10 Best Cushioned Running Shoes For Women in 2022

Picking the perfect running shoe goes far beyond stylish design and durability. For the ladies who love that “aahhh” sensation of the first step in a shoe fresh off the box, choosing a well-cushioned footgear is a huge oomph factor to consider.
The market today is saturated with multiple brands offering various types of cushioning technology for smoother, softer rides. To help you select the right one, we have rounded up 100+ cushioned running shoes for women and tested them on the road and in the lab. The models we handpicked here undeniably stand out in the cushy department.
The result? Find out ahead our fantastic selection of women’s cushioned running shoes that deliver on performance and value.
Overview of this guide
How we test running shoes
We at RunRepeat are individuals who love running and, yes, love running shoes, a little bit too much. We know exactly what makes great cushioning great. There is a method to our obsession and this is how we approach it:
- We have a team of runners who tests each pair of running shoes for at least 30 miles and come back to us with their comprehensive review.
- We also have a lab at RunRepeat dedicated to tearing apart each shoe to weigh and measure 30+ parameters.
- We want to be thorough in the testing process, especially on the cushioning system of each shoe. For instance, we put shoes in the freezer to check how a particular cushioning technology fares in cold temperatures.
- By the way, we buy all these running shoes with our own money. This is to make sure we remain unbiased.
- We also gather reviews from various experts and regular users, which is in line with our goal to be more comprehensive.
Finally, what you are going to see is the overall verdict on each shoe as shown in our CoreScore system. It ranges from 0 to 100 showing comparative data and rank of over 1000 cushioned running shoes.
Best women's cushioned running shoes overall
Corescore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all running shoes.
- Top 1% in road running shoes
- Top 3% in Brooks running shoes
- Top 1% most popular running shoes
Pros
- All about comfort!
- True to size
- Lots of padding
- Smooth ride
- Really stable, even on light trails
- Breathable
- Great out of the box
- Built for longevity (500 miles, easily)
- Great grip
Cons
- Lacks breathability for hot summer days
- Not the best for long distances
Verdict
Corescore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all running shoes.
This shoe has a 10% penalty on its expert reviews because it has fewer than 5 reviews. This is to avoid that shoes with few reviews unjustly receives high scores.
Learn more- Top 1% most popular running shoes
Pros
- Insane lightness
- Glove-like fit
- Heel loop
- Easy lacing system
- Super breathable
- True to size
- Comfotable as an everyday slipper
- Extremely flexible
Cons
- Short runs only
- Lack of proper outsole
- Insole not removable
Verdict
Best road cushioned running shoes for women
Corescore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all running shoes.
- Top 1% in road running shoes
- Top 6% in Brooks running shoes
- Top 1% most popular running shoes
Pros
- Fits true to size
- Promising durability
- Stability for all directions
- Improved aesthetics
- Phenomenal grip
- A firmer, faster midsole
- Consistent in all conditions
- Reliable daily runner
Cons
- Very heavy
- High price point for stability aimed at beginners
- Midsole is too hard for some
Verdict
Corescore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all running shoes.
This shoe has a 10% penalty on its user ratings because it has fewer than 50 ratings. It also has a 10% penalty on its expert reviews because it has fewer than 5 reviews. This is to avoid that shoes with few ratings unjustly receives high scores.
Learn more- Top 21% in road running shoes
- Top 20% in neutral running shoes
- Top 1% most popular running shoes
Pros
- Plush cushion
- Awesome step-in feel
- Responsive ride
- Breathable during hot days
- Tank-like build
- Weighs less than it looks
- Great-value choice
- Comfortable fit
- Grippy even on wet road and gravel
Cons
- Laces don't stay tied
- Blocky ride
Verdict
Best trail cushioned running shoes for women
Corescore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all running shoes.
This shoe has a 10% penalty on its user ratings because it has fewer than 50 ratings. It also has a 10% penalty on its expert reviews because it has fewer than 5 reviews. This is to avoid that shoes with few ratings unjustly receives high scores.
