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 Racing5.45K/10K Racing4.1Responsiveness5.8Cushioning8.8Lateral 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, absorbing much of the impact, so even heavier runners will enjoy protective landings. The comfort and protection are 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 Racing7.15K/10K Racing5.8Energy Return6.9Cushioning8.9Lateral Stability7.5True To Size8.4Weight:277.0 g (9.77 oz)Heel-To-Toe Drop:8.7 mmSee all our test resultsPlate:NoneThe Kiprun Kipride Max is a great option if you want premium-level comfort without the towering stack. It delivers excellent underfoot protection, with a tall MFoam+ midsole that absorbs impact well across daily mileage, recovery runs, and longer efforts. Compared with the Brooks Glycerin Max 2, it's lighter and more stable, while still offering a very cushioned ride. That said, it doesn't feel quite as plush or padded, and the fit is less forgiving, with the arch running tight. Still, for runners who want an extremely comfortable, protective daily trainer that doesn't feel like a full-blown tank, this is an excellent pick.
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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 Kiprun Kipride Max, 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 Racing5.45K/10K Racing5.8Energy Return3.8Cushioning5.7Lateral Stability7.7True To Size9.4Weight:289.3 g (10.21 oz)Heel-To-Toe Drop:13.5 mmSee all our test resultsPlate:NoneThe Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24 is a reasonably comfortable, budget-friendly running shoe that offers enough stability and support for walking and jogging. It's nowhere near as cushioned as any of the shoes in this list, though, so it's not ideal for longer runs. This shoe is designed to prevent lateral rolling during your stride, and it features raised sidewalls that extend from the heel to 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.
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Most Comfortable Cheap 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 bargain if you want a comfortable running shoe at a discount. Its plush cushioning feels soft underfoot, and performs well over a range of different mileage. The sock-like upper gives the shoe a snug fit, although it can make lockdown trickier and may feel restrictive around the arch. It also doesn't offer the same long-run protection as the Brooks Glycerin Max 2, especially for heavier runners. Since the Mizuno Neo Zen 2 has already been released, the original version is now available at a discount.
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. 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, this shoe isn't as suited to easy cruising; it feels most comfortable when you are pushing the pace.
See our review -
HOKA Bondi 9:
The HOKA Bondi 9 is a great alternative for runners who want max-cushion comfort without a towering stack. The Bondi line blazed the trail for max-cushioned running shoes, and the Bondi 9 remains a comfort icon, even if it's no longer the most cushioned shoe on the road. It doesn't absorb heavier impacts as well as the Brooks Glycerin Max 2, and its cushioning compresses more over longer runs. It also has a narrower forefoot, though Wide and Extra Wide versions are available.
See our review
Recent Updates
May 29, 2026:
We've updated the article to swap the cheap and budget picks due to price changes, and edited wording in those boxes to match the adjusted positioning. We've also replaced the HOKA Bondi 9 with the Kiprun Kipride Max as the upper mid-range pick, as our testing revealed the Kiprun to be lighter and more versatile while still offering excellent cushioning. The HOKA has been moved into Notable Mentions.
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.