Tennis shoes are about way more than meets the eye—just like a running shoe, walking shoe, or even a pickleball shoe. The trifecta you should look for: comfort, support, and durability. Specifically, you want to find tennis shoes that have lateral support, toe guards for protection, flat and thick outsoles for stability and durability, and a quality midsole to absorb shock. Some of our favorite sneaker makers are making men’s tennis shoes that encompass all of these qualities; with so many great options out there today, you can choose from a dedicated tennis brand like Babolat or an all-around performance brand like Nike or Adidas.
Armed with the advice of professional tennis coaches and some hard-earned experience of our own, we rounded up the eight best men’s tennis shoes on the market today. From New Balance to K-Swiss to On, we’ve delved deep into what makes these pairs top of the line. Make your game a whole lot smoother and check our top picks below.
What to Consider
Court Surface
Think about where you usually play. Is it a hard court? Clay? Grass? Most tennis is played on hard courts, especially in the United States, so an all-court or hard-court-specific shoe will likely be the best choice. All of the major brands make clay- and grass-specific shoes, but if you’re going to play hard court at all, you’ll want hard court shoes.
Fit
Tennis shoes should be secure in the midfoot and heel but roomy in the forefoot. All of the quick movement can put a strain on your foot, so if a shoe doesn’t fit properly, you’ll know right away. Best case scenario is blisters, but worst case could mean getting injured. Be willing to try a shoe on and wear it around the house a little before hitting the court—a little extra time and care up front could protect you from a lot of pain.
Playing Style
Tennis shoes are generally good for an all-around player, and if you’re just getting into the game, you don’t need to worry about this much. However, if you’re improving and are starting to play competitively, you will want to pick a shoe that aligns with your playing style. If you’re a hard hitter who loves to hug the baseline, a bulkier, heavier shoe will provide support for big swings. If you like to move around, run to the net, and play scrappy, you’ll want to look for a lightweight shoe that keeps you nimble.
How We Selected
To find the best men’s tennis shoes, our contributor and a couple of MH editors spent hours testing shoes by practicing and playing matches on clay and hard courts to evaluate them firsthand. We also spoke to experts like Life Time Galleria Tennis Leader Gary Armstrong (who has been playing tennis for 36 years and has been an instructor for 17 years) and Life Time Charlotte Tennis Leader Eric Winn (who has been a tennis coach for 24 years and still plays in the 5.0 USTA leagues) to learn what lessons they’ve learned about the best tennis shoes for men throughout decades of playing and coaching the sport.
From there, we evaluated all the tennis shoes we tested based on their fit, support, comfort, performance, and of course, value. The following guide represents our honest picks for the best tennis shoes for men in 2025.
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Most Comfortable Tennis Shoes
Adidas Barricade 13
Pros
- Asymmetrical laces
- Snug midfoot
- Made partially from recycled materials
Cons
- Expensive
The Barricades are a go-to for all training sessions and matches for players who prioritize comfort. When shopping for tennis shoes, Armstrong says, “Players have different criteria as to what makes a shoe great for tennis.” Personally, I want something that is durable, supportive but not too bulky, and comfortable. Armstrong, who teaches/plays almost every day of the week, needs something that feels good on his notoriously aching Achilles tendon. Adidas makes this pair that does all of this, and are even a favorite of Armstrong’s father (who tore his Achilles a few years ago) because of their unrivaled comfort.
Wonder why? It might have something to do with the shoe’s foam Geofit Sensepods to securely lock in the heel, a cushioned Bounce midsole, and asymmetrical laces to help guard against the effects of foot drag. There’s also a sustainability component, with 50 percent of the yarn in the upper being recycled. It’s a purchase you can make with a clean conscience.
