How to Buy Tennis Shoes
Playing sports and other athletic activities put stress on your feet. This makes it imperative to purchase quality tennis shoes. Once you know what to look for in a tennis shoe, you will know what questions to ask at the shoe store to ensure the tennis shoes are a match for your needs.
- Take measurements of your feet. The size of people's feet changes, even in adulthood, making it important to measure your feet every year to get your proper size. An improper shoe fit is a major cause of injuries. To determine the shape of your foot, wet the bottom of your feet and step on a piece of brown paper. This shows you where your foot lands when it hits the floor and reveals any special foot conditions such as high arches or over-pronation. If you suffer from over-pronation, then you should opt for a tennis shoe that offers motion control and extra support. High arches are revealed if only the skinny outer edge of your foot leaves an impression on the brown paper between the heel and ball of your foot.
- Choose the right type of tennis shoes for your desired playing style and court type. Every type of athletic shoe is designed to handle certain types of activity. Walking shoes are stiff, while running shoes flex at strategic points and offer more cushioning to handle the physical shocks of running. Cross training shoes feature breathable mesh and improved lateral support for activities like aerobics. Choosing correct tennis shoes encompasses a player’s style. Tennis players who charge the net often or serve by sliding their front foot back need a shoe with a durable toecap, for example. A baseline player will need a tennis shoe that offers lateral support to handle lateral swaying and side-to-side motion. A tennis player who plays on hard courts should opt for a shoe with durable soles, while a clay or grass player will need better traction in the soles of their tennis shoes.
- Shop for tennis shoes later in the day. Your feet swell during the day, so it is better to shop for shoes when your feet are at their largest. Failing to do so may leave you with tighter fitting shoes than you had originally bought.