Do you sometimes find you are in danger of twisting an ankle on the tennis court? It’s easily done with all those movements from one side of the court to the other. Wearing the best tennis shoes for ankle support might help you avoid injury.
We often forget this important part of our lower limbs when we look for tennis shoes. Yes, it’s important to have traction, cushioning, and support, but stability is also key to staying on your feet and avoiding damaging yourself.
Here are our top six picks of the best tennis shoes to support your feet and your ankles
1. Adidas Barricade 2018 Tennis Shoe
In styles for men and women, this tennis shoe from Adidas is loaded with technological features. They are designed to stretch and support your feet with a custom-like fit. The laces can be locked down at the ankle for added support.
adidas Men's Barricade 2018 Tennis Shoe
- Seamless Forgedmesh upper designed with areas of support and stretch to help ensure a custom fit that adapts to every move
- Soft and stretchable tongue for comfort fit; Bootee construction for snug fit; Adiprene+ in the forefoot maintains propulsion and efficiency
- Abrasion-resistant Adituff wraps around the toe and medial forefoot to help protect against foot drag that occurs during serves, volleys and extreme lateral movements
- Geofit construction for anatomical fit and comfort; Ghillie at top of lacing delivers a locked-down fit
- Barricade chassis for support and stability in midfoot and extra freedom and flexibility in forefoot; Adiprene under the heel for superior cushioning at impact; Adiwear 6 outsole offers the ultimate in high-wear durability
2. New Balance Men’s mc806 Tennis Shoe
This tennis shoe from New Balance offers plenty of support for your ankles and feet. Their exclusive Rollbar technology helps keep your feet stable through a range of movements. A herringbone traction design on the sole is good for pivoting and lateral motion.
New Balance Men's 806 V1 Tennis Shoe, White, 7 XW US
- For the ultimate in on-court stability and support, the New Balance 806 delivers. With C-CAP®, ABZORB® and our exclusive ROLLBAR technology, this heritage tennis shoe offers unrivaled motion control. Now made even lighter, it’s as stylish as ever.
- Full grain leather upper
- Herringbone-pattern outsole for added traction during lateral movements
- LIGHTNING DRY® wicks moisture away to help keep your feet dry and comfortable
- Medicare / HCPCS code = A5500, may be eligible for Medicare reimbursem*nt
3. Asics Gel-Resolution 7 Tennis Shoe
This is another tennis shoe with styles that have gender-specific features for men and women. They have a flexion fit upper to help stabilize your feet and memory foam at the ankle pads for a custom fit. Gel pads in the heel and forefoot provide cushioning and comfort.
ASICS Womens Gel-Resolution 7 Athletic Shoe
- 6-Month Outsole Warranty: Warranty against excessive outsole wear up to 6 months.
- Gender-Specific Cushioning: Women's models feature a lower-density top layer in the midsole, allowing female athletes to better enjoy the benefits of midsole compression.
- Flexion Fit Upper: Proprietary upper which provides form fitting comfort without sacrificing support.
- Rearfoot and Forefoot GEL Cushioning Systems: Attenuates shock during impact and toe-off phases, and allows movement in multiple planes as the foot transitions through the gait cycle.
- PGuard Toe Protector: Enhanced toe durability.
4. Nike Men’s Air Zoom Vapor X Tennis Shoes
Nike’s Dynamic Fit system helps these tennis shoes fit your feet like a glove. A TPU foot frame gives support in the midfoot and heel providing stability while a Zoom Air unit placed in the heel gives cushioning. The rubber outsole gives traction through all movements.
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5. Wilson Rush Pro 2.5
These lightweight tennis shoes from Wilson have 3D-F.S technology which reinforces the shoes giving responsiveness, stability, and breathability. They have a midfoot shank designed to resist twisting and an inner lining to provide extra comfort and support.
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6. K-Swiss Hypercourt Express Tennis Shoe
This lightweight shoe is airy and has a generous fit. Its seamless mesh uppers have good padding at the ankle, providing support and stability. It has an EVA midsole and ortholite sock liner providing cushioning for your feet.
K-Swiss Men's Hypercourt Express Leather Tennis Shoe
- The Hypercourt Express is a lightweight tennis shoe designed for performance and comfort.
- Synthetic Leather Upper
- Textile Collar Lining
- Lace Closure
- Draggaurd Rubber & Aosta Rubber Outsole
Reviews of the Best Tennis Shoes for Ankle Support
Comfort on the court is all about getting the right tennis shoes. Ones that will cushion, stabilize, and support every step as you run for the net or slide sideways to reach that hard shot.
Here are our top six picks of the best tennis shoes for ankle support. We also have a bonus shoe at the end that you might find interesting.
