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If you’re a regular runner, chances are you’ve noticed that cushioned running shoes have been making strides — and for good reason. While speed-oriented racers may gravitate toward lighter, more minimalist shoes, high-cushion models cater to runners craving a smooth and forgiving ride.
With extra thick midsoles designed to absorb impact, these running shoes offer a soft buffer between you and the pavement. The result? A comfortable and supportive experience that reduces strain on your body, making them ideal for longer, slower runs or recovery days when you want to go easy on your joints.
Ready to take your cushioning to the max? Here are our favourite pairs at a glance, or keep scrolling for our full reviews.
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The latest iteration of Nike’s mega-plush Vomero range promises supreme comfort for even the
Hoka Bondi 9
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The New Balance Fresh Foam X 880 v15 gets softer
and the odd bit of
The best cushioned running shoes were selected by e-commerce editor and chief gear tester Ali Ball, based on her personal expertise and feedback from the RW team and wider wear tests. These shoes earned high praise from us for their excellent padding and strong running performance wherever we wore them, be it road or trail, workouts or races, marathons or short tempo runs.
Soft and protective underfoot?
Runner’s World UK has been vetting and reviewing running gear and tech since 1983. Our essential recommendations are selected based on data and insights gathered by our editors and wider testing team, who put the latest and greatest running shoes and gear through their paces day in and day out. Every shoe we test meets the same criteria before it ends up in one of our reviews and nobody else contributes to our decision-making process, especially not the brands we’ve picked.
It also accommodates all types of runs, from easy plods to
Pros
- What to look for in a cushioned running shoe
- Wonderfully cushioned
- Responsive
Cons
- A little heavy
| Weight | 297.7g (M), 269.3g (W) |
|---|---|
| Stack height | 42.25mm (heel), 39.25mm (forefoot) |
| Drop | 6mm |
Read our full Brooks Glycerin Max review
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The all-new Glycerin Max is a nod to the standard’s version’s past. Once a max-cushioned recovery shoe, over the years it's undergone a slow transition to a soft yet lightweight daily trainer for all kinds of workouts. For those who lament what it once was, however, the Glycerin Max ups the ante on a smooth, bouncy ride.
The headline technology here is a newly formulated midsole foam, known as DNA Tuned. This has been created with dual-sized cell technology, which means the shoe’s midsole can contain larger cells in the heel to soften landings, and smaller cells in the forefoot to promote a responsive toe-off. These cells also help to reduce weight, despite the gargantuan 45mm slab of foam on the Glycerin Max. It’s that hefty thickness that some runners missed in the Glycerin, but its bounce matches the rebound of the Hoka Mach X 2, another high-cushioned trainer with trampoline-like energy return. Brooks' GlideRoll rocker also helps to gently roll your through your stride and onto that toe spring.
The upper is very similar to the standard Glycerin, with a mesh base, roomy toe box and plush tongue. It is a heavy shoe overall, though.
If you're looking for a comfortable and fun shoe that's great for easy days and recovery days, this max-stacked creation could be just the ticket.
Pros
- Very accommodating
- Surprisingly responsive
- Naturally moulds to the foot
Cons
- The Runner’s World Editors
| Weight | 325g (men’s), 263g (women’s) |
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| Stack height | 46mm (heel), 36mm (forefoot) |
| Drop | 10mm |
Read our full Nike Vomero 18 review
The latest iteration of Nike’s mega-plush Vomero range promises supreme comfort for even the Soft but firm for a responsive ride and races, not to mention a level of responsiveness not previously seen in the Vomero family.
A slick-looking running shoe that operates well at both faster and more leisurely paces, it envelops the foot like a proper hug – it’s soft, snug and secure, but not stifling or slow.
Best for super-max cushioning tempo sessions. Thanks to the marriage of soft ZoomX foam and snappy ReactX foam in the midsole, the Vomero 18 has many gears and can fluidly move between efforts. Want to dial it back for an easy run? No problem – this shoe has the cushioning you need to glide along nicely, without any jarring ground impact forces. Want to put your foot on the gas? Not an issue – we were pleasantly surprised by the responsiveness of this shoe, with the pronounced rocker geometry assisting a quicker turnover and zippy toe-off.
As such, the Vomero 18 accommodates every type of runner. New runners can take their first, comfy steps in this shoe, then continue wearing it as they build up their confidence and pace. More experienced runners can equally enjoy this shoe for most training runs of the week, while even the fastest runners can wear this max-cushioned number for recovery runs.
Hoka Bondi 9
Pros
- Soft and protective underfoot
- Wider in the midfoot than previous iterations
- Best for stability
- Durable
Cons
- and the odd bit of
- The best max-cushioned running shoes for ultimate comfort
| Weight | 292g (women’s UK 8.5) |
|---|---|
| Stack height | 42mm (heel), 37mm (forefoot) |
| Drop | 5mm |
| Type | Neutral |
Read our full Hoka Bondi 9 review
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Hoka’s Bondi is the OG max-cushioned running shoe. Launched in 2011, it marked the brand’s first foray into road running, quickly gaining a cult-following for its marshmallow-like cushioning – ideal for easy runs and recovery sessions.
