Best Cushioning Running Shoes
The shoes for sale rated highest for cushioning by real, experienced, and knowledgeable reviewers.
All shoes
157 shoes · page 1 of 7 · includes daily trainers, supershoes, racing shoes, trail shoes and track spikes
Prices updated daily. Last checked Oct 9.
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#1 ASICS
Superblast 299 99 Exceptional Exceptional Cushioning · 14 reviews · Confidence 98/100
Speed / workouts · Neutral · 8.8 oz · 7mm drop
Reviewers describe a light, cushioned ride with bounce for easy or faster runs.
Overall 99 Comfort 98Overall99Cushioning99Comfort98Durability96Appearance92Value90Confidence98Buy it now
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Dick's $150 25% offMSRP $200
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Pros
Reviewers describe a light, cushioned ride with bounce for easy or faster runs.
High-mileage reviewers make it their everyday trainer and rate comfort top marks.
Cons
One reviewer says the upper loosens before the midsole wears out.
At $200 list it sits above most speed-day trainers, and value is its lowest-rated dimension.
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#2 HOKA
Clifton 998 98 Exceptional Exceptional Cushioning · 130 reviews · Confidence 100/100
Daily trainer · Neutral · 8.8 oz · 40mm stack · 5mm drop
Reviewers praise deep cushioning at a light 8.5 oz weight.
Overall 98 Comfort 99$170 Buy now ↗ As of Oct 9, 8:30 AM UTCOverall98Comfort99Cushioning98Durability87Appearance87Value83Confidence100Pros
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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#3 HOKA
Clifton 1098 98 Exceptional Exceptional Cushioning · 11 reviews · Confidence 97/100
Daily trainer · Neutral · 9.2 oz · 38mm stack · 8mm drop
Cushioning is the highest-rated dimension across eleven reviewers, at 4.7 out of 5.
Overall 98 Comfort 95$93 $155 Buy now ↗ As of Oct 9, 8:32 AM UTCOverall98Cushioning98Comfort95Value79Durability67Appearance65Confidence97Pros
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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#4 HOKA
Bondi 998 98 Exceptional Exceptional Cushioning · 4 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 98 Comfort 98Overall98Cushioning98Comfort98Durability89Value77Appearance70Confidence97Buy it now
Other retailers
Running Warehouse $140 20% offDick's $170 3% offMSRP $175
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Pros
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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#5 HOKA
Clifton 1198 98 Exceptional Exceptional Cushioning · 4 reviews · Confidence 95/100
Daily trainer · Neutral · 8.5 oz · 42mm stack · 8mm drop
All three reviewers so far rate comfort and cushioning 5 out of 5.
Overall 98 Comfort 92$154 $155 Buy now ↗ As of Oct 9, 8:33 AM UTCOverall98Cushioning98Comfort92Value75Durability75Appearance68Confidence95Buy 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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#6 ASICS
Superblast 398 98 Exceptional Exceptional Cushioning · 3 reviews · Confidence 93/100
Daily trainer · Neutral · 8.2 oz · 45mm stack · 8mm drop
Both reviewers rate comfort and cushioning 5 out of 5, and one calls it an awesome everyday trainer.
Overall 98 Comfort 93Overall98Cushioning98Comfort93Durability88Appearance83Value75Confidence93Pros
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 for 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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#7 Nike
Vomero 1897 97 Exceptional Exceptional Cushioning · 20 reviews · Confidence 98/100
Daily trainer · Neutral · 10.4 oz · 46mm stack · 10mm drop
Reviewers consistently praise the cushioning for easy runs and long miles.
Overall 97 Comfort 98Overall97Comfort98Cushioning97Appearance83Durability71Value69Confidence98Buy it now
Other retailers
Running Warehouse $110 29% offDick's $139 10% offMSRP $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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#8 HOKA
Mach X 297 97 Exceptional Exceptional Cushioning · 11 reviews · Confidence 95/100
Speed / workouts · Neutral · 8.7 oz
Reviewers reach for it on speed days and steady long runs.
Overall 97 Comfort 98Overall97Comfort98Cushioning97Appearance86Durability81Value81Confidence95Pros
Reviewers reach for it on speed days and steady long runs.
PEBA foam and Pebax plate, but built up more than pure racers.
Cons
Durability is its lowest-rated dimension, and three of eleven reviewers rate it 3 or below.
