What's different about clay shoes?

[OneLove]

Hola! I am going to Spain for two weeks to play in a small academy that is on clay courts.

Obviously, I need a pair of clay court shoes, and I'm wondering, what is the difference between clay shoes and hard court shoes? Is it just the outsole?

I've looked at the very limited choices of clay court shoes and I don't know if I will like them.

Also, are hard court shoes fine to play with on clay?

Any suggestions would be much appreciated...thanks!

 

[augustobt]

the outsole. But thats quite a lot of difference...

 

[Lukhas]

The clay sole that gives better adherence due to its pattern and higher level of traction Basically, if you used clay outsoles on hard, you'd trip all the time because of the high traction and you would put an hole through the shoe in no time. However, it's really excellent on well maintained clay. You will slide much more than necessary with a HC outsole.

 

[Carolina Racquet]

One Love... you might want to invest in a pair of clay court shoes unless your current shoes have a deep-cut herringbone pattern, especially if you're not used to the surface. Have fun.

 

[PhotoBlue]

Hola! I am going to Spain for two weeks to play in a small academy that is on clay courts.

Obviously, I need a pair of clay court shoes, and I'm wondering, what is the difference between clay shoes and hard court shoes? Is it just the outsole?

I've looked at the very limited choices of clay court shoes and I don't know if I will like them.

Also, are hard court shoes fine to play with on clay?

Any suggestions would be much appreciated...thanks!

Yes, hard court shoes are fine to play with on clay. However, I highly recommend you buy a pair of clay court shoes before you go to the academy because you really can tell a difference. If you wear hard court shoes you will probably slip more times than you would like. TW has clay court soles avaliable in very popular shoes like nike CB 4.3, vapor 9 tour, asics resolution 5, asics solution speed, and yonex sht 308.

 

[PhotoBlue]

One Love - what are your current hard court shoes?

 

[OneLove]

One Love - what are your current hard court shoes?

I'm currently wearing the New Balance MC 996

 

[The Meat]

Like what everyone said about the treads, but also there tends to be a slight change up of upper materials to prevent clay from getting into the shoe, hence why you see the SL instead of the mesh on clay shoes.

The durability on hardcourt is questionable, personally only have 1 pair of clay court shoes for hartru playing and haven't had to buy a new pair because they last a long time if you rarely play on clay.

 

[PhotoBlue]

I'm currently wearing the New Balance MC 996

Those probably wouldn't work to great on clay because the outsole isn't a tight herringbone pattern.

 

[OneLove]

Those probably wouldn't work to great on clay because the outsole isn't a tight herringbone pattern.

Yeah I figured but I was also looking into the Lotto Raptor Ultra IV...the tread sort of resembles a herringbone pattern, right?

 

[PhotoBlue]

Yeah I figured but I was also looking into the Lotto Raptor Ultra IV...the tread sort of resembles a herringbone pattern, right?

Right, if you don't want to buy a pair of actual clay court shoes, raptors look like they have a decent pattern for clay and you can use then on hard court also.

 

[OneLove]

Thanks for the all the help guys...I ended up purchasing a blue and white pair of Lotto Raptors (Hard) and a pair of Asics Gel Solution Speed (Clay) in a funky orange and black colorway.

Both are great shoes but the Asics feel really, really good. No wonder Tommy Haas is addicted to these things...

 

[zapvor]

yea my main concern is getting all the clay out after playing!