5 Best Tennis Shoes With High Shock Absorption in 2026

The Coco CG2 is packed with New Balance’s premium technologies, creating a highly propulsive yet well-cushioned experience on court. It supports the most aggressive movements because lab assessments show it’s also exceptionally stable. However, it truly stands out as the best high shock absorption tennis shoe we’ve tested.

The midsole features the esteemed FuelCell foam. It took care of our muscles and joints even during explosive landings and sudden stops, backed up by above-average shock absorption scores of 113 SA in the heel and 72 SA in the forefoot.

Pushing off to chase the ball and sprinting all over the court was made easier by the responsive FuelCell foam and the Energy Arc carbon plate. Testing for energy return, we recorded a solid 52.7% in the rear and an even more impressive 60.4% up front. Meanwhile, the carbon plate adds a lot of snappiness to the shoe, springing us up and making us feel quick on our feet.

Besides propulsion, the carbon plate adds stiffness to the shoe, which inherently makes it more stable. Testing for torsional rigidity, we gave it the maximum 5/5 because of its strong twist resistance. 

Note that this shoe is designed for women, so limited sizes are available for male players.

The ASICS Solution Speed FF 3 treated our feet well on court, delivering reliable impact protection and stability without compromising agility or speed. Lab results confirm its agreeable, streamlined fit, while also distinguishing it as the best lightweight tennis shoe in the high shock absorption category.

With slim and narrow dimensions, this shoe is ready for speedy all-court play. It weighs only 10.9 oz (309g), making it 14.6% lighter than the average tennis shoe. Moreover, its high flexibility enhances its weightless sensation. Our bend test verifies it’s 8.4% more pliable than average.

We measured the stack height at 28.3/18.5 mm, slightly below average. It offers a strong court connection in the forefoot, while the heel absorbs more impact. Lab results confirm a high 104 SA rating, making the heel feel 5.1% more cushioned than average.

We observed the Speedtruss shank in the midsole, which enhances both stability and propulsion. It generates stiffness in the right areas, as seen in its 4/5 torsional rigidity score. We felt well-supported inside the shoe, even with its narrow 106.5/89.7 mm base.

However, the toebox feels restrictive too, especially for broad feet or during longer rallies. Players looking for a more accommodating shoe should look elsewhere.

The Adidas Solematch Control offered much more than the regular tennis shoe can in our matches, from its impact protection to its springy nature, and lightweight package. It feels delightful on foot, allowing us to switch our footwork quickly on court with its high-performance outsole. Overall, it offers the best traction in the high shock absorption category.

During hard stops and quick direction changes, the shoe would follow in a heartbeat with no slips on the court. With a high friction coefficient of 0.83 in our traction test, it all made sense since it’s 9.2% grippier than average.

Hard sprints can be done comfortably and efficiently, courtesy of the protective and responsive Bounce foam. Testing for shock absorption, the heel returned a high score of 106 SA. In terms of energy return, the forefoot impressed with 52.1%.

Given all that it offers, its below-average 12.1 oz (343g) weight is a pleasant surprise. We also found it to be 16.9% more flexible than average in our bend test, which helps us adapt to the surface better and makes longer rallies more comfortable.

Sadly, comfort is limited to cooler seasons. We wanted to take the shoes off when playing on a hot and humid day. Those who prioritize strong airflow should go for more breathable pairs.

The Mizuno Wave Enforce Tour 2 feels pretty dynamic underfoot, allowing us to chase the ball with no worries because of the shoe’s stability and impact protection. We verified all these features in the lab, yet WET 2 stands out the most with the best energy return among high shock absorption tennis shoes.

When we wanted to push off to sprint for the ball, the midsole gave us a pleasant spring. Testing for energy return, we recorded impressive scores of 60.6% in the heel and 62.0% in the forefoot, boosting the shoe’s agility.

With every explosive jump, a cushioned landing awaits. The stack didn’t have to be too thick to feel comfortable, since we measured it only at a near-average 31.0/20.1 mm. However, it feels joint-friendly because of its ability to reduce the forces of the ground. In our shock absorption test, the heel impressed with an above-average 105 SA.

During our match, we performed quick lateral footwork and crossovers with ease. WET 2 offers strong lateral support, proven by its solid 4/5 torsional rigidity score. The heel counter emerged with the maximum stiffness of 5/5, which helped keep us centered.

The second version of this shoe lost its double collar, which makes it harder to get the fit right. If this will be an issue, we advise checking alternatives.

We achieved peak agility in our matches, thanks to the ASICS Solution Speed FF Clay, which feels light and fast. Lab results show its minimal and agreeable nature doesn’t forego support, with stability enhanced by its stiffness in the right areas. Overall, it’s our best high shock absorption tennis shoe for clay courts.

This shoe feels easy to maneuver, especially since clay demands controlled movement. Our scales show it’s only 10.8 oz (306g), making it 15.5% lighter than average. Moreover, the midsole flows with our natural foot flexion. Our bend test proves it’s 13.9% more flexible than average.

Every harsh landing is protected by the shock-absorbing heel, evidenced by its high 106 SA rating. Meanwhile, the forefoot focuses more on ground feel for speedy play all around the court. Moreover, we found the Speedtruss shank in the midsole, which handles forceful lateral movements with ease. The stiffness it gives limits excessive lateral movement during fast-paced rallies.

Underfoot, the outsole has a deep herringbone pattern that’s designed for clay courts. Scoring 0.72 in our traction test indicates a perfect balance of grip and give, which aligns with our in-game experiences.

However, it features a narrow toebox, which may feel restrictive to those with broad feet. Those seeking more welcoming shoes should check other pairs.