How Should Tennis Shoes Fit?

Whether you’re on the court training every day or you only lace up for your Sunday morning Country Club matches, you still need to take the time (and money) to focus on your equipment.

Although you might not be a professional player, having a pair of tennis shoes that fit you just right can help you play your best and most importantly, avoid injury.

We also know that there are a few of you players out there who struggle with the case of wide feet.

In this article, we’re going to discuss guidelines that can help navigate you through the world of tennis shoes’ sizing and fittings—and also address these issues you may encounter on your journey to finding the perfect pair.

Finding The Perfect Fit

Even though there is a trend of online shopping, we wouldn’t recommend choosing a pair online (unless they allow for free-returns) without actually trying them on first. Trying a pair of shoes on in-person is the ultimate test for a good fit.

So, Cinderella, how do you know that that particular shoe is a good fit?

1. The space between your longest toe (may not necessarily be your big toe) and the front of the shoe should be around 1-1.5 cm. This allows for a bit of space to avoid toenail lacerations while running, stopping, and cutting turns on the court.
2. The middle of your foot should also fit comfortably within the shoe itself. Although you’ll want that space in the front of your shoe, the middle should fit relatively snug. However, if you feel pain or pressure, they might be a bit too tight. If you don’t have enough breathing room here, this can reduce your grip and control, which can lead to rolling ankles and other injuries.

If you do find the shoe with that too-tight feeling around the mid-foot, this could mean you have wide feet. In this case, there are actually various shoes designed, just for you!

The Wide Foot Worry

If you do notice that the average shoe simply doesn’t fit right, even though the toes have space, this might mean you have a wider-than-average foot. And you will need the best tennis shoes for wide feet.

Here are a few tips if you do find yourself in this expanded predicament:

You definitely want to head into a physical store to try your shoes on.

Don’t think you can just “break” your shoes “in”—this actually damages the feet, which can keep you away from the tennis courts for a period of time.

Opt for shoes with features like adjustable straps and a more rounded or square-shaped toe box, which are specifically designed to fit a wide foot more comfortably.

Keep it simple: line your foot up with the shoe. The width of the shoe should match the width of your foot. If it’s not sizing up to be the same, natural shape of your foot, this can lead to pain and other issues—like ingrown toenails, pinched nerves, and even bone spurs.

A Few Last-Minute Tips for the Shoe-Shopper

To help you finalize a successful shoe-shopping trip, here are a few tricks that can help you find the right pair of tennis shoes for your next court date (kidding).

1. Wear the same socks that you wear on the court. It is essential that you’re wearing the same pair (at least washed) that you would wear on the court. The thickness or thinness of will affect the fit of the shoe.
2. Have your feet measured by a “specialist”. Employees at shoe stores are trained in how to measure your feet properly. This can help you get the most accurate reading and suggestion of shoe sizes.
3. Be aware that sizes will change depending on the brand. Even though the difference may be minimal, there can still be a unique sizing guide for different brands.

Finding that Federer-Fit for a Successful Tennis Match

We hope this article has helped you with finding the right size for your next new pair of tennis shoes.

Since it directly affects comfort and performance, as well as helps you avoid injury, finding the right fit can help you keep you play your best on the court.