Shoes Archives - Dad Racket

Getting the right tennis shoes for hard court play can make a huge difference for any tennis player out there. Not only does it need to be comfortable to wear during the hardest movements, but they must be durable enough so that a player isn’t forced to purchase new shoes all the time. Fortunately, all of the top tennis brands out there are putting out quality hard court shoes every single year. What are the seven best out there right now? This is a look at the best options for all different types of feet. 1. Nike Air Zoom Vapor X Now that they have been out for a while, there are very few people who have anything negative to say about the Nike Air Zoom Vapor X. In fact, it might be the best hard shoe on the market right now, giving tennis players a chance to move around the court with ease. The Nike Air Zoom Vapor X seems a little simple at first, but it has plenty of technology in it to make it a great shoe overall. The Air Zoom keeps things light and comfortable, while the breathable upper ensures the players are staying cool even on the hottest days. The standard tread on the Nike Air Zoom Vapor X works for hard courts, but it can play on clay pretty well also. The only negative with the shoe is that the durability could be a little bit better, but some will use these only for matches. Available in many different colorways, they are becoming a little harder to find now that Nike is no longer producing them. Pros Very lightweightExcellent cushioning for a lighter shoeNumerous colors Cons Durability could be a little betterBecoming harder to find 2. Adidas Solecourt Boost When Adidas decided to put together a new durable tennis shoe for the masses, many weren’t sure how the Adidas Solecourt Boost would perform. After having so much success with the Barricade line, could this one live up to expectations? So far so good, and Adidas seems to be leaning into the new technology overall. As the name implies, the defining feature of the issue is the Boost technology underneath. This is one of the most comfortable forms of cushioning out there, tailored specifically for tennis play. It’s firm enough that players won’t feel like they are squishing around, but it still provides that cushioning that makes it more comfortable to play on hard court. The outsole of the Adidas Solecourt Boost is pretty durable, but probably not to the level that some would like out of a shoe like this. As an example, the previous Adidas Barricades were a little more durable. Most people think that these shoes replaced the Barricades at first, but they were sad to see that same durable sole disappear. All in all, they are worth checking out for comfort and stability. It’s one of the most well-rounded shoes on the market right now, and Adidas only continues to put more money into them. Pros Very comfortableProvides great cushioningPlenty of colors to choose from Cons Fitting is a little weird at firstNot as durable as some would like 3. Nike Air Zoom Cage 4 After having a successful line of Cage tennis shoes, as well as Vapor shoes, Nike combined the two and make the Nike Air Zoom Cage 4. Some are skeptical that they would be able to duplicate the kind of success they’ve had with other shoe models in the past, but the way it looks and performs is hard to top. Made for aggressive players who have a hard time not burning through other shoes out there, many have stuck with these shoes since their release. The sizing is a little bit off, meaning that people should try them on first before they commit. Once a player gets the sizing right, they are good to go. There’s a reason why so many professional players wear these same shoes on tour and succeed with them. Now that they have plenty of colorways to choose from, it’s a great option for any style of play. Pros Very durableNumerous colorwaysCushioning is surprisingly good Cons A little heavySizing is hard to get right 4. Adidas Adizero Ubersonic For a slightly different feel that is low to the ground and lightweight, the Adidas Adizero Ubersonic is another great option for hard courts. It comes in a variety of colors, and is the speedier version of an Adidas tennis shoe that is built for performance. The first thing players notice with the Ubersonic is that it is one of the lowest riding tennis shoes currently. People who like that close-to-the-ground feel will love the setup overall. It doesn’t have the same amount of cushioning as the Solecourt Boost or the Barricade, but it still is pretty responsive and capable of handling all different types of movement. A lot of people like that the Ubersonic has a reasonable price for a top-level shoe from a leading company. They also go on sale quite a bit, meaning that some people can find brand new pairs for under $100. They aren’t going to fit every single type of foot out there, but it’s worth giving them a try to see if they are the new hard court shoe to wear. Pros Low to the ground feelInexpensiveLockdown fit Cons Not as durable as some of the other hard court shoesTakes a certain type of foot to fit properly 5. Lotto Mirage 100 SPD Although it’s not always near the top of the list for brands out there, Lotto puts out a good range of tennis shoes. Their best one right now could be the Lotto Mirage 100 SPD. It is known for outstanding stability and support, while also staying lightweight and fast. Putting them on for the first time will instantly make some players into believers. They use a multilayer Kurim upper that does a great job of stabilizing the foot inside the shoe. There’s also technology that helps out with a more responsive feel with the other foot. Durability might not be the absolute best, but it’s pretty good for the lightweight feel of the shoe. Aggressive movers will still get plenty of use out of them before they start wearing down. With plenty of colorways to choose from, it’s a shoe that is worth trying out. Considering that it is usually pretty inexpensive compared to other competitors, that’s just more of a reason to finally give it a try. Pros Outstanding foot support and stabilitySolid tractionLightweight Cons Toe durability isn’t the greatestTakes a while for them to be truly comfortable 6. Asics Solution Speed FF 3 Now with a third iteration out, the Asics Solution Speed FF 3 remains a solid choice for a lot of tennis players. They have plenty of colorways to choose from, and it’s turned into a go-to for tennis players of the professional and recreational levels. Just like with the other versions, it all starts with a low-profile design that’s meant for a solid all-around tennis shoe. It might not be truly sensational in any one category, but it’s a rare option that is both lightweight and durable. The gel cushioning system is one of the most well-respected in the industry. With locations in the rearfoot and forefoot, players don’t have to worry about taking any major shocks. Using Flexion Fit with the upper, the shoe becomes very easy to mold to the foot. This adds more support overall, and keeps the shoe pretty low profile. ASICS is known to use quite a few buzzwords to sell their shoes, but most people will just look past that. They just simply want to know if they are truly solid or not. While not everyone will feel that they are perfect for their feet, they should be at the top of the list for many players. This is especially true for anyone who has a bit of a narrow foot. Pros Very comfortableLightweightNo break-in period Cons Hard for people with wide feet to wearMany colorways are hard to find in stock 7. Yonex Power Cushion Eclipsion 3 Yonex is another under-the-radar tennis shoe company. Many loyal customers of theirs have fallen in love with the Power Cushion Eclipsion 3. It provides outstanding shock absorption so players don’t feel like they are putting their feet through a lot of pain and suffering. It also has a rebounding effect so players feel energized when running around. On the top is a new type of mesh that is meant to be extremely lightweight, yet durable. One of the complaints with the earlier version of the shoe was that players felt like they didn’t have as much breathability as they would like. Even on the hottest days, these will perform well. Finally, Yonex is very pleased with adding a power graphite plate in the middle of the sole. This adds stability and reduces weight so that the shoe isn’t too clunky. Some are not pleased with the shoes' look, but its performance is hard to argue with. Pros Lightweight for so much durabilityExcellent breathabilitySole works for all courts Cons Limited color choicesFit around the ankle is a bit different from the norm Final Thoughts All seven of the shoes work well for different types of feet. This means each player likely has vastly different rankings. Take advantage of both traditional and online stores offering free returns. Fit is incredibly important for tennis players. Other than the racquet, proper shoes are the most important investment a player can make.