what makes tennis specific clothing special?

[spacediver]

Other than shoes, when I buy t-shirts and shorts for sports, I just buy what looks and feels good.

The idea that there is clothing out there that is better for tennis than for, example, soccer, or volleyball smacks of marketing bs.

You want something that feels comfortable, gives freedom of movement, and wicks moisture effectively.

Am I missing something?

 

[lgbalfa]

i think you are right on with the marketing BS.

 

[dr. godmode]

Well the shorts have bigger pockets sometimes but otherwise you're right

 

[struggle]

yes, i wear soccer training pants as my "warmups".

don't have much tennis clothing other than shoes, a couple shirts.

 

[Devil_dog]

Other than shoes, when I buy t-shirts and shorts for sports, I just buy what looks and feels good.

The idea that there is clothing out there that is better for tennis than for, example, soccer, or volleyball smacks of marketing bs.

You want something that feels comfortable, gives freedom of movement, and wicks moisture effectively.

Am I missing something?

Instead of paying super high prices for "tennis" shirts, I prefer to buy active shirts from REI when they go on sale. I particularly like the tech-tee shirts by REI which have pretty much the same materials (polyester and spandex) as the high-priced Nike shirts. I do buy tennis shorts though for the deeper pockets as another poster mentioned but I usually wait to buy when they go on sale.

 

[Lukhas]

I don't know, I don't buy tennis specific tops; I just get some breathable fitness shirts for about 5€. I still get some tennis specific long shorts (warm knees) on sale only: I tried to get fitness shorts/pants but the pockets aren't deep enough for tennis balls. The pockets of basketball shorts are too deep; and most football (soccer) shorts don't even have pockets.

 

[WildVolley]

I don't know, ... I still get some tennis specific long shorts (warm knees) on sale only: I tried to get fitness shorts/pants but the pockets aren't deep enough for tennis balls. The pockets of basketball shorts are too deep; and most football (soccer) shorts don't even have pockets.

Aren't the only tennis shorts which cover the knees the capris that Nadal used to wear?

The most important thing about shorts is having a properly designed pocket. If the pockets work well, it doesn't matter if it is tennis specific. Shirts need to allow shoulder flexibility, but if they do, they're good for tennis.

 

[Lukhas]

Aren't the only tennis shorts which cover the knees the capris that Nadal used to wear?

Not exactly: I got a pair of Lotto last year on sale at TWE. But they've been indeed quite hard to find ever since Nadal decided to wear shorts that make McEnroe proud.

 

[3fees]

Consumer Target Area Marketing Hype, except Yonex Tennis Shoes and some other items.

Cheers
3Fees

 

[texastornado]

I think you probably only need to worry about shoes and shorts.

Tennis shoes have a specific tread and wear protection (toe draggers and the like), tennis shorts are designed to hold tennis balls without them falling out or constantly flopping around.

 

[spacediver]

yea i played today for the first time with my new shorts. Very comfy, but pockets were definitely not designed to hold tennis balls.