1. Adidas Barricade 2018 Tennis Shoe
Adidas is a well-known name in sportswear branding. Their tennis shoes are a popular choice with many players.
The Barricade comes in models for both men and women. The men’s sizes run from 4.5 to 14 in 12 different colors and the women’s in sizes 6 through 11.5. Half sizes are available across both ranges.
Women’s:
The mesh uppers are seamless and have areas designed to stretch and support your feet, giving a custom fit. A stretchy soft tongue and the bootie style ensure your feet stay snug and stable in these tennis shoes. The laces also aim to secure and lock down your feet, giving your ankles support.
Adidas has built lots of technology into these shoes. Abrasion-resistant Adituff is wrapped around the toes and middle of the forefoot. This helps protect against foot drag that can happen when volleying, serving, or making sidewards movements.
Adiprene is found in the heel and forefoot, providing cushioning and shock absorption. An Adiwear outsole, which is suitable for all courts, gives good traction and durability.
The overall Geofit construction gives a good anatomical, comfortable fit.
For some, these shoes will be too narrow and they are not offered in different widths. Others also find the plastic in the middle of the foot on the uppers uncomfortable.
Pros
- Mesh uppers with stretch for a snug fit.
- Support and cushioning for heel and forefoot.
- Durable rubber sole with good traction.
- Bootie design gives good ankle support.
- Breathable.
Cons
- Not suitable for wider feet.
- Plastic on the uppers might cause discomfort.
Loaded with Adidas technology, these tennis shoes have an anatomical fit and good ankle support. They are supportive and cushioned throughout with a durable sole with good traction
2. New Balance Men’s mc806 Tennis Shoe
New Balance has been making sports shoes for over 100 years. They are popular with many but especially those who have wider feet with their range of fittings and good support.
This tennis shoe comes in sizes ranging from size 7 through size 16. There are half sizes up to size 12.5 and four width fittings up to extra wide. The white leather uppers with synthetic accents in blue and grey.
The shoes are enhanced with New Balance’s proprietary technologies.
A CCap compression molded insole of EVA foam gives support and flexibility. Abzorb, a blend of foam and rubber, provides cushioning and inside the shoe a Lightning Dry moisture-wicking fabric keeps feet dry and fresh.
The rubber outsole is non-marking and features a herringbone design to give traction. The tip of the shoe has toe protection for durability. Ndurance hard-wearing rubber is added to the sole in high impact areas.
Rollbar technology keeps the heel stable in the shoe which can help prevent ankle injuries.
For the ladies out there, the New Balance Women’s WC1006v1 Tennis Shoe has many of the same benefits.
It comes in three widths and is a lightweight shoe with a mesh upper. New Balance’s REVlite midsole provides support and cushioning without the weight. It also has the Rollbar technology for stability and support for feet and ankles.
These tennis shoes tend to run a little small and you may find the sole wears out after about a year.
Pros
- Rollbar technology for stability in the rear foot and ankle.
- Cushioned soles.
- Supportive throughout.
- Good traction in the sole.
- Moisture-wicking.
Cons
- Sizes might tend to run small.
- Durability might be questionable.
This tennis shoe comes in a good range of widths and sizes. It is loaded with New Balances technologies to support your feet and keep them comfortable. A Rollbar feature keeps heels and ankles stable.
3. ASICS Gel-Resolution 7 Tennis Shoe
Founded in Kobe, Japan, Asics has been producing sports shoes since 1949. From baseball to running to tennis to rugby and soccer, they have them all covered.
The Gel Resolution 7 is available for men and women. There are sizes 6 to 15 for men and 5 to 12 for women. There is also a choice of colors for both shoes.
Women’s:
A Flexion Fit synthetic upper is designed to give your feet form-fitting comfort with good support for ankles. There is also reinforcement in the vamp at the midfoot for more stability. An EVA insole allows feet to breathe and helps keep them dry and fresh.
Gel has been strategically placed in the heel and forefoot to cushion your moves. SpEVA foam in the sole absorbs impact, bouncing energy back to your feet.
Asics’ guidance line technology system aims to keep your gait true and help you through a range of on-court movements with ease. An outsole with durable high abrasion resistant rubber for traction completes the package.
It’s worth mentioning that the cushioning in these shoes is gender specific, with a low-density midsole top layer in women’s models.
The shoes come with a six-month warranty against excessive wear of the outsole.
The toe box in these Asics might be a little narrower than previous models of this shoe.
Pros
- Good ankle support.
- Styles for men and women.
- Gel cushioning on heels and forefoot.
- Durable rubber soles with traction.
- Six months wear warranty on soles.
