7 Most Popular Tennis Shoes
There are over thousands of different tennis shoes in the world available for you to buy at any given moment. But which of all the available tennis shoes are the most popular?
The other day I listed what tennis shoes each player on the ATP Tour are wearing and I created a composite table that shows how many players are wearing each specific tennis shoe.
With that article as a starting point, I created this list with the 7 most popular tennis shoes. It’s based on the popularity among professional tennis players. Take a look at the list and find out which tennis shoe is more suitable for you. Starting with the most popular tennis shoe.
1. Nike Air Zoom Vapor X
Nike Air Zoom Vapor X is the world’s most popular tennis shoe right now among professional tennis players. But, there are not only pro players that are wearing the Vapor X, it’s also one of the most popular tennis shoes at the recreational level. The most famous players that currently wear the Vapor X includes Roger Federer, Kei Nishikori, and Daniil Medvedev.
What players love about the Vapor X is how lightweight it feels when running around on the court, while still getting the support you need. Also, there is no denying that it’s one of the cleanest looking tennis shoes on the market (if you ask me).
I’ve tried over 100 different tennis shoes during my career and I can’t think of a better shoe than the Vapor X. I have used it for several years now and I have no thoughts about changing it in the near future.
The Nike Air Zoom Vapor X got the perfect combination of comfort, low weight, design, and support, what more could you ask for? Try this shoe at least once and I would be surprised if you didn’t end up buying a pair.
Pros
- Comfort
- Lightweight
- Used by Roger Federer & Daniil Medvedev
Cons
- Stability
2. Lotto Mirage 100 SPD
The Italian company Lotto has made one of the most popular tennis shoes in the world with the Mirage 100 SPD. This tennis shoe is made together with pro players to offer optimal stability and comfort in a very lightweight package. Their success has turned into this shoe becoming the second most used shoe among tennis professionals.
ATP players that currently wear the Lotto Mirage 100 SPD include players like, Matteo Berrettini, Guido Pella, and Kevin Anderson. But, the Mirage 100 SPD is also extremely popular at the recreational level.
Even though the Lotto Mirage 100 SPD is a very lightweight shoe, it still fulfills all your support and stability needs. That is due to the Multilayer Kurim upper, which allows the shoe to be stable without adding weight, and molds to your foot for a fast feeling fit.
The innovative geometric-like outsole grips the court well for great traction, while it still is durable enough for extensive use on any surface.
I would recommend the Lotto Mirage 100 SPD to any player looking for a tennis shoe with exceptional support and stability in a very lightweight package. There is a reason why the Lotto Mirage has become one of the most popular shoes in the world. A must-try for all competitive tennis players.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Stability
- Used by Matteo Berrettini
Cons
- Expensive
3. Adidas Solecourt Boost
The third most popular tennis shoe in the world is currently, Adidas Solecourt Boost. The amount of people that wear the Solecourt Boost at the recreational level is unbelievable and at the pro scene, world-class players like Dominic Thiem and Stefanos Tsitsipas are both wearing this shoe.
Players love how lightweight the Solecourt Boost feels while running around on the court. It may not be the most stable tennis shoe on the market, but in regards to comfort and usability, it’s hard to think of a better tennis shoe than the Solecourt Boost. Also, there is no denying that it’s one of the cleanest-looking shoes on the market right now.
The Solecourt Boost changes direction in a very satisfying way with plenty of lateral support and it generally feels quick on foot, despite being a pretty substantial shoe. You will notice the very odd TPU chassibumpout that may look weird at first, but it provides some extra stability on hard cuts.
There is a reason why the Solecourt Boost is one of the world’s most popular tennis shoes right now. It has everything a tennis player could need in terms of usability, design, and comfort.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Comfort
- Used by Stefanos Tsitsipas & Dominic Thiem
Cons
- Stability
4. Nike Air Zoom Cage 4
The 4th most popular tennis shoe in the world is the Nike Air Zoom Cage 4. Known for being the shoe of choice for one of the greatest tennis players of all time, Rafael Nadal. Apart from him, pro players that wear the Cage 3 include Borna Coric and the British tennis star Dan Evans.
The Cage 3 is one of the most technologically advanced tennis shoes available on the market. It features great stability and support, without sacrificing any speed. Many other Nike shoes struggle a lot with stability around the ankle collar, however, that is certainly not a problem with the Cage 4. Despite being on the more lightweight side, it got more than enough support and stability to make you feel secure.
If you are looking for a tennis shoe with exceptional support and stability in a very lightweight package, it would be a hard task to find a better option than the Nike Air Zoom Cage 4. Also, If you like to slide around on hard courts, you will love this shoe.
I would recommend this tennis shoe to any player looking for a more stable option that still is on the lightweight side. Stability, support, and comfort in a very lightweight package, what more could you ask for?
