7 Best Chunky Sneakers

With its substantial design that not only captivates the eyes but also serves as a foot haven, the New Balance 9060 tops the chunky sneaker category. Our lab agrees that its padded interior offers unparalleled comfort while the durable outsole and steady ride are a testament to its robust construction, keeping us confident in all our adventures on foot.

The shoe delivers among the plushest sensations we’ve encountered underfoot. Our durometer shows a 19.4 HA reading, 38.2% softer than average. What further accentuates its luxurious feel is the massive 37.3/26.0 mm stack, erasing all kinds of ground feel and impact. It was easy to walk all day because our feet were spoiled with cushy goodness. 

Even with its soft base, we felt incredibly well-planted even as we shifted our weight laterally. The midsole features a wide 121.0/103.1 mm base and a flared design that excellently offsets any imbalance. On top of that, the twist-resistant platform keeps us centered. Our manual assessment reveals a high torsional rigidity of 4/5.

A chunky sneaker needs a sturdy outsole and that’s exactly what 9060 delivered. It resisted our aggressive Dremel impressively and showed minimal damage vs. average, promising longevity.

However, all the padding and support made this sneaker 1.1 oz (30g) heavier than average. Those who prioritize lightness and agility can explore alternatives.

With its towering stack height and distinctive exposed air bubble, the Air Max 270 takes its place as the best futuristic chunky sneaker. This sparks a dynamic shift in the Air Max lineup, being the first model to be a 100% lifestyle shoe. Surprisingly lightweight despite its substantial midsole, these kicks felt comfy and breezy during our city adventures.

While most sneakers are grounded, AM270 elevates the heel to an unprecedented 36.4 mm, cementing the AM270's legacy in the realm of chunky footwear. Despite this, it never felt bottom-heavy during our strolls. Our scales show it’s 23.5% lighter than the average sneaker. Plus, its extremely flexible nature added to its weightless feeling, easily bending with our natural foot flexion. Our 90-degree test confirms it’s 33.6% more malleable than average.

Crafted from breathable mesh, the AM270 kept our feet cool and comfortable throughout the day. Its inner lining feels soft to the touch while the well-ventilated space ensures a sweat-free experience. Light and smoke flowed freely in our lab tests, earning a 5/5 breathability score.

However, the upper lacks wear resistance and gave in easily to our Dremel. If this is a dealbreaker, we recommend checking other options.

The Nike Air Max 90 offered plush comfort and an easy, breezy ride. Our lab tests confirm it’s padded in the right areas, boosting its pillowy sensation. This ’90s icon is available in multiple colorways for all personalities while having a clean design that’s easy to match to many attires. Ultimately, it’s our best classic chunky sneaker.

With a chunky Air unit in the heel, we weren’t surprised to find a stack height of 36.4/22.2 mm. Both are above average, which adds points to our height and comfort. Besides the Air technology, the cushioning itself delivers cloud-like comfort, confirmed by our durometer with a reading 43.1% softer than average.

Even from the top, we were embraced by a plush 17.1 mm tongue, 7.8 mm thicker than average. Thankfully, the other areas of the upper allowed our feet to breathe, evidenced by how smoke freely flowed out of the upper in our lab test. We awarded it a well-deserved 5/5 breathability score.

What also makes AM90 easy to wear is its free-flowing nature. In our bend test, it emerged 17.7% more flexible than average, highlighting its comfort for prolonged wear.

However, its forefoot is significantly narrower than average. We recommend those with wide or square-shaped feet to check alternatives.

The midsole of the Adidas Alphaboost V1 was visibly thicker than average, giving it the chunky look that many of us loved. But it doesn’t stop at being thick. The midsole also delivered the softest pampering that we’ve ever experienced, making it the best in cushioning among all the chunky sneakers we wear-tested. That this sneaker was also twist resistant was already the icing on the cake.

With a thickness of 41.8 mm (ave 31.3 mm) at the heel and 28.3 mm (ave 20.0 mm) in the forefoot, the midsole succeeded in making us feel taller and more prominent. We also loved how its chunky look was so on trend.