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#9 Saucony
Triumph 2294 94 Excellent Excellent Cushioning · 21 reviews · Confidence 97/100
Daily trainer · Neutral · 10.1 oz · 40mm stack · 10mm drop
Reviewers praise the cushioning for easy days and long runs.
Overall 94 Comfort 93$105 $160 Buy now ↗ As of Oct 9, 8:31 AM UTCOverall94Cushioning94Comfort93Durability90Value82Appearance80Confidence97Pros
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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#10 Brooks
Ghost Max 294 94 Excellent Excellent Cushioning · 15 reviews · Confidence 95/100
Daily trainer · Neutral · 10.3 oz
Cushioning is the highest-rated dimension across fourteen reviewers, at 4.9 out of 5.
Overall 94 Comfort 96Overall94Durability97Comfort96Cushioning94Value92Appearance86Confidence95Pros
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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#11 HOKA
Gaviota 594 94 Excellent Excellent Cushioning · 15 reviews · Confidence 95/100
Daily trainer · Stability · 10.0 oz · 39mm stack · 6mm drop
One reviewer names the cushioning for long runs and a good amount of stability with it.
Overall 94 Comfort 83$139 $175 Buy now ↗ As of Oct 9, 8:31 AM UTCOverall94Cushioning94Comfort83Durability82Value82Appearance80Confidence95Pros
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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#12 Nike
Vaporfly 494 94 Excellent Excellent Cushioning · 3 reviews · Confidence 93/100
Racing · Neutral · 5.4 oz · 6mm drop
At 4.9 oz with 36mm heel stack, light and highly cushioned.
Overall 94 Comfort 82$110 $260 Buy now ↗ As of Oct 9, 8:33 AM UTCOverall94Appearance96Cushioning94Comfort82Value70Durability54Confidence93Buy it now
Other retailers
Running Warehouse $165 37% offNike $165 37% offDick's $204 22% offMSRP $260
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Pros
At 4.9 oz with 36mm heel stack, light and highly cushioned.
Reviewers describe a springy, propulsive ride best at fast paces.
Cons
Durability is the lowest-rated dimension in the few reviews so far.
One reviewer says it offers little support.
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#13 Nike
Vomero Plus93 93 Very good Very good Cushioning · 17 reviews · Confidence 95/100
Daily trainer · Neutral · 9.5 oz · 43mm stack · 10mm drop
All sixteen reviewers rate the cushioning 5 out of 5.
Overall 93 Comfort 90Overall93Cushioning93Appearance91Comfort90Durability70Value67Confidence95Buy it now
Other retailers
Nike $137 24% offDick's $162 10% offMSRP $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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#14 Brooks
Glycerin 2393 93 Excellent Excellent Cushioning · 4 reviews · Confidence 92/100
Daily trainer · Neutral · 9.9 oz · 38mm stack · 8mm drop
All four reviewers so far rate comfort 5 out of 5.
Overall 93 Comfort 97$149 $175 Buy now ↗ As of Oct 9, 8:33 AM UTCOverall93Comfort97Durability94Cushioning93Appearance77Value75Confidence92Buy 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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#15 ASICS
Novablast 592 92 Very good Very good Cushioning · 18 reviews · Confidence 96/100
Daily trainer · Neutral · 8.5 oz · 41mm stack · 8mm drop
Reviewers use them for easy days, tempo runs and track sessions.
Overall 92 Comfort 91$130 $150 Buy now ↗ As of Oct 9, 8:31 AM UTCOverall92Value94Cushioning92Comfort91Appearance75Durability70Confidence96Buy it now
Other retailers
Running Warehouse $130 13% offDick's $130 13% offMSRP $150
We share affiliate links. Learn more.
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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#16 Saucony
Endorphin Shift 392 92 Very good Very good 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 92 Comfort 87$100 $150 Buy now ↗ As of Oct 9, 8:31 AM UTCOverall92Cushioning92Value87Comfort87Durability84Appearance70Confidence95Pros
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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#17 ASICS
GEL-Nimbus 2792 92 Very good Very good Cushioning · 2 reviews · Confidence 92/100
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 for sale.
Overall 92 Comfort 87$110 $165 Buy now ↗ As of Oct 9, 8:34 AM UTCOverall92Cushioning92Comfort87Durability85Appearance72Value68Confidence92Pros
It carries a 43mm heel stack at 9.0 oz, more stack than the 39mm median for daily trainers for 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 for sale alongside it.
