The 10 Most Durable Tennis Shoes Money Can Buy

If you play tennis a lot, you’re going to want durable shoes that can withstand the wear and tear that they are subject to when you are running around on a hardwood court. Yes, even if you are lucky enough to play on grass at Wimbledon, you are still going to need durable shoes. Let’s not even get into what clay can do.

So you want really durable shoes. They also tend to cost more, but for the purpose of this piece, that doesn’t matter here. You are getting what you pay for – shoes that will last a long time. This list of the 10 most durable tennis shoes assumes that you are not worried about a budget. You will have quite a lot of choices to pick from. These shoes run the gamut from having flashy colors to being understated. Without further ado, let’s kick off this list.

1. Nike Air Zoom Vapor Cage Four

This shoe gets a thumbs up from no other than Rafa Nadal. If you’re going to listen to anyone, he is the one. This actually has the features of two of Nike’s best tennis shoes – the Vapor and the Cage. Your feet will be held in place and you will feel like you are bouncing all over the place due to the cushioned underfoot. These tend to run around $150.

2. Asics Gel Resolution 8

People love this entry by Asics. It’s a slightly heavier shoe than some other models that are on the market, but you will be getting something that is stable and durable. The extra weight doesn’t take away any comfort, either. Tennis player Gael Monfils loves these shoes and the public seems to agree. The only downside, if any, is that they are not terribly breathable compared to others. Expect to spend around $140 per pair.

3. K-Swiss Ultrashot 3

Here is another great entry by K-Swiss. While the shoes may feel lighter than earlier versions, you will love how durable they are. K-Swiss even backs up the durability claim by having a six-month outsole guarantee. These are definitely shoes that can withstand your playing tennis every single day. Like some other shoes, though, they don’t have much in the way of ventilation. They can cost up to $150.

4. Head Sprint SF

Most people might associate HEAD with racquets, but they make some really good durable shoes. This is a case in point – they have created a shoe that is both lightweight and durable thanks to their SuperFabric material. They also guarantee that their outsole is durable as well. You will find the shoe is very stable and offers a lot of traction while you are running around the tennis court. The upper part of the shoe can stretch just a bit, but that is a minor issue for many. Expect to spend up to $160 on these.

5. Adidas Barricade

You can’t go wrong when you choose Adidas for tennis. These shoes feel light on your feet while you are running around chasing shots. The only quibbles people have is that they don’t like the lacing system that much and they don’t ventilate that well, but that seems to be a problem facing most tennis shoes.. Adidas has a reputation in the industry for making some of the most durable shoes in the business and this is no different. They also add excellent arch support. These run about $150.

6. Wilson Rush Pro

Wilson is another great tennis shoe company and people love how durable this is. They are extremely comfortable and they offer great cushioning. They also offer great traction. Overall, these are great shoes. The prices can range between $99 and $140 depending on the model. But you will enjoy how long lasting they are for you when you go out and play.

7. Diadora B. Icon W AG

Diadora may not be as well-known to the general public as other tennis shoes, but it doesn’t mean that their shoes are not excellent. They are based in Italy and players that are known to be aggressive love using their durable shoes. The shoes also have a very distinct orange color, so people will be able to spot you on the court right away due to how visible they are. They price at around $150.

8. Prince T22

No, this is not named after the late singer. Prince is another well-known tennis company. The only issues are that they don’t have the greatest selection of shoe colors and that they can feel a bit heavier than other models. They offer great support, traction and are very comfortable to wear while you are on the courts. They are relatively inexpensive, coming in at around $99.

9. Babolat Propulse Fury

Take a look at your tennis racquet. There’s a good chance that it has Babolat natural gut strings on it. Players on the ATP and WTA both like using them. But they also make great tennis shoes. This shoe sounds fierce just from its name. “Propulse Fury” seems like rockets should be strapped to the sides of the shoes so that you can zoom around. They run around $130 and they offer a lot of stability and support.

10. Mizuno Wave Exceed Tour 4

Mizuno is another company that has moved from being known for one sport (baseball) – to making excellent tennis shoes. These shoes are usually favored by doubles players. ATP players have started accepting sponsorships from them. They offer a lot of support and are also above average in terms of durability, despite being more lightweight. You might need to devote a little extra time to breaking them in, though. They cost a little over $100.

Taking Care Of Your Tennis Shoes

While your shoes may be very durable, that does not mean that you have to stop taking care of them. Here are some things that you can do to extend their lifespan:

• Don’t Put Them In a Washing Machine – You might see people toss their shoes in the washer. This makes us cringe. Spend a little time and clean the shoes by hand as soon as they become dirty.
• Clean Them Regularly – It’s important to have a regular schedule. Otherwise, the dirt can get too caked in and hard to remove. You don’t want faded-looking shoes.
• Be Sure to Protect the Soles – You can get things at stores to help protect your soles. If they wear down despite your best efforts to protect them, you can also replace the sole. This can help extend the life of the shoe.
• Use a Water Protectant on Them – It’s easy to get spray water protectant so that they won’t get wet if you happen to be playing in bad weather. Just look around shoe stores or buy it online. If you happen to live in a city where it snows, the protectant can help keep snow and salt off as you make your way to the indoor tennis courts.
• Put Newspaper In Them – There are several benefits from this – it can dry them out if they are wet, the newspaper keeps out odor, and the paper helps keep their shape. Another option is to spend a little bit more money and get shoe horns for them.
• Put Them In a Safe Place – Keep them in a place where they won’t be in direct sunlight. Find a nice dry, dark, place and consider getting shoe bags to help protect them from dust. Finally, close the door since you don’t want any of your pets to find them and try to chew them up.

The shoes that we have on this list are made for men and women. It just takes a little bit of digging to find the women’s ones. The ones that we listed are durable for either gender and you can’t go wrong with any of these. If you are unsure about exact fittings, then you should consult with a shoe professional when you go shopping so that you can make sure that you are getting the right fit for your foot.

If you find yourself playing tennis a lot, you need to get a pair of one of these shoes. Their durability will more than cover any cost. Then you will just be able to focus on playing tennis and not the shoes that are on your feet. Enjoy!