The 9 Best Cushioned Running Shoes to Shop Now

Hoka One One’s Bondi is the king of cushioning in its family of maximalist-style shoes. Our RW Lab measured the Bondi 7 to be extremely soft compared to most shoes tested, and wear-testers couldn’t stop gabbing about the shoe’s incredibly plush foam. The major change for the sixth version is the redesigned rubber outsole to reduce weight (lab measurements pegged the trainer right in the middle of the pack) and improve durability. After 100 miles, testers saw little wear on the tread and no loss of support from the lightweight foam.

The React foam-carbon plate-React foam sandwich carries over from other Zoom Fly models, for a soft, super responsive ride. Our RW Shoe Lab results showed significantly higher cushioning in the heel than the forefoot, as well as extreme stiffness from the carbon-filled sole; together, it makes for a truly unique on-foot sensation. One tester described it as, “like stepping on a mini trampoline” during both long runs and speedwork.

Test Editor Amanda Furrer couldn’t help but describe this shoe as “buttery soft” on foot, and our lab tests agreed; both the women’s and men’s models showed the cushioning in the forefoot and heel of the Triumph to be incredibly plush. The shoe weighs on the heavy side, but you wouldn’t know it since the new PWRRUN+ midsole foam has extraordinarily high energy return with a surprisingly propulsive, lightweight ride.

The Brooks Glycerin 18 is much less hefty and more pliable than the 17. And somehow, the brand added even more midsole foam. While our lab measurements showed cushioning in the heel and forefoot as “moderate,”—a departure from the Glycerin’s usual score of “very soft”—our testers didn’t think Brooks’s cushiest shoe had lost its soft touch.

In the 10th iteration of the Fresh Foam, NB upgraded the midsole to Fresh Foam X, which felt soft (but not marshmallowy) and lively to our testers, and used laser-engraving to shave off about half an ounce from the previous version. A new molded mesh upper takes on the racier style of the Beacon v2 and stretches to fit wide feet without abandoning narrow-footed runners. Runners of all speeds and sizes in our test group thought the shoe provided a supportive, responsive ride.

These ultra-affordable kicks have a breezy mesh upper for maximum breathability—but the lightweight material doesn't mean they're flimsy. Thanks to a full-length EVA midsole and a rubberized foam outsole, these bright red shoes are built to last and give you tons of cushy support on your runs.

Asics incorporates a GEL technology cushioning system into their running shoes, which absorbs impact shock and offers better comfort for long-distance runs. This pair comes with a removable sockliner too, which can be taken out if you need to use a medical orthotic. As one reviewer put it, "I went from very sore and tired feet to having ZERO stress or pain at all in my feet." It's no wonder these sneakers are a best-seller with over 17,000 5-star ratings.

Designed with a charged cushioning midsole, these running shoes use compression-molded foam for great energy return (and comfort). We also love the size variety and the lightweight mesh upper, which will keep you cool as you work out. Plus, reviewers note that they require surprisingly little to no break-in time—so if you're looking for something you'll be able to use immediately, try these out.

Padded with extra cushioning, Asics' Gel-Cumulus style has 3D Space Construction in the midsole for targeted compression, which ups shock absorption and offers a smoother ride. It's also designed to help underpronators, so if you have high arches, this is the shoe for you.