In respect of the soles, zero-drop tennis shoes vary from zero-drop running shoes. For lateral tennis moves, zero-drop tennis shoes require significantly strong side support and a tougher sole. Thankfully, they have proved to help some people with foot problems, and they are now increasingly sought after in other sports like tennis.
When it concerns running and tennis shoes, though, there are some distinct factors one needs to take into consideration. Of course, one can still wear running shoes, but also be aware that they will wear out more quickly compared to a true tennis shoe. The purpose of this post is to compile a list of the best zero-drop tennis shoes (minimalist & barefoot shoes) that you may refer to without having to search all over for them. If you are a golf or tennis player please check Minimalist Shoes For Golf | Zero Drop Basketball Shoes
Contents
- Best Zero Drop/ Minimalist Tennis Shoes
- 1. Xero Shoes Men's Prio Cross Training Shoe
- 2. Vivobarefoot Geo Court, Men's Everyday Barefoot Classics
- 3. Merrell Men's Vapor Glove 4 Fitness Shoes
- 4. Topo Athletic Cushioned Zero Drop Magnifly 3 Road Runners
- 5. Astral, Men’s Loyak Barefoot Shoes
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Conclusion
Best Zero Drop/ Minimalist Tennis Shoes
1. Xero Shoes Men's Prio Cross Training Shoe
- COMFORTABLE, FOR-EVERYTHING SHOE - Whether you’re out on a run, trying out a new trail, hitting the gym, or toeing a slackline, you’ll love the Prio’s combination of freedom and protection
- XERO DROP SOLE FOR PERFECT POSTURE - The Xero Drop sole offers a non-elevated heel and is low-to-the-ground - this allows proper posture, balance, and agility for all-round performance
- ULTRA-THIN BAREFOOT DESIGN - Wear with or without socks. The optional 2mm insole lets you have more or less of a “barefoot feel” depending on your mood
These road runners are surprisingly minimalistic in design. More than simply an extra-wide toe area, the entire shoe is engineered to give your overall foot plenty of freedom to expand out.

It has incredible upward flexibility precisely where the ball of your foot touches the toes. This provides for a more relaxed running experience by allowing you to trigger both your arch’s support and your toes’ rebound. The Prio glides all across the ground with ease.

The Prio is a superb, real barefoot-style road runner featuring just a touch of comfort thanks to the extra insole. Additionally, removing the insole, the thin, 5.5mm outsole’s unique FeelTrue rubber, will give the raw feedback that barefoot runners demand. The Prio is remarkably adaptable for a shoe that is definitely dedicated to the key values of barefoot running. It is light and breathable enough to allow you to run on the streets even on the warmest summer days, yet tough enough to resist light rain and the cold.

These shoes appear to be a convincing option for individuals wishing to make the switch from traditional running shoes to barefoot running shoes. It has a heavier feel than most other core models while simultaneously maintaining a pure zero-drop construction and excellent barefoot accuracy.
2. Vivobarefoot Geo Court, Men's Everyday Barefoot Classics
- The reinvented minimalist sneaker, for feet first style
- Classic style with total barefoot movement and sensory feedback
- Men's Everyday Shoes
The Geo Court from Vivobarefoot is the ideal leather sneaker. They’re the perfect mix of sporty and easy, allowing you to wear them with anything while maintaining good foot health. This is a great tennis shoe for both males and females.

This shoe is a regular shoe with a streamlined design and minimal details that Vivobarefoot distributes in a variety of colours and materials periodically, with vegan variants being available during the summer.

Vivobarefoot sneakers have a broad toe box and are fully flat, thin, and flexible. The uppers of the shoes are made of leather, making them extremely easy to keep clean and shiny. In addition, the inside is partly leather and partly fabric lined. The algae insole is detachable and helps to circulate air around your foot, which can reduce sweating. Vivo designed a unique extra-grippy sole for these sneakers. You can identify the difference between their everyday soles and their special soles, making them perfect for tennis courts.

Altogether, the Vivobarefoot Geo Court is a stylish barefoot leather shoe that can be worn every day. They’re one of Vivobarefoot’s best-looking barefoot sneakers, and they tick all the requirements: Minimalistic, stylish, functional, and long-lasting.
3. Merrell Men's Vapor Glove 4 Fitness Shoes
- Vibram TC5+
- Merrell Barefoot 2 construction for enhanced proprioception and stability during variable movement
The Vapor Glove 4 is a favourite minimalist shoe for all-around use. This shoe is comfortable and lasts far longer. The fourth iteration includes more alterations than the previous Merrell Vapor Glove 3. Moreover, the Trail Glove has a zero-drop design.

