The best tennis shoes for women can be found from any of the major tennis shoe brands. However, the tennis shoes that will be best for you will depend heavily on your personal preferences. Each brand has its own benefits and drawbacks.
When choosing shoes, you should also consider what surface you play on. For hard courts, you will need a shoe with better cushioning; for clay courts, you will need more lateral support and traction.
Another major component is your foot shape. If you have a high arch, narrow, or wide feet, you will need shoes with different footbeds and support.
Although there are excellent options from other major brands, the following three options are some of the best tennis shoes for women. Let’s now take a closer look at your options.
Top 3 Best Tennis Shoes for Women in 2021
1. ASICS Women’s GEL-Solution Speed 3 Tennis Shoe
- Rearfoot and forefoot gel cushioning systems- attenuates shock during impact and toe-off phases, and allows movement in multiple planes as the foot transitions through the gait cycle
- P guard toe protector- enhanced toe durability
- Flexion fit- proprietary upper which provides form fitting comfort without sacrificing support
- P.H.F. (personal heel fit)- 2 layers of memory foam line the collar and mold to the athletes heel, creating a personalized fit
- Solyte midsole material- a lighter weight midsole compound than ASICS standard ethylene vinyl acetate and Sp ethylene vinyl acetate. Also features enhanced cushioning and durability
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
ASICS has great shoes for both men and women at a variety of price points. One of their best options is the women’s Gel-Solution Speed 3 tennis shoes. They are fairly lightweight while providing support and cushioning.
Like many tennis shoes, the Gel-Solution Speed 3 tennis shoes are made from synthetic materials and include a number of great comfort features. Their features include:
- Mesh lining for breathability
- Gel cushioning in the forefoot
- Non-marking outsole for multiple surfaces
Although these shoes are technically made for all court surfaces, they are best suited for softer courts as they are lightweight. If you do decide to play on hard courts, however, the gel cushioning will protect your feet well.
One thing to keep in mind is that they do run a little small, so you will need to size up slightly. Also, since they are lightweight they do not have the rigid support of other tennis shoes.
Overall, the ASICS women’s Gel-Solution Speed 3 tennis shoes are an excellent choice for a lightweight tennis shoe. Out of all the options, these shoes are one of the best options for women’s tennis shoes.
2. Nike Women’s Zoom Vapor 9.5 Tour Tennis Shoe
- Nike adaptive fit technolog
- Lightweight textiles
- Phylon™ midsole
- Responsive cushioning
- Excellent hard court traction
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Nike also makes a wide variety of tennis shoes for both men and women. The women’s Zoom Vapor 9.5 Tour tennis shoes are one of their top designs. These shoes are made for all court surface types.
As the Zoom Vapor 9.5 Tour tennis shoes are a higher-end shoe, they have many bells and whistles. Their features include:
- Adaptive Fit wraps from the arch to the laces for customization
- Cushioning in the heel for impact
- Flex grooves for increased natural movement
The Zoom Vapor 9.5 Tour tennis shoes’ main claim to fame is that they have a customized fit. Because they are totally adjustable, they will fit each player uniquely for a glove-like fit.
Unlike the previous option, these shoes work well for both hard and soft courts. They fit high up the ankle, providing good support for lateral moves on a clay court. They also, however, have great cushioning and shock absorption for hard courts.
The Nike women’s Zoom Vapor 9.5 Tour tennis shoes are an excellent all-around tennis shoe.
No matter what surface you play on, these are one of the top tennis shoe options for women.
3. Adidas Performance Women’s Galaxy Allegra III Tennis Shoe
- Lace closure
- No marking sole, meaning no marks will be left on the court
- Durable Adiwear outsole; Mesh lining
- Lightweight EVA midsole
- Mesh upper with synthetic overlay; Reinforced loopholes
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
The Adidas Performance women’s Galaxy Allegra III tennis shoes are one of the top Adidas pairs. Unlike the previous two options, these shoes cater to hardcourt players mainly.
Even though they are a mid-range priced shoe, the Galaxy Allegra III tennis shoes actually include many of the features of more expensive options. Their features include:
- Torsion bar of stability
- Hard court outsole
- Thermoplastic polyurethane midfoot support for stability
One thing that makes these shoes stand out against the other hard-court options is that they are very lightweight. While most hard-court shoes are heavy in an attempt to be durable, these manage to have the best of both worlds.
As with many other options on the market, these shoes can run a little big for narrow feet. Make sure you size down by about half a size to optimize the fit.
The Adidas Performance women’s Galaxy Allegra III tennis shoes are a great choice for hard court tennis shoes. Between their supportiveness and comfort, they are one of the best tennis shoe options for women.
How To Buy Best Tennis Shoes for Women (Guide)
While many casual players play tennis in running shoes, the right tennis shoes are essential to improving your game and protecting your health.
Tennis has more sudden stops and starts, side-to-side movement, and big hard steps than other sports, and tennis shoes are designed accordingly.
Furthermore, the court surface has a big impact on what shoes are worn and how the game is played. It’s important to invest in the right pair of shoes for your tennis game.
