7 Best Cushioned Running Shoes in 2023

The third time’s a charm for Novablast as this version is a versatile trainer that helped us cruise comfortably in our runs. We felt that it balances the right amount of energy with an insanely soft platform, claiming its rightful place as best overall in cushioned running shoes.

It was delightful sinking into the generous cushioning, which our lab measured to be 45% softer than average. Our runs felt extremely airy, supported and balanced. The shoe boasts a light weight of 8.5 oz (vs 9.5 oz average). We also gauged its torsional rigidity at 4 out of 5, explaining why the shoe felt stable while offering a good amount of propulsion.

Even after miles and miles of running, we barely scratched the outsole. Our durometer confirmed this with an 83.0 HC result - above the average running shoe’s outsole hardness. Harder rubbers usually last longer. 

We sensed the midsole could accommodate wider feet than average and our lab results confirmed this: +3.1 mm in the forefoot and +3.9 mm in the heel when compared to the average.

The stack height felt higher. While the brand says it's 31.0 mm high, what we got is a measurement of 37.2 mm.

The Nike Pegasus 40 gets 5 stars for extreme comfort, reliable durability, and tried-and-true natural ride. Hence, this shoe that's named after the majestic winged stallion deserves to be the best cushioned daily trainer.

The Pegasus 40 is cushioned all around, and where it matters, providing maximum comfort for our feet during fartlek runs, mile repeats, and even easy runs. Its ample padding around the heel area and the gusseted tongue were welcome additions that we loved. Although a little below the average stack height (30.2 mm vs 33.2 mm), the midsole is 28.1% softer than the average. The shoe felt quite comfortable and never bottomed out on us.

The outsole of the Pegasus 40 is one to boast about. At the lab, we measured the outsole to be 7.77% harder than average. Combined with an ample amount of rubber, we enjoyed a grippy feel on both roads and simple trails.

On our runs, we loved the comfortable and natural feel we experienced with the Pegasus 40. In our signature bend test, it only needed a force of 16.0 N to bend it to 90º, verifying the smooth runs we had. In fact, we ranked this shoe as part of the top 6% of the most flexible shoes we've ever tested.

While the Pegasus 40 is a great daily trainer, it is pretty dull and not that exciting. Runners may want to find springier shoes for speed-based sessions.

After a combination of lab tests and test runs, we found ASICS Metaspeed Sky+ to be our go-to shoe when chasing a new PR. A powerhouse pair that gave us the springiest ride and the leg power needed to propel us forward — even on longer-distance runs.

We used a force gauge to test its flexibility by bending it to 90°. It resisted with a whopping 67.0N — more than double the average force needed to bend a running shoe. Its unwavering resilience translated to insane responsiveness in our runs.

Even with comfy cushioning, we found the shoe to be extremely lightweight. At 7.2 oz. (205.0g), it's 24% lighter than average. What’s even more impressive — it’s even a few grams lighter vs. the average racing shoe (215.0g)!

We rated the shoe’s upper with 5/5 when we tested breathability in the lab. We had no encounters with blisters and hotspots during our runs. It felt airy even on hot summer days. Shoes rarely get a perfect score in breathability!

We don’t recommend this to those looking for a pair that can run many races. The outsole may not last long being only 2.0 mm thin vs. the average of 3.4 mm. Best to save this pair for your “A” races.

Luxurious cushioning and stability don’t often go hand-in-hand, but the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23 manages to strike a perfect balance that easily makes it our top choice for the best cushioned stability shoe. We enjoyed great impact protection and a surefooted stride whether we went fast or far in this shoe. 

With a durometer reading of 19.5 HA, the DNA Loft v2 foam that makes up the Adrenaline GTS 23’s midsole is 19% softer than our current lab average. Practically speaking, this translates to a ride that feels almost decadently cushioned yet with a level of responsiveness that can comfortably facilitate speedier or longer runs. 

