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tennis shoes

How To Look After Your Tennis Shoes (Especially On Red Clay!)

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Sport shoes can vary a great deal, but they generally share a few things in common. There are of course some notable exceptions but relatively speaking, they are typically lightweight, composed of canvas and rubber, and undergo the most strenuous use of any type of shoe out there. When you are doing sports, you’re regularly in vigorous motion. There is no doubt about it, sports shoes take a hell of a beating – and the best ones don’t come cheap, either.

Whether it is a brand-new par of top tennis shoes, some football boots specially designed by some Premier League superstar, or a flashy pair of Air Jordans (admittedly, these are more fashion statements at this point) you are going to want to make them last as long as possible. Trainers have become expensive items, and the best ones that really give you the edge in whatever sport you play can be plenty pricey. Accordingly, proper sports shoe care is essential. You are putting some expensive products on your feet and then subjecting them to a vigorous workout. This alone shows how important it is to look after them.

Wear the Right Shoes for Your Feet

However, before going on to some tips on how to make your sports shoes last as long as possible, it is important to know how to get off to the right start in achieving that. No matter how much care you apply, a pair of trainers that are either ill-suited to the sport you are partaking or ill-suited to your feet are sure to go kaput long before their time.

You need to know then how to choose the right sports shoes. The importance of a good fit cannot be overstated. Remember, you are not just walking in your sports shoes; you are using them for running, dashing, quickly changing direction, kicking balls, jumping, and every other bodily manoeuvre under the sun. Get the wrong fit with either too much leeway inside the shoe or too little and this will ensure they become damaged before long – and you could even do yourself an injury as well.

Here follows then some tips for picking the best sports shoes:

Purchase Them from a Specialty Store

If you are serious about your sport, then you should spare no expense in getting the right equipment. It is a poor workman who blames his tools, but he still needs the tools. At a speciality shop, not only will you be buying top quality sports shoes, but you will have expert staff on hand to help you get the right fit and advise on all manner of other matters.

Try Them on at The End of The Day

Your feet swell during the day. To get the optimal fit, fit your shoes (on your largest foot) by trying them on at the end of the day, preferably after the kind of exercise you expect to be doing in them.

Get The Right Shoes for the Right Sport

There are broad similarities in sports shoes where caring for them is concerned, but there are some important differences too. Taking a pair of white tennis shoes out onto a muddy football pitch isn’t a wise idea – there is a reason football boots have studs and a firm toe.

Washing Sports Shoes

The next thing that is very important for the continued life of your expensive sports shoes is to wash them properly. So important is this, in fact, that it deserves its own section. Here follows the steps to properly washing sports shoes. Nevertheless, bear in mind that this does not include the sports shoes which count as exceptions the category (such as ballet point shoes or climbing shoes) – and you should also take the smaller differences between different types of sports shoes into consideration as well.

Knock off The Dirt and Mud

And to ensure that it’s dry, wait a while after your shoes have been used until the muck dries out. Then, simply knock them together to dislodge the excess dirt.

Remove the Insoles and Air Them Out

Airing out insoles (and the interior of the shoe) is an essential precursor to washing.

Apply a Wet Sponge

After that, gets some warm soapy water and a wet sponge and give the shoes a good scrub all over. This should remove most of the dirt. 

Give Them a Toothbrush Clean

After that, it is time to get into the nooks and crannies which, if left filled with dirt for too long, will weaken these parts of the shoe. The best thing to use is an old toothbrush. Do this when they are still wet from the sponge scrub.

Air Them Out Completely

After all of this has been done, you need to once more let the shoes dry and air out completely before replacing the insoles and using them once again.

Sports Shoes Care Tips

So, having stressed that a proper washing routine is perhaps the most important thing for extending the life of sports shoes, here follows some general tips to consider:

Air Them Out

The advantage of this tip is not just that it will help your shoes last longer, it will also do something about the smell around your home! There no need to seal them away in a locked cupboard with a big no smoking sign on the door, but your home fragrance will be improved by always getting your shoes free of moisture before you put them away. Also, moist shoes stored in your cupboard for extended periods of time is sure to cause degradation.

Store Them Properly

Sports shoes will degrade faster when exposed to excessive heat or direct sunlight, so be sure to store them in a dry dark space – just like wine!

Maintain the Shape

Being made, generally speaking, of pliable materials, sports shoes can easily lose their shape, which will spoil the fit. Try stuffing them with paper (which will also help absorb moisture) and avoid throwing other shoes or objects on top of them.

Always Untie

It might be tempting, when you are exhausted from that run, to simply use your foot to just kick off your sports shoes. However, it is in your interests not to do this. By patiently untying them each time, you will avoid the degradation – especially around the heel – which occurs when this rough action is carried out.

Ultimately, sports shoes are not the sturdiest or most resilient shoes out there – they wouldn’t be very good for sports if they were – and they undergo a lot of strain when you’re actually playing your sport. It is always best to take some extra care with these shoes. Your sports performance – and your bank balance – will thank you for it.

