Cushioned running shoes help take the sting out of the road, whether you want gentler landings on easy days, more protection on long runs, or extra comfort during high-mileage weeks. However, the most cushioned shoe isn't necessarily the right one for you. Here's what to consider:
Cushioning: How much energy the midsole absorbs with each landing. Foam quality matters, as some basic foams become less protective during a run. For longer runs, check our long-run cushioning test. Heavier runners should also check our cushioning results at higher forces.
Stack height: The quantity of foam matters too. A higher stack puts more material between your foot and the road, generally providing more cushioning. Comparing a low-stack shoe with a high-stack shoe makes that difference easy to see.
Weight: More foam often means more weight. Around 260 g or more per shoe (in a men's US size 9) is on the heavier side and can feel cumbersome, especially when you pick up the pace. Extra cushioning may be worth that trade-off for easy runs, but a lighter option can make more sense if you also want to run faster.
Stability: Sometimes, too much cushioning can make a shoe feel unstable, particularly in tall, soft shoes. A shoe can feel stable thanks to a wide outsole base and firmer foam, while support shoes add features designed to guide your foot through each stride and limit excessive inward rolling (overpronation).
Firmness: We also measure how soft or firm a shoe feels through our Firmness tests. That's largely a personal preference, though: a firmer shoe can still absorb more impact than a softer one.
We've tested over 300 running shoes, and below are our recommendations for the best cushioned options. If you're looking for comfort beyond impact protection, including a comfortable fit and padding around your foot, see our picks for the most comfortable running shoes. On the other end of the spectrum, you can check out our picks for the best lightweight running shoes. You can also explore our picks for the best running shoes for a broader range of uses.
We've bought and tested more than 300 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
Daily Training7.9Long Run8.0Cushioning9.6Stability6.7Heel Stack Height:52.7 mmSee all our test resultsWeight:329.5 g (11.62 oz)The best cushioned running shoes we've tested are the Nike Vomero Premium. It's a good fit if you want maximum impact protection for recovery runs and easy miles. With over 2 inches (50 mm!) of material beneath the heel, it's among the tallest shoes we've tested to date and puts your foot unusually high above the road. Its thick foam midsole includes air-filled cushions under the heel and forefoot. These compress with each landing to help soften the impact, providing exceptional protection from the road. That cushioning also holds up during longer runs, making it a strong option for relaxed outings where protection matters more than speed.
However, it's heavy and can feel cumbersome when you pick up the pace. It's also not the most stable shoe, so it's not ideal if you prefer a particularly planted feel.
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Best Budget Cushioned Running Shoes
Daily Training7.8Long Run7.2Cushioning7.3Stability8.4Heel Stack Height:44.3 mmSee all our test resultsWeight:296.7 g (10.47 oz)If you want cushioning on a tight budget, the Nike Winflo 12 is the best budget option we've tested. It provides decent impact protection for everyday training at an accessible price. It isn't as tall as the Nike Vomero Premium and doesn't cushion landings as effectively. Its firmer foam feels less plush, but the lower stack keeps your foot closer to the ground, giving you a much more stable base underfoot.
As with most other budget shoes, its basic foam loses some protection over longer runs. It can still be an adequate choice for longer outings, but it doesn't offer nearly the same lasting protection as the Vomero Premium. That said, its fairly heavy build favors relaxed paces, making it a sensible choice for easy everyday mileage if keeping costs down is your priority.
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
Daily Training8.0Long Run7.9Cushioning9.4Stability6.4Heel Stack Height:46.6 mmSee all our test resultsWeight:232.6 g (8.20 oz)If you want a highly cushioned shoe that can handle most of your training, the ASICS SUPERBLAST 3 is our pick for daily training. A versatile daily trainer makes sense if you want a single pair for easy runs, long runs, and faster sessions. The Nike Vomero Premium remains the better choice for pure recovery days when your legs feel banged up, and maximum impact protection is your priority. However, the ASICS gives up only a little cushioning while being considerably lighter and bouncier, making it less draining and less cumbersome when you pick up the pace.
Its cushioning also holds up well on long runs. If you want more options for those outings, see our picks for the best long-distance running shoes. Its unisex sizing stands out among our picks, offering a broader size range, particularly for men with smaller feet and women with larger feet. Still, its tall, soft platform isn't the best fit if you prefer a particularly stable feel, and it won't provide the same propulsion as a shoe built specifically for racing.
