Best Tennis Shoes for Women
Hit the courts with confidence wearing the right tennis shoes for women that match your game style.
Tennis is a great sport that is open to all levels of play, from novice to expert. Like many sports, the equipment you use will have an impact on the quality and enjoyment of your game. Many people focus on the racket, the balls and the clothing they need while preparing to play. Having the right tennis shoes is an integral part of that equation, too.
Buying sporting footwear can seem confusing, especially if you are starting out in the tennis arena. Many people wonder what the difference is between sneakers and tennis shoes. The simple answer is that tennis shoes for women are made specifically for use on a tennis court, while sneakers are designed for casual wear. When it comes to a tennis shoe, you have to consider your level of expertise when playing the game, since this will affect your choice, as well as the surface you are playing on – hard courts, grass or clay. A good tennis shoe will have the kind of lateral support needed for you to make quick start and stop movements across a flat surface.
To help you in your search, we’ve curated a list of some of the best tennis shoes for women you can purchase online. Read on to find a pair that best suits your style and level of play.
Our Top 5 Best Recommended Tennis Shoes for Women
Model
Rating
Sizes
Number of Colors
Pricing
Reviews
Best Cushioning: ASICS Women's Gel-Dedicate 7 Tennis Shoes
Sizes: 5 – 12 With Some Half Sizes
# Of Colors: 6
Best for all Surfaces: K-Swiss Women's Hypercourt Supreme Tennis Shoe
Sizes: 5-11 With Half-sizes
# Of Colors: 9
Best for Hard Courts: Nike Women's Court Lite 2 Tennis Shoe
Sizes: 5 – 12 With Half Sizes
# Of Colors: 3
Best Size Range: New Balance Women's 1006 V1 Tennis Shoe
Sizes: 5-12, Including Half Sizes, And A, B, And D Widths
# Of Colors: 4
Best Budget Buy: adidas Women's Grand Court Alpha Tennis Shoe
Sizes: 5-11, With Some Half-sizes
# Of Colors: 4
What to Look For When Choosing Women’s Tennis Shoes
If you’re serious about the game of tennis, then you’ll want to invest in a pair of shoes that have been specifically designed for the sport. Some people confuse tennis shoes with sneakers, so it’s important to note the differences. Tennis shoes for women are specifically made for use on the tennis court while sneakers are designed for casual wear. No matter how you play the game, you will need tennis shoes that offer lateral support to help you with all the quick movements you need while playing. The shoes also need to be constructed from a shock-absorbent material to protect your feet from all the back and forth and stop and go movements during a challenging game. Without the right amount of cushioning, your feet will begin to ache long before the match is over.
Tennis shoes for women should have a flat and stable bottom to reduce the risk of you rolling an ankle while moving from side to side, with a non-marking rubber outsole that won’t leave marks on the court floor. Uppers should be made from real or PU leather, with some mesh for breathability.
You may want to also check out the pattern on the sole of the shoe to see if it is designed for a specific court surface. For example, herringbone is the most common and is appropriate for hard surfaces, but grass courts can be slippery, so a dimpled or nubbed sole may be a better choice. If you play on a hard surface, you will need tennis shoes with a lot of cushioning and shock absorption.
Size and Fit
One of the most difficult things about buying tennis shoes for women online, is getting the right size and fit. When choosing a pair, it’s best to read the reviews to see what other people have to say about sizing. Are the shoes true to size, or are they narrow, sized small or sized large? Even the best pair of tennis shoes won’t help you on the court if they don’t fit properly.
1. Best Cushioning: ASICS Women's Gel-Dedicate 7 Tennis Shoes
The GEL technology in these tennis shoes for women offers up superior cushioning for all your stop and start movements on the court.
The thing that makes tennis such a challenging sport to play is all the unexpected lunges, stops and starts that are required to make your way across the court to return the ball back over the net. After a few matches, your feet can take a real beating, especially if you are wearing a pair of tennis shoes that don’t have the right amount of cushioning to absorb the shock of the impact.
