The shape of your feet, your playing style, and your personal shoe preferences are all factors to consider when choosing your next pair of tennis shoes. In the following sections we'll take a look at how Yonex’s technology will help improve your tennis game and walk through the process of choosing the best shoe to match your needs.

How Yonex tennis shoe technology improves your performance

Yonex Eclipsion 3 – Yonex’s premium durability shoe

The Eclipsion 3 is the shoe of choice for champion tennis player, Stan Wawrinka.

This model was designed to be Yonex’s highest performing tennis shoe, which is why it’s packed with their best stability technology. The upper design makes the shoe very rigid, so it holds your foot in place.

The Eclipsion 3 is packed with more of their Performance Cushioning than any other model, making it their most comfortable tennis shoe.

This shoe is also the most narrow Yonex model, which is saying a lot for a company with popularly narrow shoes. In fact, if you have wide feet, Yonex tennis shoes, in general, are probably not for you.

You should also note: This is the heaviest Yonex tennis shoe, weighing in at 14oz, so if you’re looking for a light, speedier model, the Eclipsion 3 is probably not for you.

What you’ll notice:

• High performance.

As Pro player Stan Wawrinka will confirm, this shoe is designed to perform on game day. The tread has a unique design making it great for sliding into shots. And the upper is very hefty and rigid, which really helps when you’re making those hard cuts.

• Spongy cushioning.

This is definitely a performance shoe, though the cushioning is so dense, it seems like it’s simply built for comfort. You may notice you’re riding a little higher off the court, as opposed to sinking into the midsole.

The one potential drawback to the comfortable cushioning is that it isn’t very springy. This isn’t necessarily negative, as long as you know what to expect.

Yonex FusionRev 3 – Yonex’s speedster shoe

This shoe was designed to be an extremely light and fast, though still heavily cushioned, tennis shoe. Yonex pulled out a little bit of the stability tech, making the shoe lighter and the upper better ventilated.

The main feature that separates this model from the Eclipsion 3 is the added booty tech feature to help your foot slide in easily and hug it in place.

While the FusionRev 3 does have good stability and nice thick cushioning, if you’re looking for premium level support and cushioning, the Eclipsion 3 might be your best bet.

What you’ll notice:

• Off-center lacing system.

When you first look at this asymmetrical lacing system – literally they’re on the side of the shoe – it may give you a little doubt at first. But you’ll be surprised at just how well they lock your feet in and don’t let them slide around.

Not only do they lock them in, but because they’re off-center, it frees the top of your foot up, which feels nice.

• The arches.

If you’ve got high arches, you’ll appreciate how the FusionRev 3’s design supports your foot shape.

But it’s important to note: If you’ve got low, or even medium, arches, these could cause some soreness, especially if you’re playing longer matches.

Yonex Sonicage 2 – Yonex’s value model for casual tennis players

The Sonicage 2 was designed to be the budget-friendly model for non-competitive, non-aggressive players.

Yonex pulled out some of the expensive stabilizing tech, and set this shoe’s aim on being lighter, more comfortable, and more airy. And they achieved it. Because at 11.6oz this is Yonex’s absolute lightest shoe model.

Thanks to the affordable price, this is a great shoe for beginners who are learning their playing style, without having to break the bank But it should be noted: this shoe is lacking in stability tech, and the outsoles aren’t all that durable. So, if you’re an aggressive player, or someone who spends tons of hours on the court, then the Sonicage 2 probably wouldn’t be the best shoe for you.

What you’ll notice:

• A lot of cushion for an entry-level shoe.

Most entry-level shoes don’t come with high-end technologies inside. But the Sonicage 2 is packed with Yonex’s spongy Performance Cushioning, just like the other models. For the price, this is a very well-cushioned shoe.

• Roomy forefoot.

Yonex isn’t exactly known for having excess room in their shoes. And the Sonicage 2 is still extremely narrow in the heel. But in this model, you will notice they have a little more wiggle room for your toes.

How do I choose the best Yonex tennis shoe for me?

