Best Cushioning Running Shoes
The shoes for sale rated highest for cushioning by real, experienced, and knowledgeable reviewers.
All shoes
148 shoes · page 5 of 7 · includes daily trainers, supershoes, racing shoes, trail shoes and track spikes
Prices updated daily. Last checked Sep 14.
-
#97 Altra
Escalante 577 Decent Cushioning · 2 reviews · Confidence 57/100
Daily trainer · Neutral
Both reviewers so far name the roomy toe box.
Overall 77 Comfort 96Overall77Comfort96Durability89Value86Cushioning77Appearance73Confidence57Pros
Both reviewers so far name the roomy toe box.
Both reviewers so far call it durable, one getting about a year out of a pair at twenty miles a week.
One reviewer describes the zero-drop ride as soft but firmly supportive.
Cons
Cushioning draws the lowest ratings of the two reviews so far at 4.0 out of 5, and one reviewer calls the amount average.
-
#98 Brooks
Hyperion 377 Decent Cushioning · 1 review · Confidence 39/100
Daily trainer · Neutral
It lists at $140, below the $150 median for daily trainers on sale.
Overall 77 Comfort 82$84 $140 Buy now ↗ As of Sep 14, 8:35 AM UTCOverall77Comfort82Durability79Cushioning77Value75Appearance66Confidence39Buy it now
Other retailers
Running Warehouse $100 29% offDick's $106 24% offMSRP $140
We share affiliate links. Learn more.
Pros
It lists at $140, below the $150 median for daily trainers on sale.
The one reviewer so far rates comfort and cushioning 5 out of 5.
Cons
The Hyperion 2 before it scores 91 on seven reviews, against 70 for this version.
-
#99 Nike
Flex Experience Run 1277 Decent Cushioning · 1 review · Confidence 38/100
Daily trainer · Neutral
It lists at $75, half the $150 median for daily trainers.
Overall 77 Comfort 74Overall77Appearance94Value83Cushioning77Durability76Comfort74Confidence38Pros
It lists at $75, half the $150 median for daily trainers.
Cons
Cushioning draws 3 out of 5 in the single review so far, its lowest mark.
-
#100 PUMA
Fast-R Nitro Elite 377 Decent Cushioning · 4 reviews · Confidence 23/100
Racing · Neutral
One reviewer describes a poppy, aggressive ride built for fast running.
Overall 77 Comfort 66Overall77Cushioning77Appearance77Value73Comfort66Durability56Confidence23Buy it now
We share affiliate links. Learn more.
Pros
One reviewer describes a poppy, aggressive ride built for fast running.
One of four reviewers calls it the best racing shoe since the Vaporfly.
Cons
Durability draws 2.3 out of 5 in the four reviews so far, the lowest mark of any dimension.
Comfort rates 3.3 out of 5 across the same four reviewers.
One reviewer says it does not suit slow runners or heel strikers.
-
#101 Altra
Experience Form76 Decent Cushioning · 1 review · Confidence 71/100
Daily trainer · Stability · 8.5 oz · 4mm drop · 32mm stack
Light for a stability trainer at 7.9 oz, with a 4mm drop.
Overall 76 Comfort 90$75 $145 Buy now ↗ As of Sep 14, 8:35 AM UTCOverall76Comfort90Cushioning76Appearance76Value74Durability66Confidence71Pros
Light for a stability trainer at 7.9 oz, with a 4mm drop.
One reviewer who overpronates says the guide rail supports the foot well over 125 miles.
Cons
Cushioning, durability and value each draw 4 out of 5 in the single review so far.
-
#102 New Balance
FuelCell SuperComp Elite v576 Decent Cushioning · 4 reviews · Confidence 41/100
Racing · Neutral · 6.2 oz (men's) · 8mm drop
Light at 6.2 oz with a 40mm heel stack.
Overall 76 Comfort 81$140 $265 Buy now ↗ As of Sep 14, 8:32 AM UTCOverall76Comfort81Cushioning76Appearance76Durability73Value64Confidence41Buy it now
Other retailers
Running Warehouse $160 40% offDick's $265MSRP $265
We share affiliate links. Learn more.
Pros
Light at 6.2 oz with a 40mm heel stack.
One of four reviewers uses it as an uptempo long run shoe, saying it locks into a pace and settles there.
Comfort and appearance both average 4.5 out of 5 across the four reviewers so far.
Cons
Two of four reviewers put it a touch below the top tier of racing shoes.
The v3 and v4 before it score 75 and 82 here, against 69 for this version.
