After doing a five-shoe playtesting session with Bethanie Mattek-Sands a few months ago, Tennis Warehouse selected the best performing 2020 shoe models in various categories based on customer and playtester reviews. Eventually it all comes down to personal preference, your needs and what you’re looking for in footwear. The overview below aims to help you by rating the shoes based on durability, support, lightness, comfort, and value.
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Best all-around: Asics Court FF 2
The global TW playtesters concluded the Asics Court FF 2s should be on every player’s list of must-try shoes, as they dug hard to find a negative in this comfortable, supportive and stable model created with feedback from one of the most aggressive professional players on the ATP Tour, Novak Djokovic. For detailed information about this model, visit TW’s in-depth review of women’s Court FF 2 and men’s Court FF 2.
Best all-around (honorable mention): Adidas Stella Court
This women’s-only model, previously known the Adidas Stella Barricade Boost, blends fashion with functionality, offering the most responsive cushioning paired with a double-layer Primeknit upper making it ultra breathable and comfortable. The seamless bootee design offers step-in comfort. The Torsion system provides stability to aggressive movers, while the Boost cushioning keeps the shoes feeling responsive through long court sessions.
Best durability: Asics Gel Resolution 8
These shoes are especially recommended to players who are putting in a lot of court hours every week, as they offer durable outsoles backed by a six-month durability guarantee. Besides durability, the Gel Resolution 8 provides good stability, a secure fit and cushioning. The snug medium width will need a little break-in, but after that, players will find this shoe’s performance well worth the wait. To decide whether this model is right for you, check out this in-depth review of women’s Gel Resolution 8 and men’s Gel Resolution 8.
Shop women’s Gel Resolution 8 / men’s Gel Resolution 8.
Best stability: Nike Air Zoom Vapor Cage 4
Nike merged the best features of models Vapor and Cage to create the most supportive and stable shoe on the market, perfect for hard-court sliders. The model is durable and offers six-month outsole durability guarantee. Read in-depth review of men’s Vapor Cage 4.
Shop men’s Vapor Cage 4.
Best support and stability (honorable mention): Adidas Stycon
The futuristic-looking Stycon, the first ever laceless tennis shoe, is recommended to players looking for a locked-in feel and a high level of stability. The Stycon got the No.2 position in Bethanie Mattek-Sands’ playtest. Read in-depth review of women’s Adidas Stycon and men’s Adidas Stycon.
Best lightweight: KSwiss Hypercourt Supreme (tie)
This shoe offers the standard comfort of KSwiss shoes, but in a speedier, more responsive and less-bulky version.
Shop women’s Hypercourt Supreme / men’s Hypercourt Supreme.
Best lightweight: Adidas Ubersonic 3 (tie)
The Ubersonic 3s are among the lightest tennis shoes on the market. All playtesters agreed that when it comes to light, high-performance speed shoes, these Ubersonic 3s are an incredible option that will keep you moving supremely fast. It is the favorite shoe of Olympic gold medalist and nine-time Grand Slam champion Mattek-Sands. To help you decide whether this model is right for you, check out Tennis Warehouse’s detailed description of performance features of women’s Ubersonic 3 and men’s Ubersonic 3.
Shop women’s Ubersonic 3 / men’s Ubersonic 3.
Most comfortable: New Balance 996v4
The best lightweight shoes for all-day comfort, as you go from the gym, to the tennis court and to off-court activities. They are available in many colors and several wide widths. To see the ratings of specific features of New Balance 996v4s, check out Tennis Warehouse’s detailed review of women’s and men’s model.
Shop women’s New Balance 996v4.
Most comfortable (honorable mention): New Balance Fresh Foam Lav
This model was co-designed with Milos Raonic. From the Fresh Foam midsoles to the Kinetic Stitch full-bootie uppers, the Lavs are packed with technologies that make them stand out in the comfort category. Tennis Warehouse made an extensive review of the men’s model and the overall score is 4.6.
Shop women’s New Balance Fresh Foam Lav / men’s New Balance Fresh Foam Lav.
Best value: Adidas GameCourt
If you play tennis only occasionally and want a high-quality sneaker that will also serve you great off the court, the Adidas GameCourt is the way to go.
Shop women’s Adidas GameCourt / men’s Adidas GameCourt.
What are your favorite tennis shoes? Are they included on this list?
