The best tennis shoes have come a long way since the celebrated days of Dunlop’s Green Flash canvas plimsoll. While Britain’s very own Fred Perry wore these classics in the mid-30s and won Wimbledon three times while wearing them, footwear has become more technical over time.
Brand allegiance or awareness, player endorsement and dynamic technology play a key part in your purchase – alongside budget, support, comfort and style. For the finer specifications, pay close attention to durability, weight and how it plays on a particular surface.
British Tour player George Loffhagen explains: “In terms of shoes giving you a competitive advantage, I think it’s more important on clay and grass because those surfaces are much harder to move on, so the different soles that the shoes have really make a difference. They allow you to move a lot better, in terms of change of direction, confidence in your movement and just having a strong base.”
As a professional tennis coach and product specialist – who has been chasing a fuzzy yellow ball since the age of five (playing both recreationally and competitively) – I have a few top tips for choosing the right tennis shoe.
Best tennis shoes for men at a glance
Best overall – K-Swiss hypercourt supreme 2 HB: £75, Kswiss.co.uk
Best budget pair – Adidas Ubersonic 5: £58, Sportsdirect.co.uk
Best for speed – Asics solution speed FF4v26: £103, Sportsdirect.com
Best for grip – Babolat Propulse Fury 3: £253, Amazon.co.uk
Give yourself a bit of wiggle room around the toe box (trust me, it is uncomfortable playing in tight-fitted kicks as your foot will expand) and check your heel is secure – some shoes offer a runner’s knot which helps lock down this area. For that extra personal touch, adding a customised orthotic greatly assists with foot support.
How I tested
Each pair of tennis trainers has had a thorough run-out (minimum of 24 hours) on a specific paired court type or a mix of different playing surfaces (hard court, as well as clay and grass – including artificial versions). While testing the shoes, a number of important factors were under the spotlight: durability, support, weight, foot type/fit, airflow, traction and cost. A breaking-in period of two hours has also been incorporated into the mix – we like to play fair here.
Read more: Best tennis rackets for 2026, tried and tested on the court
K-Swiss hypercourt supreme 2 HB
★★★★★
Best: Tennis shoe overall
What we love: Top-notch comfort, support, durability and traction.
Take note: Small niggle of heat underfoot.
The Hypercourt Supreme 2, is an extremely popular choice for club or competitive players, from juniors to adults. Ready for the first point straight out of the box, they are solid, fast and aggressive with a herringbone wraparound tread that performs particularly well on wet clay.
Air filtration is decent, thanks to the mesh-constructed toe box and feather-light, extended padded tongue. Perhaps a little picky, but worth noting, I felt a small niggle of heat – but not to the point of feeling uncomfortable.
Our test panel applauded the out-of-this-world comfort whilst slamming down crushing jump shots. The extra stabilising lace straps gave added security. The dual-density midsole, which features K-Swiss ‘Surgelite’ tech, boosts ground connection and responsiveness. The brand has also added shock spring foam for quicker reactions, while the wave-like contour-lined upper makes the shoe strong, flexible and deflects any unwanted debris like a shield.
I didn’t experience any major indication of heel movement, which is down to the sturdy double-lock construction with textile lining. K-Swiss has produced a sweet all-round performer from heel to toe, which balances between quickness and longevity.
Buy now £105.00, Kswiss.co.uk
Adidas Ubersonic 5
★★★★☆
Best: Budget tennis shoe
What we love: Flexible yet stable and extremely cool.
Launched by Adidas ambassador Grigor Dimitrov, this speed shoe has upped the game in the support arena and retained its quick off the ground reputation. The mesh material is super light, breezy and flexible, while the ‘Lightstrike' midsole keeps you low and connected to the court with its lightweight, responsive cushioning. Finally, the showstopper – in the form of the ‘Speedframe’ – is a supportive exoskeleton that supports under your arch and around your heel.
The boost of reactive cushioning takes care of jump shots and hard landings. Though thinning the forefoot, it will suit players who are either light in frame or fast on their feet, while offering superb court connection. As a bonus, there is extra ventilation running through the shank – a refreshing idea from Adidas.
