Best Cushioning Daily Trainers
The shoes for sale rated highest for cushioning by real, experienced, and knowledgeable reviewers.
All daily trainers
115 shoes · page 1 of 5
Prices updated daily. Last checked Sep 14.
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#1 HOKA
Clifton 999 Exceptional Cushioning · 130 reviews · Confidence 100/100
Daily trainer · Neutral · 8.8 oz · 5mm drop · 40mm stack
Reviewers praise deep cushioning at a light 8.5 oz weight.
Overall 99 Comfort 99Overall99Comfort99Cushioning99Durability92Appearance91Value88Confidence100Pros
Reviewers praise deep cushioning at a light 8.5 oz weight.
Many find the forefoot roomier and comfier than the Clifton 8.
Reviewers call it the best-riding Clifton for daily easy miles.
Cons
Several reviewers report upper tearing and fast wear before expected mileage.
Some runners find it clunky and slow at faster paces.
Several reviewers call it expensive for how quickly it wears.
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#2 HOKA
Clifton 1099 Exceptional Cushioning · 11 reviews · Confidence 97/100
Daily trainer · Neutral · 9.2 oz · 8mm drop · 38mm stack
Cushioning is the highest-rated dimension across eleven reviewers, at 4.7 out of 5.
Overall 99 Comfort 98Overall99Cushioning99Comfort98Value82Durability67Appearance63Confidence97Pros
Cushioning is the highest-rated dimension across eleven reviewers, at 4.7 out of 5.
One reviewer calls it an ideal long and recovery run shoe and credits the move to an 8mm drop.
One reviewer reports it wearing well from 8:30 pace down to six minute miles.
Cons
Durability draws the lowest ratings of any dimension, at 3.7 out of 5 across eleven reviewers.
One reviewer says it is not holding up as well as the Clifton 9.
One reviewer finds the fit slightly narrower than the Clifton 9.
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#3 HOKA
Bondi 999 Exceptional Cushioning · 3 reviews · Confidence 97/100
Daily trainer · Neutral · 9.3 oz (men's) · 5mm drop
44mm heel stack at 9.3 oz gives height without much weight.
Overall 99 Comfort 99Overall99Comfort99Cushioning99Durability95Value78Appearance69Confidence97Pros
44mm heel stack at 9.3 oz gives height without much weight.
The Bondi line has rated well across seven versions.
Reviewers single out the comfort and cushioning.
Cons
Reviewers rate value lower than comfort and cushioning.
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#4 Nike
Vomero 1899 Exceptional Cushioning · 18 reviews · Confidence 97/100
Daily trainer · Neutral · 10.4 oz · 10mm drop · 46mm stack
Reviewers consistently praise the cushioning for easy runs and long miles.
Overall 99 Comfort 99Overall99Comfort99Cushioning99Appearance85Durability70Value65Confidence97Buy it now
Other retailers
Dick's $130 16% offRunning Warehouse $155MSRP $155
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Pros
Reviewers consistently praise the cushioning for easy runs and long miles.
Two reviewers report running injury-free across several pairs.
Reviewers call it comfortable while still responsive at moderate paces.
Cons
Several reviewers wore through the heel outsole quickly.
One reviewer calls it terrible for speed work, and another finds it a little unstable.
One reviewer calls the 46mm midsole and thick upper overbuilt and prefers the Vomero 17.
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#5 Nike
Vomero Plus99 Exceptional Cushioning · 16 reviews · Confidence 97/100
Daily trainer · Neutral · 9.5 oz · 10mm drop · 43mm stack
All sixteen reviewers rate the cushioning 5 out of 5.
Overall 99 Comfort 98$136 $180 Buy now ↗ As of Sep 14, 8:31 AM UTCOverall99Cushioning99Comfort98Appearance93Durability74Value60Confidence97Buy it now
Other retailers
Dick's $138 24% offNike $156 13% offRunning Warehouse $180MSRP $180
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Pros
All sixteen reviewers rate the cushioning 5 out of 5.
