A couple of weeks ago at the NTRP National Championships in Orlando, I had a sudden realization: I will never buy another athletic shoe that doesn’t have a heel tab loop. It has officially become a non-negotiable must have feature for me. Both my cross trainers and my court shoes have a heel tab loop, and I’ve come to rely on it so much that any shoe without it is automatically off the list.
A heel tab loop is a small fabric strap located at the back of the shoe, just above the heel collar. Its primary function is to make it easier to pull the shoe on, especially when the fit is snug as is a necessity with tennis shoes. At my age, that extra assistance putting my shoes on makes a big difference.
I only wear my court shoes when playing tennis. That practice is partially because I have found that my cushioned cross trainers are better for reducing stress on my feet when standing around, which is a preventative measure against planter fasciitis. Additionally, wearing my tennis shoes exclusively while on court helps minimize wear and tear, which in turn extends their playable lifespan. The net result is that I frequently make footware changes. The heel tab loop expedites the overall process.
In addition to helping with wearability, the heel tab loop can also be used as a mount point when hanging shoes from a carabiner clipped to a handle of the racquet bag. If a shoe doesn’t have that loop, the only alternative is to hang them by the laces which can pull them out of alignment. That can ultimately make it more difficult to put the shoes on and off. While some players will simply place their shoes in their racquet bag — and many bags come with a special vented shoe compartment especially for that — athletic shoes can get rancidly smelly in a confined space with limited air flow. It is better for foot health if the shoes are exposed to sunlight and air which supports natural drying.
I will never ever purchase a pair of tennis shoes that do not have a heel tab loop. The same can be said of the cross-trainers I wear courtside when not actively playing tennis. It’s a small detail, but one that makes changing my shoes so much easier. Additionally, that practice keeps the stink out of my racquet bag while extending the wearable life of my tennis shoes. Heel tab loops are an essential feature that supports taking care of my feet, which is always a priority in tennis.
I am at the point in my life where convenience, efficiency, and foot health are non-negotiables. If an athletic shoe doesn’t come with a heel tab loop, I’m not buying it.
