This study investigated the enhancement of shock attenuation in silicone rubber (SR) matrix composites through the incorporation of shear thickening fluid (STF) microdroplets. A series of SR-STF composites with various STF mass fractions (0 to 50 wt. %) were fabricated using an efficient emulsification method. The primary focus was on assessing the shock attenuation capabilities of SR-STF through laser-induced shock experiments. The results indicate a significant improvement in shock wave attenuation in the composites due to the addition of STF microdroplets. Notably, the SR-STF composite containing 30 wt. % STF exhibited a maximum 60 % reduction in shock pressure attenuation compared to SR of the same thickness. This enhancement is attributed to multiple mechanisms, including viscosity-induced dissipation, the initiation and propagation of cracks within both the SR matrix and the STF microdroplets, and interface-induced effects like interface separation, shock wave reflection and scattering, along with the thickening behavior of STF. An intriguing observation was the interplay of these mechanisms at different STF concentrations, leading to the identification of an optimal STF content for maximizing the shock attenuation. This research's findings highlight the crucial role of STF microdroplets in shock wave attenuation and offer a strategic approach for developing SR matrix composites with enhanced shock attenuation capacities.