7 Best Nike Cushioned Running Shoes in 2023

Whether for morning jogs, marathons, or recovery runs, Nike offers some of the best well-cushioned running shoes on the market. Wearing a pair with great cushioning provides many benefits, aside from giving you a super-soft ride and smoother transitions on the road or off the beaten paths.
We’ve rounded up 100+ Nike cushioned running shoes, reviewed and selected our best picks in five different categories, from best overall and most popular choices to highest-rated in road and trail running. We also have our best picks in the budget-friendly category.
Whatever preferences and running requirements you have in mind, we can help narrow down the top choices that will give you the best bang for your buck.
How we test running shoes
At RunRepeat, we use a data-driven process to come up with comprehensive and no-BS reviews of the best-cushioned running shoes from the Nike brand. Each model is put to the wringer to get a closer look at how they fare in our rigorous wear tests and lab testing.
Our entire process involves:
- Buying all the running shoes with our own personal funds. We do this to make sure we’re free from any bias and brand loyalty.
- Cut each model into pieces. Yes, we cut the shoes into little parts and measure 30+ parameters, from cushioning, in-shoe construction, breathability, and many others.
- Testing the shoes in actual training and racing conditions. We record our impression of wearing the shoes for at least 30-50 miles.
- Collecting information from shoe experts and regular users and putting them in a summary.
To conclude the review, we added up all comparable data we’ve aggregated and calculated their final ratings using our CoreScore system. Each pair of shoes is assigned a number from 0-100 that reflects its ranking as compared to others.
Best Nike cushioned running shoes overall

























What makes it the best?
Pros
- Lighter than the Peg 38
- More responsive
- Stable when cornering
- Snug and comfy fit
- Doesn't cause lace bites
- For easy & faster days
- Grippy on wet concrete and light trails
- Tank-like build
- Perfect for beginners
Cons
- Narrow toe box for wide feet
- Warm upper
- Not for recovery days
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Best Nike cushioned running shoes for trail
























What makes it the best?
Pros
- Soft, bouncy ride
- Very comfortable
- True to size
- Wide for a Nike
- Wide loop on heel
- Built to last
- Reflective swoosh
- Killer grip on dry trails
Cons
- Not grippy in wet
- Runs warm
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Best Nike cushioned running shoes with wide toebox





















What makes it the best?
Pros
- Snappy toe-off
- Comfortable all-day
- Stable when legs are tired
- Smooth transitions
- Comfortable fit
- Roomy toe box
- Grippy on wet roads and light trails
- Also for walking and gym training
- Perfect for beginners
Cons
- Lacks responsiveness
- A tad heavy
- Too expensive
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Best Nike cushioned running shoes for long distance





















What makes it the best?
Pros
- Efficient road-to-trail
- Well-cushioned
- Stable ride
- Excellent, secure fit
- Very breathable
- Great traction
- Unexpectedly light
- Reasonably priced
Cons
- Not for muddy areas
- Not for wide feet
- Could be more stylish
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Best Nike cushioned running shoes with plush cushioning




































What makes it the best?
Pros
- Way more stable than previous versions
- Tall stack of impact-absorbing cushioning
- Good energy return
- Comfort for the entire foot
- Thicker, more durable outsole
- A solid ride that works for more runners
- Breathable
- Great for recovery days and long easy runs
Cons
- Poor grip on wet roads
- Heel slippage
- Heel clip can be irritating when cornering
- Not as welcoming to wide feet
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Best Nike marathon cushioned running shoes



















What makes it the best?
Pros
- Rockered toe design
- Propulsive
- Breathable
- Affordable for carbon-plated shoe
- Sock-like fit
- Large heel-loop
- True to size
- Feels like more stable Vaporfly
- Snug and secure fit
- Perfect for carbon newbies
Cons
- Stiff
- Unstable at slower speeds
- Grippy on dry road only
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Best daily trainer



















What makes it the best?
Pros
- Breathable
- True to size
- Wide toe box
- Cushioned tongue
- Durable outsole
- Price
- Gusseted tongue
Cons
- Stiff ride
- Narrow midfoot
- Heavy
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Comparison of the 7 best Nike cushioned running shoes
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