7 Best Cushioned Running Shoes in 2024

How we test cushioned running shoes

We know how to tell shoes with great cushioning apart from standard ones. Here is our approach:

• We, a team of dedicated runners, test each pair for an average of 30-50 miles to provide extensive feedback.
• Inside our lab, we literally tear each shoe apart to measure over 20 different parameters. We measure the stack heights to determine exactly how much cushioning you have under your feet, stick a durometer into the foam to determine its softness, and even put shoes in the freezer to check how their cushioning changes in cold temperatures.
• We purchase all running shoes with our own money to avoid brand loyalty and bias.

The best shoes get on this list.

What makes shoes cushioned?

When it comes to cushioned running shoes, we focus on the midsole (cushioning). Cushioned running shoes simply have more cushioning than what we consider barefoot or minimalist running shoes. In fact, if they have more than 30mm at the heel, we consider shoes cushioned. 

Also, more midsole below the feet means more impact protection and, depending on the amount of the midsole, it could also mean less ground feel.

Cushioned vs. plush vs. padded

Another thing to cover before we dig deep into the world of cushioned running shoes. Many runners use the terms cushioned, plush, soft, and padded interchangeably. Here’s how we work with them: 

• Cushioned running shoes have a heel stack height higher than 30 mm. They can be both soft and firm. 
• Soft or plush shoes can fall into different categories, both minimalist and cushioned. Softness is not related to the height of the shoe. Plush, however, is used for shoes that have a very soft and generous cushioning.
• Padded shoes have a padded tongue, a thick heel padding, or a padded heel collar. Knit upper also adds another layer to the overall padded feel. Usually, shoes that are higher off the ground are more padded, but there’s no rule, which is why padding can appear across all shoe categories. 
  

Here’s how that looks like in shoes we’ve tested. 

To understand the possible variations, here's how soft and high off the ground best-rated cushioned running shoes are. 

6 things to pay attention to when buying cushioned running shoes

1. How much foam do you actually need? Is it stable? Higher shoes mean more impact protection but, if their bases are narrow, shoes can be very unstable. Take this into account depending on what kind of runs you’re getting the shoe for. 
2. How soft do you want the midsole to be? Softer shoes can bottom out and feel dull instead of responsive. Soft with carbon plates can feel very propulsive. Firm midsoles are usually more protective and stable. 
3. How stiff do you want them? More flexible shoes mean there’s a more natural feel when running. But, when shoes are very high, plates are often needed to stabilise them, and such shoes are very stiff. 
4. What’s the climate like where you usually run? Midsole softness changes with temperature. Fortunately, we also cover this in our lab tests.
5. Durability of the foam: Is it standard foam or premium foam? Often, we have responsiveness on one side and durability on the other. You can’t have both on max at the same time. 
6. Weight of the shoe: sometimes, more cushioning means more weight. 

We will dive in into all of these features below, 1 by 1. 

How much cushioning do you need? 

As always, depends on your needs. Higher shoes usually offer more impact protection but they can be unstable. Shoes that are lower to the ground can offer ground feel and stability. 

In our lab, we measure the stack heights according to the guidelines from WorldAthletics. Heel and forefoot stack heights are measured at 12% and 75% of the inside length, respectively. 

Using filters on our website, you can choose how much of the midsole you want under your heel and under your forefoot. Heel strikers need more cushioning under the heel, while midfoot and forefoot strikers focus on the cushioning at the front. If you’re not sure about your foot strike, please read Foot Strike: The Ultimate Guide. 

Most often, we see shoes for forefoot strikers, and shoes for all strikes. The first difference to notice is the rubber placement on the outsole. 

It’s also important to pay attention to the heel drop. Lower drops will utilise the muscles of your lower legs, while higher heel drops will utilise your thighs and hip muscles. Depending on your preference and previous and current injuries, it’s best to choose one where your muscles will follow. 

Stability of cushioned running shoes 

Many runners love the idea of running in high-stacked running shoes, and while those seem great, it can be challenging to use them for cornering, sharp turns, or slightly uneven terrain (like gravel). The wider the base, the more stable the shoe.

Very unstable landing due to a very narrow, high and soft platform

Here, you should look at the base:

• It can be narrow and tall, which usually means it is unstable, or
• It can be tall but wide or it can feature midsole protrusions (so called sole flares) which make it more stable 

Very stable landing thanks to the base that is wider than average both at the forefoot and at the heel

In our shoe lab, we measure the width of the base at the forefoot and at the heel. Again, if you’re a forefoot striker, focus on the toebox, and if you’re a heel striker, examine the heel area - is it narrow or wide? 

It’s important to clarify that here, we’re talking about neutral shoes that are more or less stable. In the world of cushioned shoes, we can, of course, find both neutral shoes and stability shoes. 

• If you’re not sure about your pronation, please read our in-depth guide on pronation. 
• In case you know you need stability shoes (due to overpronation), consider going to this guide immediately: Best stability running shoes. 

Stiffness levels of cushioned running shoes

Another layer of stability is stiffness. Stiffer platforms mean there’s less wobbling and less work for the feet. But not every runner enjoys such shoes. 