Reviewers favor it for recovery runs, doubles and easy long miles.
Reviewers report the cushioning still feeling lively past 400 miles.
Cons
Three of sixteen reviewers say they would not use it for faster workouts.
Value draws the lowest ratings of any dimension at 4.1 out of 5, and one reviewer notes the $180 list price.
One reviewer found it stiff until it had broken in.
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#6 HOKA
Clifton 1199 Exceptional Cushioning · 3 reviews · Confidence 95/100
Daily trainer · Neutral
All three reviewers so far rate comfort and cushioning 5 out of 5.
Overall 99 Comfort 97$154 $155 Buy now ↗ As of Sep 14, 8:33 AM UTCOverall99Cushioning99Comfort97Durability78Value76Appearance67Confidence95Buy it now
Other retailers
Running Warehouse $155Dick's $155MSRP $155
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Pros
All three reviewers so far rate comfort and cushioning 5 out of 5.
The Clifton 9 two versions back scores 99 on 130 reviews.
Cons
One of three reviewers finds it needs replacing sooner than other shoes and rates durability and value 3 out of 5.
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#7 ASICS
Superblast 399 Exceptional Cushioning · 2 reviews · Confidence 92/100
Daily trainer · Neutral · 7mm drop
Both reviewers rate comfort and cushioning 5 out of 5, and one calls it an awesome everyday trainer.
Overall 99 Comfort 97Overall99Cushioning99Comfort97Durability93Appearance85Value74Confidence92Pros
Both reviewers rate comfort and cushioning 5 out of 5, and one calls it an awesome everyday trainer.
Cons
It lists at $210, well above the $150 median for daily trainers on sale, and its two reviewers rate both durability and value 3.5 out of 5.
The original Superblast scores 100 on fifty reviews and the Superblast 2 98 on thirteen.
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#8 Saucony
Triumph 2298 Exceptional Cushioning · 21 reviews · Confidence 97/100
Daily trainer · Neutral · 10.1 oz · 10mm drop · 40mm stack
Reviewers praise the cushioning for easy days and long runs.
Overall 98 Comfort 98$105 $160 Buy now ↗ As of Sep 14, 8:31 AM UTCOverall98Cushioning98Comfort98Durability96Value87Appearance83Confidence97Pros
Reviewers praise the cushioning for easy days and long runs.
Runners find the 40mm stack comfortable without feeling clunky at 10.1oz.
Cons
Reviewers rate it less favourably on value than most trainers.
Two of 21 reviewers reported an injury while running in it.
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#9 Brooks
Ghost Max 298 Exceptional Cushioning · 14 reviews · Confidence 96/100
Daily trainer · Neutral · 10.3 oz
Cushioning is the highest-rated dimension across fourteen reviewers, at 4.9 out of 5.
Overall 98 Comfort 98$125 $170 Buy now ↗ As of Sep 14, 8:32 AM UTCOverall98Durability99Comfort98Cushioning98Value97Appearance91Confidence96Pros
Cushioning is the highest-rated dimension across fourteen reviewers, at 4.9 out of 5.
One reviewer names the cushioning and the built-in rocker for comfort on long runs.
Value rates 4.7 out of 5 across the same fourteen reviewers.
Cons
At an average of 10.3 oz it lands in the heavy weight band, and one reviewer calls it big and boxy.
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#10 HOKA
Gaviota 598 Exceptional Cushioning · 15 reviews · Confidence 94/100
Daily trainer · Stability · 10.0 oz · 6mm drop · 39mm stack
One reviewer names the cushioning for long runs and a good amount of stability with it.
Overall 98 Comfort 88$132 $175 Buy now ↗ As of Sep 14, 8:32 AM UTCOverall98Cushioning98Comfort88Durability87Value86Appearance83Confidence94Pros
One reviewer names the cushioning for long runs and a good amount of stability with it.
One reviewer picked it for a wide toe box and a stiff rocker.
Both reviewers who compared it with their previous shoe rate it better.
Cons
Durability draws the lowest ratings of any dimension at 3.8 out of 5, and one reviewer had the sole separate on three pairs within weeks.