The ‘Adituff’ protection in high wear areas ensures durability, notably around the toe box and cleverly incorporated within their three stripes logo. This will protect the shoe to a degree, but it is built more for being light and quick. Grip and go is spot on courtesy of the two-piece ‘Adiwear' outsole. You can pivot on a dime and zip to the next ball. Trust me, I put this one through a series of high-tempo drills and came away extremely impressed with their performance.
Buy now £58.00, Sportsdirect.com
Asics Gel Resolution X
★★★★☆
Best for: Aggressive baseline action
What we love: Long-lasting and super supportive/reactive from side to side.
Take note: Takes a few hours to break in, and weighty with limitd air escape.
Players on the prowl should consider the Asics Gel Resolution X, which deliver on optimal support, grip and durability. These trainers look stunning with comfortable and sturdy drive. Employing beefed-up security and support from start to finish, they are the most durable shoes I’ve tried.
At the heart is the ‘Dynawall’ technology, which extends from the exterior wall and wraps around the heel. This acts as a responsive rebound element, pushing you back into play after chasing down a ball.
A few players pointed out that some stiffness was evident during the first few hours of breaking them in, but as they mould to your foot, you will reap the rewards. Some minor gripes to note are their weight and limited air escape. I’d advise to go true to size, as the length of the Gel Res X fits long.
The shoe construction has a clever customised ‘Dynalacing’ system locking you in perfectly – don’t be afraid to play around with the eyelet combinations or try thicker flat laces. The raised ankle cuff on the medial side is a unique and innovative hybrid feature which enhances ankle collar protection when on the slide.
Buy now £100.00, Decathlon.co.uk
NikeCourt Zoom Vapor 12
★★★★☆
Best for: Moving from defence to attack
What we love: Stunning all-court design and performer.
Take note: Slightly unsturdy when racing between corners.
Firstly, let’s clear up the Carlos Alcaraz commentary. The Spanish tennis star doesn’t wear the Vapor 12, but rather a hybrid model fused with the Vapor Pro. That said, this is a massive contender on the circuit.
Based on the iconic Vapor 9 series – which Roger Federer was famed for wearing – the latest Vapor 12 cuts a sleek, ergonomic shape. The upper has had a design overhaul: they are lighter and more reactive, with a curved and contoured traction pattern woven into it. The lacing system holds no gripes or stress on the bridge, with a snug lock-in.
Comfort, security and durability haven’t been neglected – and no break-in is needed. Cushioning is great, bouncing you from defence to attack mode in a flash. Around the mid-foot, a support structure holds your foot in place (especially when racing from one corner of the baseline to the other). I did find them slightly unstable on this particular movement, but not to the point where any major concerns or confidence were lost.
Interestingly, a new lighter rubber compound has been used on the two-piece curved herringbone grip. This gives the V12 top-performing traction whilst racing to your shots. James Williams, one of our playtesters, gave them a spin on artificial grass and absolutely loved the comfort, stability, quickness and breathability. “Nike have produced a tennis shoe that looks stunning and performs like a grand slam winner”.
Buy now £144.99, Nike.com
Asics court FF3 Novak
★★★★☆
Best for: Covering every angle on the court
What we love: Feels like jumping into a Formula 1 car (but on your feet).
Take note: Sockliner takes getting used to, and the laces can be fiddly.
I was lucky enough to be among the first to put the Court FF3 Novak through its paces. So, how do they perform in the hands (or feet) of an experienced club player like me? Thanks to the ‘FlyteFoam’ cushioning and inner sock component, these shoes are among the most comfortable I’ve tried. The new iteration has taken another leap forward, with stronger and quicker design features.
They include a ground-breaking three-section sole system to help players brake and rebound. The improved two-piece ‘TwissTruss’ technology is at the heart of the shoe, enabling it to twist, bend and rebound energy upon impact in a beat of a nanosecond. I found myself cutting up and down the court with more aggression. The textured uppers double as a durable protective barrier and ventilate your feet effectively at the same time.
Amazingly, the Court FF3 Novak is pretty much identical to the one the man himself wears on tour. The only minor difference is a tailored fit to Novak’s feet (usually, professionals customise their footwear in all sorts of ways – either cosmetically updated or a hybrid/bespoke made).
