Racket Down: 6 Best Tennis Shoe Alternatives for Running
While it is possible to run in tennis shoes, you'll want a dedicated pair of running shoes if you're going to train seriously for a race. Here are the best options, no country club membership required.
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Running is a sport of simplicity. A pair of shoes and the will to cruise is all it takes to get started. If you're looking to make the leap from tennis to running, here's what you what you need to know about footwear to get started on your running journey. (No country club membership required.)
First Off, Can You Run in Tennis Shoes?
While it is possible to run in tennis shoes, as they're highly technical footwear designed for pounding much like running, you'll likely want a dedicated pair of running shoes if you're looking to pick up the sport as a hobby or start training seriously for a race. Tennis shoes are designed to withstand more lateral movement, so they have more support around the midfoot and ankle to give a stable platform for cutting and landing. This means that tennis shoes are heavier, which will be cumbersome for longer runs. For comparison, the Asics Gel Resolution 9, a popular tennis shoe, weighs about 15 ounces for a mens' size 10.5, while the Asics Novablast 3, a popular daily trainer running shoe, weigh about 9 ounces in that same size.
In addition to feeling lighter on foot, performance running shoes also have more cushioned, bouncy and responsive midsoles than tennis shoes, which can help the ride feel smoother, faster and more comfortable, depending on which model you get. However, high stacks of midsole foam can also give unstable rides, especially for newer runners, so if you like the supportive feeling of a tennis shoe, you may want to consider a pair of running shoes with mild stability elements built-in.
Best Running Alternatives to Tennis Shoes
Below, we've broken out a range of options for tennis players joining the running fold. Whether you want something fast and sleek, stable and solid or classic and timeless, there's a shoe for you.
1. Nike Pegasus 40 ($130): If You Love The Aesthetic of Classic Tennis Shoes
The Nike Pegasus 40, known affectionately in the running world as the Peg, is the latest iteration in the humble yet storied daily trainer running line from Nike. The Peg has a classic look like a traditional tennis shoe Billie Jean King would have worn. It has a comfortable upper and firm but flexible ride, providing a degree of groundfeel on the stride. The Peg's calling card, however, is its versatility—it can go slow, fast, to the track, county park trail, grocery store and coffee shop. If you want something that looks good and will get a ton of multi-purpose use, go with the Peg.
Nike Pegasus 40
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2. Saucony Kinvara 14 ($120): If You Like the Firm, Low-Profile Feel of Tennis Shoes
The Saucony Kinvara 14 is a lightweight uptempo trainer for speedier workout days and short-distance races. If you like the firm, low-profile feel of traditional tennis shoes but want something snappier and less heavy, the Kinvara is a great option. It has a minimal stack of Saucony's PWWRUN cushioning, an EVA-based foam similar to what's used in most tennis shoes. It has a responsive ride for shorter distance runs, but due to the lower profile midsole, isn't the best option for longer runs (8+ miles). Consider this an uptempo trainer companion to an everyday running shoe like the Nike Pegasus, Saucony Shift 3 or On Cloudstratus (both below).
Saucony Kinvara 14
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3. Altra Vanish Tempo ($170): If You Like the Flat Platform of Tennis Shoes
Tennis shoes tend to have relatively flat platforms that prioritize stability and lateral support rather forward motion. Running shoes, on the other hand, are all about helping you move efficiently in a straight line. There are two main ways to do this: a rocker, which helps the shoe roll into the next stride, and a high drop, where the heel is placed in an elevated position that primes the foot and lower leg muscles to push off. The Altra Vanish Tempo has a platform more similar to a tennis shoe than a traditional shoe in that it's zero drop, so the heel and forefoot height are the same, providing a flat platform. The shoe has a bouncy foam and fast, fun ride, perfect for uptempo efforts and those marathon training runs where you'll be running at race pace.
Altra Vanish Tempo
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4. Saucony Shift 3 ($150): If You Want Something Supportive
The Saucony Shift 3 is a max-cushioned daily trainer that's good for slower efforts and cruising away the long miles. The Shift 3 has a rockered geometry, where the curvature of the bottom of the shoe helps you transition smoothly into the next stride. It also has a plastic heel clip at the back of the shoe that holds the foot in place and helps ensure a stable ride, similar to how many tennis shoes have added stabilizing elements to prevent the feet from slipping when making lateral movement. If you like the feeling of your foot being in a secure, stable platform, the Shift 3 is a great option.
Saucony Endorphin Shift 3
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5. ASICS Metaspeed Sky+ ($250): The Tennis Shoe Aesthetic on Race Day
The Metaspeed Sky+ is ASICS' top-tier marathon racer. It has a thick stack of bouncy and responsive FF Turbo foam and a carbon fiber plate for extra rigidity and speed. If you're considering training for a half marathon or marathon, the Sky+ is a great option for race day as well as any other faster workouts you'll be tackling throughout the cycle. Plus, it's even colored like a tennis court and tennis ball.
ASICS Metaspeed Sky+
6. On Cloudstratus 2 ($170): If You Want to Be Like Roger
While it doesn't have the same ring as "like Mike," wanting to be like Roger has its merits. The recently retired tennis legend racked up 20 majors single titles and a few Olympic medals over the course of his dominating career. He also has a signature "tennis inspired" lifestyle shoe produced by On, the Swiss performance running brand loved by moms across upper middle class HOAs across America that also happens to make a few pairs of great running shoes. The Cloudstratus is one of those. It has a firm but responsive ride from the EVA-based Helion foam CloudTec pods paired with the plastic Speedboard for extra rigidity in the platform. Like the aforementioned Shift 3, the Cloudstratus also has a plastic heel clip that increases the stabiklity of the platform. This is a great option if you're training for a race and looking for a shoe that can do it all, from the aerobic-paced recovery runs to Saturday 12 milers. Plus, you get to be like Roger—and get the 'burb cred.
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