One of fifteen reviewers finds it poorly ventilated and hot in summer.
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#11 Brooks
Glycerin 2398 Exceptional Cushioning · 4 reviews · Confidence 92/100
Daily trainer · Neutral
All four reviewers so far rate comfort 5 out of 5.
Overall 98 Comfort 99$145 $175 Buy now ↗ As of Sep 14, 8:33 AM UTCOverall98Comfort99Durability98Cushioning98Appearance79Value76Confidence92Buy it now
Other retailers
Running Warehouse $175Dick's $175MSRP $175
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Pros
All four reviewers so far rate comfort 5 out of 5.
One of four reviewers describes good cushioning without as much as max-cushion trainers carry.
Ten of the last twelve Glycerin versions score 90 or better.
Cons
It lists at $175, ten dollars above the Glycerin 22 it follows.
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#12 ASICS
Novablast 597 Exceptional Cushioning · 18 reviews · Confidence 96/100
Daily trainer · Neutral · 8.5 oz · 8mm drop · 41mm stack
Reviewers use them for easy days, tempo runs and track sessions.
Overall 97 Comfort 97Overall97Value98Cushioning97Comfort97Appearance75Durability74Confidence96Buy it now
Other retailers
Dick's $117 22% offRunning Warehouse $130 13% offMSRP $150
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Pros
Reviewers use them for easy days, tempo runs and track sessions.
Runners describe a bouncy, responsive ride that encourages faster paces.
9 oz with a 40.5mm heel stack, light for the cushioning.
Cons
Several runners say the cushioning fades after roughly 300 miles.
A few reviewers find it runs long and size down half a size.
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#13 Saucony
Endorphin Shift 397 Exceptional Cushioning · 21 reviews · Confidence 95/100
Daily trainer · Neutral · 8.8 oz · 4mm drop
A 41mm heel stack, and reviewers consistently call the cushioning soft and comfortable.
Overall 97 Comfort 93$100 $150 Buy now ↗ As of Sep 14, 8:31 AM UTCOverall97Cushioning97Comfort93Value92Durability90Appearance70Confidence95Pros
A 41mm heel stack, and reviewers consistently call the cushioning soft and comfortable.
Several reviewers kept running comfortably while coming back from injuries.
Reviewers use them for easy days, long runs and lighter workouts.
Cons
Two reviewers find it sluggish beyond about seven-minute pace.
One reviewer calls the look dorky, and appearance is its lowest-rated dimension at 4.1 out of 5.
Two reviewers report the shoe breaking down at 350 to 500 miles.
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#14 ASICS
GEL-Nimbus 2797 Exceptional Cushioning · 2 reviews · Confidence 94/100
Daily trainer · Neutral · 9.0 oz (men's) · 8mm drop
It carries a 43mm heel stack at 9.0 oz, more stack than the 39mm median for daily trainers on sale.
Overall 97 Comfort 96$110 $165 Buy now ↗ As of Sep 14, 8:34 AM UTCOverall97Cushioning97Comfort96Durability92Appearance74Value67Confidence94Pros
It carries a 43mm heel stack at 9.0 oz, more stack than the 39mm median for daily trainers on sale.
One reviewer says the cushioning let her return to running with less foot pain.
The GEL-Nimbus 25 scores 98 on eighty-eight reviews and the GEL-Nimbus 26 scores 90 on twenty-four.
Cons
One reviewer says there is so much cushioning that it dampens speed.
Value draws the lowest ratings of any dimension in the two reviews so far, at 3.5 out of 5.
A newer GEL-Nimbus 28 is on sale alongside it.
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#15 Brooks
Glycerin 2297 Exceptional Cushioning · 4 reviews · Confidence 93/100
Daily trainer · Neutral · 9.1 oz (men's) · 10mm drop · 39mm stack
All four reviewers so far rate comfort 5 out of 5.
