When selecting a pair of tennis shoes, there are several things that must be considered beyond the shoes’ size and aesthetic qualities. For starters, you’ll need to know what your foot type is and what kind of surface you’ll be playing on. Your foot type is determined by the amount of arch that your feet have and how you walk. Flat footed folks traditionally have little to no arch and either roll their feet inward or outward. I should know because I am one of them. I also tend to play tennis on a concrete court, which can put extra stress on my body. Therefore, when I am shopping for tennis shoes, I look for one that is wide, has a thick sole, built-in arch support and excellent lateral support to help keep my feet from moving awkwardly while I am on the tennis court. With that said, here’s a look at five of the best tennis shoes for people with flat feet:
1. ASICS Gel Resolution
The ASICS Gel Resolution line of tennis shoes tends to work well for people with flat feet because of its design. The tennis shoes come with a shock absorbing system and memory foam that helps support the feet as well as provides comfort when playing on hard surfaces like concrete. It also comes in various widths and has reinforced areas to help counteract the uneven wear caused by over-pronation. You can typically purchase a pair online for $80 to $115.
The Nike Air Max Mirabella tennis shoes are a superlative choice for those with flat feet for several reasons. It has great lateral support to keep ones feet in place while negotiating the tennis court. It also comes with built-in mid-foot support, a removable insole that may be replaced with orthopedic inserts if needed and a herringbone patterned sole that’s perfect for sustaining traction on concrete courts. The tennis shoes generally sell online for $70 to $85 a pair.
In my opinion, the adidas adiPower Barricade is a good option for flat footed tennis players because it comes with extra mid-foot and fore-foot support, a molded insole, strong lateral support and reinforced areas to combat uneven wear. You can usually pick up a pair online for $130.
4. K-Swiss Bigshot
The K-Swiss Bigshot tennis shoes are another option because it features heel-to-toe support, shock absorption padding and a 6-month wear guarantee. The extra support is helpful when it comes to keeping my feet in place during play. The shoes are also fairly light weight. Purchasing a pair online will typically lighten your wallet by $120.
5. Prince T-22
There are several features that make the T-22 tennis shoes worth considering if you have flat feet. The shoes’ design offers both medial and later support, comes with reinforced areas, air mesh vents and extra cushioning for comfort. I also like the fact that the shoes are made from a lightweight material because it helps when it comes to maintaining speed during a long game. You can generally purchase a pair of the tennis shoes online for less than $100.
Killeen Gonzalez enjoys playing tennis with her family and has traveled extensively.
