Our verdict

The New Balance Coco CG 2 gave us some of the most explosive on-court experiences! With its snappy carbon plate, bouncy FuelCell foam, and many supportive features, the shoe immediately felt like our next top pick in the tennis shoe category. Even though we had some reservations in the durability department, the shoe's 6-month warranty erased our worries. We can confirm that the CG 2 is truly worth Coco Gauff's signature. Just a friendly reminder for the male players - size adjustments are needed because it's a women's shoe.

Pros

  • Super propulsive take-offs (carbon plate)
  • Excellent impact protection
  • Secure containment with the mid-cut collar
  • High-class lateral stability
  • Great mix of grip and give
  • Surprisingly breathable
  • Exceptionally durable toebox protection
  • 6-month outsole durability warranty

Cons

  • Exposed foam is easily destroyed by toe drags
  • Translucent rubber lacks abrasion resistance
  • Limited men's sizes

Audience verdict

76
Good!

Who should buy

We have no doubt that the New Balance Coco CG 2 will meet your needs on the court if you are after the following:

  • a propulsive and well-cushioned shoe for aggressive playing styles
  • a highly stable and supportive tennis shoe with a mid-cut collar
  • Coco Gauff's signature shoe with decorative elements associated with the athlete
  • a professional tennis shoe that follows a women's sizing scheme

New Balance Coco CG2 review

Who should NOT buy

In our opinion, there are very few cases in which the Coco CG 2 may not suit a tennis player.

 

First of all, it is a women's shoe so male athletes may have a hard time attaining the size and fit that they are used to in men's tennis shoes. Especially those who need a men's US size 11 or higher. If that's your struggle, consider the ASICS Court FF 3 or any other top pick in our guide on best tennis shoes.

New Balance Coco CG2 lab test

Aggressive sliders who easily burn through the inner side of their tennis shoes may also need a better-reinforced tennis shoe. The ASICS Gel Resolution 9 is one of the best in this regard.

Cushioning

Heel stack

The Coco CG 2 is a well-cushioned tennis shoe with a standard 28.2 mm stack height in the heel.

New Balance Coco CG2 Heel stack

The FuelCell foam obviously makes up the biggest portion of the platform offering fantastic impact protection on hard landings.

Test results
Coco CG2 28.2 mm
Average 29.3 mm
Compared to 33 tennis shoes
Number of shoes
25.3 mm
Heel stack
33.0 mm

Forefoot stack

The balls of our feet also felt well taken care of by the shoe's 22.0 mm forefoot stack.

New Balance Coco CG2 Forefoot stack

A couple of millimetres thicker than average, it adds a welcome touch of cushioning, which lessens the toll of staying on our toes a lot during the game.

Test results
Coco CG2 22.0 mm
Average 19.6 mm
Compared to 33 tennis shoes
Number of shoes
16.1 mm
Forefoot stack
23.4 mm

Drop

The heel-to-toe offset of the Coco CG 2 turned out to be lower than average at 6.2 mm.

New Balance Coco CG2 Drop

We found that a lower drop like that helped us feel more stable and in control of the court. Our feet were never pushed forward by this New Balance shoe as opposed to the higher-drop (12-14 mm) tennis shoes in our lab.

Test results
Coco CG2 6.2 mm
Average 9.7 mm
Compared to 33 tennis shoes
Number of shoes
6.2 mm
Drop
14.7 mm

Midsole softness

Note: a low durometer measurement equals a soft material, whereas a high measurement means it's firm.

We adore the cushioning setup of the NB Coco CG 2! It features the brand's high-end FuelCell foam which is presented in two densities for a more effective balance of stability and cushioning.

The softer FuelCell foam is hidden inside the shoe's midsole ("at the core", as the brand describes it). Pressing a Shore A durometer against it returned a rather low reading of 17.1 HA which makes it a whopping 70% softer than the average tennis shoe foam!

New Balance Coco CG2 Midsole softness

Test results
Coco CG2 17.1 HA
Average 28.4 HA
We use an average of four tests. The photo shows one of those tests.
Compared to 33 tennis shoes
Number of shoes
17.1 HA
Midsole softness (soft to firm)
34.0 HA

Secondary foam softness

Note: a low durometer measurement equals a soft material, whereas a high measurement means it's firm.

Playing the key role in dampening the impact and keeping the ride comfortable, the soft FuelCell foam is complemented by its firmer counterpart. The latter acts as a carrier foam and is visible from the outside (the blue component). It helps to make the Coco CG 2 more laterally stable.

