When playing any sport whatsoever, the most important thing to do is choose the right pair of shoes, in order to increase efficiency and avoid injury. The wrong pair can make you slow and insecure on the court, while also increasing your chances of getting hurt. As I have already said, no matter the sport you are playing, choosing the perfect athletic footwear makes a big difference and you should learn more about how to do just that.
When tennis shoes are in question, there is one significant thing you need to understand. They are not just for tennis players. These are among the most comfortable shoes you can find out there and they will come in handy whether you are playing tennis all day, or simply covering a lot of ground on your feet while working.
Simply put, these are made for everyone who wants to be comfortable. Walking, hiking, running, or working out at the gym are only some of the reasons why people are buying these shoes. Even people who haven’t spent a day of their life exercising own a pair of these, for when they need to run to the store or do something similar.
I am sure that you have heard the term “tennis shoes” being used in many different settings and not all of them had to do with courts, racquets and balls. This is because that term is quickly becoming synonymous to the most comfortable footwear you will ever find on the market. Their purpose goes way beyond Wimbledon.
No matter why you are buying this specific pair, you need to take more than a few factors into consideration. Today, I will let you know what it is you need to consider when choosing the right tennis shoes for you, regardless of the purpose you are buying them for. Of course, I will also touch upon the topic of actual tennis players as well, since the type of court plays a big role in this buying decision. This way, you will learn how to choose the perfect pair whether you are a tennis player or not.
Foot Type
Foot type is not only about size. We will get to the size later, but before we do that, you need to learn how to recognize your foot type, because the more you learn about it, the more ready you will be to find the right shoes. If you haven’t had an opportunity to talk about foot types previously, don’t worry; I’ll try to explain how you can easily recognize your type.
Approximately 60% of the population has pronated feet. You can do a simple test to determine if you are among those 60%. Step in water with your bare feet and then leave a mark on the ground. What does the mark look like? If the whole impression of your foot appears, then you have pronated feet. Athletes and tennis players with this type will notice excessive shoe wear on the inside.
If you did this test with water and you noticed a large, empty space in the center of the imprint, it means that you have supinated feet. With this type, your shoes will commonly get damaged on the outside, near the heel and the forefoot. The third type is called ideal and it leaves a neutral and balanced mark.
Here’s a bit more info on these types: https://www.verywellfit.com/pronation-definition-3436329
Now that I have showed you how to determine your foot type, it’s time to tell you which footwear fits which type. If you have ideal, or neutral, feet, you can wear almost any tennis shoes. The pronated type requires footwear with enhanced lateral support, so as to reduce the risk of injuries. If you have supinated feet, get shoes that secure greater flexibility, as well as shock absorption, while also providing added space for the heel.
Size
I suppose that size doesn’t require as much attention as the types I described above. That doesn’t mean, however, that you shouldn’t learn how to measure your feet properly, in order to find the perfect tennis shoes. Measuring doesn’t require any special equipment. All you will need is a paper, a pen, and a ruler.
You put on a pair of socks, put your foot firmly on the piece of paper you have laid on the ground and then trace the outline with a pen. After that, you take a ruler and measure the length and the width. You will use these measurements when shopping in order to get the tennis shoes that fit you perfectly and comfortably.
Many people have a hard time getting the right measures (this page will show you how to do that), but many more have a hard time actually determining when a shoe fits. When it comes to tennis shoes, it is important to remember that they don’t need to be broken in. That means that they should fit perfectly the first time you put them on. You need to find the ones that are snuggly and comfortable, definitely not too tight, but also not too loose.
Outsoles
Outsoles play a key role in finding the perfect tennis shoes, and the type of outsoles depends on the type of court you are playing on. When speaking of types of courts, you understand that we are talking about tennis courts, but if you are using these for a different sport or a different purpose, you should also take the ground you are stepping on into consideration.
Generally, you will be able to choose among hard court outsoles, clay court outsoles and grass court outsoles. Getting the right outsoles plays a huge part in choosing the perfect tennis shoes for two reasons. Firstly, and most importantly, the perfect outsoles will reduce your risk of slipping and getting injured. Secondly, your efficiency will significantly increase if you choose the right outsoles for the right court. Keep these tips in mind and you will be able to find the perfect tennis shoes in no time. For a top recommendation, check out: Reebok ZQuick TR Review or the CrossFit Lite TR.
Not only is he an avid CrossFitter, but he is also a coach, holding level 1 + 2 CrossFit coaching designations. You will usually find Tony at the local gym where he uses his knowledge of proper nutrition and exercise to help athletes achieve their goals.