Before you shop for tennis shoes, here are a few things to consider:
1. What’s your court surface?
Hard court shoes offer more durability in the outsole and cushioning in the midsole, to protect from the greater impact of hard court games.
Clay court shoes offer additional traction without damaging the court surface. Grass court shoes offer extra grip against slippery grass.
The court surface also affects how the ball bounces, and therefore your body motion during game play.
If you regularly play on multiple surfaces, consider an all-court shoe, but if your game is focused on a particular surface, it’s better to wear specialized shoes.
2. What’s your game?
If you are a baseline player, you need extra structure in the shoe for lots of lateral motion.
If you are a serve-and-volley player, heel and toe fit are crucial for the sudden lunges and charges of the net.
Frequent sliding of the back foot during serve-and-volley play also calls for a reinforced toecap in the tennis shoe.
3. How are your feet?
Tennis shoes are typically flatter than those designed for other sports, due to the need to grip the court surface for stability. Your arches may need additional support for comfort and injury prevention.
If you habitually rotate your feet so that the pressure is on the outside of your feet (supinated) or toward the inside of your feet (pronated), you will want a shoe to accommodate your habitual stride.
To test your feet, get them slightly wet and step on a piece of paper to leave a footprint.
Examine your footprint. If you see the entire outline of your foot with almost no narrowing at the arch, you probably pronate your feet and will need a tennis shoe with extra stability.
If your footprint has a very large arch area, with only a small amount of the outside of your foot making contact with the ground, you probably have supinated feet and will need tennis shoes with additional shock support.
If your footprint looks average, with a clear outline and a normal narrowing at the arch, you probably have normal feet and can wear a range of tennis shoes. With this information, you are ready to start trying out shoes.
Also Read: Best Tennis Socks for Men & Women in 2021
4. How should tennis shoes fit?
When trying on tennis shoes, here are a few things to be aware of.
Upon first trying them on, they should fit like a glove. Do not get shoes that are too tight under the assumption that they will loosen up when broken in. They should hold your feet firmly without gripping or constricting.
Be attentive to any slipping in the heel. Heel slipping will impact your game during sudden starts and stops. The shoe should firmly hold your heel without binding.
Have a thumbs-width of room at the toe. You should be able to move your toes within the toe box, and have room beyond the tip of your big toe for forward movement.
Room in the toe box protects your feet in sudden stops and lunges, and space in the toe box is crucial for serve-and-volley players.
Your feet should feel deep and low in the shoe. The sides and back of the shoe should cradle and support the sides and back of your feet. This support around the side and back of your foot is essential for safe, rapid lateral motion, and key for baseline play.
Notice the level of support. If you feel as though your feet move around too much inside the shoe, and the inner sole isn’t supporting your arches, consider an insert.
Your new shoes should be worn casually for a while before you debut them on the court, in case you find that they bind, chafe, or cause blisters.
Wear them around the house or for light errands (not for a marathon) to identify any potential problems, and to help them conform to your feet.
5. How many pairs of tennis shoes do I need?
Once you’ve found the right shoes for your game and your feet, you may want to consider owning multiple pairs.
If you play on grass in the summer, and hard courts in the winter, you will probably want a pair for each season.
If you play more than 2-3 times a week, it’s a good idea to have two pairs of tennis shoes and alternate them, so that your shoes have time to clean and dry thoroughly between games.
Allowing your shoes time to dry preserves their performance for longer, and prevents odor.
6. How often should you replace tennis shoes?
Most players should replace their shoes once or twice a year, depending on how frequently they play, how damaging the court surface is on their shoes, and how heavily they impact their shoes during their game.
Watch your shoes to wear. If the outsole is getting very thin, you should replace your shoes before it has worn completely through.
So that you have the protection and durability of a solid outsole, as well as giving yourself some time to break in a new pair before they are needed on the court.
Watching your wear pattern will also give you insights into how you use your feet during your game, so you can look for additional reinforcing or cushioning in those areas.
Finally, try out new tennis shoes every couple of years, even if you are loyal to your tried-and-trusted brand. Not only does your game play change over time, but shoe design and technology evolves every year.
Don’t let your brand loyalty prevent you from taking advantage of the latest advancements in tennis shoes: keep an open mind.
Now you know how what to look for when shopping for new tennis shoes, and how tennis shoes should fit your feet and support your game.
Investing in the right shoes pays off on improving your performance, as well as protecting your health and preventing injuries. Keep trying until you find the perfect pair for you.
Final Words
Each tennis shoe brand offers different features and fits different needs. Consider what your personal needs are before purchasing any tennis shoes.
Although there are many other good options, because of their superior features, the three options discussed above are the best tennis shoes for women on the market.
My name is Reagen and I started AllTennisGear (earlier AllTennisShoes) as a way to share my humble experience and help new Tennis players. Thank you for spending a few minutes of your day here and know that your feedback is always welcome.
Last update on 2022-11-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Perhaps this was written much earlier than November, 2020 because it is mid January, 2021 and the ASICS is mostly sold out on Amazon. This is because this shoe is well over a year old. Ugh.
Hi Pat,
Yes, the article was written before that but from what I can see, Asics shoes are still available (in a different color). You can check it yourself here.
Thanks for your comment 🙂