Learn more- Top 1% most popular running shoes
Pros
- Fit true to size
- Superb responsiveness
- Quicklace system is a breeze
- Zero Heel-slip
- Amazing grip
- Breathable
- Super stable ride
- Great protection
- Stylish
- Durable
Cons
- Quite heavy as some trail shoes go
- Stiff in colder conditions
Verdict
Corescore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all running shoes.
- Top 2% in trail running shoes
- Top 4% in Altra running shoes
- Top 2% most popular running shoes
Pros
- Great for wide feet
- Superb grip (rocks, mud, ice, snow)
- Stiff and durable
- Sheds mud easily
- Great water drainage
- Balanced and stable ride
- Removable Ortholite insole
- Great for road-to-trail transitions
- Extremely breathable
- Rock plate for technical terrain
- Gaiter-friendly
- Easy to clean
Cons
- No ground feel
- Too cold for winter days
Verdict
Best value cushioned running shoes for women
Corescore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all running shoes.
- Top 18% in road running shoes
- Top 16% in Nike running shoes
- Top 1% most popular running shoes
Pros
- Wider than Pegasus 37
- Very stable ride
- Peppy toe-off
- Hugs your feet
- Padded upper
- Very durable (400-500miles)
- Grippy even on dirt roads
- Legit workhorse
- Doubles as a gym shoe
- A joy to run in
Cons
- Runs warm
- Above-average weight
Verdict
Corescore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all running shoes.
This shoe has a 10% penalty on its expert reviews because it has fewer than 5 reviews. This is to avoid that shoes with few reviews unjustly receives high scores.
Learn more- Top 29% in running shoes for walking
- Top 1% most popular running shoes
Pros
- True to size
- Fits like a dream
- Accommodating stretchy upper
- Efficient transitions
- Surprisingly peppy
- Laces stay tied tightly
- Low to the ground
- Durable construction
- Great deal
- Do-it-all shoe
- Impressive weight
- Breathable
Cons
- Not for long runs
- No reflective details
Verdict
Most popular cushioned running shoes for women
Corescore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all running shoes.
- Top 1% in road running shoes
- Top 1% in Saucony running shoes
- Top 1% most popular running shoes
Pros
- Fast & responsive
- Cushioned especially for the long runs
- Spring, trampoline effect
- Excellent durability
- Featherweight like a race shoe
- Breathable
- True to size
- Perfect foot lock
- Incredible value
Cons
- Needs adaptation period
- Questionable grip on wet surfaces
Verdict
Corescore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all running shoes.
- Top 15% in road running shoes
- Top 27% in Hoka running shoes
- Top 1% most popular running shoes
Pros
- Next-level comfort
- Great lockdown
- Molds to the feet
- Breathable
- Stable
- Awesome for heel strikers
- Great grip on roads & light trails
- True to size
- 3 widths for men
- 2 widths for women
Cons
- Feels big & heavy
- Pricey
Verdict
What are the most popular women's cushioned running shoes in 2022?
- Brooks Ghost 14
- Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 38
- Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22
- Nike Free Run 5.0
- Brooks Revel 5
- Hoka One One Bondi 7
- On Cloudmonster
- Saucony Endorphin Speed 2
- Nike Zoom Fly 4
- Asics Gel Nimbus 24
- Brooks Levitate 5
- Nike Revolution 6
- Nike Pegasus Trail 3
- Asics Gel Kayano 28
- Altra Lone Peak 6
See all women's cushioned running shoes sorted by popularity
What are the cheapest women's cushioned running shoes in 2022?
- Under Armour Charged Rogue 2.5 - from $25
- New Balance FuelCell Propel v2 - from $28
- Reebok Energylux 3 - from $29
- Adidas Ventice - from $30
- Under Armour Charged Vantage - from $32
- Reebok Energen Plus - from $33
- Adidas Response Super 2.0 - from $34
- Reebok Flashfilm 3.0 - from $34
- Adidas Sooraj - from $34
- Asics Frequent Trail - from $35
- Adidas Edge Lux 4 - from $35
- Under Armour Charged Toccoa 3 - from $36
- Puma UltraRide - from $36
- Adidas Runfalcon 2.0 TR - from $37
- Reebok Lite Plus 3 - from $37
See all women's cushioned running shoes sorted by lowest price