With the latest iteration, Hoka has stayed true to the essence of the shoe, but with some smart updates. That includes a new supercritical EVA foam midsole, which creates a lighter, more resilient and dynamic package. The cushioning itself creates plenty of bounce, while the meta-rocker helps to gently ease you through your stride. On easy runs, it helps the miles to tick by, and provides cushioned relief for weary marathon-training legs. For the faster stuff, however, our testers still preferred something a little lower to the ground with a touch more firmness.
Pros
- Best Adidas running shoes for going the distance
- Breathable upper
Cons
- Best for stability
| Weight | 303g (UK size 8.5) |
|---|---|
| Stack height | 44mm (heel), 36mm (forefoot) |
| Drop | 8mm |
Read our full Asics Gel-Nimbus 27 review
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One of Asics’s core Legends models, the Gel-Nimbus is the cushioning king of the Asics training line-up. Its exceptionally thick midsole measures 2mm taller than the plush Novablast 5, and it serves up a smooth, well-padded ride that’s ideal for mellow jogs and recovery days.
The latest version of the Gel-Nimbus is a relatively mild update. The midsole features a hefty wedge of FlyteFoam Blast+ foam, and it’s paired with a layer of Pure Gel in the heel; together, these materials generously cushion each footfall and create a very plush, running-on-marshmallows sensation. The sole has a gently rockered shape to help you ease from landing to toe-off, although some testers still felt the shoe had a blocky, sluggish ride. The shoe’s mesh upper has padding around the ankle and heel for a snug fit, and the porous material breathes well, so your feet stay cool.
Most RW testers enjoyed the Gel-Nimbus’s ‘cloud-like feel’ as one runner described it. While it’s certainly not the lightest or fastest trainer out there, it’s a superb choice for athletes who like a lot of cushioning, and it’ll keep your feet feeling comfortable during easy recovery runs.
Pros
- Some testers felt it was too heavy and slow
- Soft but firm for a responsive ride
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- Versatile
- Grippy outsole
Cons
- Heavy
| Weight | 303g (UK 8.5) |
|---|---|
| Stack height | 46mm (heel)/38mm (forefoot) |
| Drop | 8mm |
| Type | Max-cushioned/neutral/road |
Read our full Puma MagMax Nitro review
If you thought the Fresh Foam X More was stacked, enter the PumaMagMax Nitro. A giant 46mm (!) wedge of foam rests between you and the ground, supported by one of the widest platforms going. A stretchy, fully gusseted knit tongue sits comfortable against the top of the foot, while an engineered mesh upper holds the foot securely in place, with a PWRTAPE overlay supporting the medial side. It's subtle and not at all intrusive, adding to the overall stability and support the shoe provides.
In fact, contrary to its appearance, the MagMax doesn't feel at all clunky. On the run, it feels bouncy and smooth, with lots of cushioning for tired legs, but enough firmness that you can pick up the pace if needed. In testing, we found ourselves leaning towards the MagMax for recovery runs, long runs g M, 256g W tempo. It’s not that it can’t handle faster efforts — it’s more that we prefer something lighter for the speedier stuff, and the MagMax is a pretty heavy shoe, coming it at 303g in a UK size 8.5.
For those seeking a stable, max-cushioned trainer that can tackle mileage comfortably, it's an impressive option.
Saucony Hurricane 25
Pros
- Mild rocker profile promotes smooth ride
- Very comfortable
- Excellent fit
Cons
- Lack versatility for pace
| Weight | 285g (M), 256g (W) |
|---|---|
| Stack height | 38mm (heel), 22mm (forefoot) |
| Drop | 6mm |
Just like its predecessor, the Hurricane 25 serves up maximal cushioning and robust stability but without the bulk or rigidity that typically comes with it. In fact, it’s actually a smidgen lighter (by 27g) than the Hurricane 24 minimalist running shoes.
You’ve got the same dual-density midsole foam – Saucony’s highly responsive PWRRUN superfoam paired with its dense and durable PWRRUN foam – but now with a greater proportion of the latter positioned on the medial side, offering greater pronation support. Other stability elements include raised sidewalls on either side of the shoe to gently cradle the foot and a bevelled heel and rocker profile to guide your stride from impact to toe-off. And the best bit? The tech is basically imperceptible – you hardly notice you’re wearing a stability shoe.
Our tester, who interchanges between wearing stability and neutral shoes, says: ‘I find myself reaching for these time and again for my longer runs, when I need that extra structure and support. Some stability shoes can feel clunky, cumbersome and intrusive, but I haven’t felt this way about the Hurricane 25. While it isn’t the most aggressive shoe in terms if responsiveness, the midsole foam is still energetic, and thanks to the mild rocker, it feels sprightly when transitioning from heel to toe. Above all though, it’s very comfortable to run in and the fit is spot on. I’m prone to getting bruised toenails when doing longer runs in some shoes, but as these offer plenty of headroom in the toebox, I’ve not had this issue with these shoes.’
For a stacked daily trainer offering a reliable, comfortable experience for many miles, the Hurricane 25 is it. However, those after a do-it-all shoe suitable for both faster efforts and easy miles would be better continuing their search for something a little more versatile.