Overall 97 Comfort 99$90 $165 Buy now ↗ As of Sep 14, 8:33 AM UTCOverall97Comfort99Durability98Cushioning97Value84Appearance73Confidence93Pros
All four reviewers so far rate comfort 5 out of 5.
One of four reviewers, on a third pair of Glycerins, calls the ride firm and hard-wearing.
Ten of the last twelve Glycerin versions score 90 or better.
Cons
Appearance draws the lowest ratings of any dimension in the four reviews so far, at 3.8 out of 5.
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#16 ASICS
GEL-Nimbus 2897 Exceptional Cushioning · 5 reviews · Confidence 92/100
Daily trainer · Neutral
Reviewers consistently praise the soft cushioning and comfort on easy runs.
Overall 97 Comfort 96$167 $170 Buy now ↗ As of Sep 14, 8:32 AM UTCOverall97Cushioning97Comfort96Durability87Appearance72Value61Confidence92Buy it now
Other retailers
Running Warehouse $170Dick's $170MSRP $170
We share affiliate links. Learn more.
Pros
Reviewers consistently praise the soft cushioning and comfort on easy runs.
Reviewers rate it well for daily training and long distance.
Cons
Reviewers say it feels flat and unsuited to faster running.
Value draws the lowest ratings of the five reviews so far, at 3.6 out of 5.
One of five reviewers calls it a replacement-level shoe, as average as it gets.
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#17 Nike
Vomero 1796 Excellent Cushioning · 61 reviews · Confidence 98/100
Daily trainer · Neutral · 9.6 oz · 10mm drop · 39mm stack
Reviewers describe soft, bouncy cushioning that still handles faster runs, and rate cushioning 4.4 out of 5.
Overall 96 Comfort 94$133 $160 Buy now ↗ As of Sep 14, 8:31 AM UTCOverall96Cushioning96Comfort94Durability92Appearance87Value72Confidence98Pros
Reviewers describe soft, bouncy cushioning that still handles faster runs, and rate cushioning 4.4 out of 5.
Several reviewers report the cushioning and outsole holding up past 300 miles, one at 500 with minimal sole wear.
Reviewers prefer the new foam to the earlier Vomero 16, which scores 91 on twenty-five reviews.
Cons
It lists at $160, above the $150 median for daily trainers on sale, and value is its lowest-rated dimension at 4.1 out of 5.
Two reviewers find the forefoot snug or the sizing odd.
Averaging 9.6 oz across the men's and women's builds, it is heavier than the 8.9 oz median for daily trainers on sale.
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#18 adidas
adizero Evo SL96 Excellent Cushioning · 22 reviews · Confidence 96/100
Daily trainer · Neutral · 7.1 oz · 7mm drop · 40mm stack
Reviewers run everything in it, from easy miles to intervals.
Overall 96 Comfort 94Overall96Cushioning96Comfort94Appearance88Value87Durability80Confidence96Buy it now
Other retailers
Dick's $97 35% offRunning Warehouse $150MSRP $150
We share affiliate links. Learn more.
Pros
Reviewers run everything in it, from easy miles to intervals.
Light at 7.5 oz with a 40mm heel stack.
Reviewers consistently praise the cushioning and comfort on longer runs.
Cons
Several reviewers find grip lacking, particularly on the track.
A few runners say the tongue slips around mid-run.
Four reviewers rate durability 3 or below, and one asks for a tougher outsole.
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#19 Saucony
Triumph 2396 Excellent Cushioning · 2 reviews · Confidence 90/100
Daily trainer · Neutral · 8.6 oz (men's) · 10mm drop
Light at 8.6 oz for a 42mm heel stack.
Overall 96 Comfort 96$91 $170 Buy now ↗ As of Sep 14, 8:33 AM UTCOverall96Durability97Comfort96Cushioning96Value81Appearance73Confidence90Buy it now
Other retailers
Running Warehouse $125 27% offDick's $170MSRP $170
We share affiliate links. Learn more.
Pros
Light at 8.6 oz for a 42mm heel stack.
One of two reviewers so far calls it comfortable and secure underfoot, with better response than the previous Triumph.
