Most joint-friendly tennis shoes?

[navigator]

I have no joint issues whatsoever (knock wood) but I'd like to keep it that way (I'm 46).

Any suggestions on tennis shoes with the best shock absorption? I don't care nearly as much about weight as I do about shock absorption.

I've been using (cheap) old-school slazenger and (Vilas) pumas most recently, but I'd like to move into modern times.

 

[Chotobaka]

I don't know if there is an unequivocal best, but the Babolat SFX impress the heck out of me with their cushioning. Sole durability is also very good.

 

[Lukhas]

Yonex. I don't know any shoe (or brand of shoe for that matters) that absorbs shock as well. EDIT: That said, it's not like the topic never was brought up. Using the Search tool may be a good idea...

 

[stringertom]

Is Boast still in business?:twisted:

Shoes are about your feet and how they match up to the different manufacturers' designs. One man's wine is another's poison. You have to find the ones that fit your feet and then pray they don't change too much from year to year. I used to like Nike (Cage models) but switched to Yonex and now they're too narrow so I'm looking for a new solution...maybe New Balance or Asics.

Go try some on until you find something you like. Any model on the upward side of the different lines should protect your feet, ankles and above.

 

[PigPen]

I don't know if there is an unequivocal best, but the Babolat SFX impress the heck out of me with their cushioning. Sole durability is also very good.

Emphatically agree!

 

[mctennis]

I have not tried any of the shoes mentioned here. I have tried some others that were not very feet friendly. I had had horrible luck with any New Balance shoes. Lots of guys I know wear those. To me they separate at the seams way before you get any use out of them. Having said that I have been very happy with the Nike Air Max (whatever the style is currently). Nike changes names all the time on their shoes. I use the full upper leather version. I am not sure if they even make a full leather upper version now. I do not like the "mesh" versions of anything. They are all plastic and to me make do not give the support shoes should. Plus I have a hard time justifying the high price for plastic shoes.

 

[navigator]

Yonex. I don't know any shoe (or brand of shoe for that matters) that absorbs shock as well. EDIT: That said, it's not like the topic never was brought up. Using the Search tool may be a good idea...

I tried the search tool first... found nothing. But I agree that it's hard to believe that this topic hasn't been covered here before.

 

[Micalzon]

Having a good pair of stable shoes is for sure a good thing. I've been impressed with both Adidas and my Lotto's for stability. Have never had a good pair of Nike's or Asics (though I've only tried a handful) and have not tried Babolat's. Once I've found a good shoe, the first thing I do is tear out the crappy insoles that come with it and put in a nice set of athletic insoles (but stay away from anything with that gel stuff. bad news.). A good pair of insoles and the right socks can even make a subpar shoe feel great.

 

[Rabbit]

Prince T22

 

[Rhino]

I think it's a very bad idea to smoke a joint and then play tennis.

 

[WildVolley]

I have no joint issues whatsoever (knock wood) but I'd like to keep it that way (I'm 46).

Any suggestions on tennis shoes with the best shock absorption? I don't care nearly as much about weight as I do about shock absorption.

You may be misguided. It isn't clear whether shock or torque is the greater threat to joints. Some studies suggest that shoes that are more cushioned cause higher torque at the knee than shoes with less cushioning.

As to shock absorption, I haven't found anything to match the Yonex shoes. My favorites are the PCD/254D.

 

[ohplease]

As I get older, I've found I'm more sensitive to when the cushioning bottoms out in my shoes. I feel it in my knees, start getting shin splints, plantar fasciitis flares up, etc.

By that measure the longest lasting shoes in terms of cushioning that I've personally experienced were either the Prince T22 or the Yonex SHT-308 (I have it in my head that the Yonex lasted longer than the Prince). I tend to avoid Adidas as they tend to not be that cushioned, but they also don't bottom out as quickly as Nikes (especially the lunarlons).

I actually like the Asics Gel Resolutions the most, but they do seem to bottom out faster than the Prince or Yonex.

 

[rudester]

After 4 knee surgeries, have become very discriminating when it comes to shoes, for me the shoe makes a huge impact in how comfortable I am playing tennis, went from barricades to Lotto and immediately purchased 2 more pair most comfortable shoe I've ever worn.
But then again there is a lot to be said for "if the shoe fits......"
For my feet have found the answer.

 

[newpball]

I don't know if there is an unequivocal best, but the Babolat SFX impress the heck out of me with their cushioning. Sole durability is also very good.

It's a steal for $80!

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Reviews/BMSFXB/BMSFXBReview.html

 

[Chotobaka]

It's a steal for $80!

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Reviews/BMSFXB/BMSFXBReview.html

Wow! Thanks for pointing that out. I paid $115.00 quite a while back. Ordering a couple of pairs right now, because that price could be a sign that replacements are coming.

 

[martini1]

If you are also talking about ankle protection, go try some Nike zoom air basketball shoes. Some of them now got the XDR outsole which makes it more durable (the downside of wearing basketball shoes for tennis).

The air cushioning is better than the ones you see on tennis shoes. If that's not enough you can always look for some gel inserts.

For rec playing basketball shoes are very good and they also make great walking shoes. But basketball shoes are getting expensive these days. Buy them on sale and you can find some are cheaper than tennis shoes.

 

[Chotobaka]

If you are also talking about ankle protection, go try some Nike zoom air basketball shoes. Some of them now got the XDR outsole which makes it more durable (the downside of wearing basketball shoes for tennis).

The air cushioning is better than the ones you see on tennis shoes. If that's not enough you can always look for some gel inserts.

For rec playing basketball shoes are very good and they also make great walking shoes. But basketball shoes are getting expensive these days. Buy them on sale and you can find some are cheaper than tennis shoes.

Overall, BB shoes suck azz on tennis courts. The last good tennis shoes with extra ankle support were the McEnroe re-issues and the Air Tech Challenge II's before that. I have not played with the fairly recently released Air Tech Challenge Huarache's, but they look like they are cut from the same cloth.

 

[ultradr]

Any suggestions on tennis shoes with the best shock absorption? I don't care nearly as much about weight as I do about shock absorption.

If your issue with ankle is from over-pronation (more joint movement in other words),
the stability is as important as shock absorption, if not more important.

 

[ArliHawk]

If your issue with ankle is from over-pronation (more joint movement in other words),
the stability is as important as shock absorption, if not more important.

If it's overpronation, as said above, an aftermarket insole could help a ton.

 

[vegasgt3]

The new Diadora's are fantastic for me.

 

[Ramon]

Prince T22

I agree with this one. It has great stability and cushioning. I wear a Sof Sol FIT insole in mine.

 

[Povl Carstensen]

Any suggestions on tennis shoes with the best shock absorption?

Yes but shock absorbtion can strain joints because it is unstable.

 

[Povl Carstensen]

As I get older, I've found I'm more sensitive to when the cushioning bottoms out in my shoes. I feel it in my knees, start getting shin splints, plantar fasciitis flares up, etc.

Perhaps it is not so much because the cushioning is out, but because the sole gets warped (like an old mattress), causing constant, shoe imposed pronation (or supination).