Read more: Best Adidas Shoes
| Surface Type | All court |
|---|---|
| Fit | Standard |
| Weight | 13.9 oz (Size 9) |
Best Classic White Tennis Shoes
K-Swiss Hypercourt Supreme 2
Trying to nail the classic white tennis shoe look? K-Swiss delivers a shoe that embodies the timeless style without compromising on quality. Lightweight and breathable mesh encases the foot, and an OrthoLite insole cools and comforts. The Hypercourt Supreme 2 has good lateral stability, and a flexible midsole helps with energy return and a Durawrap Flex means that there’s no break-in period. One of the best parts of the design? The laces are coated to help them stay tied, so you won’t need to worry about refastening them between every set.
Our pros liked these shoes for beginners and experts alike. “When you first put them on they already feel broken in,” Winn says. The main take away? They are a versatile classic-looking shoe for all types of players.
| Surface Type | Hard court |
|---|---|
| Fit | Standard (but on the wider side) |
| Weight | 13 ounces |
Best Tennis Shoes for Clay Court
On THE ROGER Pro Clay
Pros
- Full-length herringbone tread
- Durable uppers acts as a barrier
- Lightweight and flexible sole
Cons
- Expensive at $200
No matter what level tennis player you are, you need to consider the type of court that you will be playing on before buying a new pair of tennis shoes. Armstrong shares why, explaining, “Tennis requires a player to perform specific movements on specific surfaces. There are also different court surfaces that may require specific tennis shoe soles—those for grass, clay, and hard courts all have a certain sole that helps with traction and support.”
For clay courts, you want a pair of shoes that are designed especially for it. Thinner and lighter soles, herringbone tread for traction, and uppers made from materials that keep clay out are three of the factors that go into the specially designed shoe to make it have the support that Armstrong mentions. They are also GOAT-approved, designed with Roger Federer’s expertise to make sure they achieve the highest of standards. Need a show for a hard court? Check out the original On x Roger version that’s for hard court use.
Read more: Best On Running Shoes
| Surface Type | Clay court |
|---|---|
| Fit | Standard |
| Weight | 14.3 ounces |
Best Tennis Shoes for Stability
Fresh Foam X CT-Rally
Pros
- Long lasting
- One of the best stability tennis shoes
- Fan favorite shoe
Cons
- Not ideal for grass or clay
New Balance takes the cake when it comes to tennis shoes for those in need of a little extra stability. Both tennis instructors we talked to agree that the Fresh Foam X CT-Rally delivers on comfort, support, and above all, stability. Between the precise underfoot cushioning, superior durability, toe drag tip, or external heel counter, the elements all come together to form a thoughtful design.
“They’re well-made, so they last a long time and are very comfortable,” Winn says. Armstrong also adds, “Looking around and asking a few of our senior players, [the New Balances] seem to be a fan favorite.” At the end of the day, comfort and stability are the leading factors in selecting a shoe for seniors, both of which this shoe excels in, according to Armstrong.
Read more: Best New Balance Shoes
| Surface Type | Hard court |
|---|---|
| Fit | Standard or wide |
| Weight | 14 oz |
Meet the Experts
- Gary Armstrong is the Tennis Leader at Life Time Galleria in Houston, TX who has been playing tennis for 36 years and instructing instructor for 17 years.
- Eric Winn is the Tennis Leader at Life Time Charlotte in Charlotte, NC who has been a tennis coach for 24 years and still plays in the 5.0 USTA leagues.
What Are the Benefits of Wearing a Tennis Shoe?
The ultimate goal of a specialized tennis shoe is to enhance performance and reduce the risk of injury. As Winn says, it’s important to find the right shoe for you in order to “grip and to prevent injury.”Armstrong adds, “For moving laterally, the shoe needs to have great support on the sides of the shoe to prevent the shoe from rolling over. Because of the lateral movement, the shoe should also not have too high of a profile which can cause ankle turns.”
Can I Play Pickleball in Tennis Shoes?
Yes, you can absolutely play pickleball in tennis shoes. Tennis shoes are a common and often recommended choice, particularly for outdoor pickleball courts which share the same hard court surfaces as tennis. These shoes are designed to support the quick lateral movements crucial in both sports, and their outsoles are built for the wear and tear of court activities. While pickleball shoes exist, they often share similar features with tennis shoes, sometimes with a slightly softer outsole for enhanced grip on indoor courts.
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