- Joan Hahn
- April 19, 2021
- Last Updated on
Despite what most shoe companies tell us, every player needs to learn how to weigh the shoes’ value and qualities. It is also recommended that first-time tennis players use affordable shoes while searching for the ultimate brand they could use for years.
Our team of experts made the best cheap tennis shoes list to help you make an informed decision.
- Cutting back and forth is effortless
- Durable even during foot drag
- Attenuates shock during toe-off phases
- Lightweight, comfortable, and sturdy
- Bottom sole does grip indoor court surfaces
- Great balance
- Upper mesh
- Provides balance with excellent grip
- Excellent grip
- Abrasion-resistant model
- Comfortable
- Lightweight
- Attractive color combination
- Has moisture management
- Breathable mesh
Top 10 Affordable Shoes for Tennis Players
1. ASICS Men’s Gel-Challenger 12
First on the list is the ASICS Men’s Gel-Challenger 12. These best cheap tennis shoes are made from synthetic and mesh materials that provide flexibility and breathability.
It is also made from Solyte Midsole Material which enhances the cushioning and durability of the soles. It is also lighter than the standard SpEVA and EVA midsoles – definitely a keeper in your tennis bag.
All these budget sports brand shoes for men also feature Fore and Rearfoot GEL Technology Cushioning System that attenuates shock during toe-off phases and impact. Its foot transitions also allow multiple planes movement through the gait cycle.
Its Trusstic System technology reduces the sole unit’s weight while retaining the sports brand shoes’ structural integrity. It has an Ortholite Sockliner that manages moisture and a Removable Sockliner that can accommodate a medical orthotic. These products also feature under-laying support in the heel counter and lateral forefoot that provide balance.
PROS
- Cutting back and forth is effortless
- Durable even during foot drag
- Attenuates shock during toe-off phases
- Lightweight, comfortable, and sturdy
- Bottom sole does grip indoor court surfaces
CONS
- Short shoelaces
- Skinny toe boxes
2. Adidas Men’s Courtjam Bounce
The Adidas Men’s Courtjam Bounce is also a pair of cheap tennis shoes made from imported and 100% Textile. All Courtjam Bounce models feature synthetic rubber soles that are abrasion-resistant. These sports brand shoes’ upper is also made from mesh, securing breathability.
These budget lightweight men’s shoe models also include TPU on the front for extreme durability. Their flexible cushioning will keep you on your toes, while the midfoot support will ensure a sure grip for your every shot. The sturdy outsole stands up to intense play.
This budget pair of running shoes for men also have Adituff for the best abrasion resistance in the toe area. These true-to-size shoe models also feature Adiwear outsoles that provide ultimate high-wear reliability. For enhanced comfort and flexibility, their bounce cushioning will take care of it.
PROS
- Great balance
- Upper mesh
- Provides balance with excellent grip
- Excellent grip
- Abrasion-resistant model
CONS
- Somewhat bulky
- Leaves marks all over the court
3. ASICS Men’s Gel-Game 7
All the ASICS Men’s Gel-Game 7 tennis shoes are made from synthetic and mesh materials with imported rubber soles. They also feature moisture management through their Ortholite Sockliner and a removable sock liner for medical orthotics.
Like the ASICS Men’s Gel-Challenger 12, they also feature Forefoot GEL Cushioning System (COURT) that attenuates shock during the impact phase. Aside from EVA Midsole, they also come with mesh uppers with synthetic overlays and films. These materials provide comfort, great stability, and breathability on the forefoot of every player. Their wider heel cages also provide better stability on the rearfoot.
PROS
- Comfortable
- Lightweight
- Attractive color combination
- Has moisture management
- Breathable mesh
CONS
- Squeaks very loudly
- Narrow toe box
4. Adidas Men’s Gamecourt
Fourth on the list is the Adidas Men’s Gamecourt shoe products which are also considered the best cheap tennis shoes. They feature a breathable mesh with TPU reinforcements for better assistance. They also feature Adituff that protects the toe area from any abrasion. For extreme durability, step-in comfort, and superior cushioning, its Adiwear outsole and cloud foam midsole will take care of them.
These budget slip-in kinds of shoe products also feature a herringbone pattern on their tread on the bottom of the shoe, making it work well on the clay surface. This type of tread shoe model pattern also helps make you feel secure in any kind of moving around confidently.
PROS
- Comfortable
- Affordable and true to size
- Gives solid footing
- Wide base
- Provides for a snug fit
CONS
- Bottom is made of tough rubber
- Front is easy to tear up
5. Adidas Men’s Adizero Club
The Adidas Men’s Adizero Club tennis shoes have eliminated the tongue and replaced it with a partial neoprene sock from the first edition. This sock is seamlessly affixed to the lower part of the shoe, and it covers where the tongue usually would be.
