Tennis shoes

Which tennis shoes for which surface?

Each surface has different characteristics, for which different tennis shoes are needed. A clay court offers a lot of cushioning and allows for good sliding on the court. Tennis shoes with a soft herringbone sole are suitable for this. In addition to the clay court, there are also (artificial) grass courts, hard courts, and carpet courts. Different tennis shoes are suitable for each type of court.

Tennis shoes for clay courts

As discussed above, tennis shoes with a soft herringbone sole are suitable for playing on a clay court. The least injuries occur on a clay court. Clay has the advantage of allowing good sliding, making it possible to reach balls that seem impossible to get. It is important to wear clay court shoes with sufficient grip, so that you do not slip and still have control over your tennis shoes when sliding towards a ball.

Tennis shoes for hard courts

A surface that results in a faster game is a hard court. This is a court that usually consists of concrete or asphalt with a layer of rubber on top. Because this surface is very rough and hard, it offers little cushioning and puts a lot of pressure on the feet during play. Due to the fast, high bounce, the court is not suitable for beginner tennis players. The tennis shoes used must provide good cushioning and have a sole with a herringbone and stud pattern.

Tennis shoes for carpet courts

Tennis courts located in indoor halls are often carpet courts, which are softer than hard courts and therefore result in fewer injuries. However, this court is very rough, so you cannot slide to reach the ball. The ball also bounces high and fast on carpet. Since these courts are already very rough and sliding is not possible, tennis shoes with a smooth sole are used on this court. Tennis shoes with a pattern on the bottom provide extra grip, which can help keep your foot stable and prevent nasty injuries.

Tennis shoes for grass courts

A grass court is the most injury-prone court because feet can quickly slide on the grass. Tennis shoes with a hard, rubber stud sole are needed to have sufficient grip on these types of courts. The ball hardly bounces on these courts but comes quickly towards you. To react quickly but prevent slipping, we recommend stud shoes for these courts.

What should a good tennis shoe meet?

Now that you know which shoe you need for each court, it is important to pay attention to other things. In a properly tied shoe, the heel should be well enclosed by the shoe, with no room for a finger between the shoe and the foot. It is also important that the Achilles tendon receives extra protection from the so-called toe cap, an extra elevation above the heel counter at the back of the shoe. The heel should not be able to move up and down in the shoe. A shoe with many lace holes provides good support; the shoes should have at least five lace holes per side. The laces should be tied tightly to support the midfoot. Do not tie the laces too tightly, as this can restrict blood flow.

What size tennis shoe do I need?

In the correct shoe size, there should be approximately 0.5 to 1cm of space between the toes and the front of the shoes in a neutral position. If this space is less than 0.5 cm, your tennis shoes are too small, and if it is more than 1 cm, the tennis shoes are too big. Since you move a lot during tennis, your foot should remain stable in the shoe, so always tie your laces tightly to ensure a good fit. Always try on your new tennis shoes with the right tennis socks to make sure you have the correct size.

How do I maintain my tennis shoes?

Never leave your tennis shoes in the bag after use; always let the shoes air out in the open air and never near a heater. This prevents odor and the formation of mold, and the tennis shoes will retain their original shape. For some tennis shoes, you can remove the insole and wash it on a short washing cycle!

Tip

In the correct shoe size, there should be approximately 0.5 to 1cm of space between the toes and the front of the shoes in a neutral position.
After use, do not leave the tennis shoes in the bag; always let the shoes air out. This prevents odor and the formation of mold.

Still have questions about tennis shoes? Feel free to ask our customer service.