{"id":8867,"date":"2021-11-01T12:30:26","date_gmt":"2021-11-01T19:30:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/?p=8867"},"modified":"2025-02-19T04:38:14","modified_gmt":"2025-02-19T12:38:14","slug":"what-are-tennis-shoes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/what-are-tennis-shoes\/","title":{"rendered":"What Are Tennis Shoes?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"womanThe tennis shoe, a sporty footwear style made out of rubber and canvas, has been around for the greater part of a century.\u00b9 It’s popular among men, women, and kids, holding a permanent place in just about everyone’s wardrobe.<\/span><\/p>\n

But what are tennis shoes exactly, why are they called <\/span>tennis<\/span><\/i> shoes, and are they any different from the<\/span> comfortable shoes<\/span><\/a> we call sneakers? Read on for answers to these questions from the footwear experts at <\/span>Vionic<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

What Is a Tennis Shoe?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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A tennis shoe is essentially a lace-up shoe with vulcanized rubber soles and lightweight uppers, typically made of canvas or another textile. In the modern world, the word <\/span>tennis shoe<\/span><\/i> is all but synonymous with <\/span>sneaker<\/span><\/i>, though some people will argue that they’re distinctly different.<\/span><\/p>\n

Also called athletic shoes, running shoes, trainers, gym shoes, track shoes, court shoes, or sport shoes, the active footwear category was traditionally intended for playing sports, working out, or maintaining an otherwise physically active lifestyle.\u00b2 However, today’s tennis shoes are often worn with street clothes and everyday wear.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why Is It Called a Tennis Shoe?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Before tennis shoes came to market, canvas shoes with rubber outsoles were called plimsolls.\u00b3 However, the tennis shoe was named the tennis shoe because it was first designed for people who play\u2014you guessed it\u2014tennis.\u00b2<\/span><\/p>\n

During the turn of the century and throughout the early 1900s, as the sport gained popularity, the footwear style was developed to provide stability and support while keeping the tennis player comfortable on the clay court.\u00b2 As such, these shoes featured substantially more support than the original plimsolls.<\/span><\/p>\n

What Makes a Tennis Shoe a Tennis Shoe?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

To qualify as a proper tennis shoe, a shoe should have a rubber sole for flexibility, shock absorption, and support, along with canvas (or another type of textile) uppers for breathability. Unlike pumps and dress shoes, it’s generally a flat-soled and lightweight shoe.<\/span><\/p>\n

Nowadays, <\/span>tennis shoes<\/span><\/i> can be used to describe almost any type of active footwear, aside from athletic sandals. In fact, whether you call them tennis shoes, sneakers, or trainers likely depends on where you live.<\/span><\/p>\n

For instance, aside from the Northeast and Florida, most people throughout the U.S. use the word tennis shoes when referring to athletic footwear. On the other hand, Europeans are more likely to call them trainers.\u2074<\/span><\/p>\n

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History of Tennis Shoes<\/strong><\/h2>\n

While the athletic shoe didn’t become popular until nearly a century later, active shoes with rubberized soles have actually been around since the mid-1800s. Here’s what to know about the history and evolution of the sneaker.<\/span><\/p>\n

First Iterations<\/strong><\/h3>\n

As noted above, the first canvas shoes with rubber soles were called plimsolls. This sports shoe was originally worn by vacationers and the leisure class, though it quickly caught the attention of tennis and croquet players.\u2075 To provide adequate grip in addition to support, the rubber outsoles of plimsolls were eventually engraved with patterns.<\/span><\/p>\n

First Running Shoes and Basketball Shoes<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Featuring spiked soles for speed and traction, the first running shoes came to market in the late 1800s. In the early 20th century, these active shoes were ordered for Olympic track teams throughout Europe.\u2075 Around the same time, the world’s first basketball shoes were created\u2014 though they wouldn’t have their moment in the spotlight until the second half of the century.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Popularization of Tennis Shoes<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Following World War II, when watching professional sports became a more common pastime, the American tennis shoe market continued to grow. In the 1950s, when leisure activities expanded and school dress codes began to relax, kids and teens started wearing sneakers not just for sports but for casual wear.<\/span><\/p>\n

Additionally, jogging, tennis, and aerobics became popular pastimes for adults, who needed the proper shoe. Thanks to trailblazing brands like Spalding, Converse, and Nike, the popularization of sneakers boomed globally during the second half of the 20th century.<\/span><\/p>\n

Modern Tennis Shoes<\/strong><\/h3>\n

In the 1990s and early aughts, active shoes were at the forefront of mainstream fashion. Brands started getting endorsements from professional athletes, and wearing the newest styles became the ultimate form of self-expression.\u2076<\/span><\/p>\n

In 1998, 285 tennis shoe models came to market\u2014a sharp increase from only five in 1970. And in 2012, there were nearly 3,500 new sneakers available for purchase.\u2077<\/span><\/p>\n

Modern tennis shoes include a broad range of styles. From running shoes, walking shoes, and cross-trainers to fashion sneakers, high-tops, and slip-ons, there’s something for everyone and every activity.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tennis Shoes vs. Sneakers<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Lots of folks wonder about the difference between tennis shoes vs sneakers<\/a>. Historically, tennis shoes were designed for playing tennis, as they offered traction and stability on grass or clay courts. And technically speaking, the world’s first running shoes and basketball shoes for hard courts appeared a few decades later.<\/span><\/p>\n

On account of the flexible rubberized soles, you could literally <\/span>sneak<\/span><\/i> around without making a sound while wearing active shoes, hence the name <\/span>sneakers<\/span><\/i>. But as mentioned above, today’s tennis shoes and sneakers are generally considered to be the same thing.<\/span><\/p>\n

Types of Tennis Shoes<\/strong><\/h2>\n

There are several types of tennis shoes for men and women. If you’re looking to pair the perfect outfits with tennis shoes<\/a>, here are the most common types:<\/span><\/p>\n