If you’re wondering where to buy tennis shoes, there are a lot of choices available, both online and at sporting goods stores.
Depending on whether you have purchased tennis shoes before, need them right away, or want to find the best deal, can steer you in different directions.
We’ll do our best to cover each of these scenarios so you can get to enjoying your new kicks, as soon as possible.
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Buying Tennis Shoes Online
Our favorite retailer to purchase tennis shoes online is Amazon. If you’re partial to a brand, it’s likely they carry it including but not limited to;
- Adidas
- ASICS
- K-Swiss
- New Balance
- Nike
There are options outside of these brands, but for most serious players, these are the ones most stick with.
We’ve reviewed a plethora of tennis shoes for both men and women in our thorough review here. If you’re uncertain about which pair to get, it’s a great place to start.
Best Tennis Shoe Prices Are Typically Online
Most online storefronts that offer tennis shoes, generally offer better pricing. If you can wait a day or two for shipping, you can almost always save a few dollars.
This is mainly due to 2 main reasons.
Lower Overhead
Online marketplaces like Amazon, eBay, etc., have a much lower overhead compared to brick and mortar stores.
They’re not burned with having to purchase nice shelving or displays and hire employees to help service shoppers.
Instead of paying for retail space inside of a shopping mall, for example, a warehouse can be rented for considerably less cost.
More Competition
Internet users nowadays are fairly sophisticated and it’s very easy for a shopper to check a few websites for the best price before making a final purchase.
Web storefronts like Amazon carry a bit of everything, and they know if their tennis shoes are not priced aggressively, it will result in lost sales.
Other Considerations for Purchasing Tennis Shoes On The Internet
Amazon has one of the highest-rated customer support offered for online shopping [1]. If you don’t like the shoe or it doesn’t fit exactly right, it’s a breeze to return. Within just a few clicks, Amazon will direct you to the nearest return center, often at no cost to you.
Lastly, Amazon Prime customers enjoy free overnight or in some markets, same-day shipping. They really do make purchasing an affordable pair of tennis shoes a quick and easy process.
Best Places to Buy Tennis Shoes in Person
We get it. Finding the right tennis shoes is important. There are a lot of times you want to put your hands on a product before you make a purchase and tennis shoes are no different.
If this is your first pair for the court, you might want to try on a few pairs before making your final decision.
In general, most of the larger sporting goods stores will carry most of the brands you’re likely familiar with. Some brands like Nike or Fila will of course carry their own brand of tennis shoes and no others.
Dick’s Sporting Goods for Purchasing Tennis Shoes In-Person
If we had to recommend one place to buy tennis shoes in person, it would be Dick’s Sporting Goods.
They have a great reputation for carrying a wide array of sporting goods with a knowledgable sales staff that can help steer you in the right direction.
Unless you’re already partial to a brand, you can try a variety to see what pair of tennis shoes will feel best while you’re on the court.
Dick’s Sporting Goods Prices
Like most in-person sporting goods stores and storefronts, folks usually go there with a product in mind. The prices are typically fair and fall in line with manufacturer guidelines, but you may not always find the best deal.
What seems to be more of a common trend these days, is going to a physical storefront to determine what pair of tennis shoes you like the most, and then price shopping online.
You can do this right from the store. The price offered may be within a few dollars of what you can find online, for which saving a few extra dollars might not be worth the convenience.
Every shopping experience can be different depending on what tennis shoe you’re after, so best to use your best judgment here.
Other Considerations for Buying Tennis Shoes In Person
Perhaps you already know what you want, like a pair of shoes made for a clay court and you’re partial to a brand like ASICS. Depending on your geography, visiting an ASICS outlet might be your best bet.
Nike, Adidas, and Fila also have their own storefronts. If you’re partial to a brand and they carry the tennis shoe style you’re after, paying them a visit is often a good idea.
Lastly, if you can find an outlet version of the brand you like versus a storefront in the shopping mall, you can likely save a few dollars. They just might not have the latest shoe and often will offer the shoe lineup from the past season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What Is the Different Between Sneakers and Tennis Shoes?
We understand the terms sneakers and tennis shoes are sometimes used interchangeably, particularly in southern parts of the country.
The main difference between tennis shoes and sneakers is that tennis shoes are specifically made for playing on the court, while sneakers are generally a more general and casual piece of footwear.
Tennis shoes are often tailored for example for a hard court or clay court. They will have different lateral support, made for movement specific to tennis.
Q: What About Stores like Footlocker or Zappos?
While Footlooker and Zappos certainly carry a number of brands including adidas, ASICS and Nike, they don’t specialize in tennis shoes made for the court.
You may find what you’re looking for, but when search specifically for a tennis shoe, we recommend sticking to the guidelines above.
References
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/christopherelliott/2018/07/11/these-companies-have-the-best-customer-service-heres-why/