Tennis shoes on clay courts

What To Look For When Buying Tennis Shoes

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Are you in the market for new tennis shoes? Well, here are some of the things to consider when buying new tennis shoes.

1.       Lateral Support

When playing tennis, you will make sudden changes in all directions. That’s why you need tennis shoes with adequate lateral support. Make sure the shoes hold your foot steady. Your feet should not feel insecure when you are moving around. Such shoes allow you to move better and also prevent injuries when playing tennis.

Make sure the tennis shoes have special lacing systems that boost lateral support. You should also choose those with sturdy uppers and broad outsoles. If you have a large build, these features will work perfectly for you. Do you have weak ankles but hate using ankle braces? You should consider hi-tops for the best results.

2.         Cushioning

EVA and polyurethane are the main materials used for cushioning tennis shoes. Polyurethane is heavier but it’s very durable. On the other hand, EVA is a lightweight material but it is less stable. Polyurethane is obviously the better choice.

There is a significant difference in the capacity of shock absorption of both female and male tennis shoes. Always choose tennis shoes with good cushioning. Of course, they don’t need to be extra soft because they will not provide enough support.

3.         Court

Look for tennis shoes with an outsole that works perfectly on the type of surface you are playing on. That’s because different surfaces such as grass, hard courts and clay courts play different. As a result, there will be a huge change in your game and footwork.

If you want to maintain the best footing when playing, you need to choose a good tennis shoe designed specifically for the type of court you are using. Many like these platform tennis shoes because of the soft, cushioning properties their sole offers. Here’s what you need to know about each of these surfaces.

Hard Court Outsoles

Most people play tennis on hard courts. If you want the ultimate durability for your outsole, this type of court can be quite demanding. You need to find the right outsole that can meet the demands of the hard court.

Some of the best tennis shoes for hard courts have a herringbone pattern that guarantees the best grip on the court. They should also have proper cushioning and a good midsole that transfers energy into every step as well absorbing shock from the hard court.

Tennis shoes for a hard court also have a tough upper part that provides support and ample durability. The toe area of the shoe is built up and protected, especially for toe draggers, because the hard court will damage your shoes considerably.

Clay Court Outsoles

For a clay court, the best tennis shoes should have a herringbone or a zig zag pattern. It prevents the clay from getting into the outsole. That way, you can enjoy a better grip of the court when changing directions, stopping or sprinting. If some clay is caught in there, you can tap the sole with your racket and dislodge it.

With the herringbone design on your shoe, it’s easy to slide from one side to the other. When playing with these shoes, you can glide perfectly into a shot and recover. You can also enjoy the traction when moving forward and backward.

Also, the upper part is tightly knit to guarantee overall stability. You can count on improved comfort, confidence and overall performance while on the court with the right shoes for a clay court.

Grass Court Outsoles

Grass courts are softer on your joints and entire body. There aren’t many tennis shoes available for grass courts. However, you should know that the surface tends to play fast so you need the right outsole when playing there. The best tennis shoes have pimples or nubs and often resemble cleats.

The outsole provides a great grip for players on a surface known to be quite slippery. The outsole is bumpy and doesn’t do any damage to the court. These shoes are actually very comfortable allowing you to move very fast on the surface. You can’t use these shoes on any other surface.

4.         Comfortable

When buying tennis shoes, make sure they are comfortable. For instance, they need to have adequate tongue padding to make sure the laces don’t dig into your skin. If you have flat feet, you should opt for something softer.

If you have arched feet, choose a firm shoe or even suitable insoles like the ones offered here. To avoid getting blisters, you should break in the new shoes a few days before playing in the court. You should be able to identify the trouble spots and choose other shoes if need be.

5.         The Type Of Sole

Of course, when choosing the type of sole, you need to consider the type of court you will be using.

For the hard court, stick to shoes with a herringbone pattern.

For a grass court, make sure the shoes have small rubber studs to avoid slipping.

For an indoor carpet, make sure the soles are completely smooth to prevent your feet from grabbing thus causing a lot of stress on the knees or ankles.

For a clay court, you should choose clay court shoes that allow you to slide effectively.

If you have excessive toe drag, especially when serving the ball, make sure the shoes have heavy exterior protection around the toe area. The area under the ball of the foot where you tend to exert most pressure should be well-padded.

6.  The Shoe Size

When looking for the right size of shoe, you need to consider the height, width and length. If you buy tennis shoes that are too big, you will get blisters. On the other hand, if you buy shoes that are too small, your feet will be crushed and you might suffer permanent damage.

Once you find the right size, you should know that your feet will grow with time. Also, as you age, your feet will collapse and spread out. That’s why you need to measure your feet every time you are getting new tennis shoes.

Conclusion

Non-tennis shoes might look appealing but don’t be tempted to use them for the game. They don’t have the right grip and support so you will hurt yourself. Check various retailers to find the cheapest option for you.

 

Tennis Player
Tennis Player