These lightweight and true-to-size tennis shoes also feature a breathable mesh for breathability. It keeps some air circulating when the heat is on. They also come with a supportive chassis offering a stable feel and with foot-hugging construction. They also have durable outsoles giving a firm grip with every serve and slide while improving your game.
PROS
- Durable shoe outsole
- Abrasion-resistant
- Lightweight and supportive feel
- Supportive and lightweight
- Has ventilated Climacool
CONS
- Sole is easy to tear
- Opening is somewhat smaller
6. Nike Men’s Tennis Shoes
The Nike Men’s Tennis Shoes provide comfort even when one needs to move quickly. It comes with a Lunarlon foam midsole that follows the contour of your foot for better comfort. These tennis shoe products also feature straps on each medial side that integrates with the forefoot laces, helping stabilize your toes.
Their Midsoles are built on the lateral sides, helping stabilize your feet during side-to-side movement. Lastly, they have integrated crash pads that promote a smoother heel-to-toe transition for one excellent shoe feel.
PROS
- Great design and style
- No break-in time
- Comfortable
- Great find
- Great assistance when working-out
CONS
- Stiff insoles
- Narrow but somewhat heavy
7. Adidas Men’s Adizero Defiant Bounce 2
The Adidas Men’s Adizero Defiant Bounce 2 tennis shoe products provide a snug feel with its midsole cushioning and textile upper for comfort. They also feature welded TPU overlays on the forefoot that offer assistance and add durability.
These tennis shoe products have midsole cushioning and mesh lining for ventilation and a softer feel. These durable and lightweight tennis shoe products also feature non-marking rubber outsoles that provide friction/resistance.
PROS
- Lightweight
- Good for tennis beginners
- Provides a good arch support
- Supportive and durable
- Comfortable
CONS
- Some small fit/size issues
- Some laces issues
8. New Balance Men’s 796 V2 Hard Court
The New Balance Men’s 796 V2 Hard Court is also one of the best cheap tennis shoes that features a REVlite midsole that offers underfoot support. It is relatively lighter than standard New Balance performance foams.
These tennis shoes are also one of the lightest sneakers that features a low-profile design with no-sew material on the upper to cut down on added bulk. This shoe design could help you make the shot with more strength.
PROS
- NDurance outsole
- TPU overlay for durable support
- Mesh material
- Extremely lightweight
- Features a low-profile design
CONS
- Uncomfortable lace system
9. Wilson RUSH PRO 2.5
Wilson RUSH PRO 2.5 tennis shoes feature an innovative Sensifeel technology that features a minimally layered upper to upgrade comfort, maintaining superior support. It also has a Df1 (Df1 = HT drop 6mm) feature that provides an optimal low-to-the-ground feel for agility.
These performance shoes also provide explosive acceleration 3D-FS that delivers unparalleled assistance and increases response time with controlled deceleration. The Wilson RUSH PRO 2.5 tennis shoes also feature one Endofit feature. This provides enhanced stability, comfort, and one intuitive fit through a full inner sock construction. Moreover, they offer the best combination of rebound and cushioning for more dynamic shoe performance.
PROS
- Explosive acceleration
- Optimal low-to-the-ground feel
- Unparalleled support
- Controlled deceleration
- Enhanced stability gel
CONS
- Significantly wide
- Prone to twisting under the arches
10. K-Swiss Women’s Hypercourt Express
Last on this list is the K-Swiss Women’s Hypercourt Express tennis shoes which are ideal for women whose tennis game is on the rise.
These running shoes for women are extremely lightweight and airy. They have a generous fit for any size, so women can use them all day without losing comfort.
These hyper-court express tennis shoes are engineered to get the feet in the perfect position for quick and responsive play and court-to-foot contact.
PROS
- 100% Synthetic
- Rubber sole
- Synthetic Upper
- Textile Collar Lining
- Draggaurd Rubber
CONS
- Particular shoe style runs a bit big
Some Things to Consider Before Buying
Traction
One of the things people need to consider before buying the best cheap tennis shoes is traction. The outsole of a running shoe must provide enough traction for the athlete to avoid slipping during running. [1] This is one essential ingredient for excellent tennis shoes. It helps ensure solid footing as you move around the court and play better in the game. If you always make any quick or sharp movements, your running shoes need to have the best friction/resistance.
To ensure that your tennis shoes have proper friction/resistance, our team suggests looking for a sole made from any sturdy rubber material with a tread pattern. Soft rubber soles usually lack durability. Hence, they wear quickly.
However, our team also suggests that it is best to be careful in choosing rubber soles. Stiff rubber soles may not help you with friction/resistance. Worse, it could become too slick and dangerous, especially when your shoes don’t have balance. Check out our favorite tennis shoes for men here.
Stability
Another critical feature people look for in a tennis shoe is stability. This feature is something necessary for having multi-directional movements.