Slipping into the sockliner takes a bit of getting used to, and I had to fiddle around with the lacing system – but I felt totally at one with the shoe. The Court FF3 Novak is specifically designed to gain the best of both worlds between being quick on court and providing optimum durability.
As Novak says himself, “It’s like jumping into a sports car”. So, why not take them for a spin yourself and see how fast you can be on court?
Buy now £135.00, Asics
Babolat Propulse Fury 3
★★★★☆
Best for: Grip and go
What we love: Stacks up brilliantly from the baseline with tremendous tread.
Take note: Padded tongue is on short side.
The Babolat Propulse Fury 3 provided a great foothold thanks to its unique power belt system, while the uppers created an excellent balance of airflow and protection. Big hitters who like to drag around the court at breakneck speed will find the raised side a great addition to safeguard against wear and tear.
Highlights include the padded tongue, although a few play testers did request a little more length. The Propulse Fury 3 sizes up snug, so opt for a half-size up. The souped-up heel area on the midsole is engineered with Babolat’s ‘KPRSX 2 EVA’ and gives each player ultimate shock absorption, together with a stacked feeling off the ground (you can’t go wrong edging your opponent in height).
The duo direction all-court Michelin tread drives like a dream on hard surfaces. This is where the shoe really hits top gear and kicks most of the competition off the court. One playtester remarked that “these shoes just kept growing on me. From the off-set laces which hugged my feet with a perfect fit to the beastly and durable tread, there is basically nothing stopping me from going for broke on every point.”
Buy now £253.00, Amazon.co.uk
Asics solution speed FF4v26
★★★★☆
Best for: Flexibility and speed
What we love: Unbelievably quick and nimble off the ground.
Take note: Some rubbing on my right toe, and firmness developed during a long court game.
Asics is lauded by those in the know for its tennis footwear. This is the brand’s quick-as-lightning top-performance tennis shoe, reimagined for nimble, speed-driven players. The upper is an impressively airy, strong and flexible mesh material, while rubber has been removed from the sole to keep the weight as low as possible.
As these kicks have a focus on speed off the ground, certain other components are also kept to a minimum, including the strategically placed toe box, padding and lace eyelet protection. The Solution Speed FF4s trainers wrap around your foot securely: I experienced some rubbing on my right toe, but I didn’t feel squeezed in.
Performance-wise, they are unbelievably zippy off the front foot and encourage players to propel themselves forward – that’s no bad thing for serve, volley fanatics or double specialists. The re-engineered Speed Truss chassis that runs almost the entire base elevates the flexibility and responsiveness.
Our playtesters reported that despite the softened-up ‘FlyteFoam’ midsole cushioning (specifically under the heel), a firmness developed as it thinned towards the forefoot – especially for long court sessions.
The grip is not going to disappoint. The multi-surface court version has been split into three sections (like the signature Novak FF3 edition) and includes a multi-angled cross-hatch pattern with three air channels cut in. This assists players with changing direction at will. The tread is capped off the precision sole with an ‘AsicsGrip’ pad for extra traction.
Buy now £103.00, Sportsdirect.com
What are the best men’s tennis shoes?
This is a tough one as everybody is different. Foot shape, fit, level and surface all need to be taken into consideration. However, if you enjoy something light to race between the lines Adidas Ubersonic 5 is a top draw choice. Players seeking the best all-rounder should look no further than KSwiss Hypercourt Supreme 2. Alternatively, hitters who require superior durability from the baseline may find Asics Gel Resolution X the perfect fit.
Tested by: Gareth Richman
Gareth Richman is a professional tennis coach and product specialist based in London, who has been chasing a fuzzy yellow ball since the age of five (playing both recreationally and competitively). His achievements extend to winning various club tournaments in both junior and open categories and competing on the hallowed grass courts at Wimbledon on the ITF Wolrd Tennis Masters Tour.
Gareth has reviewed a wide selection of the latest offerings on the market and put each tennis shoe through a finely tuned process to help you balance up the best footwear for your A-game. The results are also balanced up with feedback from a team of hand-picked play testers (of all levels) for a broader overview.
What food and drink can you bring into Wimbledon? Best picnic, wine and snacks to pack
