{"id":8894,"date":"2021-11-01T12:30:27","date_gmt":"2021-11-01T19:30:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/?p=8894"},"modified":"2023-01-25T07:17:26","modified_gmt":"2023-01-25T15:17:26","slug":"tennis-shoes-vs-sneakers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/tennis-shoes-vs-sneakers\/","title":{"rendered":"Tennis Shoes vs. Sneakers"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"WomanBoasting a sporty vibe, year-round versatility, and an endlessly comfortable feel, active footwear has a place in virtually everyone’s wardrobe. If you’re in the market for a new pair of kicks, you might be wondering about the difference between sneakers and tennis shoes especially if you\u2019re trying to find <\/span>comfortable shoes<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Is there a distinction between the two, and if so, how are they different? The footwear aficionados at <\/span>Vionic<\/span><\/a> are here to clear the air and settle the tennis shoes vs. sneakers debate once and for all. Let’s get started.<\/span><\/p>\n

Getting down to basics: Tennis Shoes<\/strong><\/h2>\n

What are tennis shoes?<\/a> Tennis shoes are essentially lace-up shoes with textile uppers and rubber soles. They’re called tennis shoes because they were initially designed for folks who played\u2014you guessed it\u2014tennis.\u00b9 But before that, canvas shoes with rubber outsoles were called plimsolls, a footwear style worn by 19th-century vacationers.\u00b2<\/span><\/p>\n

Throughout the late 1800s and into the early 20th century, tennis became a more popular pastime. At that point, the footwear style was further developed with better flexibility, stability, and cushioning to keep players comfortable on the court.<\/span><\/p>\n

Over the decades, tennis shoes evolved into a footwear style no longer worn exclusively by tennis players. Today’s iterations of the active shoes are a mainstay for everything from biking, croquet, and walking to aerobics, running, and basketball.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Woman<\/p>\n

What Are Sneakers?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Sneakers are traditionally active shoes that evolved into a category including both athletic and casual styles. Like tennis shoes, they usually have rubber soles and textile uppers. However, many modern sneakers styles feature various upper materials, such as leather, suede, mesh, and neoprene.<\/span><\/p>\n

Thanks to the flexible rubberized outsoles, sneakers make almost no sound on hard court surfaces. They were historically called sneakers because, unlike dress shoes and high heels, you could <\/span>sneak<\/span><\/i> around quietly while wearing them.<\/span><\/p>\n

The first running shoes and basketball shoes came to market around the turn of the 20th century, though they wouldn’t have their moment for another 50 years or so. After World War II, when school dress codes started to relax and leisure activities expanded, kids and teens began wearing sneakers not just for playing but for casual wear.\u00b3<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Humans have been wearing shoes for several centuries, but the first active styles appeared much later. Here’s a general timeline of tennis shoes and sneakers throughout history.<\/span><\/p>\n