If you love a cushioned running shoe, you’re in luck because right now brands are focusing on this more than ever! Stack heights are increasing as each one tries to create the best cushioned running shoes. Our team has been testing them all, and here are our top picks!
As a runner since 2002, I’ve seen running shoes go through so many massive changes. Right now we are in the age of cushion, more cushion and MORE cushion.
My initial thought was that this could lead to injuries with the increasing stack height. But then again, I loved HOKA from the first run, so maybe not. And then, to my great joy, people started doing studies to help us know exactly what this cushion is doing.
What Does Max Cushion Mean?
Let’s start here. This term has changed a lot over the years. The first max cushioned shoe was the Hoka Clifton and it was a mere 32mm compared to today’s towering mounds of cushion.
There’s not one specific definition for a max cushioned running shoe, but it’s all certainly around the 40mm mark. That is the max height the World Athletics Association will allow for competitive athletes in a race.
Now you will see max stack heights consistently on most of the best carbon plated running shoes, but also in those that we recommend for recovery runs. It’s all about how the different types of running shoe foams are used and compiled in the shoe.
Best Max Cushioned Running Shoes
Alright, now let’s dive into what we’ve discovered through extensive testing this year. Amanda happens to love a good cushioned shoe for daily training or marathon long runs, so these are high on her list of go-to shoes.
We’ve tried to include a solid mix of maximum cushion shoes here, ranging from super plush everyday trainers to carbon-plated race-day shoes.
You’ll find a moderate cushion suggestion paired with every max cushion shoe just incase you’re looking for something with a firmer feel underfoot!
Most Cushioned Shoe Ever – Nike Vomero Premium
Boy, oh boy, talk about max cushion comfort here. These look like maximum cushion, and they certainly feel like maximum cushion…but not in a super squishy, sink-into-the-shoe kind of way.
If you’ve been running in a top-tier super shoe, then you might not call them bouncy. BUT if you’ve been running in regular trainers or cushioned shoes, these do have bounce. That moon shoe description is somewhat accurate.
Over longer runs, they have enough firmness that we never felt like sinking into the shoe. This is HUGE. Many of the really plush shoes can actually cause lower back pain while running because you start to sink in, and it changes your form.
But we promise, that’s not going to be the case with these!
- Weight: 12.3 oz Men’s, 9.8 oz Women’s
- Stack Height: 55 mm men’s, 52 women’s
- Heel Drop: 10 mm
- Available 1 color
- Not available in wide
- Available at Nike.com for $180
- Read our full review of the Nike Vomero Premium here >>
👉Moderate Cushion – Nike Vomero
If you put the Nike Vomero on right after wearing the Vomero Premium, you’ll immediately tell the difference in how the amount of cushion differs.
This shoe was originally considered their max cushion option, but then Nike released two more shoe models in the Vomero lineup with even more cushion.
Nike combined different types of foam to offer both comfort and durability. The top layer is ZoomX foam made from PEBA, making it light with higher energy return. Underneath is their ReactX foam, which is slightly firmer and more responsive.
The combination makes these shoes really idea for long days, because they seem to return energy while remaining soft underfoot.
- Heel drop: 10mm
- Weight: 9.3 oz women’s, 11.5 oz men’s
- Available in 6 colors
- Not available in Wide
- Available at Nike.com $150
- Check out our full review of the Nike Vomero 18 here >>
Best for Recovery and Easy Days – Asics Gel Nimbus
Ready for some serious cushion to cover the miles or just for an easy recovery run? The inclusion of FF Blast foam and GEL offers cushioned support that’s hard to beat.
It’s not a snappy shoe, but for the crazy stack height, it is stable and will work for our heavier runners. The wider base creates stability without the stiffness of a traditional stability shoe.
We think it’s a great fit for those wanting a long run or easy run day shoe. It’s not your fast run shoe, but an excellent choice for a 5 hour marathon to have cushion and support.
- Weight: 9.2 oz Women’s, 10.7 oz Men’s
- Heel Drop: 8mm
- 4 colors
- Not available in wide
- Available at Asics.com for $160
- See our full Asics Gel Nimbus 27 review >>
👉Moderate Cushion – Asics Novablast 5
The Novablast has been a favorite cushioned running shoe since it first launched and each update brings more cushioning while reducing the weight.
It’s not the plushest shoe out there, but it’s a great amount of cushion in a weight that’s going to translate to a lot of miles for the average runner from training even to race day.
The 5 has a completely new full length midsole with their FF Blast Max foam. Again, I like that this shoe is a more responsive cushion and you don’t sink in to it so much.
While this is a neutral shoe, with no guiderails or anything for stability, it absolutely has some of that built in to the design. The width of the platform from toe to heel reduces pronation and provides a really good ride.
