In the land of weary legs, comfort is queen. Comfort is also subjective, but there are certain elements that the most comfortable running shoes share. Most important are a well-padded upper, a true-to-size fit that neither squeezes your foot too tight nor feels loose and sloppy, and good cushioning underfoot to soften the impacts of the road.
We've tested almost 200 models, and below are our picks for the most comfortable running shoes. If comfort isn't your only priority, you can check out our picks for the best running shoes overall. If you're planning on doing longer runs, check out our recommendations for the best long-run shoes. You can also see our picks for the best shoes for running a marathon.
We buy and test running shoes with a very data-oriented approach. While we're just getting started, our methodology already has dozens of tests to help you make the right purchasing decision for your needs. Not only do we use high-end equipment to gather objective data, but we also order multiple sizes of the same shoes so team members can log in miles. This real-world testing is conducted at various paces and conditions, across different types of workouts, to cover all the bases. This allows us to verify our results and ensure they align with what you might feel with a specific pair.
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Most Comfortable Running Shoes
Marathon Racing5.55K/10K Racing4.1Energy Return2.8Cushioning8.8Lateral Stability6.3True To Size9.7Weight:314.3 g (11.09 oz)Heel-To-Toe Drop:6.9 mmSee all our test resultsPlate:NoneThe Brooks Glycerin Max 2 are the most comfortable running shoes that we've tested. From the moment you step in, the heavily padded upper lets you know that this is a comfort cruiser. Its towering stack of cushioning provides ample buffer from the road, but the foam is not overly soft or squishy. Instead, it acts as a shock absorber, soaking up a lot of impact, so even heavier runners will enjoy protective landings. That comfort and protection is long-lasting too: in our simulated 50k long run test, the midsole continued to provide impressive absorption to the end. The sizing is also bang on, and it fits true to size lengthwise and widthwise. Because of all the cushioning and padding, this is a fairly heavy running shoe, so it won't feel spry and nimble, but it does have a gentle rocker to help keep your foot rolling forward while still reaping the benefits of all the cushioning.
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Most Comfortable Upper Mid-Range Running Shoes
Marathon Racing6.85K/10K Racing5.5Energy Return6.7Cushioning8.9Lateral Stability7.3True To Size8.9Weight:297.8 g (10.50 oz)Heel-To-Toe Drop:7.0 mmSee all our test resultsPlate:NoneIf you find the Brooks Glycerin Max 2 too excessive, then the HOKA Bondi 9 is a great option. The Bondi series blazed the trail for max-cushioned running shoes, and the Bondi 9 remains a comfort icon, even if it's no longer the most deeply cushioned shoe on the road. For shorter runs, at slower paces, this shoe feels plush and smooth. For longer runs, its cushioning becomes more compressed and less absorbent than the Brooks model, although it still offers great protection. Larger runners will find that the HOKA shoe doesn't absorb heavier impacts as well as the Brooks shoe. The forefoot is a bit narrow, but it's more accommodating than previous Bondi versions, and for runners who still find it too tight, it's available in both Wide and Extra Wide.
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Most Comfortable Mid-Range Running Shoes
Marathon Racing7.35K/10K Racing6.6Responsiveness6.6Cushioning8.1Lateral Stability7.4True To Size9.1Weight:248.2 g (8.76 oz)Heel-To-Toe Drop:8.2 mmSee all our test resultsPlate:NoneThe ASICS NOVABLAST 5 is the most comfortable mid-range running shoe we've tested. Although it has a similar stack height to the HOKA Bondi 9, this shoe doesn't offer the same level of cushioning, and it becomes much less protective over the course of a long run. That said, it still does a great job of absorbing impact without feeling overly soft, and its mesh upper is very breathable. This shoe isn't focused solely on comfort; it's also designed to be bouncy and responsive, and it strikes a good balance, making only slight compromises to comfort.
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Most Comfortable Budget Running Shoes
Marathon Racing7.65K/10K Racing6.8Energy Return7.2Cushioning8.4Lateral Stability7.3True To Size9.3Weight:226.3 g (7.98 oz)Heel-To-Toe Drop:4.9 mmSee all our test resultsPlate:NoneThe Mizuno Neo Zen is a great deal for runners looking for a comfortable, affordable running shoe. Its sock-like upper sets it apart from the other shoes on this list, as it's softer and more snug around the arch, but it can also be harder to get secure lockdown of your foot. In terms of cushioning, this shoe is impressively plush without being mushy, and the shoe feels very balanced overall, with a good mix of comfort and liveliness. The Mizuno Neo Zen 2 has already been released, so the original version is now available at a discount.
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Most Comfortable Cheap Running Shoes
Marathon Racing5.45K/10K Racing5.8Energy Return3.8Cushioning5.7Lateral Stability7.7Weight:289.3 g (10.21 oz)Heel-To-Toe Drop:13.5 mmSee all our test resultsPlate:NoneThe Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24 is a cheap but reasonably comfortable running shoe that offers enough stability and support for walking and jogging. It's nowhere near as cushioned as any of the shoes above, though, so it's not ideal for longer runs. This shoe is designed to prevent your foot from rolling laterally during your stride, and it features raised sidewalls that extend from the heel through the midfoot. This keeps your foot very secure, but it can also feel a bit excessive if you don't have pronation issues. The Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25 has already been released, so you can find good deals on the 24th version.
Notable Mentions
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Nike Vomero Premium:
The Nike Vomero Premium towers above the rest, with the tallest stack height and most cushioning of any running shoe we've tested so far. However, all that cushioning comes at a cost, both monetary and physical. The shoe is expensive, heavy, and can exaggerate any imperfections in your landing pattern due to all the material your foot sinks into as you land.
See our review -
HOKA Mach X 3:
The HOKA Mach X 3 is one of the most comfortable plated trainers we've tested. It has excellent cushioning and a springy midsole that comes alive at faster paces. Unlike the Brooks Glycerin Max 2 or HOKA Bondi 9, this shoe isn't as suited to easy cruising; it feels most comfortable when you are pushing the pace.
See our review
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are based on what we consider the most comfortable running shoes for everyday training. We consider factors like performance, price (we'll always highlight an affordable option if it delivers similar performance), feedback from our visitors, and availability; we won't recommend shoes that are hard to find or nearly sold out.
If you'd prefer to browse on your own, check out our complete list of running shoe reviews. Remember, there's no perfect shoe for everyone; your personal goals, running pattern, and priorities will always be the most important part of choosing the right pair.