We Found and Tested the Best Tennis Shoes for Women for Every Type of Player

What to Look for When Shopping for Tennis Shoes for Women  

• Traction: Since tennis involves quick lateral movements and direction changes, traction is crucial to prevent injury. Elizabeth Daughtry, DPM, a board-certified podiatric surgeon, recommends choosing shoes with a full herringbone outsole since this pattern offers optimal traction for bidirectional movements.
• Comfort: Choose shoes with a breathable, flexible upper to prevent excessive heat and allow for natural foot movements. Mesh is one of the most popular upper materials for breathability, though options like synthetic polyester can also provide ventilation.
• Cushioning: Tennis is a high-impact sport, so cushioning is key to absorbing shock and preventing injuries. The level of midsole cushioning will vary depending on your foot type and personal preference, so it may take some trial and error. But all players will benefit from a shoe with a firm heel to stabilize their feet and prevent rolling.
• Fit: A properly fitting shoe should have at least a thumb's width of space between the end of your longest toe and the front of the shoe. It should feel snug but not so tight that it will cause blisters, with enough room in the toe box for your toes to splay. If you have particularly wide or narrow feet, opt for brands that offer different width options.

How We Selected and Tested the Tennis Shoes for Women

To find the best tennis shoes for women, we first spoke with experts and researched dozens of options with their insights in mind. We also had two of our editors—who are also tennis players—test four different pairs on the courts. When testing, we evaluate each shoe based on the following key criteria:

• Fit: When we first try each shoe on, we make sure the fit is just right—about a thumb’s width of space between the end of our longest toe and the front of the shoe. As we start gameplay, we pay attention to whether our foot slides around in the shoe or if it feels too snug. We also consider if the shoe runs true to size and if it would be best for a particular foot shape (wide, narrow, with bunions).
• Comfort: Uncomfortable tennis shoes can affect your focus and performance, so we ensure each pair of shoes we recommend is comfortable. That means assessing the level of cushioning, arch support, shock absorption, and responsiveness of the midsole. We also make sure the upper feels breathable and flexible to prevent overheating and blisters during prolonged play.
• Grip: The outsole of your tennis shoe should have a grippy texture and raised tread pattern for traction on the courts. During gameplay, we pay attention to the shoe's grip, especially during quick lateral movements and sudden stops. We also consider how they perform during quick directional changes and pivots. If shoes lack traction on any type of court, we don’t recommend them.
• Support: Since tennis requires quick lateral movements, we only include shoes that keep our feet and ankles stable on the courts. We take notice of each shoe's ankle support during lateral movements and sudden changes in direction. We also consider how well the shoes absorb shock during aggressive play. Our final list only includes shoes that offer enough support to prevent our ankles from rolling.
• Flexibility: Tennis shoes should allow for natural foot movement without compromising support. Before taking each pair to the court, we try bending the shoe with our hands—looking for a balance between flexibility and structure. Then, during gameplay, we consider how the sole and upper material flex during different movements.
• Durability: When investing in any type of footwear, especially for sports, you want to ensure it will hold up over time. Throughout the testing period, we continuously examine our tennis shoes for any visible signs of wear and tear, like ripped stitching, loss of support, and more. After repeated playtime on various court surfaces, we checked to see how well the shoes held up.
• Overall Value: Tennis shoes can be expensive, but oftentimes an investment worth making for a high-quality pair. That’s why we don’t look at the price of each shoe until the end of the testing period and only then consider if it's reflective of the shoe’s performance. We only include tennis shoes that we would willingly pay full price for ourselves and that we would confidently recommend to a friend.

Our Experts

We consulted with two podiatrists to learn more about what separates tennis shoes from regular fitness sneakers.

• Bruce Pinker, DPM, podiatrist and owner of Progressive Foot Care in New York 
• Elizabeth Daughtry, DPM, FACFAS, board-certified podiatric surgeon at Foot and Ankle Specialists in North Carolina

Frequently Asked Questions 

What is the main difference between men's and women's tennis shoes? 

Men’s shoes usually have a thicker sole and a wider, square-shaped toe box, while women’s shoes are usually narrower and more rounded at the toe.

How often should I replace my tennis shoes?

According to the United States Tennis Association (USTA), if you play once a week, you should replace your tennis shoes at least once a year. If you play more frequently and on hard courts, you should replace your shoes every two to three months.

What's the difference between tennis shoes and regular sneakers?

According to Daughtry, regular sneakers are designed for casual wear and don’t have the proper support, traction, and durability for playing tennis.

Can I wear my tennis shoes for other activities?

Yes, you can wear tennis shoes for other activities. However, Daughtry advises avoiding tennis shoes when playing other sports that require specific footwear (like soccer, football, and more). 

Do I need to break in my tennis shoes before playing?

Tennis shoes should not require a break-in period and should feel comfortable from the moment you put them on, Daughtry says.

Why Trust Verywell Fit

Shannon Ullman is a health, wellness, and fitness writer. She was previously an editor for Healthline and Medical News Today, but now focuses on writing product-focused content for a variety of brands. Her bylines can be found on Insider, Shape, Forbes, and more. She’s been playing tennis for quite some time and loves her Asics.