LACOSTE TENNIS SHOES — RACQUET WORLD AUSTRALIA
Few brands sit at the intersection of style and serious performance like Lacoste. The crocodile has been on tennis courts since René Lacoste himself stitched it onto a polo in the 1930s — and today, the footwear range is more technically capable than ever.
Whether you're a baseline grinder hunting a stable clay shoe, a club player chasing all-day comfort on hard court, or a pickleballer who wants a court shoe that actually looks good off the court, Lacoste has a model with your name on it. Here's how to choose the right pair from our full Lacoste shoe range.
The technology that runs through every model
Three pieces of tech show up across most of the current Lacoste performance line, and they're worth knowing before you start comparing models:
- LineGrip — Lacoste's outsole rubber compound. Tuned to bite into hard court without dragging, and on clay-specific models it's laid out in a herringbone pattern that actively sheds clay as you slide.
- LSR Foam — the lightweight midsole. Keeps the shoe responsive rather than mushy, which is exactly what you want when you're changing direction five times in a single rally.
- Piqué Weave — a breathable upper lifted from Lacoste's polo DNA. Locks the foot down without the plasticky stiffness of a lot of synthetic uppers.
Translation: these shoes are designed to play, not just to look good in the clubhouse car park.
Lacoste men's tennis shoes
The current men's lineup is anchored by two models with very different personalities: the AG-LT23 Ultra and the newer AG-LT25 Lite.
AG-LT23 Ultra — the support-first shoe
The Ultra is the durable, support-first option — a stable platform with a structured upper that's ideal if you're an aggressive mover who wants the shoe to push back. It's the model Daniil Medvedev co-developed and wears himself, so if you've ever watched him slide into a forehand from somewhere near the back fence, you've seen this shoe in action.
AG-LT25 Lite — the speed shoe
The AG-LT25 Lite is the lighter, more flexible counterpart — a stretch knit collar, a jacquard upper that hugs the foot, and a lower-profile feel underfoot. If you're a quick, court-coverage player who finds traditional tennis shoes a bit clunky, the Lite is built for you.
Browse the full Lacoste men's range.
Lacoste women's tennis shoes
The women's range mirrors the men's tech, but with a last and fit tuned for narrower heels and a lower instep. Lacoste has been one of the more thoughtful brands when it comes to women's performance footwear — these aren't shrunk-and-pinked men's models, they're built around how women actually load and move on court.
- AG-LT25 Lite (Ladies) — a serious club-and-comp shoe in a clean white-on-white that doubles beautifully as a head-to-toe-tennis-whites kit piece.
- AG-LT Ultra (Ladies) — same Piqué Weave, LSR Foam and LineGrip combo as the men's Ultra, in colourways that don't feel like an afterthought.
Browse the full Lacoste women's range.
Clay court vs. all court — which one are you?
This is the question that trips up most buyers, so here's the short version.
Clay court
Clay court models use a full herringbone pattern across the outsole. The pattern grabs the surface predictably and — crucially — releases the clay as you move, so it doesn't pack into the tread and turn your shoe into a skating boot.
If you play 70%+ of your tennis on clay, an En-Tout-Cas court, or a synthetic clay surface, get a clay-specific shoe. The AG-LT25 Lite Clay is the current pick.
All court
All court models use a modified herringbone with reinforced toe and lateral wear pads. They'll work on clay in a pinch, but they're really built for hard court — including most acrylic and cushioned acrylic surfaces you'll find at Australian clubs. The AG-LT23 Ultra and AG-LT25 Lite (standard) sit here.
If you mix surfaces or you're a hard-court regular, this is your shoe.
Quick note: if you're playing on grass, neither clay nor all court is correct — you want a dimple-pattern grass shoe, which is a different category entirely.
The Daniil Medvedev collection
Daniil Medvedev's relationship with Lacoste isn't a sticker job — he's been involved in the development of the AG-LT Ultra line for years, and the shoe reflects how he actually plays: deep returns, brutal lateral coverage, and a willingness to slide on hard court like it's clay.
The signature releases are usually built on the latest Ultra silhouette, with bespoke colourways and small upper detail changes that nod to Medvedev's style. It's also where Lacoste's tennis side talks loudest to the lifestyle side — the shoes look as good with a pair of jeans as they do under a kit bag.
Browse the Daniil Medvedev collection.
Yes — they work for pickleball too
This is the question we get a lot in the shop. Tennis shoes and pickleball shoes are essentially the same animal: both sports demand lateral stability, fast-twitch direction changes, and an outsole that grips without grabbing.
The AG-LT range works beautifully for pickleball — particularly the Ultra models, where the extra lateral support helps with the constant kitchen-line movement that pickleball demands.
- Outdoor acrylic / cushioned acrylic court? An all court Lacoste is genuinely the right shoe.
- Indoor wooden gym floor? You might want a non-marking gum sole instead.
- Most Australian pickleball play? Your tennis Lacostes will do the job — in style.
Sizing and fit
Lacoste shoes generally run true to size, with a slightly snugger toe box than some American brands. If you're between sizes or have a wider foot, sizing up half is usually the safer call. The Ultra models have a roomier last than the Lite models — worth knowing if you're switching between the two.
Free standard shipping is available Australia-wide on orders over $250, and you can also click and collect from our Epping, Victoria store if you'd rather try them on in person.
Ready to find your pair?
Whether you're chasing the Medvedev signature look, hunting a no-compromises clay court shoe, or just want a pair of tennis shoes that look as good off court as they perform on it — there's a Lacoste in the range with your name on it.
Browse the full Lacoste range at Racquet World.
