This is the Best Shoe I’ve Ever Worn for Tennis on Hard Courts…

[Daedalus]

…and it’s not a tennis shoe.

We all know that running shoes generally don’t provide good lateral support for tennis. I found an exception, and by accident.

After a workout in the gym I went to the club to work on my volleying and didn’t change my shoes. My workout shoe is the Adidas Adizero Adios 6, a shoe that is recommended for 5k-10k running. Using it on a hard court I found the grip to be outstanding, better than any shoe I had ever used. With a sports insole the cushioning is enhanced; the Lightstrike Pro sole already provides a wonderful level of comfort. And surprisingly enough, the lateral support is as good as any shoe I’ve used. And because of the mesh upper my feet stay cool. And it cost me less than $70 on Amazon.

This is a lightweight and very fast shoe. The grippy close-to-herringbone sole is Continental rubber, softer than a tennis shoe. I’m into my fourth month on this shoe (playing 6-8 hours of tennis a week) and while the sole is wearing down I can probably get another two months out of it. If you decide to try this, order a half size larger. I’m loving life in this shoe.

 

[mpournaras]

I am glad those are wrking for you now but your ankles are on borrowed time if you keep it up. I think if you are playing that often you could probably get a purpose-built tennis shoe

Or dont. Do what works best for you. But the quick movements of competition are licking their lips looking at your ankles

 

[MZ9526]

Using these just for running, I could probably get 400 miles in them.

As a tennis shoe on a hard court, I would destroy these in two hours if I didn't already shatter my ankles.

 

[Hawks9451]

My toes would rip off

 

[Daedalus]

I am glad those are wrking for you now but your ankles are on borrowed time if you keep it up. I think if you are playing that often you could probably get a purpose-built tennis shoe

Or dont. Do what works best for you. But the quick movements of competition are licking their lips looking at your ankles

I've been playing tennis for decades and know the difference. I'm aware of the differences between the average running shoe and a tennis shoe - generally I'd expect my foot to be bursting out of a running shoe. I'm all all-court player who also plays lots of serve-and-volley tennis, and I'm sure you know what that entails. This discovery came by accident; it certainly wasn't deliberate.
I don't know about that ankle thing in my case. I'm not some spindly-legged guy with no muscle development in my lower legs. I work out pretty hard with heavy weights so that my muscles can support all of my joints.

https://runpacers.com/products/mens-adidas-adizero-adios-6

 

[Daedalus]

Using these just for running, I could probably get 400 miles in them.

As a tennis shoe on a hard court, I would destroy these in two hours if I didn't already shatter my ankles.

The typical running shoe is not built for lateral support and I expected the same from this one but it isn't the case. I don't know why...maybe it's my own coordination and muscle strength that keeps my ankles stable. As I was telling another person here I work out with heavy weights on a very regular basis so that my muscles can support my joints. This shoe has offered me excellent support. I've been playing tennis for decades now and would not be doing this if it weren't practical or safe. I like to think of it as a happy accident.

 

[Purestriker]

My toes would rip off

This!!

 

[Daedalus]

This!!

That would be expected with the typical running shoe...I'd expect it, too. Hasn't happened.

 

[SupahMan5000]

For me it’s not about strength but sliding on hard court and sudden direction changes make you prone to rolling ankle

 

[Bunco]

Agreed with what others are saying. It may be working for you now, but you're far more likely to roll your ankles in those than any tennis shoe. Basically anything youre saying should be followed with "yet"

 

[Daedalus]

Agreed with what others are saying. It may be working for you now, but you're far more likely to roll your ankles in those than any tennis shoe. Basically anything youre saying should be followed with "yet"

I hear ya...if it hasn't happened in four months it probably won't happen at all.

 

[Daedalus]

For me it’s not about strength but sliding on hard court and sudden direction changes make you prone to rolling ankle

I have never slid on a hard court or rolled an ankle...ever. And I've been playing tennis since I was 11.

 

[Hawks9451]

I have never slid on a hard court or rolled an ankle...ever. And I've been playing tennis since I was 11.

I don't trust a man who's never rolled his ankle AND crapped his pants.

 

[McLovin]

I have never slid on a hard court or rolled an ankle...ever. And I've been playing tennis since I was 11.

Then you must not be trying hard enough…

Seriously, I’ve rolled my ankles sooo many times that I’ve given up and wear ankle braces all the time. Even wearing the braces I’ve rolled them, but the damage is mush less severe.

 

[Daedalus]

Then you must not be trying hard enough…

Seriously, I’ve rolled my ankles sooo many times that I’ve given up and wear ankle braces all the time. Even wearing the braces I’ve rolled them, but the damage is mush less severe.

