By USDR
The first thing you need to understand about tennis is that it is a very active sport that requires you to move rigorously. The sport involves rigorous jumps, split steps, sprints and backwards motions. For you to perform these activities perfectly, you need to practice and also have the right pair of shoes. You need a shoe that can support the movement so as to boost agility and endurance.
The tennis shoes are designed with extra lateral support to accommodate your motions. The issue is that there is a wide variety of shoes available and not all of them will be ideal for you. If you are in the market for a tennis shoe, there are a number of things you will need to do. The purpose of this post is to help you make the best choice that leads to a comfortable pair of shoes.
Types of feet
Before you start shopping, it is imperative that you understand your type of feet. With comfort in mind, the manufacturers of tennis shoes see to it that they create pairs of shoes that are specific to persons with specific types of feet. Picking a pair designed for the wrong type of feet will lead to discomfort. Here are a few descriptions of the types of feet.
- Pronated
This is the foot where the weight of the body is mostly carried on the inside of the foot. About 60% of the people in the world have this type of feet. These people are more prone to injuries. If you are shopping for a comfortable pair of shoes and have this type of feet, you need to go for shoes that offer extra padding in their sole. The right shoe must also offer added feet support.
- Neutral
With these feet, the weight is distributed evenly throughout the foot. About 10% of the global population has this type of feet. With this type of foot, you can wear basically any type of tennis shoe that fits.
- Supinated
This is a foot where the weight of the body is carried on the outside. People with this type of feet tend to wear their shoes much faster. People with supinated feet make up 30% of the world’s population. If you are a tennis player and have this type of feet, for the most comfortable pairs of shoes, you will have to go for the shoes that offer lateral as well as ankle support. You will also need to look for shoes that have a high-quality sole so that they can last longer.
There are methods you can use to determine your type of feet. The easiest is to take a look at how your shoes get worn out. Are they worn out on the outside, inside or evenly? Stepping on a piece of paper with wet feet will further give you information on the shape of your feet. If the entire outline of your feet is visible, your feet are pronated. If there is a large area missing, you have supinated feet. With the neutral feet, only a small space will be missing.
Types of surfaces
Knowing the type of your feet is not enough when shopping for tennis shoes. You have to note that there are difference surfaces that tennis is played on. The shoe you purchase should work properly on the surface you plan on playing on.
- Clay
These courts are usually softer and absorb impact while offering great traction on shoes that have treads. These surfaces can be quite slippery when wet. Any shoe will do here so long as it has tread.
- Concrete
This is a hard surface and it doesn’t absorb impact. The best thing is that it has great traction. Considering these surfaces are hard on the joints and feet, you need a shoe that has extra padding.
- Grass
The problem with grass courts is that the surface is uneven and the traction is minimal. They, however, absorb impact remarkably. If you plan on playing on grass, you will need a shoe that offers great lateral as well as ankle support. This will help protect the feet because of the lack of traction. Good treads are also a must.
There are many more points you need to consider when shopping for comfortable tennis shoes. The key is not to base your choice solely on the price but rather on your type of feet. Comfort has to be a priority. You also need to consider the shoes’ material. This will determine their durability.
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