Running shoes good for Tennis

[hcb0804]

This ^

Only a complete fool would wear running shoes to play tennis in.

I have in the past used cross-trainers - and indeed so did many pros - but the trend in trainers in recent years, especially Nike, has been shifting them towards the running shoe side of fence - much lighter and flimsier than tennis shoes. I imagine this is because so many people use them primarily as casual shoes and the last decade's growth in gym use as opposed to outdoor training.

A really popular Nike tennis shoe in the late 80s worn by McEnroe and Agassi was the Air Trainer 1.

Whose autograph is that? And I never saw those with mesh uppers, only leather.

 

[chrischris]

You guys still use shoes to play tennis?

Don't you know that barefoot is the only way? The natural way?

You are just slaves to the great sports shoe conspiracy man.

No not really.
We are just making sure business doesnt die out and the economy too. The shoe must go on.

 

[Povl Carstensen]

Try it. Put a piece of board on a phone book and stand on it. Then put the same piece of wood on a pillow and see how unstable it is comparatively.

I just did an experiment. Try and stand up barefoot/in socks/in minimal shoes like Vivo Barefoot or Vibram FF if have them, and try to roll your ankle outwards to the point of pain. You (I) cant.
Then I put on my only pair of normal raised shoes. Admittedly they are regular black shoes, that I keep for when that is needed. I tipped my ankle outwards, and suddenly it got over the edge/tipping point of the sole, and I felt a sharp stinging pain. When you get over this point, the sole works as lever that multiply the forces working on the ankle/ligaments to the point were you get injuries. The samme happens when the edge of the raised sole catches the court/a line, the force is multiplied by the leverage. I guess we have all seen 1 or 2 slowmotion recordings of this happening, making us cringe.

 

[pvaudio]

I wear Asics GTs when running. While I am convinced they help me run faster than any other shoe I've owned, I cannot imagine bringing them on a tennis court. They are made for straight line, constant speeds. Nerd terms: running shoes are for velocity and vertical support, tennis shoes are for acceleration and lateral support.

 

[floridatennisdude]

I've found that running shoes definitely have more cushion than tennis shoes, and so it really helps keep my knees tendinitis-free.

Also, I argue that running shoes actually reduce my risk of rolling my ankles. Tennis shoes have wider base and hard edges, while running shoes have much softer edges.

Once you start to roll in tennis shoes and get past the point of no return, you've rolled it. Now you're out for a few weeks.

But with running shoes -- and the softer edges -- there is no point of no return. When you start to roll a little, you can always catch yourself.

I used to roll my ankles fairly severely and frequently until I swtiched to running shoes 5 years ago. Now I know that tennis shoes are dangerous and high risk for my ankles.

By the way, I am being 100% serious -- this post is no joke.

To heck with all the engineers and kinetic science. This guy plays in running shoes so everyone should.

- said no one ever

 

[floridatennisdude]

I just did an experiment. Try and stand up barefoot/in socks/in minimal shoes like Vivo Barefoot or Vibram FF if have them, and try to roll your ankle outwards to the point of pain. You (I) cant.
Then I put on my only pair of normal raised shoes. Admittedly they are regular black shoes, that I keep for when that is needed. I tipped my ankle outwards, and suddenly it got over the edge/tipping point of the sole, and I felt a sharp stinging pain. When you get over this point, the sole works as lever that multiply the forces working on the ankle/ligaments to the point were you get injuries. The samme happens when the edge of the raised sole catches the court/a line, the force is multiplied by the leverage. I guess we have all seen 1 or 2 slowmotion recordings of this happening, making us cringe.

Try this, put on a boxing glove and punch yourself in the face as hard as you can. Then, remove the glove and punch yourself equally as hard in the face. Tough guys can try this same experiment with 2 punches to the groin.

My experiment has zero to do with shoes. I just giggled trying to picture this guy rolling his ankle on purpose. Figured he'd be a test dummy for me.

 

[pvaudio]

Being as respectful as possible, but the people saying that running shoes are either just as good or better than tennis shoes for playing tennis probably aren't moving that explosively.

 

[Povl Carstensen]

Try this, put on a boxing glove and punch yourself in the face as hard as you can. Then, remove the glove and punch yourself equally as hard in the face. Tough guys can try this same experiment with 2 punches to the groin.

My experiment has zero to do with shoes. I just giggled trying to picture this guy rolling his ankle on purpose. Figured he'd be a test dummy for me.

Tried the experiment. Looking foreward to compare notes. I just have a problem with blood in my keyboard.

 

[floridatennisdude]

Tried the experiment. Looking foreward to compare notes. I just have a problem with blood in my keyboard.

Nah, no comparing. You're the expert on this one.

Just show pictures of how it went and ill be a believer.

 

[Povl Carstensen]

Stkjll hdajavinsg psroblems witsrh tashe keæyboaræd...

 

[3fees]

Nike alvord 8 or 9, your feet thank you.

 

[akind]

You can't beat the feeling of playing tennis with Dunlop Volley Shoes...

 

[Povl Carstensen]

They do look cool, he... This was more or less the type all sportsshoes used to be, and nothing indicates that the rate of injuries has gone down since.