Yonex PC Eclipsion 3 Shoe Review

Comfort - Score: 4.5

Packed with Power Cushion+ technology, the Yonex PC Eclipsion 3s provided plenty of comfort, but our playtesters had to make some adjustments to get an optimal fit. Kristen had some trouble getting everything dialed in, but once she did, she thought these shoes felt quite comfortable. She explained, "The Eclipsion 3s fit true to size with just a touch of extra room at the toes. These shoes felt comfortably snug in the midfoot and slightly roomy in the forefoot on my narrow feet. There was a noticeable arch underfoot, which felt set back a touch too far for me. I was thinking it might cause some discomfort when playing, but when I first stepped on court to play a set of doubles, I actually didn't notice it at all. After that first session I noticed that both the arch and the cradle cushioning on the sides of my feet had settled in nicely. When I next stepped on court to play singles, I did have a bit of an issue with the roominess in the forefoot. Because the cushioning felt a bit shallower there compared to the heel, and because I had a bit too much room there width-wise, I was sliding around inside the shoes and losing my footing. After that, I made sure to wear thicker socks with good grip, which definitely helped. I adjusted to the fit and feel of the shoes over time, and I became more comfortable in my movements. Having played in these on some brutally hot Atlanta days, I can add that they had good ventilation and never felt too warm underfoot."

Although he was pleased with the Eclipsion 3's comfort in general, Erik also had some issues with the fit. He said, "I found these shoes to be very comfortable on court. I loved the plush and responsive cushioning underfoot. The ventilation was a little lacking, though, especially in the summer heat. I also had some fit issues. I had trouble staying locked in, and the shoes were hard to tighten around the heel. Doubling up on socks or wearing thicker socks helped fill in the unwanted space. I also struggled with some toe jamming at first when I was trying to slide or move aggressively, but tying my shoes tighter solved this issue."

Foot Support/Stability - Score: 4.0

For the most part, our team found adequate support and stability from the Eclipsion 3s. Erik thought these shoes felt sturdy, but he wanted a more locked-in feel. He said, "The support around the ankle was OK, but I would've liked to feel more secure when making lateral cuts. I felt like I was a half step slower, but I never felt like I was going to roll an ankle or anything like that. The stability was very good, and I would definitely train in these shoes. However, I would not necessarily play a match because I never felt totally locked in."

Kristen was happy with the overall stability of these shoes once she swapped out her socks. She said, "As mentioned, I initially had some slipping issues in my forefoot area, but after I adjusted my sock choice and had more hours in the shoes, that issue subsided. The construction of the upper led to good support and stability overall. With the previous version, I had some issues with heel slippage and ankle support when moving aggressively, but I didn't have those problems with this update. I felt comfortable moving laterally and making quick cuts; the Eclipsion 3s definitely felt like sturdy shoes."

Overall Sole Durability - Score: 4.8

The durability of the Yonex PC Eclipsion 3s impressed our testers, who wore them on hard courts during Georgia's hot, humid summer months. Kristen described, "The durability of this shoe was top notch — definitely a highlight of the playtest. I've put my Eclipsion 3s through the wringer, and there is very little wear on the outsoles. The uppers have also held up well, especially considering that I had to adjust to the roominess in the forefoot. It was good to see that these shoes didn't stretch out on me over time."

The Eclipsion 3s managed to withstand the demands of Erik's aggressive footwork as well. He said, "These shoes have great durability; I was very impressed and did not see much wear at all on these shoes. This is definitely one of the highlights of the playtest for me."

Traction - Score: 4.8

The Yonex PC Eclipsion 3s offered a balanced traction level on the hard court. Erik was a big fan. He said, "These shoes had a nice blend of give and grip. I could slide well, but I still had enough traction to pivot out of a cut or stop on a dime."

Kristen agreed, adding, "Traction was something I never really had to think about when playing in the Eclipsion 3s. Nothing stood out in terms of being stuck to the court or feeling too slippery, so I'd say these had very well-balanced traction."

Weight - Score: 4.4

As the heaviest shoe in Yonex's lineup, the Eclipsion 3s certainly aren't light on the scale, but our playtesters didn't find them cumbersome. Kristen explained, "These aren't the lightest shoes on the market, but I didn't find them to feel heavy on court. I'd put them in the medium-weight category. Given their stability, cushioning and durability, the weight is about what I'd expect."

The weight of these Eclipsion 3s was perfect for Erik's game. He said, "I like the weight of these shoes; they are pretty middle of the road. I never felt sluggish because of the weight. These shoes are light enough to run at top speed but heavy enough to provide excellent support."

Overall - Score: 4.4