One reviewer rates durability 2 out of 5, against 5s from the two others who rate it.
-
Overall 76 Comfort 75$149 $180 Buy now ↗ As of Sep 14, 8:34 AM UTCOverall76Cushioning76Durability76Comfort75Value71Appearance64Confidence36Cons
The one reviewer so far rates its durability 2 out of 5.
It lists at $179.95, above the $150 median for daily trainers on sale.
-
#104 Mount to Coast
R176 Decent Cushioning · 2 reviews · Confidence 17/100
Racing · Neutral · 7.5 oz (men's) · 8mm drop
A 36mm heel stack at 7.5 oz, light for the cushioning.
Overall 76 Comfort 92Overall76Comfort92Durability83Appearance77Cushioning76Value71Confidence17Pros
A 36mm heel stack at 7.5 oz, light for the cushioning.
Both reviewers so far rate comfort 5 out of 5.
Cons
Cushioning and value draw the lowest ratings of the two reviews so far, both at 4.0 out of 5.
-
#105 Saucony
Ride 1875 Decent Cushioning · 6 reviews · Confidence 80/100
Daily trainer · Neutral · 8.6 oz · 8mm drop · 35mm stack
Durability averages 4.8 out of 5 across the five reviewers who rate it.
Overall 75 Comfort 60$76 $145 Buy now ↗ As of Sep 14, 8:32 AM UTCOverall75Value82Durability80Cushioning75Comfort60Appearance59Confidence80Pros
Durability averages 4.8 out of 5 across the five reviewers who rate it.
Value averages 4.6 out of 5, and one reviewer says nobody should be buying the Brooks Ghost while this exists for less money.
One of six reviewers uses it for recovery miles and still gets enough bounce out of it for pickups and intervals.
Cons
Looks are the weakest of its categories at 3.7 out of 5 across six reviewers.
Comfort averages 4.2 out of 5, below what the same reviewers give for durability and value.
-
#106 Nike
Interact Run75 Decent Cushioning · 4 reviews · Confidence 80/100
Daily trainer · Neutral · 10mm drop
It lists at $85, well below the $150 median for daily trainers on sale.
Overall 75 Comfort 66$108 Buy now ↗ As of Sep 14, 8:33 AM UTCOverall75Appearance82Cushioning75Comfort66Value66Durability64Confidence80Pros
It lists at $85, well below the $150 median for daily trainers on sale.
Three of four reviewers rate it 4 out of 5 or better overall.
Cons
Cushioning is the weakest of its categories at 3.8 out of 5 across four reviewers, one of whom rates it a 1.
Looks also average 3.8 out of 5 across those four reviewers.
-
#107 Altra
Torin 875 Decent Cushioning · 1 review · Confidence 69/100
Daily trainer · Neutral · 9.5 oz (men's) · 0mm drop
Zero drop paired with a 30mm heel stack.
Overall 75 Comfort 89Overall75Comfort89Cushioning75Durability64Value62Appearance55Confidence69Pros
Zero drop paired with a 30mm heel stack.
The one reviewer so far calls it one of the comfiest shoes they have run in.
Cons
One reviewer so far finds it breaks down and starts to bend quickly for a $160 shoe.
-
#108 New Balance
Fuelcell Rebel v174 Decent Cushioning · 13 reviews · Confidence 87/100
Speed / workouts · Neutral · 7.2 oz · 5mm drop · 24mm stack
At 7.2 oz, reviewers find it light and quick at tempo.
Overall 74 Comfort 73Overall74Value85Appearance83Cushioning74Comfort73Durability64Confidence87Pros
At 7.2 oz, reviewers find it light and quick at tempo.
Runners report springy cushioning that suits workouts, intervals and races from the 5k to the half.
Reviewers like the stretchy knit upper's snug, comfortable midfoot hold.
Cons
Three of thirteen reviewers find the fit small, with low volume through the toe box.
Durability is its lowest-rated dimension at 3.8 out of 5, and one reviewer has the insole scrunch into a painful ridge after about 8 km.
One reviewer who pronates says the foam collapses inward and calls it the least stable shoe he has worn.
-
#109 ASICS
GEL-Cumulus 2674 Decent Cushioning · 9 reviews · Confidence 82/100
Daily trainer · Neutral · 8.4 oz · 8mm drop
Light for its 42mm heel stack at 8.9 oz in the men's and 7.8 oz in the women's.
