Buying The Perfect Tennis Shoe

Although originally designed for Tennis, the tennis shoe has evolved into many things. Still carrying the same name, the tennis shoe has become used as an athletic shoe, used for sporting and strenuous activities. Tennis shoes are also known in different names in different parts of the world like trainers in U.K., runner shoes in Canada, sandshoes in Australia.

These shoes are used extensively in sports like tennis, running, jumping and basketball. Tennis shoes are made up of very flexible material and rubber sole are used to give ultimate comfort. Costly and branded tennis shoes are available in different shapes for different types of users. For those with more disposeable income, you can still opt for custom made tennis shoes in case you are not able to find your right shoe size or shape.

Here are some great tips for picking up a great pair of tennis shoes to put to good use.

Do not go in only for brand names and looks. Looks do not matter as long as the shoe serves your purpose and though brand name has some worth, they should not be the sole criterion to choose a tennis shoe. You should give more consideration to its functionality. That being said, a nice shoe and one you want to wear is important. The point is, don't buy just on looks. If it looks good but doesn't fit well, then don't get the shoe. Find something else.

Choose tennis shoes according to your foot type. The foot should fit comfortably without any stretching. Do not fall into the trap that a sales person will say that your shoes will stretch a bit to fit you. If you are buying a good pair of shoes, then they need to fit well from day one. If you think they need to stretch to fit, then they don't fit.

Many people overlook to check the robustness of the heel box. A heel box is the part of the tennis shoes that covers the heel of your feet and keeps your feet in control while playing. Ideally the heel box should be made of leather with some rubber or plastic as support. To see the resistance of your heel box, you can try squeezing or bending it over. The heel box should be firm, and not flex. Excessive flex will not give you the support you need.

Flexibility is an important aspect to look at while choosing tennis shoes. The ideal shoes should bend easily. In addition, tennis shoes should have cushioning and shock absorption quality. It helps while playing tennis on hard courts. Also consider the weight of the shoe. If it is very heavy, it can slow you down.

Watch out for the air max unit in the heel area of your tennis shoes. The air max unit provides great protection to your feet especially on hard court surface. You may want to consider one that does not have a air cushion, as these tend to burst after a great deal of activity. They feel good at first, but when they deflate, the shoe can become uncomfortable.

The upper part of the shoes covers the fore and mid foot and saves you from any unforeseen injury. Hence ultimate care should be given to see if your feet fit comfortably in the upper region.

Replace shoes when they are worn. If the material is excessively frayed, and or the soles are worn and uneven, then pick up a new pair of shoes. The worn soles can have negative effects on your posture, and the worn soles can cause you to slip unnecessarily. Over time, the action of the shoe, also known as it's responsiveness, will also diminish.

Lastly, make sure you know which kinds of surfaces you will be using your shoes on. Talk with your sales person and make sure the shoes you buy are designed for the surface you will be playing on.