Tennis shoes without plastic/rubber on uppers

[ChristineLand]

Could I get a recommendation for a pair of tennis shoes without any plastic or rubber on the inside upper of the shoe and that can also accommodate a narrow heel?

Most tennis shoes include plastic or rubber for stability right where my bunions are located, and these reinforcements cause me so much pain. I'm better off with mesh or something with give that will shape to my feet.

Additionally, I have very narrow heels, so shoes that are wide throughout are problematic. The shoes need to be wide enough for my bunions up top but narrow in the heel area. (It's a drag.)

FWIW, I play three times a week and also have knee issues.

 

[TW Staff]

Could I get a recommendation for a pair of tennis shoes without any plastic or rubber on the inside upper of the shoe and that can also accommodate a narrow heel?

Most tennis shoes include plastic or rubber for stability right where my bunions are located, and these reinforcements cause me so much pain. I'm better off with mesh or something with give that will shape to my feet.

Additionally, I have very narrow heels, so shoes that are wide throughout are problematic. The shoes need to be wide enough for my bunions up top but narrow in the heel area. (It's a drag.)

FWIW, I play three times a week and also have knee issues.

@ChristineLand
Hmmmm...this could be tough because as you note, most shoes have the plastic/TPU for added stability which is needed for tennis movement more or less.

The ones that don't have that are some of the lower end, more value-oriented shoes, do you think this shoe would work?
- Nike Zoom Court Lite 3: https://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Nike_Womens_Zoom_Court_Lite_3_Tennis_Shoes/catpage-WSNIKEZOOML.html

Some suggestions on more narrow fitting shoes (but they do have plastic support pieces) would be the Babolat Jet Shoes (Mach III & Tere) and Asics Solution Speed or Solution Swift (but think these are backordered now).

Hope that helps a little,
Michelle, TW

 

[ChristineLand]

Your suggestion could work. Those shoes wouldn't agitate my bunions, but I'm concerned that they're more value-oriented than anything. These look like they also don't have the plastic along the side: https://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Ni..._Coral_Womens_Shoe/descpageWSNIKE-NWCPPC.html. Do you know if that's the case?

Would a higher-end shoe from a different sport/category (i.e., crosstraining, pickleball, etc.) be worth considering over a lower-end tennis shoe? If so, what features should I prioritize, so the shoe is suitable for tennis?

Thanks so much for your help, Michelle!

 

[TW Staff]

Your suggestion could work. Those shoes wouldn't agitate my bunions, but I'm concerned that they're more value-oriented than anything. These look like they also don't have the plastic along the side: https://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Ni..._Coral_Womens_Shoe/descpageWSNIKE-NWCPPC.html. Do you know if that's the case?

Would a higher-end shoe from a different sport/category (i.e., crosstraining, pickleball, etc.) be worth considering over a lower-end tennis shoe? If so, what features should I prioritize, so the shoe is suitable for tennis?

Thanks so much for your help, Michelle!

@ChristineLand

These JUST got in and we JUST finished our test on them (you can find the video at the bottom of the page), so you can take a bit more of a look at them, but they were ones that both Tiffani and I thought might work well for what you are looking for!

Head Sprint Pro 3.5 Salmon/Orange Women's Shoes | Tennis Warehouse

www.tennis-warehouse.com

I personally don't like suggesting shoes from other categories for tennis. Pickleball would be suitable, but I have found those shoes tend to run wider. Cross training could be tough as they just aren't as stable in my opinion.

But yes! Those Nike Court Zoom Pros look like they may fit perfectly for what you are looking for. Apologies for not suggesting them first, I hesitate to suggest shoes I've never tried on and those have been backordered since they launched, so I personally can't speak for them yet (currently they are backordered til mid-May); but it might be worth waiting for! They are meant to be very comfortable and definitely a great option!

Michelle, TW

 

[ChristineLand]

Those Head Sprint Pros are good-looking shoes! They do have reinforcement in the bunion area labeled "Drift Defense." Is this material not as stiff as the plastic reinforcements most shoes have?

Many thanks to you and Tiffani for your continued assistance!

 

[TW Staff]

Those Head Sprint Pros are good-looking shoes! They do have reinforcement in the bunion area labeled "Drift Defense." Is this material not as stiff as the plastic reinforcements most shoes have?

Many thanks to you and Tiffani for your continued assistance!

@ChristineLand

Yes, you are right, the Drift Defense is there -- we just tried them on again, it is a bit softer than with other shoes and with narrower feet, we think it might be OK but also can understand it may cause irritation. However, you could try them -- buy them and try them on (on carpet) and if it doesn't work, send them back with our free returns and if it does work, woot! Problem solved. If it doesn't work, opt in for those Nikes (but since those aren't in stock yet, maybe you find a shoe that works before then!).

We're getting closer!
Some other shoes we might suggest would be the new Mizunos (but they aren't in stock yet but we are hoping they come in next month; they have a full TPU upper but there isn't a spot that digs in and we are finding it to feel super soft); the 996v4 is super soft (but we are struggling with inventory and sizes - https://www.tennis-warehouse.com/New_Balance_Womens_996v4_Tennis_Shoes/catpage-WSNB996B.html); and then one we thought would be good but is going to fit a bit wide would be the KSwiss Hypercourt Supreme (full tpu upper but no hotspots that dig in) -- https://www.tennis-warehouse.com/KSwiss_Womens_Hypercourt_Supreme/catpage-WSKSWHYPSUP.html

Hope some of this helps,
Michelle, TW

 

[ChristineLand]

I really appreciate all the advice, and I hope I'm not keeping you from Indian Wells! If so, please go enjoy yourself. My shoe questions can wait!

For context, these are the shoes that caused me problems previously: https://pickleballparadise.com/products/new-balance-896-b-womens-court-shoe-navy. I played with them for a month or so before the NDure material--not sure what it's made of exactly--started bothering me. My bunions ended up inflamed, and I had to lay off exercise for a while.

I've avoided firmer material, such as tpu, in the bunion area ever since. That said, it's possible that some have enough give for me, and I just don't know the difference. So if you have advice on when these materials are worth considering for my situation and when they aren't, that would be valuable information to me!

 

[TW Staff]

These might also work out for you and we have good stock:
Asics Gel Dedicate 7 White/Pure Silver Women's Shoes 64.95

Asics Gel Dedicate 7 White/Pure Silver Women's Shoes | Tennis Warehouse

www.tennis-warehouse.com

The forefoot is reinforced with the same material as the regular upper. Not as durable/supportive as TPU but hopefully more comfortable for your feet and the white/silver colorway pretty much goes with everything. The way these are built reminds me of the Asics Gel Game several versions ago (but that shoe is in its 8th iteration and now also has TPU). The older Gel Games felt light and comfortable and I'd expect similar results with the Dedicate 7.
Cheers, Chris, TW.

 

[ChristineLand]

These look similar to a pair of Asics I had a few years back and seem like a safe bet. Thank you, Chris!