Tennis Shoes Vs. Running Shoes: Best Shoes for Racquet Sports
By Marnie Kunz
People often come to NYC Racquet Sports looking for the right shoes for tennis, pickleball, and other racquet sports. What is the difference between tennis shoes vs. running shoes, and how can you know what is the right shoe? We’ll delve into the importance of shoe types for racquet sports and offer some expert tips from Woody Schneider, co-owner of NYC Racquet Sports. Whether you’re an experienced tennis player or a new pickleball player, the right shoes will keep you in the game and playing injury-free.
NYC Racquet Sports co-owner Woody Schneider.
Choosing a Shoe: Tennis Shoes Vs. Running Shoes
Before we get into specifics, let’s define tennis shoes vs. running shoes. Tennis shoes are designed for tennis and racquet sports. They’re intended to provide support, stability, and traction for tennis players on the court. Tennis shoes are made to work with lateral movements and other tennis-specific movements.
Running shoes, on the other hand, are designed for forward motion and do not have the lateral support you need to play racquet sports. They also are not designed to handle the sometimes rough surfaces of racquet sports courts. Running shoes have extra cushioning in the heel to protect the foot when pounding the pavement for running. The extra cushioning can be too bulky for racquet sports, however, and makes lateral movements more difficult.
So, what is the difference between tennis shoes vs. running shoes? Running shoes are designed to provide support for the activity of running continuously forward, with extra heel and midsole cushioning. Tennis shoes, on the other hand, are designed for quick movements and turning on the courts. They provide vital lateral support. Running shoes are not meant for racquet court sports and do not have the support you’ll need to play tennis or other racquet sports.
“People often come into the store and think they can wear running shoes or sneakers for racquet sports. You need a tennis-specific shoe. All eleven racquet sports in the store can use one pair of shoes designed for the racquet courts.”
Tennis shoes usually have gum rubber soles, which will not mark courts when playing. All racquet sport shoes have lateral support and non-marking shoes for courts. There are indoor court shoes and outdoor court shoes and both are designed to support your feet and legs when playing racquet sports. Many tennis shoes can be worn on indoor or outdoor courts.
Although people feel comfortable in running shoes, they’re not suited for the wear and tear of the racquet courts and they’re not supportive of the lateral movements that racquet sports require.
Why You Shouldn’t Wear Running Shoes for Racquet Sports
“People often come into the store and think they can wear running shoes or sneakers for racquet sports,” Woody says. “You need a tennis-specific shoe. All eleven racquet sports in the store can use one pair of shoes designed for the racquet courts.”
NYC Racquet Sports has the racquet sports shoes you need for tennis, badminton, squash, pickleball, padel, beach tennis, table tennis, pop tennis, platform tennis, and paddle ball. Although you need a shoe designed for racquet sports - such as a tennis shoe, this shoe will work for a variety of racquet sports, Woody says.
Woody points out that wearing running shoes on the court can lead to injuries, such as a rolled ankle or blown knee. Racquet shoes are designed to support your movements on the court, including side-to-side movements, whereas running shoes do not offer support for racquet sports. If you wear running shoes or sneakers on the racquet courts, you increase your risk of injuries.
Tennis Shoe Design
Tennis shoes are uniquely designed for providing support and traction on the court. They often have a low-top design, which means they don’t cover the ankle. This design allows for ease of movement during tennis matches.
Benefits of Tennis Shoes for Racquet Sports
Tennis shoes, designed for racquet sports like tennis, squash, badminton, pickleball, and other sports, offer many benefits that can improve your performance and reduce your risk of injury. Here are some of the key benefits of tennis shoes for racquet sports:
Traction and Grip
Tennis shoes typically have specialized outsoles with patterns that provide excellent traction on hard court surfaces. The added traction ensures you can make quick lateral movements, stop abruptly, and change directions with confidence, helping to prevent slipping and sliding.
Stability
Racquet sports often involve lateral movements, quick changes of direction, and sudden stops. Tennis shoes are designed with lateral support and stability features that help prevent ankle sprains and provide support during these movements.
Cushioning
Racquet sports can be physically demanding, with a lot of running and jumping. Tennis shoes have cushioned midsoles and shock-absorbing technology that reduces the impact on your joints and muscles, providing comfort and reducing the risk of injuries such as shin splints or stress fractures.
Durability
The materials used in tennis shoes are typically durable and resistant to wear and tear. Sturdy materials are essential because racquet sports can be tough on shoes due to frequent lateral movements and the abrasive nature of court surfaces.
Toe Protection
Many tennis shoes have reinforced toe areas to protect against toe drag, which is common in sports like tennis. This reinforcement helps extend the life of the shoes and protects your toes from abrasion and injury.
Breathability
Tennis shoes often feature breathable materials and ventilation to keep your feet cool and dry during long matches or training sessions, reducing the risk of blisters and discomfort.
Ankle Support
While some tennis shoes have a low-top design for increased mobility, others come in a mid-top or high-top design to provide extra ankle support. The ankle height choice depends on your preference and the level of support you need.
Specific Court Surfaces
Some tennis shoes are designed for specific court surfaces, such as clay or hard courts. These shoes may have outsole patterns and features optimized for the characteristics of those surfaces.
Fit and Comfort
Tennis shoes are often designed with a snug fit to prevent your feet from moving inside the shoe during play. A proper fit can enhance comfort and reduce your risk of blisters or discomfort.
In summary, tennis shoes are specially designed for racquet sports to provide the necessary traction, stability, cushioning, and support required for optimal performance and injury prevention. Whether you play pickleball, tennis, squash, or other racquet sports, using the right footwear for racquet sports can significantly improve your experience and safety on the court.
Our Racquet Sports Shoes
Come check out our selection of the best tennis and racquet shoes at our Herald Square flagship store at 157A West 35th Street, New York, NY. We carry the latest styles in racquet sports shoes, including footwear from Mizuno, Babolat, Prince, Head, and Yonex.
We’ll help you find the best tennis shoes for your sport and foot type so you can stay in the game playing strong for many matches to come.
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Marnie Kunz is a writer, fitness trainer, and founder of Runstreet based in Brooklyn, NY.
