The 8 Very Best Men’s Tennis Shoes

Durability: Enhanced | Support: Heavy | Fit: Versatile

In testing the Gel-Resolution over two dozen hard-court and about half as many clay-court sessions, I found it easy to pivot and change directions quickly while feeling planted and stable. (While it may not feel feathery, it’s one of the lightest shoes on this list at 14.1 ounces in a men’s size 9.) I’m a player who favors shotmaking from the baseline, but the Gel-Resolution’s secure fit helped me with more aggressive play, like rushing the net or pushing the pace with quicker rallies. I also have a tendency to drag my toe, so durability is the first thing I look for in a shoe. I have burned holes in the same spot (on top of my left big toe) through many different pairs over the past 15 years, but I haven’t had that issue with the Gel-Resolution. One of my favorite features is its wide, cushioned tongue, which hugs the top of my foot and doesn’t budge after long playing sessions. For those reasons, I think it’s a fantastic choice for players of all playing styles — and it’s also offered in wide sizes.

Asics is a brand long known for shoes that offer plentiful cushioning, stability, and comfort — and the Gel-Resolution is no exception. Four of the experts I spoke to call the Asics Gel-Resolution a fantastic, stable option that, unlike many of the pairs on this list, should fit anyone comfortably regardless of the width or volume of their feet, which is why I think it’s the best overall men’s tennis shoe. (Its stability also makes the Gel-Resolution a great shoe for general workouts, which is why I also included it in my roundup of the best men’s gym shoes.) NYU’s head tennis coach, Horace Choy, says the Resolution is very popular with his team in part because the shoe’s low profile means you’re “closer to the ground, which I personally think makes you feel a little faster.” Mason says that when customers come into his shop looking for a pickleball or padel shoe (both of which are also played on a hard court), he recommends the Gel-Resolutions for their cushioning.

Durability: Moderate | Support: Flexible | Fit: Narrow

Nike has a reputation for designing its athletic shoes (such as running shoes and gym shoes) for narrower feet, and I found that to be true of Nike’s Vapor line. Phil Parrish, tennis director of the Longfellow Health Club in Wayland, Massachusetts, agrees, and recommends this pair for athletes whose feet run on the narrow side. The Vapor 11 is currently the best-selling men’s (and women’s) shoe at Mason’s Tennis in New York, according to Dana Mason, a buyer at the store. Nike’s Vapor line is known for being lightweight, too: Mason says that this shoe (and the Air Vapor Pro model) has no rubber in low-wear areas, making it especially efficient. Mason adds that Nike “really increased the durability and Achilles support” in the Vapor 11 compared to past versions.

Durability: Enhanced | Support: Medium | Fit: Standard

If you like the cushioning and support of the Asics Gel-Resolution (the best overall pick, above) but want a shoe that’s lighter and more responsive, I recommend the Speed FF 3 (it’s just over three ounces lighter than the Gel-Resolution 9). I haven’t had a chance to play with these on clay, but Mark Mason says they are “very good for sliding,” adding that “it still has good support and is a great shoe for somebody who plays all court and wants to feel light on their feet.” It’s also my pick for the most responsive women’s tennis shoe.

Durability: Enhanced | Support: Heavy | Fit: Wide

If you have wide feet, you’ll need even more space in your toe box when you’re playing tennis (compared to your everyday shoes) because of all the lateral movement involved with the sport. The Hypercourt Express 2 is a great shoe for people with those needs because it’s available in standard and 2E widths. Parrish and Harry Tong, the host of Tennis Spin on YouTube and a buyer at California Tennis Club, call out this shoe specifically for players with wide feet since it can accommodate all-around heftier feet as well as wider ones. “You’ve got the width,” Parrish says, “but the shoe also has a good amount of volume from top to bottom.” Aside from its accommodating fit, Karen Moriarty, co-owner of Sportech in Rye Brook, and Dana Mason of Mason’s Tennis, point to this shoe as a crowd favorite. Even though it’s designed to be an all-court shoe, Mason likes the Hypercourt Express 2 for hard courts because of the durable sole.

Durability: Enhanced | Support: Maximum | Fit: Slightly wide

Plantar fasciitis — when the band of tissue that connects the heel bone to the toes gets inflamed — can keep you off the court. With it, it can feel excruciating to do simple movements like pushing off and landing. If your plantar fasciitis is manageable and your doctor has given the green-light to continue playing, you should shop for shoes with cushioning in the heel, thick soles, and extra padding to reduce shock. I think this Babolat shoe checks all three boxes because it is designed with thermoplastic rubber and a tube-compression system beneath the heel for exceptional shock absorption. This model is cut slightly on the wider side, which is convenient if plantar fasciitis requires you to fit custom orthotics, extra-cushioned socks, or inserts into the shoe.

Durability: Maximum | Support: Intense | Fit: Standard

This classic shoe, like the Asics Gel-Resolution 9, is designed to fit a variety of foot types. I’ve played in many versions of the Barricade for over a decade. While they have looked slightly different from year to year, they’re consistently built with extra rubber on the inside of the foot and around the toe box, which adds durability. Over the years, that construction has held up to my constant toe dragging, which caused me to quickly retire other pairs of shoes after burning holes in them — but not the Barricade. When it comes to fit, this model’s lacing has lock-in construction, which molds the tongue to your foot to create maximum stability and makes for a close fit regardless of foot type. Parrish, who has worn the shoes, notes that they have a “mid-foot shank” (the part of the shoe above your inner arch) that “takes some weight out of the shoe but gives you more stability.” He says this design element comes in handy because “tennis has become a game with more side-to-side movement, so you really need a shoe that can handle that.”

Durability: Maximum | Support: Heavy | Fit: Wide

If you prioritize comfort on the court more than any other criteria, I recommend these shoes from New Balance. Tong says the Fresh Foam X Lav V2, which are available in both standard and wide sizing, are “the softest, most cushiony, most bouncy shoe you can have in tennis.” It might take you a few sessions to break them in. Tong says that “it took me a couple of minutes to get my feet into the shoes the first time because they are so firm when brand new.” But he explains that rigidness is a sign of a good tennis shoe and not something to be alarmed by: “You want them to hold on to you and be tight around the whole foot; you can’t have too much movement or else you will get blisters and a black toe.” He compares the feel of the Fresh Foam LAV to wearing “a soft, comfortable ski boot” in that both are very supportive and snug. They have another fan in Greg Pearson, owner of Tiki Tennis in Islamorada, Florida, who has worn all brands of tennis shoes, but finds these New Balances the most comfortable of the bunch.

Durability: Enhanced | Support: Extra-cushioned | Fit: Extra-wide

For older players, cushioning is often the most important factor when searching for a tennis shoe. I recommend the New Balance X 1007, because it has extra-plush cushioning and offers tremendous support for players with foot issues, which has helped it win over many mature players. This shoe is available in wide sizing, making it friendly to wide-footed players.