New Balance Coco CG2 medial support

Both FuelCell foams work together with the carbon-fibre plate inside the midsole to create a highly propulsive and lively experience.

It was particularly evident during our take-offs, split steps, and sprints to the net.

Test results
Coco CG2 29.5 HA
Average 26.2 HA
We use an average of four tests. The photo shows one of those tests.

Insole thickness

A well-padded insole complements the underfoot experience. We measured its thickness at 4.7 mm in the heel which is within the average of tennis shoes.

New Balance Coco CG2 Insole thickness

It has an ergonomic shape with a slightly raised arch for added support.

New Balance Coco CG2 molded insole

Test results
Coco CG2 4.7 mm
Average 5.2 mm
Compared to 33 tennis shoes
Number of shoes
3.9 mm
Insole thickness
7.5 mm

Size and fit

Size

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Toebox width - widest part

Just as we expected, our calliper showed a narrower-than-average measurement because, technically, we are testing a men's US size 8 in a narrow width.

New Balance Coco CG2 Toebox width at the widest part

That's why we measured only 96.3 mm in the widest part of the shoe's toebox. For our medium-width feet, that does feel pretty snug.

Test results
Coco CG2 96.3 mm
Average 101.0 mm
Compared to 33 tennis shoes
Number of shoes
96.3 mm
Toebox width - widest part
105.0 mm

Toebox width - big toe

At the big toe, however, we got a reading of 76.9 mm which is on par with the US size 9 tennis shoes we've tested in the lab.

New Balance Coco CG2 Toebox width at the big toe

The rounded shape of the Coco CG 2's toe tip makes the fit pretty accommodating. Just be mindful with the sizing.

Test results
Coco CG2 76.9 mm
Average 76.9 mm
Compared to 33 tennis shoes
Number of shoes
74.7 mm
Toebox width - big toe
81.0 mm

Sizing

In this review, we are testing the shoe in a women's US size 9.5 (B Standard width) which is the equivalent of a men's US size 8 (B Narrow width).

If you are a man looking to buy the New Balance Coco CG 2, do keep in mind that it is a women's shoe and it is currently available in women's sizes only. As of October 2024, the brand is yet to release the unisex/men's sizes for this silhouette.

New Balance Coco CG2 fit

Make sure that you are ordering a 1.5 US size bigger than your regular men's size. I.e. for a men's US size 9, you will most likely need to purchase a women's US 10.5 for a proper fit.

Take the width into account as well. "B" stands for standard width in women's sizes but it is considered narrow in men's. So getting the "D" width may be necessary if you have medium-to-wide feet.

Stability

Lateral stability test

Playtesting the Coco CG 2, we were impressed with its stopping power even during the most forceful side-to-side movements. We believe that this NB shoe truly reflects the aggressive playing style of Coco Gauff herself.

First of all, this is a very rare case of a mid-cut tennis shoe! Even though studies show that a higher collar cannot prevent ankle injuries, we felt like it added confidence and a better sense of containment to our lateral movements.

Another prominent stability feature is the carbon fibre plate on the lateral side of the heel. No matter how much lateral pressure we put on it, this ultra-stiff element remained unshakeable.

New Balance Coco CG2 carbon plate

We should also take note of the raised midsole topline which creates a firm cradle at the base of the foot as well as the stout upper design of the Coco CG 2 in general. The firm leather and suede overlays of this NB shoe make for pretty thick and supportive sidewalls.

New Balance Coco CG2 build quality

Torsional rigidity

Considering the substantial stability components of the CG 2, we are not surprised that it was impossible to twist the shoe with our bare hands!

Rating the torsional rigidity of this tennis shoe with a maximum score of 5, we found its stability to be comparable with the Adidas Barricade and the ASICS Gel Resolution.

Test results
Coco CG2 5
Average 4.3
Compared to 33 tennis shoes
Number of shoes
1
Torsional rigidity
5

Heel counter stiffness

We also found the heel lockdown of the Coco CG 2 to be solid.

Even though we assessed the shoe's heel counter stiffness with a moderate score of 3 out of 5, its very generously padded and extended collar offers a pretty secure hold for the heel and ankle.

Test results
Coco CG2 3
Average 3.9
Compared to 33 tennis shoes
Number of shoes
1
Heel counter stiffness
5

Midsole width - forefoot

We were happy to see a sizeable lateral flange in the forefoot part of the midsole.

