You could be forgiven for thinking running shoe brands have spent the last decade competing to build the most indulgent running shoe imaginable, pampering runners with ever softer and more plush foams. New midsole compounds have made max-stack shoes lighter, bouncier, and more protective than ever, but more doesn't always mean a better ride, and finding the sweet spot between mushy and cushy requires some discernment.
We've tested over 250 running shoes. Below are our picks for the best cushioned running shoes, as well as a quick overview of our scores and how they can help you find the right shoe for your needs:
Cushioning: How much impact protection the midsole provides. A score of 7.5+ is good, while anything above 8 is great. Runners who land with more force, whether due to size, speed, or stride mechanics, should also check the Heel Cushioning and Forefoot Cushioning tests in individual reviews to see how the shoe performs under higher loads. Since most runners load more than one part of the midsole during each stride, both heel and forefoot cushioning scores matter regardless of strike pattern. Long-distance runners should also check Long Run Cushioning to see how the shoe holds up over extended efforts.
Stability: How stable the shoe is underfoot. A score of 7.5+ is good, though many max-cushioned shoes score lower because of their taller stacks and softer foams. Lower scores aren't always a concern, and anything above 6 is still acceptable here, but less stable shoes can feel harder to control as runs get longer or fatigue builds.
Responsiveness: How efficiently the midsole returns energy. A score of 6.5+ is generally enough for daily training, while anything above 8 is impressive. In highly cushioned shoes, a higher responsiveness score helps distinguish shoes that feel lively and energetic from those that simply feel soft.
True To Size: How accurately the shoe matches our standardized fit baseline. A score of 9+ means most runners won't need to adjust their normal size. Scores between 7.5 and 9 are usually still acceptable, though runners who've struggled with sizing issues in the past should check individual fit measurements.
If you want to learn more about our testing process, read about our lab tests.
Maximum cushioning doesn't always mean maximum comfort. If comfort is your top priority, check out our recommendations for the most comfortable running shoes.
We've bought and tested more than 250 running shoes. Every pair purchased with our own money, never supplied or sponsored by brands. Our data-driven tests are designed to go beyond marketing claims, and since every shoe goes through the exact same methodology, you can directly compare results to find the right pair for your needs.
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Best Cushioned Running Shoes
Cushioning9.6Responsiveness7.7Stability6.7True To Size9.7See all our test resultsHeel Stack Height:52.7 mmThe best cushioned running shoes we've tested are the Nike Vomero Premium. If running shoe brands have spent the last decade seducing runners with ever deeper cushioning, Nike has taken that indulgence to its logical extreme. At the time of writing, it's the tallest running shoe you can buy, pairing a massive slab of ultra-plush PEBA-based foam with a pair of cushioning capsules. Instead of collapsing under the weight of its own ambition, Nike has somehow pulled off the most protective ride we've tested. Its ability to take the sting out of the sidewalk is truly outstanding, performing exceptionally over extended efforts, making it a fantastic pick for recovery runs, easy miles, or any session where impact protection takes priority over speed.
It is, of course, a tall, heavy shoe with only fair stability, but for runners who want the maximum possible separation between themselves and the road, this shoe sits in a league of its own.
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Best Budget Cushioned Running Shoes
Cushioning8.1Responsiveness6.6Stability7.5True To Size9.1See all our test resultsHeel Stack Height:41.8 mmThe best budget cushioned running shoes we've tested are the ASICS NOVABLAST 5. Though it can't match the Nike Vomero Premium for rampant ambition, it's hardly lacking underfoot, with a generous platform that provides impressive cushioning and a reasonably lively ride. The Nike still provides the deepest impact protection and long-run cushioning, but the ASICS shoe is significantly more stable and still impressively protective in its own right. It's much lighter, too, with heaps more versatility, flourishing on everything from recovery runs to longer efforts. With the release of the ASICS NOVABLAST 6, it's often available at a healthy discount, making it one of the best bargains in running right now.
If you're looking for the best bang for your buck, check out our top picks for the best cheap running shoes.
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Best Cushioned Running Shoes For Daily Training
Cushioning8.8Energy Return7.9Lateral Stability7.0True To Size9.5See all our test resultsHeel Stack Height:42.5 mmThe Salomon Aero Glide 4 is proof that a shoe can be protective without feeling cumbersome. Its generous stack delivers excellent cushioning, while its TPU-based midsole provides the pop needed to add a bit of shine to everyday miles. It's the best cushioned running shoe for most runners we've tested. Though the Nike Vomero Premium offers even deeper protection for longer efforts, the Salomon shoe is lighter, less intimidating, more stable, and much more versatile, making it a fantastic all-around, protective mile-eater for everything from easy days to faster efforts.
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Best Cushioned Running Shoes For Beginners
Cushioning8.9Responsiveness7.2Stability7.4True To Size8.4See all our test resultsHeel Stack Height:41.8 mmThe Kiprun Kipride Max makes max cushioning feel more manageable, and is the best cushioned running shoe for beginners we've tested. It's impressively light for such an amazingly cushioned shoe, and its better stability than the Nike Vomero Premium gives newer runners plenty of protection without turning every footstrike into a balancing act. The Nike shoe is still the more decadent of the two, providing deeper overall cushioning and better long-run protection. Still, the Kiprun is easier to trust and far more approachable, especially if your runs are mostly shorter and stability matters more than stack.
