Tennis Shoes
Only a few sports rival tennis when it comes to the agility, endurance, and speed required from players and the tennis equipment. A player can have great serving skills and excellent backhand, but not having the right footwear is playing shortfall from the very start. A good pair of tennis shoes will handle constant movement that comes with playing tennis - jumping, running, quick pivots, side-to-side court coverage, back-and-forth motion, and lunging.
Considerations In Choosing Tennis Shoes
A tennis shoe is designed to have an added lateral support that allows it to endure the game’s rigors, such as repeated lateral movements, starts, and quick stops. Finding the appropriate tennis shoes can be challenging, given the extensive array available. A player must consider several factors before buying a pair of tennis shoes. These considerations include: the tennis style that they play, the court type that they typically use, and their foot type.
Running Shoes Vs. Tennis Shoes
A lot of people prefer to wear “regular” running shoes when playing tennis, but there are countless good reasons why athletes must wear the appropriate pair of tennis shoes. For one, running shoes are specifically designed for forward motion inherent of walking or running for fitness. They generally have thick and soft heels that provide increase cushioning, which lessens the impact of running. Yet, runners don’t make quick lateral movements or turn rapidly, so running shoes are not designed to support a tennis player’s feet when practicing or playing tennis.
On the other hand, tennis shoes offer the stability for the “side-to-side” movement, made of stiffer and heavier materials compared to other “athletic” shoes. Tennis shoes also have flat and durable soles that are intended to prevent sliding and stumbling. Moreover, it has reinforced toes for stop-and-go action.
What To Look For
Buying the right tennis shoes for you will require knowing the aspects that will have an impact on its comfort and endurance. These aspects include its fit, court surface, playing style, and material.
Fit
The foot type one has, as well as the way they stand and walk has a great impact on how a tennis shoe will feel, fit, and perform for them. Each foot is dissimilar, however there are three general foot “types” of people: the pronated, supinated, and ideal.
Pronated foot is usually linked with injury, and those who have this kind of feet must be very careful with the tennis shoe they choose –it must have lots of cushioning and support. If one finds most of their regular shoes worn-out along the heel’s side, then that indicates a supinated foot. Players who have supinated foot have the tendency to wear-out shoes quicker than others, so extra durable sole is the best choice. Ideal foot types are those that find their shoe’s evenly worn-out all around. Those with this foot type can freely choose any shoe kind that’s comfortable.
Court Surface
The type of court played on will have an impact on the kind of shoes needed. Those playing on hard and concrete tennis courts will need durable outsole, vinyl or leather for support and strength, as well as designed for more support and stability for “lateral movements”. Those who play on soft surfaces like grass or clay must choose tennis shoes that give good traction.
Play Style
The playing style of a tennis player will also dictate what’s best suited. Consider the types of movements you do most, and let it be your basis of choosing the kind of support and features that your tennis shoes must have.
Material
Many tennis shoes these days are featured with excellent cushioning systems and great comfortable materials, as well as materials that remove moisture away from one’s feet. There are also a number of companies who have produced steel toed tennis shoes that provide remarkable toe reinforcement. Always choose tennis shoes provided with lightweight and durable material that will give you the most benefit of support, comfort, and durability.
Tennis shoes are a basic gear for tennis players, and wearing the right pair will definitely provide many benefits not only for the foot, but for the player’s game as well.