New Balance Coco CG2 Midsole width in the forefoot

Measuring its width between the most extended points, our calliper showed a wider-than-average reading of 115.0 mm. This creates a very reliable base when diving in for a shot and pushing back with maximum force.

P.S. Let's not forget that this is a measurement for a women's US size 9.5 (technically, men's US size 8), so if we got the women's US 10.5 size (= men's US 9), the platform would've been even wider!

Test results
Coco CG2 115.0 mm
Average 111.9 mm
Compared to 33 tennis shoes
Number of shoes
105.3 mm
Midsole width - forefoot
117.4 mm

Midsole width - heel

The widest part of the heel also showed a solid measurement of 87.7 mm which is on par with the average midsole dimensions.

New Balance Coco CG2 Midsole width in the heel
Test results
Coco CG2 87.7 mm
Average 89.5 mm
Compared to 33 tennis shoes
Number of shoes
82.4 mm
Midsole width - heel
99.7 mm

Flexibility / Stiffness

The Coco CG 2 turned out to be the stiffest tennis shoe we've ever tested in our lab. But it is the very first carbon-plated tennis shoe as well!

Bending it to a 90-degree angle with the help of a force gauge, we found that it took as much as 52.0N! This is 70% more force than it takes a tennis shoe on average.

New Balance Coco CG2 stiff

Ironically, high stiffness is also the shoe's biggest "flex." Its Energy Arc carbon plate is shaped and positioned in such a way that it acts as a springboard loading each step with maximum energy return.

New Balance Coco CG2 energy arc plate

This is indeed one of the most propulsive tennis shoes we've tested by far! Amazingly snappy, it helped us fly through the entire playtest feeling extra light on our feet.

Test results
Coco CG2 52.0N
Average 31.3N
We use an average of four tests. The video shows one of those tests.
Compared to 33 tennis shoes
Number of shoes
18.8N
Flexibility <> Stiffness
52.0N

Weight

With its higher-than-average collar, generous in-shoe padding, and beefed-up midsole, we expected the NB Coco CG 2 to show a high number on our scale...And yet, it turned out to be only an ounce heavier than average!

New Balance Coco CG2 Weight
In a women's US size 9.5, the shoe weighs 12.8 oz (263g), but when converted to a men's US size 9, it equals 13.6 oz (385g).

That way the CG 2 is not even among the heaviest tennis shoes on our roster.

Test results
Coco CG2 12.56 oz (356g)
Average 12.84 oz (364g)
Compared to 33 tennis shoes
Number of shoes
10.30 oz (292g)
Weight
14.71 oz (417g)

Breathability

Despite its highly reinforced upper, the New Balance Coco CG 2 made a notable step up in breathability compared to v1.

We were amazed at how effortlessly the smoke flew straight through the shoe's toebox in our breathability test!

A closer look through our microscope revealed the shoe's secret.

New Balance Coco CG2 Breathability microscope test

We saw some pretty sizable mesh pores in between the protective TPU triangles.

New Balance Coco CG2 Breathability under microscope

Comparing the ventilation capacity of the CG 2 to other tennis shoes in our lab, we gave it a high breathability score of 4 out of 5.

Test results
Coco CG2 4
Average 3.4
Compared to 33 tennis shoes
Number of shoes
1
Breathability
5

Durability

Toe guard durability

To minimise the toll of abrasive slides on the shoe, New Balance extended the protective NDure overlay far back on the medial side of the upper.

At first, the look of it inspired confidence in the shoe's toe drag guard but, unfortunately, there is a nuance...

New Balance Coco CG2 Ndure

Because the most common toe drag area of the shoe was covered by the protruding midsole foam, our Dremel burned right through the material in a matter of seconds!

In less than 22 seconds of drilling, the foam layer was gone completely!

New Balance Coco CG2 Toe guard durability test

Even though the outsole rubber and the TPU triangles proved to be much tougher, we had to lower the overall toe guard durability score of the CG 2 to only 2 out of 5 because of the exposed foam.

Test results
Coco CG2 2
Average 2.6
Compared to 8 tennis shoes
Number of shoes
1
Toe guard durability
5

Toebox durability

On a lighter note, the protruding triangular pattern of the NDure toe cap proved to be exceptionally resistant to abrasion!

Even after 12 seconds of drilling them with sandpaper at 5K RPM speed, the triangles were practically unscathed!

New Balance Coco CG2 Toebox durability test
Can you even tell that we attempted to destroy the toebox from this photo?