ASICS gel-dedicate 7 tennis shoes for women have a durable synthetic toe overlay, rubber soles for good gripping power and an advanced technology wrap-up outsole to give you the stability you need, while allowing your feet to move freely, regardless of your style of play. Change directions with confidence, even when moving from side to side. Couple that with the gel technology and you’re ready to chase down challenging shots game after game.
Pros
Cons
2. Best for all Surfaces: K-Swiss Women's Hypercourt Supreme Tennis Shoe
Designed with a comfortable upper bootie construction, these tennis shoes for women are ideal for the aggressive player on hard court or clay court surfaces.
Lightweight and breathable, these tennis shoes for women from K-Swiss are constructed with Durawrap flex and a mesh upper, stay-tied laces and a seam-free construction – you will no longer have to worry about rigid seams digging through your socks. The heal grip lining keeps your feet secure and in place and the molded EVA sock liner ensures a proper fit designed for competitive, aggressive movers.
The outsole is constructed from non-marking high-density rubber for the kind of traction and durability you need on the court, plus the plantar support chassis enhances mid-foot stability to keep you in the game and protect your ankles no matter how far reaching your stride. These tennis shoes for women are ideal for hard court tennis, clay court tennis, outdoor pickleball, and platform tennis playing surfaces.
Pros
Cons
3. Best for Hard Courts: Nike Women's Court Lite 2 Tennis Shoe
These women’s tennis shoes have a padded collar and tongue to add comfort around your ankles for those long competitive (but friendly) matches.
Whether you’re a novice ready to take your first tennis lesson or you’ve been playing at the club for years, wearing the right tennis shoes is priority number one to guarantee a good game. Why? Because even with the best racquet and the right balls, if your feet are killing you due to your shoes, then it’s pretty much game over.
These women’s tennis shoes from Nike, a leading brand in sports footwear, are designed to cushion and support your feet during practice and play. Created specifically for hard courts, the shoe’s unique outsole gives you excellent grip as you run and hit.
Made from durable synthetic leather and breathable mesh, the shoes’ padded collar and tongue deliver the standard of comfort and protection your ankles need against hard landings, while the foam midsole cushions your feet from impact.
Pros
Cons
4. Best Size Range: New Balance Women's 1006 V1 Tennis Shoe
This tennis shoe for women offers up a large selection of sizes including narrow and wide.
New Balance is a sports footwear brand renowned for its large range of sizes, including narrow and wide for hard-to-fit feet.
The shoes are made from 75 percent synthetic leather and 25 percent flexible mesh, so your feet won’t end up sweaty at the end of a match. The non-marking rubber outsole aids in grip and traction and is also a good choice if you’re playing on an indoor court. For all your quick stops and starts, the shoes’ REVlite midsole delivers the kind of lightweight cushioning you would expect in a leading name-brand tennis shoe.
These tennis shoes are available in four colors and an amazing selection of 68 different sizes and widths. While they are more expensive than the other models on our list, if an accurate and comfortable fit is what you are looking for, they may be worth the investment.
Pros
Cons
5. Best Budget Buy: adidas Women's Grand Court Alpha Tennis Shoe
Ideal for anyone on a budget or who likes a real bargain, these brand-name tennis shoes for women are affordably priced.
Playing tennis regularly sounds like such a great idea, but what if you end up not liking it? Bad enough you spend a lot on a racquet; what a drag it would be if you spend even more on tennis shoes that don’t get worn. With these Grand Court Alpha tennis shoes from brand-name sportswear company adidas, you can love playing or you can hate it, but you won’t regret spending the money on these budget-friendly shoes.
Built for comfort, the tennis shoes feature a Cloudfoam Comfort sockliner for breathable cushioning and a coated leather upper that holds up to regular wear and tear. A rubber outsole provides elevated grip to help you for those quick stops and stops.
These tennis shoes for women are a great choice for the novice tennis player.