- Heel toe drop: 8mm
- Weight: 7.9 oz women’s, 9.1 oz men’s
- Stack Height: 41.5mm
- Read my full review of the Asics Novablast 5 >>
- Available at Zappos $140 (my favorite for easy returns) and on Asics.com
Good Mid-Back of the Pack Trainer – Puma Magmax
Unlike other Puma models, this one fully leans into max comfort. It’s soft without feeling mushy, so you don’t feel like you’re sinking in with every step, making it a solid pick for easy miles, long runs, or recovery days.
It’s finally a shoe that speaks to the middle and back of the pack, offering the cushion needed for long hours on their feet. 
One thing to keep in mind is that the sizing for the MagMax Nitro is unisex! It doesn’t feel as narrow of a fit, which was a nice surprise!
- Weight: 10.2 oz Unisex
- Heel drop: 8 mm
- 7 colors available
- Not available in wide
- Available at puma.com for $180
- Check out our full review of the Puma MagMax Nitro here >>
👉Moderate Cushion – Puma Velocity Nitro
The Velocity Nitro has earned its place as one of Puma’s go-to daily trainers, offering just the right amount of cushion to keep you logging miles comfortably. If you’ve been a fan since the early models, you know that Puma is keeping things consistent.
The Velocity Nitro has enough stability to also keep you feeling good on moderately long runs.
The dual-layer foam setup gives you a soft, comfortable feel up top with a bit of pop underneath, striking that nice balance between everyday comfort and a touch of speed if you want to pick up the pace.
- Heel drop: 10 mm
- Weight: 8.6 oz men’s, 7.2 oz women’s
- Available in 8 colors
- Available in wide (1 color)
- Available from Us.puma for $140
- Read our full review of the Puma Velocity Nitro 4 here >>
Best Run-Walk Intervals Trainer – Brooks Glycerin Max
We’ve said a lot of not so kind things about the Max shoes that Brooks has been putting out. BUT the Glycerin Max is a whole different ballgame and whole different shoe from the original Glycerin.
It’s also pricier than some of the other shoes on the list. So far in our testing it seems like a truly durable shoe and a number of runners said they feel faster in it than other big cushioned shoes.
This feels like you’re walking or running on a supportive cloud. Supportive being the key phrase here. There’s a little bit of firmness but in comparison to something like the Triumph, the foam in the Glycerin Max really helps absorb the impact with each step.
The shoe has a GlideRoll Rocker that provides an effortless heel-to-toe transition. For someone that runs like a dancer (up on my toes), this has helped me focus on a smoother stride rather than always running on the outer side of my foot.
- Weight: 10.5oz Men’s, 9.5 oz Women’s
- Heel Drop: 6mm
- Available in 3 Colors
- Available on Brooksrunning.com for $200
- Checkout our full Brooks Glycerin Max review >>
👉Moderate Cushion – Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25
While the upgrade in foam made these shoes feel more comfortable and cushioned than past versions, they definitely still maintain the firm feel of a stability shoe.
This is going to be the option when you need big miles and more softness, but the Adrenaline is a winner for daily miles AND when you want to pick up the pace.
This is something we often overlook, but that slight firmness is what helps with picking up the pace, so we don’t actually want all of our shoes to be super soft.
- Weight: 10.6 oz Men’s, 9.5 oz Women’s
- Stack Height: 37 mm
- Heel Drop: 10 mm
- Available in nine colors
- Available in wide or extra wide
- Available on Brooks Running for $155.00
- Read our full review of the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25 here >>
Best Long Run Shoe – New Balance Fresh Foam 1080 v14
Listen, I like a good cushioned shoe and this one fits the bill. It’s become one of my go to daily run shoes.
I’ve actually gone through many pairs of the 1080’s for the last few years. And while the increase in cushion means it’s lost some of the speediness I previously loved, it’s just changed places in my line up because I still really enjoy it.
The New Balance Fresh Foam X is just a winner for me. I’ve always found it to do well for high mileage without breaking down and it just feels good underfoot.
The most recent version 14 of the shoe is slightly lighter (about 1 oz less) and has the knit upper, which makes the shoe simply feel like it’s hugging your foot a bit more. The stack height has also increased, but thus far I haven’t noticed that as an issue, so it remains a shoe I really enjoy.
The Fresh Foam midsole provides excellent cushioning and shock absorption, making it perfect for runners who enjoy long-distance running. Remember this isn’t a plush shoe, but cushion that still responds. The upper part of the shoe is made of Hypoknit, which is a soft and breathable material that provides a comfortable fit.
- Heel Drop: 6mm
- Weight: 10.5oz Men’s, 8.3 oz Women’s
- Stack Height: 38mm
- Available in wide
- Available on New Balance and Zappos for $165
- See my full review of the New Balance 1080 v13
👉Moderate Cushion – New Balance 880
If you don’t want quite so much cushion, and honestly, not everyone enjoys it, then the 880 is a winner. This is a solid, dependable neutral shoe that also has a great wide toebox, allowing you to get full power out of those feet.
The New Balance 880 is a popular shoe that strikes a balance between cushioning and stability. Because the foam feels slightly firmer, it provides a greater sense of stability and contributes to the overall longevity of the shoe.