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#18 Brooks
Glycerin 2291 91 Very good Very good Cushioning · 4 reviews · Confidence 93/100
Daily trainer · Neutral · 9.1 oz (men's) · 39mm stack · 10mm drop
All four reviewers so far rate comfort 5 out of 5.
Overall 91 Comfort 97$90 $165 Buy now ↗ As of Oct 9, 8:33 AM UTCOverall91Comfort97Durability93Cushioning91Value80Appearance72Confidence93Pros
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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#19 adidas
adizero Evo SL90 90 Good Good Cushioning · 28 reviews · Confidence 96/100
Daily trainer · Neutral · 7.1 oz · 40mm stack · 7mm drop
Reviewers run everything in it, from easy miles to intervals.
Overall 90 Comfort 88$99 $150 Buy now ↗ As of Oct 9, 8:31 AM UTCOverall90Cushioning90Comfort88Appearance86Value81Durability75Confidence96Buy it now
Other retailers
Dick's $102 32% offRunning Warehouse $150MSRP $150
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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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#20 Nike
Alphafly 390 90 Good Good Cushioning · 22 reviews · Confidence 94/100
Racing · Neutral · 6.6 oz · 40mm stack · 8mm drop
Reviewers like the snug heel hold and roomy forefoot fit.
Overall 90 Comfort 85$143 $295 Buy now ↗ As of Oct 9, 8:31 AM UTCOverall90Cushioning90Appearance86Comfort85Value72Durability60Confidence94Buy it now
Other retailers
Running Warehouse $180 39% offNike $222 25% offDick's $259 12% offMSRP $295
We share affiliate links. Learn more.
Pros
Reviewers like the snug heel hold and roomy forefoot fit.
Runners report fast efforts with feet less beat up afterwards.
Cons
Several reviewers rate durability weakly; one reported roughly 240 miles.
Several reviewers flag the price, even those who call it worth it.
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#21 ASICS
GEL-Nimbus 2890 90 Very good Very good Cushioning · 5 reviews · Confidence 91/100
Daily trainer · Neutral · 9.3 oz · 44mm stack · 8mm drop
Reviewers consistently praise the soft cushioning and comfort on easy runs.
Overall 90 Comfort 89$168 $170 Buy now ↗ As of Oct 9, 8:32 AM UTCOverall90Cushioning90Comfort89Durability82Appearance71Value65Confidence91Buy it now
Other retailers
Running Warehouse $170Dick's $170MSRP $170
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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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#22 Saucony
Triumph 2490 90 Good Good Cushioning · 2 reviews · Confidence 87/100
Daily trainer · Neutral · 7.6 oz (women's)
The Triumph 22 and 23 before it score 98 and 91.
Overall 90 Comfort 83$167 $170 Buy now ↗ As of Oct 9, 8:34 AM UTCOverall90Cushioning90Durability89Comfort83Value77Appearance77Confidence87Buy it now
Other retailers
Running Warehouse $170Dick's $170MSRP $170
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Pros
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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#23 HOKA
Mach X 390 90 Very good Very good Cushioning · 4 reviews · Confidence 85/100
Speed / workouts · Neutral · 8.3 oz · 44mm stack · 5mm drop
Comfort and cushioning both rate 4.7 out of 5 in the three reviews so far.
Overall 90 Comfort 87Overall90Cushioning90Comfort87Appearance78Value73Durability72Confidence85Pros
Comfort and cushioning both rate 4.7 out of 5 in the three reviews so far.
One of three reviewers so far uses it for track work and finds it supportive.
The Mach X and Mach X 2 before it both score 99, on forty-seven and eleven reviews.
Cons
Durability and value draw the lowest ratings of the three reviews so far, both at 3.7 out of 5.
One of three reviewers rates the value 2 out of 5.
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#24 PUMA
Magnify Nitro 390 90 Good Good Cushioning · 3 reviews · Confidence 69/100
Daily trainer · Neutral
Both reviewers so far rate cushioning 5 out of 5.
Overall 90 Comfort 76Overall90Cushioning90Durability80Value79Comfort76Appearance73Confidence69Pros
Both reviewers so far rate cushioning 5 out of 5.
One of two reviewers so far calls it an excellent shoe.
Cons
Appearance draws the lowest ratings of the two reviews so far at 3.5 out of 5, and comfort 4.0.
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.