The flexibility of these shoes is excellent. The shoe can be twisted and turned at any angle. Both the upper and the sole are affected by this. You may even replicate the iconic appearance of a barefoot shoe by turning and pressing the shoe completely.

Due to the lack of the midsole and incredibly thin outsole, the Vapor Glove 4 shines in the barefoot running category. Every step matters, and so this shoe will keep you on track with your posture and movement. This shoe does admirably in its role, with a feel that is quite close to that of a running flat. Its comfort will astound you, as it provides a protective covering without making your feet feel as if they were sealed from all sensations.

This shoe is breathable and lightweight enough for desert routes, yet it does a fantastic job of keeping your feet dry on rainy days. It’s a near-ideal running shoe for seasoned barefoot runners.
4. Topo Athletic Cushioned Zero Drop Magnifly 3 Road Runners
- Engineered mesh uppers are naturally breathable and lightweight
- Heel to Toe Drop:0MM
- Molded foam collar and OrthoLite cushion footbed
The Magnifly 3 is a stunningly simple sneaker, and the first impressions on foot are truly incredible; as the shoe feels fantastic. What concerns us is how well it runs, and luckily for the Magnifly 3, it has everything you could desire.

The new mesh upper is fantastic, and the spacious toe box and dual-density midsole make the shoe quite comfy. The out-of-the-box feeling is excellent, and a decent Topo Athletic shoe is difficult to beat as a regular shoe.

The Magnifly 3 is one of the greatest running shoes. It’s a simple-looking shoe that won’t draw attention, yet it seems more like something you’d wear with jeans than something for running. It is available in three colors for both women and men. According to the manufacturer, the sweeping toe rocker indicates that the sole was built with a prolonged toe sweep that passes the ball of your foot up through and around the toes.

The elegant design encourages you to move in a more harmonic and rolling motion. This shoe will provide a feeling of joy to walkers, so you could even wear it to the workplace if you want to.
5. Astral, Men’s Loyak Barefoot Shoes
- THE LOYAK: A minimalist, active sneaker that’s lightweight, flexible and made for the water; Wear them kayaking, traveling, sailing or just hanging around town
- SUPER STICKY: Our Flex-Grip outsole is made with extra-grippy G.15 Rubber that conforms to the ground; Divided lugs and razor siping maximize traction on slick surfaces
- WATER-READY: Holes in the front and back of the midsole drain water while the breathable mesh and hydrophobic canvas uppers dry quickly; Comes with 2 sets of water-resistant laces
You’ll be smitten by the shoes’ understated yet elegant appearance. The two-tone colour design, which creates a sensual contrast between the top part of the shoes and the bottoms, will immediately attract your attention.

The Loyak is a lightweight, flexible active sneaker created for the water. You can wear them kayaking, travelling, sailing, or just hanging around town. All Astral shoes are vegan; they use recycled polyester, source materials as ethically as possible, and aim to always prioritise nature.

These shoes have a synthetic sole and are the epitome of how tennis shoes should feel and look, i.e. low-profile and fashionable. With jeans or khaki pants, these boots will make you feel classy. The sticky rubber sole is the first quality you will enjoy about these shoes. Walking in these shoes will give you a tremendous amount of confidence. Even on a damp surface, you would never slip. These sneakers are also water resistant.

To the touch, the fabric is silky. The material’s only flaw is that it collects dust and debris easily. It’s also not simple to clean, so think twice about wearing these on a sandy road. In general, these shoes are stunning and quite comfortable.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Can I play tennis in minimalist shoes?
Yes, you can play sports like tennis in minimalist shoes.
- Are Xero Shoes good for tennis?
Xero Shoes might be a great choice for sports like tennis or basketball that need a lot of lateral movement.
- What is the drop on tennis shoes?
The drop on a tennis shoe refers to the height difference between the forefoot and heel. The steeper the angle between your forefoot and heel, the greater the drop.
Also check: Are Zero Drop Shoes Good For You?
Conclusion
It’s subjective when it comes to comfort and fit, but your feet will tell you when you’ve found the sweet spot or if you’ve gone off on a tangent. The way your shoes fasten has a big impact on how well they fit you. Choose a pair that will keep your feet secure when running.
Shoes with no heel elevation are known as “zero drop shoes“. They are the same height on the forefoot as they are on the heel. Your foot will be on a flat surface as if you were walking barefoot. Because tennis necessitates a lot of abrupt stopping and resuming, you must ensure that your shoes are compatible with this sport and allow you to do so without injury.
We hope this article on the Best Zero Drop Tennis Shoes – Minimalist & Barefoot Shoes would help you to pick the right shoe for you.