Most Comfortable Running Shoes
The shoes for sale rated highest for comfort by real, experienced, and knowledgeable reviewers.
All shoes
148 shoes · page 1 of 7 · includes daily trainers, supershoes, racing shoes, trail shoes and track spikes
Prices updated daily. Last checked Sep 14.
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#1 HOKA
Clifton 999 Exceptional Comfort · 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 Cushioning 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 Nike
Vomero 1899 Exceptional Comfort · 18 reviews · Confidence 96/100
Daily trainer · Neutral · 10.4 oz · 10mm drop · 46mm stack
Reviewers consistently praise the cushioning for easy runs and long miles.
Overall 99 Cushioning 99Overall99Comfort99Cushioning99Appearance85Durability70Value65Confidence96Buy 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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#3 ASICS
Superblast 299 Exceptional Comfort · 14 reviews · Confidence 94/100
Speed / workouts · Neutral · 7mm drop
Reviewers describe a light, cushioned ride with bounce for easy or faster runs.
Overall 99 Cushioning 99Overall99Cushioning99Comfort99Durability98Appearance96Value93Confidence94Buy it now
Dick's Sporting Goods
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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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#4 HOKA
Mach X 299 Exceptional Comfort · 11 reviews · Confidence 93/100
Speed / workouts · Neutral · 8.7 oz
Reviewers reach for it on speed days and steady long runs.
Overall 99 Cushioning 99Overall99Comfort99Cushioning99Appearance90Durability87Value85Confidence93Pros
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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#5 Brooks
Glycerin 2299 Exceptional Comfort · 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 99 Cushioning 97$90 $165 Buy now ↗ As of Sep 14, 8:33 AM UTCOverall99Comfort99Durability98Cushioning97Value84Appearance73Confidence93Pros
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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#6 HOKA
Bondi 999 Exceptional Comfort · 3 reviews · Confidence 92/100
Daily trainer · Neutral · 9.3 oz (men's) · 5mm drop
44mm heel stack at 9.3 oz gives height without much weight.
Overall 99 Cushioning 99Overall99Comfort99Cushioning99Durability95Value78Appearance69Confidence92Pros
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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#7 Brooks
Glycerin 2399 Exceptional Comfort · 4 reviews · Confidence 90/100
Daily trainer · Neutral
All four reviewers so far rate comfort 5 out of 5.
Overall 99 Cushioning 98$145 $175 Buy now ↗ As of Sep 14, 8:33 AM UTCOverall99Comfort99Durability98Cushioning98Appearance79Value76Confidence90Buy 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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#8 Saucony
Triumph 2298 Exceptional Comfort · 21 reviews · Confidence 96/100
Daily trainer · Neutral · 10.1 oz · 10mm drop · 40mm stack
Reviewers praise the cushioning for easy days and long runs.
Overall 98 Cushioning 98$105 $160 Buy now ↗ As of Sep 14, 8:31 AM UTCOverall98Cushioning98Comfort98Durability96Value87Appearance83Confidence96Pros
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 Nike
Vomero Plus98 Exceptional Comfort · 16 reviews · Confidence 95/100
Daily trainer · Neutral · 9.5 oz · 10mm drop · 43mm stack
All sixteen reviewers rate the cushioning 5 out of 5.
Overall 98 Cushioning 99$136 $180 Buy now ↗ As of Sep 14, 8:31 AM UTCOverall98Cushioning99Comfort98Appearance93Durability74Value60Confidence95Buy 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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#10 HOKA
Clifton 1098 Exceptional Comfort · 11 reviews · Confidence 94/100
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 98 Cushioning 99Overall98Cushioning99Comfort98Value82Durability67Appearance63Confidence94Pros
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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#11 Brooks
Ghost Max 298 Exceptional Comfort · 14 reviews · Confidence 93/100
Daily trainer · Neutral · 10.3 oz
Cushioning is the highest-rated dimension across fourteen reviewers, at 4.9 out of 5.
Overall 98 Cushioning 98$125 $170 Buy now ↗ As of Sep 14, 8:32 AM UTCOverall98Durability99Comfort98Cushioning98Value97Appearance91Confidence93Pros
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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#12 ASICS
Superblast 398 Exceptional Comfort · 2 reviews · Confidence 82/100
Daily trainer · Neutral · 7mm drop
Both reviewers rate comfort and cushioning 5 out of 5, and one calls it an awesome everyday trainer.
Overall 98 Cushioning 99Overall98Cushioning99Comfort98Durability93Appearance85Value74Confidence82Pros
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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#13 ASICS
Novablast 597 Exceptional Comfort · 18 reviews · Confidence 95/100
Daily trainer · Neutral · 8.5 oz · 8mm drop · 41mm stack
Reviewers use them for easy days, tempo runs and track sessions.
Overall 97 Cushioning 97Overall97Value98Cushioning97Comfort97Appearance75Durability74Confidence95Buy 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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#14 HOKA
Clifton 1197 Exceptional Comfort · 3 reviews · Confidence 89/100
Daily trainer · Neutral
All three reviewers so far rate comfort and cushioning 5 out of 5.
Overall 97 Cushioning 99$154 $155 Buy now ↗ As of Sep 14, 8:33 AM UTCOverall97Cushioning99Comfort97Durability78Value76Appearance67Confidence89Buy 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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#15 Saucony
Triumph 2397 Excellent Comfort · 2 reviews · Confidence 86/100
Daily trainer · Neutral · 8.6 oz (men's) · 10mm drop
Light at 8.6 oz for a 42mm heel stack.