In order to find the best shoe for you, you’ll need to answer a few questions:

1. What type of tennis player are you?
2. What’s your foot shape (low or high arches/narrow or wide)?
3. Do you want max cushioning or a low-court feel?

First, what type of tennis player are you?

• Casual player – Many people just want to play recreational tennis, looking to get a little exercise while having fun with friends. Yonex built the Sonicage 2 specifically for this type of tennis player.
• Competitive player – Then there are those who are actively trying to win every single match. If you’re looking to play tennis competitively, then you might want to look at the light FusionRev 3, or the more stable, more heavily-cushioned Eclipsion 3.

Then, you’ll need to take your foot shape into account:

• High arches – If you’ve got high arches, you’d probably like the FusionRev 3. Note: If you have low to moderate arches, this shoe will probably feel a little uncomfortable, especially if you’re playing for hours at a time.
• Low Arches – If you have low arches, then you should feel right at home in the Eclipsion 3.
• Narrow feet – All of Yonex models are very much on the narrow side. Their sleekest, most narrow model is the Eclipsion 3 – but you better have slender feet if you’re looking at this shoe.
• Wide feet – If you’ve got wider feet, unfortunately, Yonex probably isn’t the brand for you. Though you should know that of all their models, the Sonicage 2 does have a little bit of extra room in the forefoot. Not a ton, but more than the others.

Last, do you want to feel the court, or ride high above it?

• Max cushioning – If you’re looking for a lot of cushioning to protect your feet, then the plush Eclipsion 3 is definitely your shoe. You’ll really feel like you’re playing above the court as your feet sit on top of the cushioning in this shoe.
• Mid-level cushioning – If you want a little of both worlds, and you don’t necessarily need the most luxurious cushioning, then the FusionRev 3 is your shoe.
• Minimal cushioning – If you’re looking for more of a low-court feel, then your best choice is going to be the Sonicage 2 . It’s not a minimalist tennis shoe by any means, and it’s still quite comfortable in the midsole. But you’re much closer to the court in this shoe, compared to the other models.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the same pair of Yonex shoes for running and playing tennis?

Technically yes, though it’s not ideal for a couple of reasons.

Running shoes are typically built with specific cushioning to absorb repetitive impact while moving in a straight line. Tennis shoes are usually designed with stability tech to keep you from rolling an ankle when making abrupt lateral movements. Tennis shoes also tend to be a good bit heavier than running shoes, which can wear you down the longer you run.

If possible, you want to have a shoe dedicated to tennis, and a separate running shoe for jogging and running. However, if that’s not feasible, and you could only pick one shoe for both activities, it would probably be best to go with a tennis shoe. Preferably one on the lighter side, like the FusionRev 3, or the Sonicage 2.

How often should I replace my Yonex tennis shoes?

Depending on how often you play, how aggressively you play, and the durability of the shoes you’re playing, how long your shoes will last can vary.

That being said, a general rule is that tennis shoe technologies tend to wear down between 45 - 60 hours of court time. This will translate to roughly 6 months to 1 year before you’ll need to replace them.

Here are a few red flags to help you know that it’s time to invest in new shoes:

• When playing on a hard court and you notice your shoes’ traction isn’t squeaking like it once did
• If you notice the tread isn’t gripping the court and letting you make sharp cuts like when the shoes were newer
• If after longer matches you start feeling aches or pains in your joints and low back.

Can I machine wash Yonex tennis shoes?

It’s not a great idea to throw your shoes in the washer. This can damage the materials and technologies, which can drastically decrease the lifetime of your shoes.

How should I clean my Yonex tennis shoes?

Whenever possible you should clean your shoes using a soft brush and mild soap.

1. Take out the laces and the sockliner
2. Gently scrub away any debris or dirt via the brush
3. Rinse them off using cold or cool water
4. Be sure to air-dry them, as opposed to letting them sit in the sun

I need help deciding — What are the best Yonex tennis shoes for a beginner?

The Sonicage 2 is an ideal entry-level tennis shoe. It still has enough stability that you won’t roll an ankle, and yet it’s light and breathable enough that your feet won’t get too warm or weighed down. It also has an impressive amount of cushioning for such an affordable shoe.