Best Cushioned Tennis Shoes of 2026
When considering comfortable tennis shoes, cushioning is just one factor. We think that how shoes fit your feet also play a role, so we've included our thoughts on whether the shoes run narrow, medium or wide to help guide you to the right comfort shoe for you.
| Our Picks | Fit Details |
| Mizuno Wave Enforce Tour 2 | Medium (Our women's team found these to run a half size short.) |
| New Balance CT Rally 2 | Medium and Wide versions |
| Diadora Blushield Torneo 3 | Medium |
| Wilson Rush Tour 5 | Snug Medium (Men's specific shoes.) |
| adidas Avaluxe | Medium (Women's specific shoes. Length is slightly long.) |
Mizuno Wave Enforce Tour 2
The first version of the Wave Enforce Tour was a hit with its impressive blend of a lightweight feel along with plenty of cushioning and stability. We're in the early stages of our testing of the Wave Enforce Tour 2s, but early indications are that the update picks up right where the first one left off in terms of comfort. The cushioning gets updated to the ENERZ NXT foam for a responsive feel, and the uppers feel light and pliable. Our women's playtest team found these shoes to run a bit short, and some of them opted to wear a half size larger than usual.
Mizuno Men's Wave Enforce Tour 2
Mizuno Women's Wave Enforce Tour 2
New Balance CT Rally 2
This evolution of the CT Rally (and before that these shoes were called the Lav) keeps the ultra cushioned ride we have come to love. There's Fresh Foam X in the midsole, which delivers a comfortable yet responsive ride. The uppers of the CT Rally 2 have been updated for enhanced breathability. We did find these shoes require a bit of breaking in due to their substantial build.
New Balance CT Rally Men's Tennis Shoes
New Balance Women's CT Rally Tennis Shoe
Diadora Blushield Torneo 3
If you asked our playtesters to name a brand of tennis shoes that focuses on comfort, chances are you'll hear Diadora as a response. This Italian shoe brand has long made very comfortable shoes. We picked the Torneo 3s for their step-in comfort and cushioning that stands the test of time. For an even softer rider, check out the Blushield Fly 5. The only issue with those shoes is there is limited availability.
Diadora Speed Blushield Torneo Men's Shoes
Diadora Women's Speed Blushield Torneo
Wilson Rush Tour 5
In 2026, Wilson released a new flagship shoe for men, the Rush Tour 5. On paper, it looks impressive with its Speed Carbon Plate, Endofit support system and Super Foam cushioning. On court, according to early feedback from our playtesters, the Rush Tour 5 is just as impressive. After a very short break-in, the shoe feels great with comfortable, yet responsive, cushioning. There's also good stability without feeling overly heavy. So far, the team is very impressed with this new offering from Wilson.
Wilson Rush Tour 5 Men's Tennis Shoes
adidas Avaluxe
Available only in women's sizing, the adidas Avaluxe (formerly called Stella Court) is a playtester favorite not only for its comfort, but also its all-around performance. Our playtesters have loved these shoes since they debuted more than five years ago under a different name. Then called the adidas Stella Barricade Boost, the shoes won us over for their all-around performance and top-notch comfort for a variety of foot types. The model was discontinued for a bit, but now it's back and called the adidas Stella Court. And judging by our customer reviews, we're not the only ones elated to see these shoes back in the adidas lineup.
adidas Women's Avaluxe (Stella Court) Tennis Shoes
How We Test Tennis Shoes
Wonder how we choose best gear recommendations? We gather from our playtesters' firsthand experiences reviewing and playing with all the tennis gear. We form our lists based on their reviews and feedback. To test shoes specifically, our team wears tennis shoes for a month to see how they perform in a variety of court situations. You can find all of our product reviews here.
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