Best Court Tennis Shoes For Shin Splints – 5 Top Picks
Shin splints, also known as medial tibial stress syndrome, is a common injury that causes pain in the lower leg, along the shinbone (tibia). It typically occurs as a result of repetitive stress on the shinbone and the surrounding tissues, such as the muscles, tendons, and connective tissue.
Shin splints often affect athletes and individuals who engage in activities that involve a lot of running or jumping, such as tennis. It can also occur in individuals who have recently increased the intensity or duration of their exercise routine, or those who have flat feet or high arches.
If you think that you suffer from shin splints, you should wear tennis shoes that are adapted to your conditions and that will allow you to alleviate the pain while enjoying your tennis.
Here are our 5 recommendations:
- Diadora Blushield Torneo
- Babolat Propulse Fury
- Asics Gel Resolution 9
- Adidas Barricade
- Wilson Rush Pro 4.0
How to Know You Have Shin Splints?
Shin splints can be recognized by a few different symptoms, including:
- Pain and tenderness along the shinbone: Shin splints usually cause a dull, aching pain along the inside or front of the shinbone, typically between the knee and ankle.
- Pain that worsens during exercise: Shin splints tend to hurt the most when you are engaging in physical activity, especially when running, jumping, or other high-impact activities. The pain may ease when you rest, but it can return once you resume activity.
- Swelling or inflammation: The affected area may be tender to the touch, and you may notice some swelling, redness, or warmth around the shinbone.
- Pain that lingers: Shin splints can cause persistent pain that doesn’t go away after several days of rest and self-care.
- Difficulty bearing weight: In severe cases, shin splints can cause pain when you try to put weight on the affected leg.
What Can Happen If You Don’t Treat Shin Splints?
If left untreated, shin splints can lead to serious complications and can interfere with your ability to engage in physical activity. Some of the risks of not treating shin splints include:
- Stress fractures: If the stress on the shinbone continues, it can eventually lead to a stress fracture, which is a small crack in the bone. Stress fractures can be very painful and can take several months to heal.
- Chronic pain: If you continue to put stress on the affected area, you may develop chronic pain that persists even when you are not engaging in physical activity.
- Muscle imbalances: Shin splints can cause muscle imbalances in the lower leg, which can lead to further injuries or complications.
- Decreased mobility: If the pain is severe enough, it may limit your ability to walk or engage in physical activity, which can lead to decreased mobility over time.
- Compromised athletic performance: If you are an athlete or engage in regular physical activity, untreated shin splints can compromise your performance and make it more difficult to achieve your fitness goals.
According to mayoclinic.org, you should consult your doctor if rest, ice, and over-the-counter pain relievers don’t ease your shin pain.
What to Look For In A Tennis Shoe If You Suffer From Shin Splints?
- Cushioning: Look for a tennis shoe that offers ample cushioning in the midsole and heel to help absorb the shock of impact and reduce stress on your shins.
- Arch support: Proper arch support is essential for individuals with flat feet or high arches, as it can help distribute weight evenly and reduce the risk of overpronation or supination.
- Vertical and lateral stability: A tennis shoe with good stability features, such as a reinforced heel or midfoot shank, can help prevent undesired movement and reduce the risk of pain in the shin area.
- Comfort: A comfortable tennis shoe is essential for preventing further irritation and discomfort to the shinbones.
- Proper fit: It’s important to choose a tennis shoe that fits well and provides a snug, supportive fit without being too tight. Try on different sizes and brands to find the one that works best for you.
- Durability: Tennis shoes that are made of durable materials can provide long-lasting support and protection for your feet and shins.
Read Also: 5 Best Tennis Shoes For Overpronation
What Are the Best Tennis Shoes For People Suffering From Shin Splints?
Diadora Blushield Torneo
This pair of tennis shoes is comfortable and stable with its heavy 15.3oz for a 10.5 men’s size.
Most players who are used to Diadora tennis shoes stick with the brand.
This model is the iteration of the Blushield 5 AG, which was a total success praised among players particularly those suffering from foot pain in general.
It is easier to break in than the previous version. And soon enough it becomes stable, comfortable, and easy to fit in with a sock-like feel.
An outsole base shank adds lots of lateral stability and prevents bad foot movements.
