In tennis having the right shoes is an essential part of being successful in the game, as your feet need to have the proper support, protection and grip while you play. It is also essential that you wear a sport specific shoe, as the side-to-side motions, sudden stops and typical running on a hard court surfaces are unique to the game.
The following tips will help you during the process of shopping for the right pair of tennis shoes. While getting the advice of your coach or partner may be useful because no two feet are the same, the shoes that might be perfect for them, may not be adequate for you. In fact in can be dangerous. Wearing shoes that have sub par support or cushioning can lead to injuries such as sprained ankles, damaged arch and heel bones as well as bruised toes.
There are several brands of tennis shoes available at your local athletic store. The top manufacturers in the industry include: Reebok, Nike, K-Swiss, Fila, Addidas and New Balance. Typical price range for a good pair of tennis shoes can range from as little as $50 to well over $150.
The best time to shop for any athletic shoe is at the end of the day, as our feet tend to swell slightly over the course of day. It is also a good idea to wear a pair of the socks you will use while playing tennis. If your tennis socks are thicker than your nylon work socks, you may end up leaving the store with a pair of shoes that may be too tight for your feet.
Once you arrive at the store, it is important that you have an attendant measure both of your feet while wearing your tennis socks, as there may be slight variations in size between the two.
Ask the attendant to bring back shoes which will be a perfect fit for your foot size and width, along with pairs that are a ½ size bigger. Always try on shoes on both feet and walk or even try a few tennis moves while wearing the shoes. If you experience any discomfort or ‘pinching’ in any areas of your feet, then you’ll want to look at another pair.
It is also important that the sensitive areas of your feet are well-padded and supported in the shoes you purchase. These vulnerable parts of your feet include the toe, arch and heel areas. If the shoes you try on feel weak or flimsy in any of these regions then you should pass on that model or brand of tennis shoe.
If you are able to complete all of these steps then the shoes you walk out of the store will be a pair that will definitely be an asset to you while playing tennis. As a final word of caution, hold on to your receipt for the shoes until you’ve had the chance to play in them once. If afterwards you see any unusual swelling or redness in your feet or feel any unusual pain, take them back to the store right away and exchange them for a different brand.