Overall 74 Comfort 70$71 $140 Buy now ↗ As of Sep 14, 8:32 AM UTCOverall74Durability90Cushioning74Comfort70Value68Appearance58Confidence82Pros
Light for its 42mm heel stack at 8.9 oz in the men's and 7.8 oz in the women's.
The GEL-Cumulus 25 before it scores 49 on sixteen reviews, against 63 for this version.
Comfort and durability both average 4.6 out of 5 across the nine reviewers so far.
Cons
One of nine reviewers finds it short on cushioning and warns that thick gravel comes through.
Looks are the weakest of its categories at 3.9 out of 5.
-
#110 Saucony
Ride 1974 Decent Cushioning · 3 reviews · Confidence 59/100
Daily trainer · Neutral
Cushioning averages 4.7 out of 5 across the three reviewers so far, one calling it responsive, bouncy and stable.
Overall 74 Comfort 58$138 $145 Buy now ↗ As of Sep 14, 8:33 AM UTCOverall74Cushioning74Value64Durability64Comfort58Appearance57Confidence59Buy it now
Other retailers
Running Warehouse $145Dick's $145MSRP $145
We share affiliate links. Learn more.
Pros
Cushioning averages 4.7 out of 5 across the three reviewers so far, one calling it responsive, bouncy and stable.
Cons
One of three reviewers has the outer heel of the outsole wearing out very fast, and rates durability 1 out of 5.
The Ride 18, on sale beside it at the same $145, scores 69 on six reviews against 55 for this version.
-
#111 PUMA
Deviate Nitro 474 Decent Cushioning · 2 reviews · Confidence 20/100
Speed / workouts · Neutral
One of two reviewers so far calls it very responsive off the forefoot for uptempo training.
Overall 74 Comfort 88Overall74Appearance91Comfort88Value82Durability81Cushioning74Confidence20Pros
One of two reviewers so far calls it very responsive off the forefoot for uptempo training.
Both reviewers so far rate comfort and appearance 5 out of 5.
Cons
One of two reviewers finds it runs big and would not use it for long runs.
-
#112 ASICS
GT-2000 1372 Decent Cushioning · 12 reviews · Confidence 89/100
Daily trainer · Stability · 9.6 oz (men's)
Two of twelve reviewers call it good value for what it costs, and it lists at $140, below the $150 median for daily trainers on sale.
Overall 72 Comfort 55$70 $140 Buy now ↗ As of Sep 14, 8:32 AM UTCOverall72Value80Durability76Cushioning72Appearance68Comfort55Confidence89Pros
Two of twelve reviewers call it good value for what it costs, and it lists at $140, below the $150 median for daily trainers on sale.
Two reviewers call it a solid trainer, and a third finds it bouncier than they expect.
One reviewer has run in it for years and rates it durable.
Cons
At 9.6 oz it is heavier than the 8.9 oz median for daily trainers on sale, and one of twelve reviewers finds it too heavy for races and workouts.
One reviewer finds the tongue too thin to lock the laces down without it pressing on the top of the foot.
Another gets calf and underfoot tightness in it that they have not had in other shoes.
-
#113 ASICS
SONICBLAST72 Decent Cushioning · 1 review · Confidence 66/100
Speed / workouts · Neutral · 7.7 oz (men's) · 8mm drop
At 7.7 oz, light for a 45mm heel stack.
Overall 72 Comfort 64$90 Buy now ↗ As of Sep 14, 8:34 AM UTCOverall72Cushioning72Appearance65Comfort64Durability63Value63Confidence66Buy it now
We share affiliate links. Learn more.
Pros
At 7.7 oz, light for a 45mm heel stack.
The one reviewer so far rates comfort and looks 5 out of 5.
Cons
At 45mm the heel stack sits well above the 37mm median for speed shoes on sale.
The Sonicblast 2 arrives in 2026 at the same $180, leaving this the older of the two on sale.
-
#114 Saucony
Guide 1972 Decent Cushioning · 2 reviews · Confidence 51/100
Daily trainer · Stability
Overall 72 Comfort 62$132 $150 Buy now ↗ As of Sep 14, 8:34 AM UTCOverall72Cushioning72Value72Durability68Appearance62Comfort62Confidence51Buy it now
Other retailers
Running Warehouse $150Dick's $150MSRP $150
We share affiliate links. Learn more.
Cons
The last six Guide versions all score between 55 and 60 here.
-
#115 Saucony
Guide 1872 Decent Cushioning · 1 review · Confidence 50/100
Daily trainer · Stability
CenterPath midsole adds a wider platform with raised sidewalls.