All due respect: Maybe you guys have a coordination problem.

I have played all of the major sports, two of them at the Division III collegiate level (plus tennis) and I have never twisted an ankle. How and what are you doing when you do this?

 

[Daedalus]

I don't trust a man who's never rolled his ankle AND crapped his pants.

That's funny. Do you also face plant when you fall forward? Some of us are just more coordinated than others.

 

[SupahMan5000]

I havent twisted an ankle either but I have def rolled my ankle many times

and from the looks of it so has Andy Murray, Berretini, and Sinner...I guess they have issues with coordination too. mustve paid their way to the top of the rankings

 

[McLovin]

All due respect: Maybe you guys have a coordination problem.

I have played all of the major sports, two of them at the Division III collegiate level (plus tennis) and I have never twisted an ankle. How and what are you doing when you do this?

As @SupahMan5000 pointed out, playing level/skill has nothing to do with ankle rolls (just ask Zverev). But to answer your question, I’ve rolled/twisted my ankle doing:

• Tennis
• Soccer
• Basketball
• Volleyball
• Trail running/obstacle courses (aka Tough Mudder)
• Wakeboarding
• Hiking

I too played D3 tennis (30+ years ago), and could have played D1 hockey if I had continued playing past 14 yrs old. In fact, the only sport that I’ve played competitively and did not hurt my ankle in is ice hockey.

 

[Hawks9451]

That's funny. Do you also face plant when you fall forward? Some of us are just more coordinated than others.

I’ve hit myself in my non dominant hand after serving so hard that the nail broke off. I was an okay varsity athlete and played some club tennis, soccer, and volleyball in college. I’ve stabbed my back on a high jump post, broken a toe and wrist playing basketball—also chipped a tooth in a place you can’t see and broke my nose playing baseball. I tore my elbow pitching.//
If you’re trying to say you’re more coordinated than me, hard to tell. \\

 

[Daedalus]

I’ve hit myself in my non dominant hand after serving so hard that the nail broke off. I was an okay varsity athlete and played some club tennis, soccer, and volleyball in college. I’ve stabbed my back on a high jump post, broken a toe and wrist playing basketball—also chipped a tooth in a place you can’t see and broke my nose playing baseball. I tore my elbow pitching. Things happen to me over time. And I’m not terribly injury prone when I compare myself to friends, many of whom are much better athletes.
If you’re trying to say you’re more coordinated than me, hard to tell. You’ve played tennis since you were 11. I started when I was 5. I’m tall. Left eye dominant. Family history of Alzheimer’s. Horse allergy.
I’m sure it’ll take more of a complete chart for us to determine the superior athlete online.

This isn’t about athletic superiority. It’s about injuring an ankle while wearing running shoes to play tennis. Let’s not go to extremes, OK.

 

[Daedalus]

I havent twisted an ankle either but I have def rolled my ankle many times

and from the looks of it so has Andy Murray, Berretini, and Sinner...I guess they have issues with coordination too. mustve paid their way to the top of the rankings

Stop being silly. This is about rolling/injuring an ankle. You people out here speak as though everybody injures them. Well…they don’t. Let’s move on.

 

[Hawks9451]

This isn’t about athletic superiority. It’s about injuring an ankle while wearing running shoes to play tennis. Let’s not go to extremes, OK.

That's funny. Do you also face plant when you fall forward? Some of us are just more coordinated than others.

You're a nasty little turtle

 

[d-quik]

Thabo Sefalosha played in Air Maxes (which I believe were running shoes). He was a top tier perimeter defender who guarded shooting guards and small forwards (MEANING LATERAL MOVEMENT).

Obviously this is one out of a kabillion basketball players but they do exist out there.

 

[airchallenge2]

Thabo Sefalosha played in Air Maxes (which I believe were running shoes). He was a top tier perimeter defender who guarded shooting guards and small forwards (MEANING LATERAL MOVEMENT).

Obviously this is one out of a kabillion basketball players but they do exist out there.

Not too surprised considering how stiff and hard the midsole of Air Max 90 is.....

 

[Kenny022593]

@Daedalus if it works for you, it works for you.

People don't understand that the Adios 6 & 7 are neutral running shoes, but incredibly stiff from a running shoe perspective. Lightstrike foam is like running on bricks, especially if you're not a heavier runner, and the shoe has a torsion plate while being low profile. The upper is super minimal, but for all intents and purposes the midsole & outsole mimic some "lower end" tennis shoes pretty closely. Thinking of the Asics gel-dedicate lines.

While definitely not something I'd wear... you could get away with it if your footwork is sound, your ankles & feet are strong, and (I'd say) you're not playing at 100% intensity.