We also appreciate the fact that these TPU elements are scattered and leave plenty of space for ventilation and flexibility without compromising durability.

This is what a truly durable tennis shoe toebox looks like - 5 out of 5!

Test results
Coco CG2 5
Average 3.8
Compared to 31 tennis shoes
Number of shoes
1
Toebox durability
5

Heel padding durability

The dense fabric inside the Coco CG 2 also showed promising results in our abrasion test.

The material successfully resisted our 4-second Dremel challenge with hardly noticeable scuffing.

New Balance Coco CG2 Heel padding durability test

Given that other tennis shoes ended up with a gaping hole after the same test, we readily assessed the shoe's heel padding durability as 4 out of 5.

Test results
Coco CG2 4
Average 3.1
Compared to 31 tennis shoes
Number of shoes
1
Heel padding durability
5

Outsole hardness

When our Shore C durometer returned an above-average reading of 89.4 HC, we expected solid durability from such a hard rubber compound.

New Balance Coco CG2 Outsole hardness
Test results
Coco CG2 89.4 HC
Average 86.1 HC
We use an average of four tests. The photo shows one of those tests.
Compared to 33 tennis shoes
Number of shoes
79.0 HC
Outsole hardness
92.0 HC

Outsole durability

Unfortunately, the translucent rubber gave in to our demanding 22-second sandpaper test and got damaged more significantly than we had anticipated.

The dent turned out to be 1.9 mm deep which is 50% deeper than the tennis shoe average...Not a great sign of longevity.

New Balance Coco CG2 Outsole durability test

Test results
Coco CG2 1.9 mm
Average 0.8 mm
Compared to 31 tennis shoes
Number of shoes
0.0 mm
Outsole wear
2.0 mm

Outsole thickness

It's nice that the CG 2 packs a pretty thick layer of rubber (5.1 mm) but considering its lack of wear resistance, this may not be enough to prolong its outsole life.

New Balance Coco CG2 Outsole thickness

Test results
Coco CG2 5.1 mm
Average 4.2 mm
Compared to 33 tennis shoes
Number of shoes
3.0 mm
Outsole thickness
5.1 mm

Outsole durability warranty

We were elated to find that the Coco CG 2 comes with a 6-month outsole durability warranty. Because without one, we would be deeply concerned about the shoe's outsole durability for the price.

New Balance Coco CG2 carboon plate positioning

Misc

Grip / Traction

Coco Gauff's signature shoe treated us to an excellent mix of grip and give.

Its hexagonal outsole kept us surefooted at every angle but didn't get in the way when we had to pivot or slide.

New Balance Coco CG2 outsole

Price

The New Balance Coco CG2 comes with an above-average price tag but we found it to be fair as the shoe carries more than just the name of the US female champion.

New Balance Coco CG2 Price

It is fully loaded with the brand's progressive technologies in cushioning (FuelCell foam) and energy return (Energy Arc carbon plate) among other components that make the CG 2 a truly professional tennis shoe that's worth the extra.

Test results
Coco CG2 $160
Compared to 33 tennis shoes
Number of shoes
£65
Price
£200

Tongue padding

We already mentioned the abundant padding of the Coco CG 2, so let's take a closer look at it.

New Balance Coco CG2 Tongue padding

Our calliper measurement returned 7.9 mm of foam in the shoe's tongue and it looks like there is almost twice as much on the collar!

Test results
Coco CG2 7.9 mm
Average 7.7 mm
Compared to 33 tennis shoes
Number of shoes
2.5 mm
Tongue padding
13.1 mm

Tongue: gusset type

On the bright side, we have no complaints regarding the shoe's foot containment. Its fully gusseted tongue contributes to a pretty secure fit hugging the foot on both sides and never letting the tongue slide.

New Balance Coco CG2 Tongue: gusset type
Test results
Coco CG2 Both sides (full)

Heel tab

The finger loops are not only there to carry Coco Gauff's signature - it is a practical element that helps with the on-and-off.

New Balance Coco CG2 Heel tab
Test results
Coco CG2 Finger loop

Removable insole

The insole of this New Balance shoe is easily removable in case you need to wear a custom orthotic or a different insert.

New Balance Coco CG2 Removable insole
Test results
Coco CG2 Yes

Style

Curious fact: The CG 2 features some visual easter eggs that are associated with Paris (Coco's favourite city) as well as the elements inspired by her favourite New Balance sneaker, the 550.

New Balance Coco CG2 leather suede overlays