One of two reviewers so far gets 600 to 700 miles from a pair.
Cons
Appearance draws the lowest ratings of the two reviews so far, at 3.5 out of 5.
It lists at $170, ten dollars above the Triumph 22 it follows.
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#20 Brooks
Ghost Max 396 Excellent Cushioning · 2 reviews · Confidence 88/100
Daily trainer · Neutral
One of two reviewers so far, running 45 miles a week, calls it very durable and stable.
Overall 96 Comfort 94$110 $160 Buy now ↗ As of Sep 14, 8:34 AM UTCOverall96Durability98Cushioning96Comfort94Value87Appearance74Confidence88Buy it now
Other retailers
Running Warehouse $110 31% offDick's $130 19% offMSRP $160
We share affiliate links. Learn more.
Pros
One of two reviewers so far, running 45 miles a week, calls it very durable and stable.
Both reviewers so far rate durability 5 out of 5.
Cons
The Ghost Max and Ghost Max 2 before it score 97 and 96, against 88 here on two reviews.
One of two reviewers finds it runs big, and appearance draws 3.5 out of 5.
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#21 Saucony
Triumph 2496 Excellent Cushioning · 2 reviews · Confidence 86/100
Daily trainer · Neutral
The Triumph 22 and 23 before it score 98 and 91.
Overall 96 Comfort 90Overall96Cushioning96Durability95Comfort90Value80Appearance78Confidence86Pros
The Triumph 22 and 23 before it score 98 and 91.
Both reviewers so far rate durability and appearance 5 out of 5.
Cons
Scores in the Triumph line have fallen from 99 for the Triumph 21 to 86 for this version.
Value draws the lowest ratings of the two reviews so far, at 3.5 out of 5.
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#22 ASICS
GEL-Kayano 3395 Excellent Cushioning · 5 reviews · Confidence 91/100
Daily trainer · Stability
Comfort and cushioning both rate 4.8 out of 5 across five reviewers.
Overall 95 Comfort 90Overall95Cushioning95Comfort90Durability83Appearance71Value56Confidence91Pros
Comfort and cushioning both rate 4.8 out of 5 across five reviewers.
One reviewer, in Kayanos since the 1990s, says the wide version suits flatter, wider feet.
The GEL-Kayano 30 scores 99 on fifty-eight reviews.
Cons
Durability and value are its lowest-rated dimensions at 4.0 out of 5, and one reviewer wishes for cooler colorways.
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#23 HOKA
Arahi 895 Excellent Cushioning · 1 review · Confidence 84/100
Daily trainer · Stability
The one reviewer so far rates comfort, cushioning and durability 5 out of 5.
Overall 95 Comfort 85Overall95Cushioning95Comfort85Durability76Value70Appearance60Confidence84Pros
The one reviewer so far rates comfort, cushioning and durability 5 out of 5.
Cons
The Arahi 6 scores 91 on thirty-eight reviews, well clear of every other version in the line including this one.
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#24 HOKA
Skyward X95 Excellent Cushioning · 4 reviews · Confidence 81/100
Daily trainer · Neutral · 9.6 oz (men's) · 5mm drop · 49mm stack
Reviewers praise the cushioning for long runs and easy recovery miles.
Overall 95 Comfort 81Overall95Cushioning95Durability83Comfort81Appearance75Value64Confidence81Pros
Reviewers praise the cushioning for long runs and easy recovery miles.
One reviewer says the carbon plate adds snap for tempo efforts.
A 49mm heel stack, the tallest among shoes on sale, on a 5mm drop.
Cons
Value draws the lowest ratings of the four reviews so far at 3.8 out of 5, against a $225 list price.
How this ranking works
Ratings come from our statistical models of runner reviews: the score is our best estimate of how a shoe is rated, and the bar behind it in an expanded row is the range we consider plausible given how many reviews it has. Shoes with few reviews rank more cautiously rather than shooting to the top on a handful of glowing write-ups. Prices are the live prices at the retailers we track, and everything ranked here is a shoe you can buy today.