If you're a newer runner overwhelmed by all the options, we've made it much easier to decide with our recommendations for the best shoes for beginner runners.
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Best Cushioned Running Shoes For Heavier Runners
Cushioning9.1Responsiveness7.9Stability6.3True To Size9.1See all our test resultsHeel Stack Height:48.6 mmThe HOKA Skyward X 2 is HOKA's attempt at the most luxurious stack imaginable. Its mammoth, unapologetic platform uses a convex carbon plate to control its dual-density midsole, and the result is a fantastically cushioned shoe with remarkable forefoot protection and heel cushioning that performs better under higher forces, making it the best cushioned running shoe for heavier runners we've tested. The Nike Vomero Premium still offers a bit more cushioning overall, but in a taller, more cumbersome package, while the HOKA trades some stack for a bit more pep. For heavier runners who want a versatile, confidence-inspiring shoe to soak up daily miles, this one is hard to beat.
If you're in search of a more stable, more affordable shoe, look no further than the PUMA MagMax NITRO 2. It gives up a huge amount of bounce and snap compared to the HOKA, but its steadier platform and excellent cushioning still provide remarkable protection under heavier loads.
For more options, check out our recommendations for the best shoes for heavier runners.
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Best Cushioned Running Shoes For Stability
Cushioning8.4Bounciness7.3Stability7.8True To Size9.4See all our test resultsHeel Stack Height:41.4 mmThe Saucony Hurricane 26 is a modern stability shoe that sets a new standard for comfort in support trainers. Its excellent cushioning provides amazing impact protection, while its soft medial sidewalls and stability-focused midsole geometry help guide your foot without turning the ride rigid. The gentle rocker and lively forefoot add enough pep to make daily miles feel far less dull than the stiff, joyless stability shoes of old. Though the Nike Vomero Premium is much taller and more cushioned overall, the two shoes are built for very different roles. For runners seeking support over stack, the Saucony is the superior pick.
If you're looking for the most support possible, check out our picks for the best stability shoes.
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Best Cushioned Running Shoes For Long Runs
Cushioning9.4Bounciness7.8Stability6.4True To Size9.1See all our test resultsHeel Stack Height:46.6 mmThe ASICS SUPERBLAST 3 feels like it was designed specifically for long runs. Its outstanding impact protection holds up magnificently as the miles build, while its low weight and stiff rocker help keep your foot rolling when fatigue sets in. It's the best cushioned running shoe for long runs we've tested. Though the Nike Vomero Premium offers more pure cushioning overall, the ASICS is lighter and far better suited to progressive efforts.
For something more extreme, the adidas Adizero Prime X3 STRUNG is worth a look. Its amazingly responsive, carbon-loaded platform comes alive on steady long runs and marathon-pace efforts. It's heavier, narrower, and more awkward underfoot than the ASICS shoe, but for runners who want long-run protection with a healthy dose of extravagance, it's a thrilling alternative.
If you're looking for more options for longer runs, check out our recommendations for the best long-distance running shoes.
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Best Cushioned Chinese Running Shoe
Cushioning9.5Responsiveness7.6Stability6.3True To Size7.6See all our test resultsHeel Stack Height:46.2 mmThe Li-Ning Red Hare 9 Ultra has the best cushioning of any of the Chinese running shoes we've tested so far. If you want outstanding impact protection without the heft of the Nike Vomero Premium (or the Nike pricetag), it's hard to beat the Li-Ning's superb cushioning. Its midsole has three different layers of foam that absorb impact almost as well as the Vomero Premium, but the Li-Ning somehow manages to weigh 90g less. That makes it a much more nimble, workout-capable shoe, but a few caveats are in order: the Red Hare 9 Ultra has a very snug fit through the arch that will be too narrow for some runners, and all the soft foam can feel unstable.
It's also only available online in most Western countries, so you'll have to check out the measurements in our review in lieu of trying it on in a store. If you don't mind any of that, though, you are in for the softest ride this side of the Silk Road.
Notable Mentions
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ASICS MEGABLAST:
The ASICS MEGABLAST is a max-cushioned trainer with a lighter, bouncier ride than the Nike Vomero Premium. However, the Nike shoe is the most cushioned overall and offers better impact protection.
See our review -
HOKA Bondi 9:
The HOKA Bondi 9 is a max-cushioned cruiser with excellent cushioning, but it's heavier, less responsive, and a bit less stable than the Kiprun Kipride Max.
See our review -
adidas Hyperboost Edge:
The adidas Hyperboost Edge is a fantastically cushioned shoe with slightly better long-run forefoot protection than the ASICS SUPERBLAST 3. However, its high ankle collar can rub for some runners, which may rule it out for longer efforts.
See our review
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are based on what we think are currently the best cushioned running shoes. We consider cushioning, impact protection, long-run performance, stability, responsiveness, fit, weight, and the drawbacks that come with higher-stack shoes. More foam can mean more protection, but it can also make a shoe heavier, less stable, or harder to use for anything beyond easy mileage.
If you'd rather search on your own, our full running shoe review list is a great place to start. At the end of the day, finding the right shoe is deeply personal. It's important to consider which runs you need it for, how you strike the sidewalk, and your size and running experience before asking the biggest question of all: how much shoe is too much for you?