Cons
- Toe box might be narrower than previous models of this shoe.
This tennis shoe from Asics has gender-specific cushioning for men and women. Heel and ankle support is provided by EVA midsoles and gel inserts as well as a Flexion Fit upper.
4. Nike Men’s Air Zoom Vapor X Tennis Shoes
Nike is a household name worldwide when it comes to sportswear. As well as its own branded products, Nike Inc. also owns Jordans and Converse.
They have made tennis shoes for some of the top players over the years, including Serena Williams and Rafael Nadal.
This tennis shoe comes in models for men and women. Sizes for men range from 6 to 15 and for women from 5 to 11. The men’s shoes also have a wider width available in some sizes. There are many colors to choose from, 31 for men and 29 for women.
Women’s:
The uppers of these shoes have Nike’s Dynamic Fit technology made from open mesh textile with synthetic material overlays. The tongue and heel collar are padded and the laces are fully adjustable. This means you can lock the shoes down to keep your feet and ankles stable and supported.
Comfort comes from a Zoom Air heel and Phylon midsole. A TPU shank in the midfoot gives you more stability and support during lateral movements. A textile lining allows your feet to breathe.
The XDR rubber soles give you traction from their herringbone design and are also hard wearing.
These shoes tend to come up a bit narrow in the foot.
Pros
- Dynamic fit technology for support and fit.
- Cushioning from an EVA midsole and Zoom Air heel.
- Breathable.
- Durable outsole with good traction.
Cons
- Might be a bit on the narrow side.
Backed by Nike’s reputation, these tennis shoes have good ankle support and cushioning all through the foot. They have a breathable mesh lining and good traction from the rubber outsole.
5. Wilson Rush Pro 2.5
Wilson brings us a feature-packed tennis shoe with lots of support and cushioning for your feet and ankles. There are colors and styles for men and women.
The sizes are 7 to 14 for men and 5 to 11 for women. The choice of colors includes black, blue, and white colorways for men and pink, blue, white, and black for women. The shoes all have contrasting color accents.
The uppers of these shoes have Sensifeel, a minimum amount of layers to improve comfort but not by sacrificing support. An Endofit inner sock gives stability and an intuitive fit.
Moving to the middle of the shoe, there is cushioning and support in the arch, heel, and forefoot. The drop from heel to the forefoot is 6mm and optimally low to the ground. This allows you to “feel” the court as you play.
A Duralast outsole made from a high-density rubber gives you maximum traction and abrasion resistance.
While everyone’s feet are different, some find these shoes a little narrow in the toe box. They might also be better for colder weather as some find their feet get too hot.
Pros
- Good support for ankles and feet.
- Cushioned throughout.
- Built-in arch support.
- Durable sole with good grip.
Cons
- Might be narrow at the toes.
- Feet could get warm.
This feature-packed tennis shoe will give stability to your ankles and feet on or off the court. There is good cushioning and arch support with a durable sole with good grip.
6. K-Swiss Hypercourt Express Tennis Shoe
K-Swiss is a popular choice of tennis shoe for casual wear or on-court use. Their wide range of colors for men and women makes it easy to match an outfit.
The Hypercourt Express comes in a range of sizes, 7 to 14 for men and 5 to 11 for women. There are no width options but K-Swiss does tend to come up quite wide in the toe box.
The uppers are made with proprietary Seamfree technology. Heat welding bonds the layers of thermoplastic polyurethane onto the breathable mesh. This gives flexible support without any stitched seams to rub your feet.
A well-padded ankle collar gives stability and comfort for your ankles while an Ortholite EVA foam insole cushions and supports your feet. Further padding is supplied from an EVA midsole.
The sole of these lightweight shoes is made from K-Swiss’ Aosta II rubber which is high density and durable. The herringbone tread gives traction on most surfaces.
The ladies sizes in this tennis shoe seem to run between a half and whole size large.
Pros
- Padded ankle collar for support.
- Good cushioning from the midsole and insole.
- Lightweight.
- Herringbone tread for traction.
Cons
- Ladies shoes might run large.
K-Swiss is a popular tennis shoe on and off the court. They have well-padded ankles for support and cushioning from an EVA midsole and removable insole.
Why Should Ankles Be Supported in Tennis Shoes?
Tennis is a fast-paced sport. It involves lots of lateral movements and quick turns. It’s hardly surprising that one of the most common injuries when playing this game is a twisted or sprained ankle.
You might land on the outer part of your foot, resulting in it turning inwards too far. Maybe you will take a tumble, landing awkwardly. The result will be a sprained ankle.
All the twisting and turning on your feet can also cause the ligaments in the ankle to weaken and overstretch or tear.
