MD Podiatrist Discusses What to Look for in Tennis Shoes

So why buy special shoes for tennis instead of wearing whatever sneakers you have lying around? According to Daniel Michaels, DPM, tennis shoes help with not only preventing injury but also help improve performance on the court. “The design of the tennis shoe is meant for more lateral movement and stopping and starting as opposed that of a running shoe – which is built from more forward movement,” Dr. Michaels says.
 

Two of the most important factors to consider when shopping for tennis shoes are comfort and plenty of space for your toes. “You want to get a tennis shoe that has a wider toe box that allows the toes to spread out to improve foot stability,” Michaels says. “If the shoe is too loose, then the foot is going to slide around too much and cause blistering and jamming of the toes.”