If you enjoy both basketball and tennis, you may wonder if you can wear your basketball shoes when you play tennis.
If you are looking for support and flexibility, then the answer would be two pairs of shoes would be to your advantage.
Reviewing expert testimony and researching the difference between these two types of shoes, it was found the tennis shoe is going to provide you with better ankle support as you move across the court.
Are Basketball Shoes Equipped for Playing Tennis?
If you are unsure whether or not your basketball shoes will hold during a tennis match, we’ve found the answer for you.
Most of the basketball shoes on the market have excellent traction and stand out in terms of comfort.
These shoes also provide your feet more protection against injuries.
The advantage you will find in your tennis shoes is how much lighter and more durable they are when compared to the basketball shoe.
What are the Differences Between Basketball Shoes and Tennis Shoes?
One of the main differences between the basketball shoe and the tennis shoe is how they’ve been designed for movement.
Basketball shoes are not designed for you to move side to side, which is required quite a lot during a tennis match.
The tennis shoe has better ankle support, and the higher-end brands also provide you with a more durable sole.
Those with the better sole will last you much longer on a court than a basketball shoe. There are other differences between these shoe styles that you should know.
What You Should About Basketball and Tennis Shoes
Both basketball and tennis require quick stopping and starting, so it is logical to think one pair of shoes would work well for both games.
For either game, you want a shoe that is durable and will support your foot and ankles during the whole game.
A basketball shoe and a tennis shoe will offer you similar features; however, they are in two separate packages.
Let’s look at the design of these shoes:
- Uppers – Basketball players tend to wear high-top shoes as they provide them with maximum ankle support.
- According to one of the leading sportswear chains, only about ten percent of the basketball-playing population wear a low-top shoe for its lightweight feature.
- The tennis shoe is typically a low top, so you can play with a light shoe that will not rub your ankles.
- Soles – The basketball shoe has a sole, which typically features a herringbone design.
- This design will give you more traction during sudden starts and stops.
- These shoes, when made for outdoor play, will have more substantial soles, although most basketball shoes are intended for indoor play and are lightweight.
- The tennis shoe can be found in a variety of different soles.
- You would choose the sole you need depending on the type of surface where you most often play.
- The herringbone pattern will work best for a hard court and clay courts.
- If you play more often on indoor courts, you may want the smooth sole, so it doesn’t grab the surface and make marks as move across the court.
If your goal is to buy a new pair of shoes for playing tennis, then there are some tips you need to get the right pair.
Some long-time tennis players claim the rule of the court is having the right pair of shoes. The game is full of sudden starts and stops, short sprints, and lateral moves.
When you go to select your tennis shoe, you want to understand your playing style, the surface of the court you will play on most often, and your personal preferences.
These are the different features between the tennis shoe and basketball or any other shoe:
- The tennis shoe will fit flat with a design pattern on the sole, depending on the court you will most often play upon.
- A tennis shoe is designed sturdier and will not have an as thick or soft heel to decrease weight and cushion impact as some running shoes have.
- The tennis shoe is designed for quick stops and starts.
- Most of the running shoes or other athletic shoes are designed for continuous forward motion of walking or running, whereas the tennis shoe protects your feet during side to side moves.
The first choice to consider when looking for a tennis shoe is to know your playing style. Are you a base-line player or a serve-and-volley player, or do you play both?
The base-line player will want more lateral support, while the serve-and-volley player will want a durable toecap.
Other Shoes You Might Want to Compare
Some people who wonder if you can wear basketball shoes for tennis also want to know if you can wear basketball shoes for volleyball.
While it is not recommended to wear basketball shoes while playing tennis, you can wear them while playing volleyball.
The games of basketball and volleyball are entirely different games but involve a lot of the same fundamental movements.
Both of these games involve agile movements, pivoting, and jumping, which all need a lot of grips and cushioning to perform right.
A good volleyball shoe will need a thick, air-bubbled heel for jumps, a rounded base to allow push-offs, a good grip for quick take-offs.
Add these features to your personal preference, style, and the shape of your foot, and the shoe will closely resemble a basketball shoe.
So, now that you know that you shouldn’t wear your basketball shoes to play tennis, you should also have the information you need to go out and purchase that new pair of shoes for your tennis match.
Find a shoe that is lighter than both running or basketball shoes along with a low top. A good pair of tennis shoes is going to protect your toes, which receives the most pressure during your game.
When you start to look at the different types of shoes on the market, it can become confusing.
Just remember, the basketball shoe is for continuous movement of the ankle along with multiple jumps, the running shoe should protect your heels and give you the right padding for support.
The tennis shoe you select should provide you support for your toes.