As you can see, supporting your ankles is important when playing this active sport. There are a number of things you can do to prevent ankle injuries and these include:
- Warm up and cool down exercises: Make sure you stretch for every game or practice. You should take about 10–15 minutes before to warm up and the same amount of time to cool down. Pay particular attention to stretching the calf muscles and make sure you do the exercises correctly.
- If you are new to the game, don’t go all out at the beginning: Build up your training and court time gradually. That way your body can get used to the extra workload you are placing on it.
- Get some well fitting, stable tennis shoes: We will detail things to look for in a good shoe for ankle support in a moment.
- Make sure you remove stray tennis balls from the court: This might seem obvious, but this way you can’t trip over them.
- Increase your physical strength: By doing other activities like cycling, jogging, walking, or aerobics.
- Improve your awareness of your body position and movement: By doing balance and coordination exercises. This video shows you six exercises you can do.
- Taping your ankle or wearing an ankle brace or high shoes: This can also help protect your ankles. This is especially the case when you return to play after an injury.
Preventing an injury is not always possible, but these tips might help reduce the risk.
What to Look for in the Best Tennis Shoes for Ankle Support
An ideal shoe for tennis will give you plenty of shock absorption, stability when moving laterally (sideways), comfort, and traction on the court. Here are some of the features to look out for:
- Support: This is one of the most important features. Look for padding around the collar of the shoe, support built into the heel area, and a supportive shank in the midfoot. A good lace-up system which will lock down your foot will also help stability.
- Cushioning: You’ll want your feet to be comfortable so look for cushioning from EVA foam built into the midsoles. Some shoes have air or gel to cushion heels and forefeet. The addition of supportive, padded insoles or sock liners will also contribute to the comfort factor as will seamless uppers.
- Arch support: Midfoot support for your arches is another good thing to look for. This is especially the case if you have flat feet.
- Breathability: Feet can get pretty hot and sweaty encased in a shoe while running around. Look for uppers that will allow your feet to breathe or fabrics that wick away moisture. This will keep your feet fresh and cool and help prevent blisters and foot issues such as fungal infections like athlete’s foot.
- Traction: Having a good grip on the court is imperative to prevent slips and falls and consequent injuries. Look for rubber outsoles with a herringbone or similar pattern that will keep your feet, and body, stable.
- Shock absorption: All that jumping, stretching, and quick changes of direction can place stress on your lower limbs. Molded polyurethane (PU) or ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA) soles and midsoles will help absorb impact as will the addition of gel or air.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do High Top Tennis Shoes Give More Ankle Support?
High top shoes which encompass your ankle can offer some support and help if you have had a recent injury. On the downside, they might also prevent your muscles from reacting early enough and not be effective.
The strength of the muscles supporting your ankles is the important thing, whatever type of tennis shoe you wear. If you follow the previous guidelines that we outlined for preventing ankle injuries, this will help strengthen your muscles.
Do Sprained Ankles Heal?
Yes, sprained ankles do heal, however, the extent of the damage will decree the healing time.
A mild sprain happens when you stretch the ligament and it doesn’t tear. A moderate sprain will involve a partial tear of a ligament and you might not be able to move your ankle much. A severe sprain describes the tearing of one or more ankle ligaments resulting in hardly any motion in the foot.
Many simple sprains when the ligaments aren’t torn will heal after about two weeks. Tears in the ligaments, whether partial or whole, can take weeks to repair themselves. If the injury is very serious then it can take a few years for the ankle to return to its former strength.
What’s the Difference Between Tennis Shoes and Running Shoes?
Tennis shoes are designed with good traction and aim to support your feet through lateral movements. They tend to have slightly less cushioning so a player can feel low to the ground, giving more stability on the court.
Although lightweight, they tend to be slightly heavier to give support steadiness on your feet. This could also be the result of a more durable rubber sole.
Running shoes are designed for the heel to toe movement with emphasis placed on cushioning the heels and forefoot. This helps absorb the impact of this movement. Running shoes could also be more lightweight than tennis shoes.
Ready to Serve
Sometimes injuries become part and parcel of participating in any sport. Nevertheless, there are things you can do to help prevent them. Wearing the best tennis shoes for ankle support is one of them.
All the shoes we detailed provide good support for your ankles. If we had to pick a favorite it would be the Adidas Barricade 2018 tennis shoe, with styles for men and women.
Their Geofit construction gives good support and cushioning for the whole foot. The mesh uppers have some stretch and are breathable while the rubber outsole has good traction. Ankles are also supported by the bootie design.
We hope you found the best tennis shoe for ankle support from our top picks. Please leave us a comment with your thoughts and don’t forget to share with other fans of this sport.