Players typically move side to side, backward, forward, and diagonally. Some movements even require frequent quick starts and abrupt stops.
If your shoes aren’t stable enough, you might acquire ankle injuries because of a lack of feet support.
Type of Court
Hard Court
The first type of tennis court is the hardcourt. Most people use tennis shoes with tread patterns for shoes intended for hard courts. Although it’s not something that’s always used, our team of experts always suggests that you find a tennis shoe with the herringbone pattern. This pattern works best for hard courts. It is also flexible enough for players to transition to mixed court surfaces.
Clay Court
As mentioned above, tennis shoe products with a unique pattern throughout the shoes’ bottom are also excellent for clay courts. This particular pattern provides the best friction/resistance on clay courts. It also helps ensure consistent and assertive slides while releasing debris as tennis players move around the court when in-game.
Also Read: What are the Best Tennis Shoes For Clay Courts?
Grass Court
The grass court is the least common type of court, so any tennis shoe products for grass courts are difficult to find. This type of court requires shoes with small studs or pimple-like rivets that provide friction/resistance ideal for a grass game. They are also somewhat more expensive than clay or hard-court shoes.
Also Read: How to Properly Lace Tennis Shoes
Comfort
It is also best to consider the comfort you’ll get when using the best tennis shoes while playing a game. Remember, if you are to practice with your pair of tennis shoes, you’ll most likely use them for quite a long time. Using uncomfortable shoes, especially for flat feet, may result in an accident like ankles twisting and even bruises on your toes.
Our team suggests getting a pair of tennis shoes that features sufficient cushion for better comfort. You need to ensure that you are comfortable enough to focus on playing without having to endure anything.
Foot Ventilation
Ventilation is also one essential ingredient in choosing the best cheap tennis shoes for you. Although it must depend on the climate or season where you spend most of your time around the court, breathability is still advantageous. Pair it with comfortable tennis socks and you’re good t go.
Our team suggests buying a tennis shoe with mesh upper for extreme breathability and comfort inside the court like the Vapor X. This material could let cooler air come in a while, pushing out the hot air inside your shoes. It is also worth mentioning that darker colors will absorb heat while lighter-colored shoes will most likely reflect it.
Related Posts:
- Top Tennis Balls for Hard Courts
- Top Tennis Racquets for Beginners
- Top Tennis Racquets for Advanced Players
- Top Multifilament Tennis Racquet Strings
- Top Tennis Racquets Below $100
Durability
No matter how excellent your tennis sneakers/shoes’ features are, it would be a waste if it wasn’t durable enough. It must withstand hard and all-day practice around the court. Like the Vapor X, you need to ensure that the best tennis shoes are abrasion resistant to avoid having their sole wear or tear quickly.
Most sneakers/shoes’ durability lies on the rubber outsole or bottom layer because it is in constant contact with the court. Most pro players and experts suggest that you look for tennis shoe products with imported rubber soles. It’s something durable enough to be worn even during frequent usage like the Vapor X.
Non-Marking Outsole
You don’t only protect your ankle and toes when playing tennis. It would be best if you also protected the court where you play at.
Therefore, it is best to buy the best tennis shoes on the market that feature non-marking outsoles, something that doesn’t leave scuff marks around the court like the Vapor X.
This is tennis player etiquette, especially when you play at clubs and public courts.
FAQS
You can buy cheap tennis shoes at a variety of locations. Some people opt to buy a pair of tennis shoes at their local retail stores for accessibility and retail price. It’s always easier to go to your local stores to check out the sneakers/shoes you want to buy.
However, if people barely have time to go out, they may also buy cheap tennis shoes at online retail stores. So far, this is the most convenient way for people to shop for the best tennis shoes. For other tennis stuff like special tennis sunglasses, here are some ideas.
People should consider buying expensive sneakers/shoes if they want to invest in high-quality sneakers/shoes you will use for a long time. You have to be wary, though, because not all expensive shoes on the market have the best quality. Treat your pair of tennis shoes as an investment as if you’re the legendary Roger Federer.
And the #1 Choice for Budget Tennis Shoes is...
After careful consideration, our team’s number 1 choice for budget tennis shoes is the ASICS Men’s Gel-Challenger 12. These sneakers/shoes are made from Solyte Midsole Material, enhancing the sole’s cushion, fit, and durability.
These lightweight sneakers/shoes for men also feature Forefoot and Rearfoot GEL Cushioning System, attenuating shock during toe-off phases and impact. They allow transitions in multiple planes movement through the gait cycle. They also feature a Trusstic System technology that reduces the sole unit’s weight while retaining the structural integrity of the sneakers/shoes.
OUR # 1 Recommendation
ASICS Men’s Gel-Challenger
- Durable even during footdrag
- Shock-absorption feature
- Lightweight, comfortable, and sturdy
- Bottom sole does grip indoor court surfaces
