The Best Winter Tennis Apparel for the Game That Never Misses a Season

Don’t let the cold keep you off the court -- with the right layers to keep your warm and a fiery spirit to go along, you’ll be able to serve aces all year round! 

There’s no doubt that tennis is a majority fall and spring sport -- US winters are often unpredictable, ranging from fair weather days to extreme cold then dumping heaps of snow. But when there aren’t mounds of snow on the court, we know the secret to the proper gear options to keep you warm and energetic while practicing in the cold. 

We know that tennis is all about movement -- rushing up and down the court to return serves and being ready to spring into action the moment the ball leaves your racket. For this reason, you need to be able to move freely in your gear even when temperatures are frigid. 

We’re here to tell you that the secret to staying warm during the winter months is dressing in layers and lots of ‘em! We know what you’re thinking -- there’s no way you can play in a bulky, restricting ensemble. But rest assured with the right combination layers, you won’t even realize how many you’re wearing and you’ll be running to return that approach shot like it’s cool spring time weather. 

Here’s how to dress to play tennis during the colder seasons while still looking put together and stylish, NOT like an overstuffed snowman. 

• The Top Layers
• The Bottom Layers
• The Rest 

The Top Half 

Even if multiple layers may seem excessive, remember that if your body is stiff from the cold, you won’t be able to move freely anyway. So, it’s always a good idea to over prepare because you can always discard layers, but you can’t take off what you don’t have on. Once you start warming up and your blood is pumping, you’ll start to feel warmer and find it appropriate to remove a layer -- the choice is yours. We have put together a list of the layers we believe makes for the best winter tennis outfit. 

Here’s what we recommend: 

• Racerback tank 
• Long sleeve shirt
• Warm-up jacket 
• Puffer vest 

Racerback Tank 

A racerback tank is your base layer and first layer of defense against the cold, dry winter air. You need this layer to help build density for maximum protection against the cold -- but opt for a shirt without sleeves that way you don’t have too many sleeves tugging on your body. 

A racerback allows for optimum movement that way you can move freely as you did during springtime tennis practice. A bonus tip -- we would recommend a racerback with a built in bra. This cuts down on the bulk and restrictive clothing. Sometimes a tight bra hinders out breathing, which is especially important during winter because the cold, dry air makes breathing more difficult. 

Long Sleeve Shirt 

Your next layer is a long sleeve shirt -- one that fits, but not too snug and allows for breathability and freedom with your movements. This layer is especially important because it needs to provide moisture wicking technology. There’s nothing worse than being drenched in a cold sweat, so staying dry is one of your main priorities. 

This tee provides that necessary technology that pulls moisture off the body and allows you to stay dry and as comfortable as possible. The fabric also inhibits odor causing bacteria and leaves you feeling and smelling fresh for an easy transition from the court to the cafe for a brunch date with your playing partner. 

Warm-Up Jacket 

Rather than weighing yourself down with a bulky jacket, a lightweight windbreaker is the perfect option. Don’t worry about this not being enough protection from the cold because with your other layers you will stay warm and comfortable. 

This windbreaker jacket pulls the perfect combination of functionality and style. It will keep the cold air from knocking you off your game and provide a fashionable accessory to style with your favorite athleisure outfit. We are loving the versatility from game play to its beautiful picture-worthy color combination. 

Puffer Vest

Finally, your last layer of defense against the cold -- a puffer vest. Just as your first layer was sleeveless, so is this one to better allow your freedom to move! 

This puffer vest will be your most snug layer to keep everything in place while trapping the heat so you won’t notice the outside temperature. The lightweight vest is soft and will move with your rather than impeding your movements. 

The Bottom Half 

On the bottom half of your body, you’ll need less layers. You can bring additional bottoms if you’d rather warm up in heavy clothing and discard it later. Bottoms are all about the type of leggings and the fabric they’re made out of -- because you won’t want your bottoms sliding down while you’re trying to return a serve. 

Here’s what we recommend: 

• Tights 
• Leggings with pockets

Tights 

Tights are your base layer against the cold when it comes to the bottom half of your body. We don’t think you’ll need much of a description here -- the basic pair of tights sitting in your closet will do the trick! 

Leggings

A great pair of leggings are crucial to your winter tennis outfit! They need to be thick and moveable while staying in place on your body. There’s nothing worse than constantly having to pull your leggings back into place. 

With these leggings, the high waisted design will keep them securely fastened around your midsection to ensure they remain in place. They are also made with a quick dry fabric that will pull excess moisture away from your body to help you stay dry during your game session. Flat seams provide the right amount of easy, moveable comfort with a slimming effect that is perfect to pair with an athleisure look. The smartphone pocket can double as a place to store an extra tennis ball while you play!

The Rest 

Even though keeping your body warm should be your primary focus, don’t forget about your playing tools -- your hands and feet! 

We recommend practicing in a pair of gloves until you feel warm and ready to go, then they can be removed while you play. As always wear your favorite athletic tennis shoes and a thicker pair of socks to keep your feet warm and cozy. 

Last, we recommend a beanie to keep your heat warm, because most of your body heat will escape through your head, so make sure you trap the heat! If you don’t want to play in a beanie, you can slip it on and off when needed. 

With these layering pieces you can create the perfect winter tennis outfit that allows you to move freely with minimal resistance while ensuring you stay warm and protected from the cold.