While soft foams tend to be the antithesis of stability, the Adrenaline GTS 23 offsets its plush cushioning with the sheer width of its midsole. Measuring 117.3 mm at the forefoot and 113.2 mm at the heel, the shoe’s base is wider than the average road shoe’s by 3.9 mm and a whooping 6.8 mm, respectively. This gives us a robust platform, which, in combination with the effective GuideRails technology, had us feeling incredibly stable from landing to toe-off. 

Forefoot striking runners don’t have nearly as much foam underfoot as their heel-striking counterparts, with the 21.5 mm forefoot stack falling 3 mm short of the average. While this is enough cushioning for most easy to moderate runs, we recommend forefoot strikers go for a shoe with more foam under that part of the foot for high-intensity or long-haul efforts.

The comfort levels on the ASICS Gel Nimbus 25 are unmatched and out of this world. The supremely padded upper is complemented by an exceptionally cushioned midsole and a pleasantly surprising stable landing. The ASICS Gel Nimbus 25 is our pick for having the best comfort in the cushioned running shoe category.

The Gel Nimbus 25 upper is relatively thin but it is soft to the touch and is very well padded—especially around the heel area. Hotspots and blisters were never a thing with the Gel Nimbus 25 and every stride was simply luxurious. Indeed, double-digit miles felt almost therapeutic. 

Its colossal heel stack height, which is 4.8mm taller than the average, gives the Gel Nimbus 25 its mega cushion. Additionally, the midsole foam is also 25% softer than the average based on our durometer measurements. The high stack height and soft midsole combo made us feel like we were running on clouds and floating on air.

The Gel Nimbus 25 is also a surprisingly stable shoe. We measured it at 119.4 mm on the forefoot and 98.9 mm on the heel—both massively wider than average (112.8 mm and 89.9 mm). This wide base, combined with a snug fit upper, made us feel confident and secure enough to tackle those corners at speed.

As plush as it is, it is also spongy and not the most energetic shoe out there. We suggest more springy shoes for faster paces.

We ran with confidence, regardless of terrain and distance, with the Speedgoat 5. It's extremely comfortable without compromising the support and grip needed to conquer the wilderness. After our lab tests and runs, we chose this shoe as the best for trail among cushioned running shoes.

We felt its 3.0 mm-deep lugs reliably stick to the ground, weathering muddy or icy terrains. The outsole was hard enough to protect our feet from rocks and roots. Our durometer confirmed this with an 84.5 HC measurement - close to the average of 85.2 HC. This means the rubber is strong enough to handle wear and tear.

In our lab, we found this shoe to be among the softest trail running shoes — sitting 60% above average! After placing it for 20 minutes in the freezer, it emerged 35% softer than average at room temperature! This means it’ll still be extremely comfortable during winter runs.

The soft cushion didn’t make our runs dull. Its rocker structure gave a springy toe-off, promoting an energetic pace. Its low drop of 3.8 mm gave us a natural running feel and its light weight of 9.8 oz made it easier on our legs. 

We don’t recommend this shoe to runners with wider feet since it houses a toebox 2.4 mm narrower than average.

At $100, the Axon 2 is surely a bang for the buck — keep in mind that the average price of a daily trainer is $126. It got impressive ratings in our lab and on our field tests. It’s a versatile trainer that can perform on the same level as its more expensive counterparts. 

In the lab, it resisted our 90º bend test with a force 30% stronger than average - helping us elevate our performance when we wanted to pick up the pace.

Another reason why we got our money’s worth with this one is that it’s extremely durable! Double-digit miles barely scratched the outsole which is 21% thicker and 7% harder than average based on our trial with a Dremel. Harder rubber in the outsole means it's more resistant to abrasions.

The foam provided us with a comfortable ride and was soft enough for daily runs. Our durometer pressed into the midsole, resulting in 22.3 HA — 9% softer than average.

Saucony's official heel-to-toe drop measurement for this pair is 4.0 mm but what we got is 7.8 mm — almost double the number advertised.