The 10 Most Cushioned Tennis Shoes Money Can Buy

The best-cushioned tennis shoe feels like walking on the softest ground you’ve ever experienced. Finding one that fits your individual foot, however, can be difficult. So what are 10 of the most cushioned tennis shoes money can buy? The list includes brands such as Nike, Adidas, New Balance, and Asics. Are you ready to see which shoes made our list? Let’s get started!

What to look for in a tennis shoe

There are a few characteristics you’ll want to pay attention to when you’re looking at shoes, particularly with cushioning in mind. Here’s a short list you can refer to:

• Fit: “How do those fit?” You’ve probably heard this a million times when trying on shoes, but it’s an important factor in your shoe-buying decision. The overall fit helps us to know if we’re going to enjoy wearing these shoes, or if they’ll cause more harm than good.
• Weight: Heavy shoes are much more taxing on your body than you can imagine. Lightweight shoes are the best, especially when it comes to cushioned tennis shoes.
• Comfort: Cushioning can improve the comfort of a shoe, but the entire thing has to feel good on your foot, from how it holds your foot to how it feels in motion.
• Stability: The soles of any shoe help determine how stable it is. Some shoes are angled to improve forward motion, but that doesn’t always make them stable.
• Durability: We put shoes through a lot, sometimes literally. The best shoes are durable enough to make it through life.
• Traction: A shoe without traction is practically useless in most applications. The best-cushioned shoes are those that provide excellent traction as well, so you can move quickly and comfortably.

Cushioning is critical to finding the most comfortable tennis shoe. The shoe’s ability to minimize the impact between your foot and the surface you’re walking on is what sets one cushioned shoe apart from the next.

So what exactly makes a tennis shoe cushioned?

What makes a tennis shoe cushioned

The cushioning of a shoe can come in the form of air, gel, or other soft materials. These materials are incorporated to provide a buffer between you and the surface you’re walking on. This helps to reduce the impact on both your feet and your leg muscles.

The level of cushioning is the main difference between tennis shoes and sneakers. Tennis shoes tend to have more cushioning to provide better performance. Sneakers, on the other hand, are designed more commonly for leisure wear.

The 10 most cushioned tennis shoes money can buy

Here’s our list of the 10 most cushioned tennis shoes money can buy. These shoes range in price from just under $100 to a few hundred dollars in some cases.

1. Adidas Adizero Ubersonic 4

The Adidas Adizero Ubersonic 4 comes in a variety of colors so you can customize them to your style. The three bars Adidas is known for change with the color of the shoe as well. Plus, there are many features built into these cushioned tennis shoes that have customers coming back for more.

For example, the Adizero Ubersonic 4 shoe is made from high-quality materials that are lightweight and durable. The mesh tongue helps the shoe to breathe. Easy to clean, these Adidas tennis shoes do incorporate a tight toebox, with thin shoe laces.

2. KSwiss Hypercourt Express 2

The styling of the KSwiss Hypercourt Express 2 tennis shoe demonstrates the dedication to performance this company holds. While these shoes can be wide, they are comfortable and plush. The material, while flexible, isn’t the most durable on the market. However, these shoes feel secure and safe on your feet while still allowing you to express your unique style with various color choices.

3. NikeCourt Zoom Vapor Cage 4 Rafa

The Nike Swoosh symbol on the Zoom Vapor Cage 4 Rafa accentuates the deep upper of this tennis shoe, which features a tucked tongue and low-profile laces. The breathable material can feel heavy to some, but the stability of this shoe puts it at the forefront of our list. If you have a narrow foot, this Nike tennis shoe probably isn’t for you. At the same time, it holds enough style to make any activity fun.

4. New Balance 806

If you suffer from plantar fasciitis, this tennis shoe provides all the cushioning your foot needs to feel better. The Better Loop lacing system pairs with a classic design that proves timeless in appeal. These shoes do take a while to break in and the toes can be narrow, but for gripping power and long-lasting comfort, they’re a great tennis shoe choice.

5. Adidas Barricade

Adidas provides another great tennis shoe with lasting comfort and cushioning to help you stay on your feet longer. The responsive fit and feel of the Barricade tennis shoe provide great lockdown to ensure this shoe performs like it’s part of you. The easy-to-adjust lacing system makes putting these tennis shoes on an easy task.

At the same time, you might find it takes longer for the Adidas Barricade shoe to break in. The aggressive backing can also dig into your heels.

6. Asics Solution Speed FF 2

Comfortable and lightweight, the Asics Solution Speed FF 2 tennis shoes provide some of the best traction in the industry. These tennis shoes are supportive and feel secure on your foot. They are a bit narrower than other tennis shoes on our list. Plus, there’s typically a longer break-in period, depending on how often you wear them.

7. NikeCourt Air Zoom Vapor Pro

Compared to the NikeCourt Zoom Vapor Cage 4 Rafa, the Vapor Pro features a more relaxed look that prioritizes weight and durability. These shoes are low profile with plenty of colors to choose from. Express your style with these cushioned tennis shoes that feature breathable materials and a stable footprint.

Some customers have issues with the asymmetrical lace format. There’s not much in the way of toe protection either, and these tennis shoes are not as flexible as other shoes on our list.

8. Asics Gel-Resolution 8

The Asics Gel-Resolution 8 tennis shoe features an extra layer of rubber and a seamless upper. The reinforced heel provides unparalleled stability and support. Some may find these tennis shoes to be heavy and not as breathable as others. Those with wide feet should look elsewhere.

9. New Balance Fresh Foam X Lav V2

Vibrant colors help the New Balance Fresh Foam X Lav V2 tennis shoes to stand out on the shelf. These tennis shoes provide some of the best heel support and durability on the market. There are standard as well as wide styles available, so you can choose your favorite colors.

In some cases, the New Balance Fresh Foam X Lav V2 tennis shoes might run narrow. However, they do provide a lightweight feel to keep your foot from getting tired too quickly.

10. Wilson Rush Pro

Last but certainly not least on our list is the Wilson Rush Pro. This shoe features a sneaker-like look with plenty of comfort and durability built in. In fact, the Duralast rubber compound on the bottom of the shoe provides advanced traction and support, so you can stride confidently. Plus, the 4D support chassis keeps your foot right where it needs to be.

What are the benefits of a cushioned tennis shoe

Investing in cushioned tennis shoes can provide you with the following benefits:

• Arch support
• Decrease in rate of fatigue
• Improved performance on the field
• Faster recovery

Some studies have shown that too much of a cushion can actually put more stress on your leg muscles. At the same time, other studies have shown that factors such as running economy and oxygen cost are optimized with high-cushioned shoes.

Much of our health derives from our feet, so taking care of them is one of the best steps you can take (literally) to improve your overall health.

Final Thoughts

Cushioned tennis shoes can provide a lot of benefits for your feet and the rest of your body. The 10 cushioned tennis shoes we’ve included on our list are prime examples of the difference such a shoe can make when money is no object. Find the most cushioned tennis shoes for your feet to take advantage of greater performance, a faster recovery, and a better overall experience.