Pros
- Support
- Fast & Comfort
- Used by Rafael Nadal
Cons
- Durability
5. Fila Axilus 2 Energized
The 5th most popular tennis shoe among pro players is the Fila Axilus 2 Energized. The main figures on the ATP Tour that wears Fila’s popular tennis shoe include players like John Isner, Diego Schwartzman, and the Croatian Grand Slam champion Marin Cilic.
Fila has been around for decades now providing classic designs to their tennis shoes. Their previous designs have always had the problem of being to heavy, but they changed that with the Fila Axilus 2 Energized. This shoe is more adaptable to the modern game of tennis, where a stable and lightweight shoe is crucial for all players’ success.
The first thing you will notice when stepping your foot inside the Axilus 2, is how comfortable and relaxed they feel. That is due to Fila’s breathable quarter and molded sock liner in the upper, which makes the shoe very soft and as I said, very comfortable.
The only bad thing to say about the Fila Axilus 2 Energized is the breathability. Even though it’s very comfortable, you will easily get heated inside the shoes and on a sunny day, it won’t be a great experience playing with the Axilus 2.
Fila have done a great job of providing a more modern tennis shoe to their collection and the popularity among not only pro players, but also at the recreational level, has been insane. One of the most successful tennis shoes of all time for the Italian brand.
Pros
- Comfort
- Lightweight
- Used by Marin Cillic & John Isner
Cons
- Breathability
6. Asics Gel Resolution 7
The 6th most popular tennis shoe in the world among ATP players is the Asics Gel Resolution 7. The main figures that wear it on the ATP Tour include players like Gael Monfils and Fabio Fognini. But, it’s one of the most popular tennis shoes at the recreational level as well. Go to any local court and you will be surprised at how many use the Asics Gel Resolution.
Players love the stability and support they get without sacrificing much weight. It might not be the fastest shoe in the world, but at the same time, it’s not slow and heavy either. They are somewhere in the middle range, so the weight won’t be a problem. But, if you want a fast shoe, you should go for something else on this list.
It’s hard to compete against Asics support and stability. The amount of ankle support and overall stability is more than you normally would need. But, it makes you feel very secure on the court and as with all other bulky tennis shoes, durability won’t be a problem.
So, if you are looking for a stable and supportive tennis shoe that will last longer, there aren’t many better options out there on the market right now than the Asics Gel Resolution 7.
Pros
- Stability & Support
- Durability
- Used by Gael Monfils & Fabio Fognini
Cons
- Speed
7. Adidas Adizero Ubersonic 2
The 7th most popular tennis shoe in the world among professional tennis players is the Adidas Adizero Ubersonic 2. It has been one of the most popular shoes for quite some time now and I can see why. It has everything that a player needs to have in the modern game of tennis. ATP players that currently wear the Adizero Ubersonic include Alexander Zverev and Lucas Pouille.
Players love how lightweight the Ubersonic feels when running around on the court, without sacrificing much support. There are not many shoes that have both of them, but the Ubersonic is an ideal example of how a modern tennis shoe should be like. The ankle support feels pretty much the same as the more heavy options, despite being on the more lightweight side.
Even though the support is exceptional, the stability isn’t as good as the more heavy options. But, what should you expect from such a lightweight shoe? While most other lightweight shoes struggle with both support and stability, the Ubersonic only struggles with stability.
The traction is on the slicker side, which makes the Ubersonic perfectly suited for aggressive movers with a propensity of sliding into their shots. Whether or not you have tried the previous Ubersonic models before, you need to try the Adizero Ubersonic at least once, you will be surprised how exceptional it performs on the court.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Support
- Used by Alexander Zverev & Lucas Pouille
Cons
- Stability
Why Is Popularity Important?
Now, after going through all the most popular tennis shoes in the world among pro players, a very reasonable question to ask is; why is this important?
Apart from the curiosity factor of knowing what tennis shoes are the most popular right now, it’s the most honest way to find out which of all the available tennis shoes are the best.
If the best tennis players in the world wear a specific shoe, it has to be a very good one. Sure, most of them get paid to wear their shoes, but they still want to have the best possible shoes on their feet. They choose their shoes after what suits them best.
Looking at what the most popular tennis shoes are right now, is the best thing to look at before buying a new pair of shoes yourself. If you are looking at a specific shoe from a recognizable brand, but no player at the pro scene is wearing it, it might mean that there are some better options out there.
All of the tennis shoes on this list are great options and if you choose to buy one, make sure to try to test them first. If you don’t have the opportunity to play-test and really want to buy a pair of tennis shoes today, I would suggest going with the Nike Air Zoom Vapor X. It’s not only the most popular shoe in the world, but it’s the most versatile option that works exceptionally great for most players.
Here is the full list of the most popular tennis shoes
- Nike Air Zoom Vapor X
- Lotto Mirage 100 STD
- Adidas Solecourt Boost
- Nike Air Zoom Cage 3
- Fila Axilus 2 Energized
- Asics Gel Resolution 7
- Adidas Adizero Ubersonic
