Are Old School Shoes Suitable?
- Thread starter slowfox
- Start date
Smasher08
Legend
How much running do you do, and how much do you weigh?
Yes, you can probably get away with SSs, but shoe support and cushioning really has come a long way in the past 40 years. Top of the line New Balance and Asics are probably the best (imo at least) shoes out there, and if you need to play athletic points you'll probably have far more left in the tank with modern shoes.
Let's put it this way: they're your knees, so how much of a pounding do you want to subject them to?
Yes, you can probably get away with SSs, but shoe support and cushioning really has come a long way in the past 40 years. Top of the line New Balance and Asics are probably the best (imo at least) shoes out there, and if you need to play athletic points you'll probably have far more left in the tank with modern shoes.
Let's put it this way: they're your knees, so how much of a pounding do you want to subject them to?
Well dont they have a warranty so 100 for 2 pairs
CaptinStiff
New User
Pumas in the casual section and more than likely fashion shoes not suitable for any sort of competitive tennis. Although $50 shoe can be just as good as a $100+ shoe if your willing to sacrifice some level of durability, cosmetics and comfort. Just make sure you get the right "type" of shoe, i.e. crosstrainer, or dedicated tennis shoe like the ones at TW. Avoid pure running and fashion shoes that wont provide the proper lateral support you'll need.
Smasher08
Legend
Unplayable, no.
I once tried playing on hardcourts in Chuck Taylors.
Never again. You'll feel it in your knees within minutes. And at the time I didn't even weigh 150.
iradical18
Professional
I definitely think they are suitable but it all comes down to your preference and whether you are able to sacrifice the comforts that newer shoes provide. I would love to play in some older shoes but since I'm heavier than your average player and have extremely flat feet I need something with cushion that will support my weight and my duck feet 
.
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goran_ace
Hall of Fame
I have a pair of Stan Smiths I wear casually and I don't think they would hold up very long playing in them. In addition to tearing up my feet they'd probably fall apart. It may have retained the same design over the years, but I'd guess the modern retro version probably isn't manufactured as well as the originals back when it was a premium tennis shoe. I don't see the point of even trying when for around the price of a new pair of Stan Smiths you have these options:
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Babolat_V-Pro_All_Court_Style/descpageMSBAB-BMVPACS.html
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Head_Speed_Pro/descpageMSHEAD-HMSPWB.html
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Prince_T14_White_Black/descpageMSPRINCE-PT14MWB.html
Still want the retro look?
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/converse_jack_purcell_evo/descpagemsconv-cjpevo.html (really limited sizes)
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Babolat_V-Pro_All_Court_Style/descpageMSBAB-BMVPACS.html
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Head_Speed_Pro/descpageMSHEAD-HMSPWB.html
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Prince_T14_White_Black/descpageMSPRINCE-PT14MWB.html
Still want the retro look?
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/converse_jack_purcell_evo/descpagemsconv-cjpevo.html (really limited sizes)
Ace of Aces
Semi-Pro
The K-Swiss classics are the only tennis shoe I don't put a hole in within two months. Their affordable too.
TW clearance section.
If you have decent Basketball shoes then you can use those also, as long as you aren't a toe dragger. Basketball shoes have more ankle support since you are more likely to step on the someone elses foot and twist your ankle, and tennis shoes tend to have a bit more cushioning, but they're both designed for similar types of movement.
Don't forget that basketball players used to wear canvas Converse....absolutely no ankle support. Shoe technology has come a long way.
If you have decent Basketball shoes then you can use those also, as long as you aren't a toe dragger. Basketball shoes have more ankle support since you are more likely to step on the someone elses foot and twist your ankle, and tennis shoes tend to have a bit more cushioning, but they're both designed for similar types of movement.
Don't forget that basketball players used to wear canvas Converse....absolutely no ankle support. Shoe technology has come a long way.
Povl Carstensen
Legend
No research indicate that modern running shoes have diminished the amount of injuries. And I have heard of no research showing it for racket sports. But Chuck Taylors are not a very healthy shoe imo.
OnyxZ28
Hall of Fame
I actually played 3 months in a pair of NOS Wilson Pro Staffs with the Goodyear outsole. (Not the later batches with Wilson's own rubber that were less cushioned.) The Prostaffs outlasted my BF2s at the time and were just as comfortable. It's really too bad Wilson DC'd these shoes. Any chance for an SMU, TW?
Are Diadora's still around? Those Borgs looked so cool. I don't see them in the States.
BreakPoint
Bionic Poster
Yeah, but do you know how much a knee replacement costs?
Povl Carstensen
Legend
Well I am 52, run and play tennis without shoes, no problems with my knees.
goober
Legend
IF you are playing 3.5 doubles and you are not moving around much- you will be fine.
If you are on the heavy side, run around a lot or have any kind of ankle/foot stability issues you could have problems.
The thing you have to remember is that you do NOT have to spend $120 on a pair of tennis shoes for good support or cushioning. Get last years high end models or when they are on clearance. You can get a lot of good shoes with good support and cushioning for around $40-60 if you shop around.
As you have said ad nauseam. Everyone is different, with regards to both their joints and the level at which they play tennis. Being stronger at the former and weaker at the latter will aid knee health.
To the OP, just buy a pair of top of the line warrantied shoes on clearance for $80. That works out as just $40 per pair and the shoes could last you a total of one whole year. Even if they only last less than that, it's still a small price to pay in my opinion.