Overall, the Diadora Speed Blushield Torneo shoes are a suitable option for players who suffer from shin splints, as they provide high stability and comfort on all courts.
PROS
- Highly comfortable with good padding
- Stable securing your feet
- Wide toe box offering plenty of room
- Supportive and no orthotic needed
- Padded tongue and ankle guard
- No break-in required
CONS
- Not the best durability
Babolat Propulse Fury
Stability is one of the best features of this shoe. When you wear it, you can feel deeply rooted and stable on the ground, securing your foot from undesired movements.
They are a little on the heavy side but designed to protect your feet and still get you faster to the ball. The Babolat Propulse Fury is a high-performance shoe for aggressive movers.
The midsole is supportive, and responsive and absorbs the shocks conveniently.
A great feature is the Power Belt technology, which is an enveloping safety belt that provides the most suitable support for all movements. This is great to protect the foot from rotational movements that may result in shinbone pain.
In addition, the Michelin rubber used in the outsole is durable and offers increased resistance and optimal grip on all courts.
Overall, the Babolat Propulse Fury is a good choice if you want high stability and connection to the court. It is suitable for people who want their feet secured and comfortable.
PROS
- Comfort and good padding
- High lateral and overall stability
- Good connection to the court
- Quality materials and durable sole.
- No break-in required
CONS
- Tongue might cut to the ankle
- Might feel heavy for some players
Asics Gel Resolution 9
They are considered one of the best overall shoes, and so many pro players on the Tour use them.
The Gel Resolution line is comfortable, cushioned, and supporting. They also offer long-lasting materials that withstand the friction and abrasion of hardcourts and clay courts.
The shoes are low to the ground and suitable for players who want stability and support underneath their feet.
Besides, the shape of the insole and the midsole is relatively flat making the shoes a great fit for players who seek comfort and cushioning.
Twistruss technology helps you avoid twisting and torsion of your feet protecting them from unwanted movements. This is very helpful for players who want their feet locked and secured to alleviate shin splint complications.
One thing to pay attention to is that the Gel Resolution shoes generally run narrow, so you will have to consider ordering half a size more than your size.
PROS
- Supportive for the heels, arch, and ankles.
- Flexible and breathable a lot
- Provides lateral stability and foot security
- Quick response and easy sliding
- Highly durable
CONS
- Squeaky feeling
- Can run narrow
- Some players feel the strap around the ankle is too tight.
Adidas Barricade
The newer Adidas Barricade shoes are one of the most stable and comfortable on the market, with players like Thiem, Tsitsipas, Auger-Alliassime, and many other pros using them.
The upper is flexible and comes with a new system that helps the tongue mold the shape of your feet.
BOUNCE lightweight cushioning technology in the midsole delivers comfort, shock absorption, and good energy return.
Most importantly, the midfoot is equipped with a TPU shank that keeps every step comfortable and stable and gives you torsional stability and prevention from foot injuries.
Overall, the Barricade is a no-brainer for tennis players looking for overall stability, security, comfort, and performance.
PROS
- Lateral and overall stability
- Uppermost support under the arch and the forefoot
- Good energy return
- Comfortable and nice for foot pain relief
- Lightweight and flexible
CONS
- Tight forefoot
- Somewhat large and bulky
- Contrasted opinions about the durability of this shoe
Wilson Rush Pro 4.0
The midsole is crafted from Energy Surge EVA that is divided into :
- High-density foam located under the heel for high shock absorption
- Lower-density foam in the forefoot for speed optimization and forgiveness
One good feature is the multidirectional shank that is spread across the whole surface to provide superb stability and torsional security during the movements.
In addition, a TPU piece called 4D Support Chassis splits the chassis into two pieces:
- one runs under the foot for forward propulsion
- the other runs laterally from heel to toe as high as the ankle level on the backfoot offering additional lateral protection and maintaining the foot in place when striking the ground.
The outsole consists of a Duralast high-density durable rubber compound that provides abrasion resistance and maximum traction on all surfaces.
Overall, the Wilson Rush Pro 4.0 is amazing when it comes to lateral stability, sole durability, and speed.
PROS
- Multidirectional shank for a nice stability
- Durable outsole and is perfect for sliding
- Good comfort and shock absorption
- Superb for hard courts
CONS
- Not the most durable upper
- Not ideal for clay
- Requires some break in time