While you are in the midst of playing a game, regardless of what it is – it is important to have shoes that maximize your performance as much as possible and allow you to move around as effortlessly as possible. That means it is also important to take your time in choosing the best shoes that will serve their purpose, and know why you are selecting them.
When it comes to sports like tennis though, it can be quite confusing picking a choice, especially if you do not know about the needs of specific courts. Yes, different courts will not only impact how the ball moves when it bounces on them but also your own movements as you play – with grass being the most slippery of all the surfaces. If you use grass shoes on clay courts or hard courts, they will not be as effective, and vice versa.
In general, tennis shoes must provide you with ample cushioning to allow your ankles to move quickly, they should be durable, and the grip pattern should fit the surface you are playing on. Since you tend to move laterally instead of forward, they should give plenty of ankle support, so they will tend to feature heavier materials and stronger build compared to other athletic shoes. In addition, the outsoles are durable and flat to prevent cases of tripping, and allow quick start and stop movements instead of ‘dragging’ out the movement.
Features to consider when choosing grass court shoes
- Grass court shoes will always have cross-directional or shallow herringbone treads throughout the entire sole, regardless of whether you use them on artificial or natural grass. This allows the shoe to have a good grip on the surface while preventing tearing up the court grounds, but it also does not allow them to operate well on other outdoor or indoor surfaces.
- When looking at the midsole, it needs to have gel or EVA padding in order to give good coverage in the toes and heel areas.
- The uppers require fortification, just as with any other outdoor athletic shoe, but in this case it also needs to maintain its flexibility. That makes the best option to be synthetic upper that is thick, similar to those of running or basketball shoes. In addition, make sure the upper has plenty of circulation holes and mesh panels that allow air to circulate through the shoe.
Top grass court tennis shoes
Shoe brand | Editor's rating | Expected fit | Mid-Sole | Upper | Check on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
4.1 | 74% | GEL | Flexion Fit | ||
4.3 | 78% | Phylon | Combination of mesh and leather | ||
4.4 | 81% | TORSION SYSTEM | Textile/ADIPRENE | ||
4.4 | 83% | Wishbone shank and | Mesh and synthetic material |
Summary table
ASICS Men’s Gel-Resolution 7 shoe
ASICS is well known for its excellent sports footwear, and this is no exception – it mainly stands out through its low-cut ankles along with the Flexion uppers that fit snugly around your foot. Throughout all angles, this shoe will fit your feet and will give great comfort and support without reducing the flexibility that you need on the court.
In addition, you will also notice that the ergonomics of this shoe include gender-specific midsoles, while you will likely not experience abrasions due to the PGuard Toe Protector. Regarding extra grip and stability, the soles are made from chunky rubber and have herringbone tread cross sections.
Pros
- The gel cushioning system
- Very flexible and give plenty of support
- Synthetic uppers
- Reinforcement in the heels and toes
- Tight fit that is non-restrictive
- Have shallow herringbone treads
Cons
- Limited color selection
- Expensive
View price on Amazon
These happen to be among Nike’s best grass court footwear options, featuring very thick, ergonomically designed soles with synthetic, flexible uppers. The mesh layer upper will ensure that air and moisture will move in and out of the shoe, even during your most intense games.
The reinforcements are quite impressive, as it has an additional layer of abrasion-resistant material in the heel and toe areas. Additionally, the phylon midsoles that cover the toe to heels will make for extra cushioning and remain easy to clean.
Pros
- Reinforcement in the toe box
- Very affordable
- Have a shallow herringbone rubber sole
- Mesh liner for breathability
- Synthetic upper that is resistant to abrasion
- Phylon midsole, very cushiony
Cons
- Tend to be heavy
- Unexceptional design
View price on Amazon
Adidas Men’s barricade club shoe
As with the other shoes we have reviewed, these are widely popular among male tennis players due to the padded synthetic uppers and non-slip herringbone soles that are quite thick and offer stability. Not only that, though; they also happen to be quite popular as street shoes due to the distinct Adidas heel patch and logo design.
Within the barricades, they have a thick cushion consisting of Adiprene material, which helps to prop your forefoot upwards – and the thick midsole will give plenty of cushioning between your toes and heel (made from EVA).
The uppers are thick and well-padded and fit snugly around the foot, and the herringbone treads give you extra stability without collecting grass. There is a great addition in the toe area due to the inclusion of the Adituff material, a proprietary athletic material from Adidas that is resistant to abrasion.
Pros
- Adiwear outsoles
- Adituff reinforcement in the toe box
- EVA midsoles
- Synthetic uppers and breathable mesh
- Signature logo enhances its versatility
- Shallow herringbone treads
Cons
- Tend to be tight, so you need to be careful about sizing
View price on Amazon
Let us be honest here – playing on grass courts is not really a priority, as many games tend to be played on hard and clay courts these days. However, if you are a female player and would like some versatility to cater to different surfaces, this is the shoe for you – and they can also ease discomfort when you are standing or walking on hard surfaces.
When you use these shoes, you will not need to worry too much about issues of shock absorption and underfoot impact, thanks to the ample cushioning. The roomy interior is also great if you have wide feet, while still remaining lightweight enough to prevent fatigue.
Pros
- Lightweight yet strong build
- Very good cushioning and support
- Great design
- Wide toe box
Cons
- Tends to run smaller, so need to be careful with sizing
View price on Amazon
Final thoughts
It is important to select the right shoes for the courts you mostly platy on, and grass courts demand plenty of stability while not tearing the surface apart due to rough treads.
Leornard
Hi, my name is Leornard! My love for sports started way back when I was in middle school. I participated in track field and tennis. Some of my greatest and proudest accomplishments during that time were playing against other schools in the state. When I college, I took up tennis as a fun sport or exercise due to my limited time but I still had passion in the sports. Now, I keep up with tennis as a hobby and for my health but my passion for the sports still run deep. I am interested in the highs and lows of tennis and that is why TennisWearguide exists.
