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Lateral Support: Tennis is a sport that requires constant and explosive changes of direction. When looking for tennis shoes, whatever you do, make sure that you purchase a pair that give you adequate lateral support. You want tennis shoes that keep your feet secure, not a pair in which your feet feel unsupported when you're moving. You'll not only get around the court better, you'll also prevent tennis injuries. Make sure your shoes have lacing systems that are specifically designed for enhanced lateral support. Also, shoes with broad outsoles and sturdy uppers are particularly good if you've got a large physique. If you've had ankle problems or you've got weak ankles, but feel uncomfortable wearing ankle braces, consider wearing hi-tops. Cushioning: If you play your tennis on hard courts, you'll know the benefits of wearing tennis shoes that provide proper cushioning. Playing with shoes that provide little or no protection from the repeated impact of your foot hitting the ground virtually guarantees, at best, unwanted and unnecessary muscle and joint fatigue, and, at worst, a serious injury. The two main materials used for the cushioning of tennis shoes are polyurethane and UVA. Polyurethane is heavier, but more durable. EVA, although lighter, is less stable. When determining the right amount of cushioning, avoid the two extremes; namely, shoes that don't absorb enough impact because the soles are too thin or too hard, and shoes that are so soft that they actually give you negative support. Comfort: As well as shoes that give you adequate lateral support and the right amount of cushioing, you want your shoes to be comfortable. The things to look for are: - adequate tongue padding so that the laces don't bite into you - good arch support - shoes that are neither too narrow nor too wide - uppers that have adequate flex; i.e., no feeling of stiffness For those of you with flat feet, you'll most likely be more comfortable in something softer. If you've got arched feet, you'd be wise to look for a firmer shoe. As with any new shoes, they require some "breaking in" time. To avoid blisters, break in your new shoes by wearing them around the house before you play in them. This will also enable you to identify any trouble spots. Sole Type: When choosing the right type of sole, the most important consideration is the court surface that you'll be playing on. For hardcourts, the traditional herringbone pattern is recommended. For grasscourts, see if you can get tennis shoes with the small rubber studs that prevent you from slipping. For indoor carpet, predominantly found in Europe, you'll need completely smooth soles so that your feet don't "grab", which causes excessive stress on the ankles and knees. For clay, get recommended clay court shoes, which allow you to slide effectively. If you use excessive toe drag on your serve, look for shoes with heavy exterior protection in the toe area. Also, make sure that the area under the ball of the foot, which is where most pressure is exerted, is well padded. Size: In choosing the correct size, there are three considerations: - length - width - height Tennis shoes that are too big will cause blisters. If they're too small, they'll crush your feet, which can cause chronic injuries and permanent damage. However, once you've found the perfect size, remember that over a lifetime, your feet change in size and shape. As you get older, your feet tend to collapse and spread out. To ensure that you don't end up mistakenly wearing the wrong size, you should periodically measure your feet. General: Never compromise the comfort and well-being of your feet. No matter how appealing a shoe looks, don't sacrifice the function of a shoe to attractive cosmetics or looking "cool". And don't ever be tempted to buy a non-tennis shoe. You won't get the right support or grip, and chances are you'll end up injuring yourself. Conclusion: Today, the specialist shoe companies spend enormous amounts of money researching and developing comfortable tennis shoes that give you proper lateral support and cushioning, features that will not only help you move better but will also minimize your chances of getting injured. As with selecting your tennis racquet, invest some time in selecting the right tennis shoes. Both the short and long term benfits of selecting the right shoes are major. You'll win more and you'll enjoy your tennis longer, perhaps even years longer. -Chris Lewis Expert Tennis Tips.com |