When it came to softness, the midsole surely did not hold back. With a softness rating of only 22.4, it was definitely softer than the typical midsole that would get 30.9. The midsole’s softness allowed us to walk, run, and move for a longer time without feeling any pain. 

Just because the midsole was soft did not really mean that it was easy to bend or twist. Quite on the contrary, it actually showed tremendous resistance during our manual lab tests. The Adidas Alphaboost V1 ultimately got a perfect 5 for torsional rigidity.

Unfortunately, the heel counter did not have the base’s resistance. It was pretty easy to squeeze and deform it. In the end, the heel counter got a relatively low rating of 2 out of 5 for stiffness.

The Adidas Ozweego defies expectations with its unique balance between chunkiness and lightness, and cushioning and stability. Its plush ride takes center stage without foregoing our safety, ultimately being the most comfortable chunky sneaker. Tracing back to its running roots, it retains not only its retro look but also the brand’s running technologies for cushioning and shock absorption.

In the lab, we discovered that the midsole's thickness and composition contribute to its substantial appearance and plush nature. At 32.2/26.8 mm, both our heel and forefoot are spoiled with bottomless cushioning. Our durometer reveals it’s 14.6% softer than average. Surprisingly, the sneaker feels light on foot which prevents leg fatigue for all-day walks. At 12.7 oz (360g), it’s 9.3% below average.

Despite Ozweego’s stack, it maintains a commendable balance between height and stability. Its wide platform, measured at 121.0 mm at the forefoot and 98.9 mm at the heel, surpasses average dimensions, ensuring steady footing and minimal wobbling. 

However, this Adidas isn’t the most breathable pair and not the most protective from the cold either. We recommend avoiding extreme temperatures while sporting the Ozweegos.

Chunky, cushioned, and durable plus light and breathable on foot—these are qualities that don’t usually go together but New Balance’s 990 v6 makes it happen with its top-level craftsmanship. Our lab reveals it makes use of robust materials and the FuelCell cushioning technology, undoubtedly claiming the premium title among chunky sneakers.

990 v6 delivers unmatched cushioning and responsiveness through its stacked FuelCell foam, which is often reserved for high-performance running shoes. Our feet luxuriated in its lasting comfort, magnified by a plush 28.3 HA reading from our durometer. To our surprise, the midsole offers remarkably stable landings through its vast base and firm ENCAP encircling our heel for added support.

The upper has real suede layers, which our torch test proves when the material doesn’t melt away. While we expected it to feel like a sauna, it delivered a stark contrast of seamless ventilation. Our breathability test confirms its exceptional airflow through the mesh panels, earning a well-deserved 5/5 rating. Underfoot, we’re also protected with a tough 89.0 HC Ndurance rubber, honoring its name by enduring long miles without any significant wear.

Because of its size and support, 990 v6 feels a little stiffer than the average sneaker. Those who prefer minimal resistance to bending should look elsewhere.

As lovers of colorful chunky shoes, we felt we hit the jackpot with the PUMA RS-X. This sneaker’s platform did a good job of lifting us high up the ground. It’s a very welcome bonus that the midsole was also amazingly soft! And the colorways… they were just divine! They had personality. They delivered style. They made heads turn. The best colorways as far as chunky sneakers are concerned, if you ask us!

Compared to the typical sneaker, the midsole of the PUMA RS-X was significantly thicker. Our caliper measured it to be 39.9 mm thick at the heel (ave 31.3 mm) while it was 22.7 mm thick at the forefoot (ave 20.0 mm). We just loved how it made us feel so tall!

What made us fall in love even harder with the RS-X was the softness of the midsole. In the lab, we learned that it was softer than the average by as much as 50%! Walking on clouds stopped being a dream when we started walking around in this shoe.

We just wished this sneaker were a little lighter. At 16.05 ounces (455 grams), the PUMA RS-X was 2 ounces (57 grams) heavier than average.