Overall 72 Comfort 62$77 $150 Buy now ↗ As of Sep 14, 8:35 AM UTCOverall72Cushioning72Value72Durability68Appearance62Comfort62Confidence50Pros
CenterPath midsole adds a wider platform with raised sidewalls.
Cons
The last six Guide versions all score between 55 and 60 here.
The Guide 19 arrives in 2026 at the same $150, leaving this the older of the two on sale.
-
#116 Nike
Winflo 1272 Decent Cushioning · 1 review · Confidence 24/100
Daily trainer · Neutral · 9mm drop
It lists at $110, well below the $150 median for daily trainers on sale.
Overall 72 Comfort 64Overall72Appearance82Value78Cushioning72Comfort64Durability61Confidence24Pros
It lists at $110, well below the $150 median for daily trainers on sale.
The one reviewer so far finds it stable through the ankle and useful for easy running.
Cons
The one reviewer so far rates its durability and its looks 3 out of 5.
That reviewer, a jumper, finds too much cushioning underfoot to feel the ground.
-
#117 Nike
Winflo 1072 Decent Cushioning · 1 review · Confidence 12/100
Daily trainer · Neutral · 9.5 oz · 10mm drop · 33mm stack
It lists at $105, well below the $150 median for daily trainers on sale.
Overall 72 Comfort 65$50 $105 Buy now ↗ As of Sep 14, 8:35 AM UTCOverall72Appearance85Value74Cushioning72Durability66Comfort65Confidence12Pros
It lists at $105, well below the $150 median for daily trainers on sale.
The one reviewer so far rates it 4 out of 5 on every dimension.
Cons
Averaging 9.4 oz across the men's and women's builds, it is heavier than the 8.9 oz median for daily trainers on sale.
Two newer Winflos are on sale alongside it, scoring 73 and 70.
-
#118 Nike
Pegasus 4271 Decent Cushioning · 7 reviews · Confidence 83/100
Daily trainer · Neutral · 9.6 oz · 10mm drop · 27mm stack
Durability is the highest-rated dimension across six reviewers, at 4.2 out of 5.
Overall 71 Comfort 74Overall71Appearance89Durability84Value82Comfort74Cushioning71Confidence83Buy it now
Other retailers
Nike $88 39% offDick's $100 31% offMSRP $145
We share affiliate links. Learn more.
Pros
Durability is the highest-rated dimension across six reviewers, at 4.2 out of 5.
Four of seven reviewers rate it 5 out of 5 overall.
One reviewer sums it up as consistent quality.
Cons
Cushioning draws the lowest ratings of any dimension across six reviewers, at 3.5 out of 5, and two of them rate it 1 or 2.
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.
Two of seven reviewers rate it 3 or below overall, one of them saying only that it had changed.
-
#119 ASICS
GT-2000 1471 Decent Cushioning · 4 reviews · Confidence 76/100
Daily trainer · Stability · 9.1 oz (men's) · 8mm drop · 36mm stack
Comfort and durability both average 4.8 out of 5 across the four reviewers so far.
Overall 71 Comfort 69$110 $140 Buy now ↗ As of Sep 14, 8:33 AM UTCOverall71Durability79Value72Cushioning71Comfort69Appearance53Confidence76Buy it now
Other retailers
Running Warehouse $110 21% offMSRP $140
We share affiliate links. Learn more.
Pros
Comfort and durability both average 4.8 out of 5 across the four reviewers so far.
One reviewer has run the GT-2000 line since the v5 and finds it has got better and quicker over time.
Cons
Cushioning averages 4.0 out of 5 across four reviewers, two of them marking it a 3, and one keeps it for shorter distances.
Two of four reviewers dislike the colourways.
The GT-2000 13 before it scores 67 on twelve reviews, against 57 for this version.
-
#120 New Balance
FuelCell SuperComp Pacer71 Decent Cushioning · 4 reviews · Confidence 27/100
Racing · Neutral · 6.3 oz · 8mm drop · 25mm stack
Reviewers call it light and nimble at 6.7 oz.
Overall 71 Comfort 75$129 Buy now ↗ As of Sep 14, 8:33 AM UTCOverall71Appearance90Value89Durability77Comfort75Cushioning71Confidence27Pros
Reviewers call it light and nimble at 6.7 oz.
One reviewer calls it incredibly durable and good for ground feel.
Cons
Reviewers describe firm cushioning suited to road racing and fast intervals rather than easy or long runs.
Cushioning draws the lowest ratings of the four reviews so far at 4.0 out of 5, and one reviewer notices less energy return from the plate than expected.
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.