Overall 97 Cushioning 96$91 $170 Buy now ↗ As of Sep 14, 8:33 AM UTCOverall97Durability97Comfort97Cushioning96Value81Appearance73Confidence86Buy it now
Other retailers
Running Warehouse $125 27% offDick's $170MSRP $170
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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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#16 Altra
Escalante 597 Excellent Comfort · 2 reviews · Confidence 83/100
Daily trainer · Neutral
Both reviewers so far name the roomy toe box.
Overall 97 Cushioning 77Overall97Comfort97Durability89Value86Cushioning77Appearance73Confidence83Pros
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.
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#17 Brooks
Ghost 1696 Excellent Comfort · 38 reviews · Confidence 97/100
Daily trainer · Neutral · 8.9 oz · 12mm drop · 36mm stack
Reviewers report long tread life, some past 400 miles.
Overall 96 Cushioning 88$95 $140 Buy now ↗ As of Sep 14, 8:31 AM UTCOverall96Durability98Comfort96Value93Cushioning88Appearance77Confidence97Pros
Reviewers report long tread life, some past 400 miles.
Runners describe a middle-ground ride, neither too soft nor firm.
Reviewers find it comfortable for daily and marathon training miles.
Cons
Some reviewers find the toe box tighter than earlier Ghosts.
One reviewer calls the colorways ugly, and appearance is its lowest-rated dimension.
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#18 HOKA
Rocket X 296 Excellent Comfort · 18 reviews · Confidence 90/100
Racing · Neutral · 7.5 oz · 5mm drop · 37mm stack
Reviewers report durability holding up well past 100 miles.
Overall 96 Cushioning 95Overall96Durability97Comfort96Cushioning95Value93Appearance80Confidence90Pros
Reviewers report durability holding up well past 100 miles.
Runners use it from 5k races to marathons and tempo workouts.
At 7.5 oz on a 37mm heel stack.
Cons
At 7.5 oz it is heavier than most carbon-plated racers.
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#19 Nike
Free Run 201896 Excellent Comfort · 6 reviews · Confidence 89/100
Daily trainer · Neutral · 7.0 oz (men's)
Comfort rates 5.0 out of 5 across six reviewers, who say the upper shapes to the foot.
Overall 96 Cushioning 83Overall96Appearance98Comfort96Value89Durability88Cushioning83Confidence89Pros
Comfort rates 5.0 out of 5 across six reviewers, who say the upper shapes to the foot.
Reviewers value the minimal build, one saying it makes him focus on his form.
Reviewers use it on road, trail and sand alike.
Cons
One reviewer's only complaint is how many rocks get stuck in the outsole.
One reviewer running 30 to 50 miles a week says he wears through them quickly.
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#20 ASICS
GEL-Nimbus 2796 Excellent Comfort · 2 reviews · Confidence 88/100
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 96 Cushioning 97$110 $165 Buy now ↗ As of Sep 14, 8:34 AM UTCOverall96Cushioning97Comfort96Durability92Appearance74Value67Confidence88Pros
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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#21 Saucony
Endorphin Speed 596 Excellent Comfort · 3 reviews · Confidence 85/100
Speed / workouts · Neutral · 7.3 oz (men's) · 7mm drop · 37mm stack
Reviewers reach for it on intervals and longer tempo efforts.
Overall 96 Cushioning 96Overall96Comfort96Cushioning96Appearance93Value92Durability86Confidence85Buy it now
Other retailers
Running Warehouse $130 26% offDick's $175MSRP $175
We share affiliate links. Learn more.
Pros
Reviewers reach for it on intervals and longer tempo efforts.
Light at 7.3 oz for a 37mm stack with carbon plate.
Every Endorphin Speed version so far has rated highly.
Cons
One of three reviewers so far finds it narrow.
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#22 ASICS
GEL-Nimbus 2896 Excellent Comfort · 5 reviews · Confidence 85/100
Daily trainer · Neutral
Reviewers consistently praise the soft cushioning and comfort on easy runs.
Overall 96 Cushioning 97$167 $170 Buy now ↗ As of Sep 14, 8:32 AM UTCOverall96Cushioning97Comfort96Durability87Appearance72Value61Confidence85Buy 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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#23 Nike
Alphafly 395 Excellent Comfort · 19 reviews · Confidence 92/100
Racing · Neutral · 6.9 oz · 8mm drop
Reviewers like the snug heel hold and roomy forefoot fit.
Overall 95 Cushioning 97Overall95Cushioning97Appearance96Comfort95Value84Durability65Confidence92Buy it now
Other retailers
Nike $222 25% offDick's $259 12% offMSRP $295
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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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#24 Brooks
Ghost 1795 Excellent Comfort · 8 reviews · Confidence 89/100
Daily trainer · Neutral · 9.5 oz · 10mm drop · 37mm stack
Two of eight reviewers call it soft and comfortable without the feel of a max-cushion shoe.
Overall 95 Cushioning 88$110 $150 Buy now ↗ As of Sep 14, 8:32 AM UTCOverall95Durability97Comfort95Cushioning88Value84Appearance71Confidence89Buy it now
Other retailers
Running Warehouse $110 27% offDick's $110 27% offMSRP $150
We share affiliate links. Learn more.
Pros
Two of eight reviewers call it soft and comfortable without the feel of a max-cushion shoe.
One reviewer got about 400 miles from a pair before replacing them.
One reviewer uses it for easy runs and two or three track workouts a week.
Cons
The Ghost 16 before it scores 97 on thirty-eight reviews, against 89 here on eight.
Cushioning and appearance draw the lowest ratings of any dimension, at 4.1 out of 5.
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.