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Best Cushioned Running Shoes For Heavier Runners
Daily Training6.3Long Run7.8Cushioning9.1Stability6.3Heel Stack Height:48.6 mmSee all our test resultsWeight:283.3 g (9.99 oz)If you're a heavier runner and want a plush, highly cushioned shoe for easy and longer runs, the HOKA Skyward X 2 is our pick. We test cushioning and firmness under different loads to reflect differences in runner weight and pace. Some shoes feel plush under light pressure, but their foam can bottom out when more force is applied, making them feel harsher underfoot for heavier runners. The HOKA stays soft and absorbs plenty of impact under both the heel and forefoot at higher loads, making it a strong option if you land heavily.
The shoe also has a carbon plate, mainly to help stabilize the soft foam. Despite this, it's still not the most stable shoe overall, and its weight makes it better suited to relaxed running than faster sessions. Our top pick, the Nike Vomero Premium, offers even more cushioning, but the HOKA is lighter and less cumbersome.
For more options suited to your needs, see our picks for the best running shoes for heavy runners.
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Best Cushioned Running Shoes For Overpronators
Daily Training8.1Long Run7.8Cushioning8.4Stability7.8Heel Stack Height:41.4 mmSee all our test resultsWeight:260.6 g (9.19 oz)If you overpronate, meaning your feet roll too far inward, and want extra guidance, the Saucony Hurricane 26 is our pick for cushioned support. Unlike the other picks on this list, it has stability features designed to keep your feet secure: its wide base and raised foam sidewalls keep you centered with each stride. Some support shoes can feel rigid and strongly corrective, but the Hurricane's guidance is gentler and less intrusive. Its cushioning provides plenty of impact protection for everyday mileage and longer runs.
It has a lower stack and absorbs less impact than our top pick, the Nike Vomero Premium, but its firmer foam and support features provide a more stable platform, making it a better fit if you want extra guidance.
For more options with dedicated support, see our picks for the best stability running shoes.
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Best Cushioned Running Shoes For Beginners
Daily Training8.1Long Run7.6Cushioning8.9Stability7.7Heel Stack Height:43.4 mmSee all our test resultsWeight:269.0 g (9.49 oz)If you're new to running and still finding your stride, the HOKA Clifton PRO is our pick for its great balance of cushioning and inherent stability. Although it's not quite as high-stack and cushioned as our top pick, the Nike Vomero Premium, its slightly firmer foam and wide base help limit side-to-side wobbling, making it feel calmer underfoot. That combination makes your first runs more comfortable and helps you feel confident in your footing as you get used to running and gradually build mileage. Its cushioning also holds up well as your runs get longer.
It's stable by design, but it's a neutral shoe without dedicated support features to guide your foot. If you overpronate and want that guidance, the Saucony Hurricane 26 above remains the better choice. The Clifton PRO is also fairly heavy, making it better suited to relaxed runs than faster sessions.
For more options as you're getting started, see our picks for the best running shoes for beginners.
Notable Mentions
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Li-Ning Red Hare 9 Ultra:
The Li-Ning Red Hare 9 Ultra provides nearly as much cushioning as the Nike Vomero Premium in a much lighter shoe that typically costs much less. However, it's harder to order in the U.S., and delivery often takes longer.
See our review -
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 -
adidas Hyperboost Edge:
The adidas Hyperboost Edge is a highly cushioned shoe with slightly better long-run 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 -
HOKA Bondi 9:
The HOKA Bondi 9 is a max-cushioned cruiser with excellent cushioning, but it's heavier and less stable than the HOKA Clifton PRO.
See our review
Recent Updates
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Oct 07, 2026 at 08:52 am:
We replaced the ASICS NOVABLAST 5 with the Nike Winflo 12 as our budget pick for its lower price and wider availability, and the Kiprun Kipride Max with the HOKA Clifton PRO as our beginner pick for its better stability and cushioning at the same price.
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Jul 27, 2026 at 08:56 am:
We've updated our recommendation for the 'Best Cushioned Stability Shoe' from the Saucony Hurricane 25 to the newly released Saucony Hurricane 26. We've also added a new category for the 'Best Cushioned Chinese Running Shoe.'
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are based on what we think are currently the best cushioned running shoes. We consider cushioning, stability, stack height and weight to help you find the right shoe for your runs. Keep in mind that more foam can improve impact protection, but it can also make a shoe heavier and less stable.
If you'd like to compare the options yourself, browse our full running shoe review list. The best choice is one that matches your goals and suits the distances and paces you run.