The Best Cushioned Running Shoes

The Nimbus 28 is the cushioned shoe that feels the most complete. It has a true max-stack midsole, high shock absorption and strong lockdown, and reviewers say it stays stable despite its height. It is also lighter than the Nimbus 27, at 281 g in the men's, and the grippy outsole and secure fit make it a good choice in cold weather. At about $170 at full price it is not cheap, and this is the second consecutive US price increase. Energy return is poor, so it is a smooth easy-day shoe, not a fast one, and breathability could be better. Skip it if you want bounce and speed, or a lower price. ASICS accepts returns within 90 days, which helps you check the fit, and RunRepeat lists wide options. Our Gel-Nimbus 28 review has more.

If you want the most foam underfoot, the Bondi 9 is the answer. Its published stack is 43 mm at the heel and 38 mm at the forefoot, with a new supercritical EVA midsole that is lighter than the Bondi 8. It has easy step-in comfort, a stable platform for its height, durable heel padding according to lab testers and four widths for men, from Narrow to X-Wide. It is a favorite for walking, standing and recovery days. The downsides are weight, at 297 g in the men's, a clunky feel at faster paces, a narrow toebox in the standard width and a price of about $175 at full price. Skip it if you want a light, quick shoe or a tight budget. HOKA's Fly for 30 guarantee gives you 30 days.

The Triumph 24 proves a plush shoe does not have to feel dead. Its incrediLUX foam delivered very high energy return for a cushioned shoe in lab testing, and it weighs just 250 g in the men's, which is notably light for a 43 mm heel stack. Reviewers say it handles slow and fast paces, has great traction and suits heavier runners. It costs about $170 at full price and comes in Regular and Wide. The trade-offs are that it is less stable than the Triumph 23, the fit is snug for some people and the wide footprint feels less agile. Skip it if you want a roomy toebox or a very stable shoe. Saucony allows returns within 30 days of shipping, in the original box. That is a shorter window than Brooks or ASICS, so wear the shoes indoors first and measure your toe room before committing.

The Glycerin 23 is the plush, no-surprises choice. Its dual-density DNA Tuned midsole gives a very soft, easy ride, the premium knit upper holds the heel firmly and testers found it durable and grippy in wet and dry conditions. It comes in Regular, Wide and X-Wide, and Brooks' 90-day Run Happy trial makes it low-risk. At about $175 at full price it is costly, and it is heavy at 303 g in the men's with low energy return. Owners say it runs slightly small, and there is no gusseted tongue. Skip it if you want a light, fast shoe or are watching your budget. It is tagged for walking and standing all day in our data, so it also suits long days on your feet.

The 1080v15 shows how a cushioned shoe can lose weight. At 261 g in the men's it is much lighter than the previous version, and its Infinion foam measured about 29% softer than the v14 according to RunRepeat. It also comes in four widths (B, D, 2E and 4E), has a premium knit upper and feels capable at faster paces, according to reviewers. The price is $169.99 and New Balance excludes it from promotions, so do not expect sales. The ultra-soft foam will not suit everyone, stability is limited and breathability is below average. Skip it if you run hot, or if you prefer a firm, stable platform. Owner votes call the fit true to size. It is also tagged for recovery days and standing all day in our data, so it suits runners who log easy miles and spend plenty of time on their feet. Our New Balance 1080v15 review covers fit and how it compares with the 880.

The Vomero 18 is Nike's first max-stack Vomero, with ZoomX foam over ReactX and a 45 mm heel stack by Nike's figures. Reviewers describe a plush step-in, a stable feel for its size and a good match for recovery runs and heel strikers. It costs about $165 men's and $155 women's at full price, which is lower than the Vomero 17, and RunRepeat lists four widths. The compromises are weight, at 325 g in the men's (about 11.5 oz), a narrow toebox per lab data, weaker grip on wet surfaces and a less agile feel at faster paces. Skip it if you want a light shoe, or if you have wide feet and are looking at the standard width. Nike's 60-day return window gives you time to check the fit.

The Clifton 11 is the friendly entry to the max-cushion world. It is soft, rockered and easy on easy miles, lighter than the Clifton 10 at 258 g in the men's, and priced at about $155 at full price, which is a bit lower than the other plush options here. Lab data praises its outsole wear, and it offers Wide and X-Wide in some colorways. The catch: it feels soft rather than lively, the stack can feel bulky and lab measurements found a narrow, tapered toebox in the standard width. Skip it if you want a bouncy ride or lots of toe room in the standard size. Our HOKA Clifton 11 review covers fit. It is also tagged for walking, long runs and recovery in our data, which makes it one of the most flexible plush shoes on this page, and HOKA's 30-day Fly for 30 return window lets you check the toebox at home.

The Novablast 6 is for runners who want cushion that stays out of the way. It has a 41.5 mm heel stack and a plush feel, yet weighs only 242 g in the men's, and reviewers praise its improved forefoot energy return and its ability to work across short, medium and long runs. At about $155 at full price, it is among the best values on this page, and it comes in Regular and Wide. The trade-offs: it is less stable than the Novablast 5, heel strikers may prefer other options and the toebox is tapered. Skip it if you want maximum softness for recovery runs, or if you need a very stable platform. ASICS' 90-day return window helps with the fit. Compared with the Nimbus 28 and Bondi 9 it gives up some maximum softness, but it is a lot easier to use for tempo-ish efforts, and our estimated ratings give it 4 out of 5 for performance.