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Choosing a Speed or Stability Tennis Shoe

It's important to find the right pair of tennis shoes that suit your movement style to have you feeling dialled in and confident while playing.

The good news is that you have a lot of options and almost every brand out there features a speed line and a stability line of shoes to consider. The best tennis shoe for you will depend on what exactly you are looking to get out of your on court footwear. adidas, Asics and Nike are three of the top brands we sell that offer both speed and stability options.

What is a "speed" shoe?

As far as speed shoes are concerned, the uppers will be minimalistic and lightweight. There will be some cushioning in the midsole, but not in excessive amounts, and the outsole will generally use lighter materials, meaning that shoes built for speed will not be the most durable choice. If you are a more aggressive mover and like to slide, a speed option is more likely to suit your needs. It is worth noting that these options and others like them do offer stability, but in general they are going to flex more in order to mould and move with your foot more efficiently. At Tennis Warehouse, we classify men's shoes weighing less than 14 ounces/ 396.8 grams (size 10.5) and women's shoes less than 12 ouces/ 340.1 grams (size 8.5) as lightweight.

Shop men's lightweight tennis shoes

Shop women's lightweight tennis shoes

What is a "stability" shoe?

On the other end of the spectrum are the shoe offerings purposed for stability. These models are built to hold your feet securely while providing ultimate comfort and confident steps. The advanced materials, supportive uppers, abundance of cushioning through the midsole and heavier, durable outsoles all work together to facilitate stability in your movements. Quick cuts are going to feel more secure and you will be less likely to tip over or take a spill on the court.

Shop men's stability shoes

Shop women's stability shoes


How We Pick

Wonder how we choose best gear recommendations? We gather from our playtesters' firsthand experiences reviewing and playing with all the tennis gear. We form our lists based on their reviews and feedback.