or everyday use Break in time was fast

Cons:

Could be too roomy for people with narrow feet Feel tight at the toe box

Nike Women’s Air Zoom Vapor X

The Nike Women’s Air Zoom Vapor X shoes are constructed using the updated dynamic fit system with a full-length foot frame. This update gives your feet more control and the support they need by ensuring proper fit, while enhancing maneuverability on the court.

These nike tennis court shoes for women are light and breathable, so your feet don’t get too hot. The padded collar adds design and comfort to these athletic shoes for women. And when combined with Nike’s Zoom Air cushioning system, these shoes can improve your lateral movements and jumps, while reducing the landing impact on your joints, muscles, and tendons.

The Air Zoom Vapor X shoes are designed to withstand your explosive movements. Nike equipped these shoes with a textured and thicker tread in the high-wear zones of the outsole for added traction and stability, while removing rubber in the low-wear zones to save weight. The additional rubber around the toe guard increases durability in this high-wear area.

Pros:

An extremely comfortable pair of women’s tennis court shoes Have a cool-looking design and are available in so many colors Provide adequate traction on any court Suitable for tennis and pickleball

Cons:

Make the feet look bulky Lack enough cushion and are narrow

How to Choose Good Tennis Shoes for Women

Buying your first pair of tennis shoes for women can be a struggle, at least at first. There are different factors you need to consider, so you don’t waste your money on shoes that can’t bear the brunt of this high-intensity sport.

Here are some things to consider when selecting the right shoes for your needs:

Tennis Shoes vs Other Footwear

There’s a reason why your favorite pro tennis players aren’t wearing running shoes (and why you shouldn’t, too). So, what makes tennis shoes different from other athletic footwear, like running shoes?

Most tennis shoes have an outsole with a modified herringbone pattern that responds well to the multi-directional footwork of tennis. The design of the tread on the outsole will depend on the type of tennis court you generally plan on. Compared to running shoes, they have a slightly elevated heel for stability. Tennis players depend mainly on their heels and forefeet to keep them stable when playing. Shoes for running and walking are designed for repetitive forward movement. Meanwhile, tennis shoes have the best flexibility and grip on all types of tennis courts to help players move in all directions, jump, and make quick turns. They have more durable, thicker outsoles, especially on high-wear areas, for longer use. They have ample cushioning to absorb the impact of hard landings. They’re heavier than running shoes because of the amount of padding they have. The best tennis shoes have a perfect mix of durability (especially the sole), flexibility, arch support, and traction. They have a lightweight and flexible upper that’s made of canvas or leather.

As you can see, there are many differences between tennis shoes and other athletic footwear. They have specific technical requirements to meet the needs of the sport and enhance the players’ skills and performance on the court, without sacrificing their comfort.

Your Foot Type

We rarely think about our foot type when we’re shopping for any type of shoe. Our foot type has an enormous impact on the fit, feel, and features of the tennis shoes we buy. Not all feet are the same, but there are general types in which we belong:

Pronated Supinated Neutral

Pronated Foot

Throughout this article, we’ve mentioned the word “overpronation” a few times. People with this foot type is at greater risk for injuries.

As your feet hit the ground, they naturally roll inward to absorb the impact. Overpronation happens when the outer part of your heel lands the ground first, and then rolls too far inward toward the arch of your foot.

Supinated Foot

A supinated foot happens when your weight is placed on the outer part of your foot during a step. Over-supination, also called as underpronation, usually affects people with high-arched foot or tight Achilles (strong, fibrous bands of tissues that connect your heel bone to the muscles on the back of your lower leg).

Common symptoms of over-supination include:

Pain in the ankle and ball of the foot Weak ankle or foot, which becomes worse if you try to run, stand, or walk Swollen ankle or foot

Neutral Foot

Most people have a neutral type of foot. This means the heel of your foot is able to maintain a vertical position. If you have this foot type, you don’t usually need shoes that provide extra stability or cushioning since your foot can easily adapt.

How do you know your foot type? One of the easiest ways to learn your foot type is by observing the wear patterns on the shoes you frequently use:

If the outsole is worn out on the inside edge of the shoe, you have a pronated foot type. If the outsole is worn out on the outer side of the shoe, you most likely have a supinated foot. If the wear pattern is S-shaped, you have a neutral foot type.

Tennis Court Type

There are four major types of tennis courts: hard courts, clay courts, grass courts, and carpet courts. Let’s take a closer look at each type.

Hard courts – These can really do some damage to your tennis shoes and can also be punishing on the human body. Hard-court tennis shoes are usually non-marking to avoid damaging the court surface. They also provide optimal shock absorption and cushioning.

Clay courts – Compared to hard courts, clay courts are softer. They can be made of hard-packed clay or a mix of loose clay and sand. The best tennis shoes for clay courts are light (to allow you to move faster) and have a tread pattern that provides good grip of the ground, without getting clogged with clay, stone, or sand.

Grass courts – Most major tennis tournaments for professional tennis players are held on grass courts, such as Wimbledon. Since grass can be slippery, shoes for this type of tennis court have nubs or protrusions on the outsole that provide additional grip.

Carpet courts – This tennis court type is made of removable hard rubber or artificial grass. For carpet courts, you need indoor shoes that have colorless, non-marking, and smooth soles.

Shoe Size

We all know the consequences of buying tennis shoes with the wrong size: foot pain, blistering, bunions, numbness—or worse, injuries. To find your foot measurement, we recommend consulting a qualified podiatrist or using a Brannock device (a standard foot measuring device).

Here are a few tips to keep in mind if you plan to measure your shoe size at home:

If possible, get someone to do it for you. Measure your feet at a later part of the day since it’s during this time that your feet are the largest (they usually grow in size during the day). Wear the socks you’ll most likely wear with your new tennis shoes. Stand if another person is going to take your foot measurement. Sit in a chair if you’re going to do it by yourself. Make sure you tape the paper on the floor, so it won’t move while you’re doing the measurement. Measure the widest and longest parts of the outline of your foot.

Best Brands

As you already know, there are a ton of popular brands for tennis shoes—each offers a wide array of tennis shoe models and features. You have Adidas, Nike, Head, Babolat, Diadora, and Asics.

It’s true that buying brand name tennis shoes doesn’t always guarantee you’ll get the the best tennis shoes for women. However, in most cases, they always make their shoes with the best materials, designs, and features using the latest cutting-edge technology. If you want to save time, just check what the world’s best tennis players are wearing.

Conclusion

We hope you can use our buying tips to help you find the best tennis shoes for women. If you don’t have the time to shop around online or offline, the 12 tennis shoes we included in this list were generally well-received by consumers, so you may want to seriously consider them.

Wearing the right shoes is highly important to the sport of tennis. They can greatly impact your performance and even your health, so it’s only logical to take your time to research and choose the best pair for your playing style, foot type and size, and other needs.