If you've never been in the market for a new pair of women's tennis shoes, we have a spoiler for you. It's huge. We're talking about the kind of huge that will leave you overwhelmed. So, to help you navigate through this market, here is a comprehensive buyer's guide section.
Things To Consider When Buying Women’s Tennis Shoes
Let's start things off by taking you through two important considerations that you must make before buying a new pair of tennis shoes:
Playstyle
Unless you're a recreational player of the sport (in which case we recommend buying a pair of shoes that provides more cushioning and comfort), you will need a pair of kicks that are specifically made to support and enhance your playstyle.
Experts recommend buying something with more sturdiness if you tend to play volley or consider yourself a serving player. For those of us who enjoy playing on the baseline, a pair of tennis shoes that offer high amounts of speed and some sort of lateral support should be the go-to.
Court
Just like different types of cars thrive on different types of tracks, you will find women's tennis shoes designed for specific types of courts. If you often find yourself in indoor courts, we recommend buying carpet court women's tennis shoes. These boast softer soles and like ones made for grass and clay courts, aren't made to take that much of a beating.
Enhanced durability and shock absorption are found in hard court and hybrid tennis shoes. The latter type has quite a universal design with herringbone patterns on the grip. Such an all-court women's tennis shoe is great for someone who has no real preference when it comes to terrain.
How Long Does a Typical Pair of Women’s Tennis Shoes Last?
There are plenty of factors that determine the overall longevity of your new pair of tennis shoes. Your weight, the quality of the shoe's stitching and materials, the type of court, the aggressiveness of your playstyle, and the frequency of your visits to the court all factor into it.
The United States Tennis Association (USTA) states that the average tennis shoe's midsole will start to degrade after 45-60 hours of playtime. This playtime can be achieved in a mere month by pro players and after this time, the springiness and comfort of the shoe will start to go down so it is worth replacing the pair.
Buying Tips for the Top Women's Tennis Shoes
Now that you know all about the lifespan of women's tennis shoes, let's equip you with these three tips that are sure to aid you when navigating the market for one:
Aesthetics
Wouldn't it be wonderful if you'd be able to dominate the court in terms of both performance and style? And by style, we don't mean you hopping and volleying through each round. We mean making a statement with your outfit. So, try matching up your sweatband, polo shirt, and tennis shoes, and then contrast them up with your bottoms and socks to be the envy of the court.
Fit
Your new tennis shoes must fit you perfectly. From correctly measuring your foot to ensuring the accuracy of the size chart, making sure of your shoe's fit will go a long way in enhancing your comfort and safety. We recommend a snug fit on the sides after your tennis shoes are laced up with just enough room to wiggle your toes around inside the toe box.
Talking about lacing systems, you must go for something super easy and uncomplicated. Trust us, the last thing you want is to have your flow broken by a lace that got united and that will now take up your valuable time and effort.
How Much Do Women's Tennis Shoes Usually Cost? Are They Even Worth Buying?
In a sport like tennis, where every movement is a potential ankle twist, a high-quality pair of tennis shoes can save you frequent trips to the orthopedic and allow you to enjoy every second of the sport in comfort without worrying about injuring your foot. So, it goes without saying that a new pair of tennis shoes will be a worthwhile purchase.
Women's tennis shoes usually retail for around $60 where a higher price tag will usually get you a better brand name. These premium brands also usually equip their shoes with proprietary technologies that help enhance the game even more. What's important is that your new pair of kicks fit well, are comfortable, and are meant to upgrade your movement.