It’s going to have enough cushion for long days on your feet without being overly plush and still providing just a hint of stability with the bigger platform.
- Weight: 10.7 oz Men’s, 8.4 Women’s
- Heel drop: 6mm
- 7 colors available
- Available in narrow, regular, wide and x-wide in certain colorways
- Available on Newbalance.com for $140
- Read our full review of the New Balance 880 v15 >>
Best for Long Hours on Your Feet – Hoka Bondi
The Bondi is always one of our go-to options for a solid shoe, whether you’re running or walking. The recent update has kept this one at the top of our lists because it’s a shoe that’s going to feel good from start to finish.
We have to admit the last model broke our hearts a little but we absolutely love the Bondi 9’s firmer and smoother feel. You aren’t going to feel like you’re sinking into the shoe, especially if you plan to wear it for a long time. Which is good news for your lower back!!
Even with all that cushioning, the Bondi 9 still manages to feel lightweight, which is a huge win for a shoe this plush.
The Bondi also comes in wide and extra wide so there are plenty of options available.
- Weight: 9.3 oz Women’s
- Heel Drop: 5 mm
- 6 colors
- Available in wide
- Available on Hoka.com for $170
- Checkout our complete Hoka Bondi 9 review >>
👉Moderate Cushion – Hoka Arahi
The most recent model went through a total re-design that we are here for.
The Hoka Arahi 8 maintains a solid sense of balance throughout the shoe while allowing for a smooth and comfortable ride.
One big upgrade from the previous models is the support system Hoka opted for, switching from J-Frame stability to H-Frame stability technology.
This shifted the support from just the medial side (or inside) of the foot to both the medial and lateral sides allows the shoe to keep the material directly under the forefoot and heel making it a more balanced and less stiff ride, great for overpronators.
Even with an additional 3mm of foam from previous models, this shoe felt light and had a little bounce to it— if you’re someone who needs a lot of support and prefers a more rigid shoe, this might not be the choice for you.
- Weight: 9.8 oz Men’s, 7.7 oz Women’s
- Heel Drop: 8 mm
- Available inSix colors
- Available in wide and extra wide
- Available on hoka.com for $150.00
Max Cushioned Carbon Plate Shoe – Adidas Pro Evo 2
This shoe is great for serious, efficient runners chasing PRs and racing fast marathons. It’s a serious price tag for a serious shoe that will absolutely benefit the front of the pack.
Within the first few steps, you can immediately feel how comfortable these shoes are in comparison to some other more rigid carbon-plated shoes.
The midsole is bouncy yet firm enough to stay responsive at race paces, especially in faster efforts. While it feels more stable than the Evo 1, the narrow midfoot can still feel a bit shaky during slower paces or on uneven surfaces.
- Weight: 4.86 oz
- Heel Drop: 3 mm
- Limited launch colors (more colors coming Fall)
- Not available in wide
- Available from Adidas.com for $500
- Check out our full review of the Adidas Adizero Pro Evo here >>
Moderate Cushion – Adidas Evo SL
This is going to be the perfect shoe to carry you through long runs, while still allowing you to pick up the pace for half and even full marathon miles.
You’re not going to find all the fancy bells and whistles packed into the midsole, just some nice foam underfoot without feeling too soft or squishy.
Lighstrike Pro is their top of the line foam. It’s the lightest with the best energy return and we’re finding it here in a $150 daily trainer, that’s fairly unusual.
The Adidas EVO SL is not as bouncy as a carbon plated shoe and not as soft as a daily trainer. It’s a blend right in the middle that allows for that energy return.
- Weight: 7.9 oz Men’s, 6.6 oz Women’s
- Heel drop: 6 mm
- Available in 7 colors
- Available in wide
- Available now on adidas.com for $150
- Check out our full review of the Adidas EVO SL here >>
Should You Run in a Super-Cushioned Shoe?
And here’s where things come down…
If you deal with Achilles issues then the bigger stack and cushion may not be ideal. If you deal with Plantar Fasciitis, you might love the cushion, but remember you MUST keep doing foot strength work.
The research simply does not prove that a more cushioned shoe reduces injuries, though it does reduce the force of your landing. (Though one new study in European Journal of Sport Science has come pretty close!)
However, we do know that if you find a shoe and you adore how it feels, that alone can improve your running regardless of the shoe type.
All right friends how was that for a round up of the best cushioned running shoes? Feel like there is one missing from the list, I’d love to hear what you’ve been running in that’s got that great feeling.
Looking for more running info?
- What is Heel Toe Drop?
- Best Treadmill Running Shoes
- How To Get Back To Running After a Long Break
- How Long Should Your Longest Run Be?
Other ways to connect with Amanda
Instagram Daily Fun: RunToTheFinish
Facebook Community Chatter: RunToTheFinish
Sign Up to Receive a Weekly Newsletter with Top Running Tips and Laughs
New Balance 1080 v14 Review | Long Run Love Even After 200 Miles
Leave a Reply