The court you play on should decide the shoes you buy. Here's the quick version.
All-court shoes
The versatile default — a good grip and durability across most surfaces. The right choice if you play across surfaces or you're not sure what you'll be on most.
Clay-court shoes
Herringbone tread for grip and to shed clay. Avoid using them on hard courts — the tread wears down quickly.
Hard-court shoes
Reinforced, abrasion-resistant outsoles — often with a durability guarantee. The right pick if your home club is on hard.
Shop tennis shoes or read our shoe buying guide.