Measuring the longitudinal flexibility in RunRepeat lab

We measure this flexibility by bending the shoe to 90 degrees using a digital force gauge. The reading tells us how stiff the shoe is: the higher the number, the stiffer the shoe (because more force was needed to bend it). 

Softness levels of cushioned running shoes

Softness is THE thing runners correlate with comfort. While usually softer means better in terms of comfort, in terms of performance and stability, it’s a slightly different story. 

• Softer shoes are usually more comfortable but can be too soft to the point of feeling dull because they lack responsiveness. This is not the case when soft foams are combined with carbon-fibre plates. 
• Firmer shoes are more stable and can offer more protection. Many runners with injuries like plantar fasciitis enjoy firmer midsoles as the foot does not have to work extra, so there’s no premature fatigue, strain, or any other discomfort. 

Softness is measured in our lab using a durometer. We stick the needle into the foam and note down the reading on the durometer. For this purpose, we use a shore A durometer. 

It’s important to highlight here that these measurements must be made on the shoe that was cut in half, which is what we always do. Sticking a durometer’s needle into the midsole on the outside gives wrong readings. This is because foams have protective overlays on the outside or different textures, which result in a wrong durometer reading. 

On our website, you can find shoes split into 3 groups based on the durometer measurements: 

1. Soft midsoles: <20 HA
2. Balanced midsoles: 20-30 HA
3. Firm midsoles: >30 HA

Firm vs. soft midsole is clearly noticeable in these shoes

What’s great is that you can always look at the review of the shoe you’re familiar with and then, in the chart, see how it compares to other shoes or maybe the one you’re planning to buy.

You can also use our comparison table to do that. 

How midsole softness and stiffness change with temperature

To present data that are valuable for all runners, whether they live in very cold or very hot climates, we introduced the freezer test. We measure the softness and flexibility of the shoe at room temperature and then freeze it for 20 minutes, only to repeat the tests afterward. 

This test tells us how midsoles change in cold weather and what you can expect. The change in percentages is not enough without some context. If the shoe is VERY soft and firms up 50%, it is not the same as if the shoe was rather firm and it firms up the same 50%. We usually look at the averages at room temp and post-freezing to get the full picture. 

The change in percentages, however, does tell us whether the shoe will feel significantly firmer in cold weather or not compared to what you felt at room temperature. 

The same applies to flexibility. We measure it in the lab at room temperature and then repeat the test after the freezer. 

Premium or standard foam?

Before we even begin talking about the types of foams and all the details, we must tell you that we already wrote The ultimate guide to running shoe foams. This is THE article to read if you’re curious about foams in running shoes! 

Premium foams are insanely responsive and offer a very fun ride, and runners can often cover greater mileage in them than in shoes with standard foams, thanks to the leg-saving features. These foams, however, are expensive and less durable. 

Standard foams are less responsive than premium foams, but they are more durable, stable and affordable. 

Durability of the midsole in cushioned running shoes

We don’t have a specific lab test for this (yet). However, we did write the most comprehensive guide on foams found in running shoes and there we discussed the durability of various foams. 

To make things easier, here the foams whose MAIN feature or drawback is durability. There are many other foams famous for other features. To learn more about those, please read the above-mentioned guide. 

Durable standard foams

• Merrell Super Rebound Compound (EVA)
• Puma Profoam / Profoam Lite (EVA)
• Salomon EnergyCell / EnergyCell+ (EVA)

Durable premium foams

• Asics FF Turbo (Nylon)
• Adidas Lightstrike Pro (TPEE)
• Puma Nitro Elite (PEBA + EVA / A-TPU)

Non-durable standard foams: Asics FF Blast / FF Blast+ (EVA + OBC), Hoka ProFly+ (EVA), Puma Nitro (TPEE / PEBA), Mizuno Enerzy Core (TPE). 

Non-durable premium foams: Nike ZoomX (Pebax), On Helion HF (Pebax).

Weight of cushioned running shoes

Previously, higher stack height meant more weight, because simply there are more materials present. However, with the improvements in the foams, especially premium ones, we can often encounter very high running shoes that are actually lightweight. 

The weight, of course, depends on many things, not just the height. Stability technologies found in stability shoes make those runners heavier on average. 

In case you want your cushioned shoes to be as light as possible, here’s an overview based on our lab measurements: 

Role of insoles

Often overlooked, insoles play a role in the overall comfort and cushioned feel. The role is rather big given that runners often get the feeling that a shoe is way softer than it actually is, only thanks to the insole. 

We always measure the thickness of the midsole in our lab and note down if there are any special features to it. Of course, you can, at any time, swap the insole for your favourite custom one, but in case you don’t, you’ll at least know what to expect in the new shoe you’re getting. 

Perforated insoles help with breathability and shedding weight 

Finding cushioned running shoes for winter

If you’re looking for a cushioned winter running shoe, you can utilise our lab tests to the fullest and take into account: 

1. The change in softness in cold weather: look for smaller changes
2. The change in stiffness in cold weather: look for smaller changes
3. Breathability: less breathable shoes are warmer
4. If the shoe has waterproof materials (in case you need them). 

Depending on your preferences, you can easily use our filters to find the shoe that matches your criteria. And if you want to learn much more about how shoe features change with temperature, read our in-depth guide Effects of temperature on running shoes.