7 Best Cushioned Running Shoes in 2024

Fourth time’s a charm for Novablast as it’s a versatile trainer that helps us cruise comfortably at any pace. Backed up by lab results and actual runs, it balances stability and a good amount of energy with an insanely plush platform — claiming its rightful place as the best cushioned running shoe. 

Sinking into the generous cushioning is pure bliss. Its FF Blast+ ECO foam has a heavenly combination of height and softness. Our caliper shows an above-average 39.2/30.2 mm stack. No matter where we land, our foot is protected from ground impact. Our durometer shows it’s 28.7% plusher than average, making it bouncy and comfortable enough for long runs.

Despite its skyscraper build, our runs feel supported and fragmentary. Its landing platform is wider than average — significantly in the forefoot with an extra 9.6 mm to find our footing. We also gauged its torsional rigidity at 4/5, explaining why the shoe feels stable and propulsive.

Even after miles and miles of running, the shoe looks practically new. Novablast 4 exceeds the average in our Dremel tests and shows less wear in the upper, heel, and outsole. Its results promise longevity and protection from debris. 

Since the upper highlights durability, it sacrificed breathability. We recommend using this shoe during cooler seasons to avoid sweaty feet.

The Hoka Clifton 9 is a light yet cushioned shoe that’s perfect for soaking up mileage, making it our top daily trainer. Our lab confirms it’s comfortable for any pace and distance but shines the most on days we want to forget about speed.

The thick midsole feels plush and pleasantly energetic underfoot. Our caliper reveals the ProFly+ foam rises to 32.7/26.6 mm in the heel and forefoot, effectively dampening harsh landings. Our durometer reading confirms its soft sensation at 20.4 HA for maximum comfort. Its curved design paves the way for smooth heel-to-toe transitions.

Further enhancing the effortless feel is its bendable midsole, which emerged 8.2% more flexible than average per our bend test. It gives a sense of agility because of its light build. We were surprised to see its 8.9 oz (249g) is even lighter than the 9.4 oz (266g) average road-running shoe!

At the lab, we measured the outsole to be 5.4% softer than average, enhancing grip and making our landings feel gentler. During our actual runs, we enjoyed a grippy feel on both roads and light trails.

However, while the padded upper is comfy, it lacks ventilation for extra-warm weather. Those in humid and tropical areas should avoid this pair. 

Nike’s Alphafly 3 is all about speed and maintaining that forward momentum. It’s a stellar combination of comfort, massive energy return, and airiness that allows us to fly through the miles without counting. Backed up by exceptional ratings from our lab and actual runs, it’s our top racer among cushioned running shoes.

At its core is the innovative midsole design, featuring a rigid FlyPlate and Air Pods for maximum responsiveness. It ensures we stay energized even during grueling long-distance runs. It delivers unwavering support and resilience, as proven by our bend test when it emerged 145.2% stiffer than average. This translates to insanely propulsive strides.

We measured an impressive 38.1/29.6 mm stack, made of the superior ZoomX foam, that protects us from leg fatigue while launching us forward. It has a dual-density set-up—a soft 18.1 HA for comfort and a firm 29.3 HA top layer for stability. 

Despite its substantial height, it weighs a feathery 7.1 oz (201g), boosting our speed and agility. The well-ventilated Atomknit upper adds to its allure, providing exceptional breathability for better comfort. Our lab confirms this with a perfect rating for ventilation.

However, it's worth noting that this speedster comes with a hefty price tag of $285. Nonetheless, we believe it's worth the investment for runners aiming to achieve peak performance.

Upon wearing Sneakers BIG STAR II274309 Navy, we were blown away by how it blends soft cushioning and surefootedness into one. Our lab reveals its luxurious comfort comes from the brand’s FF Blast+ foam, while the unwavering support comes from the 4D Guidance System and the vast platform. It definitely tops the charts as our best stability cushioned running shoe.

One way it ensures steady strides is by incorporating a wider-than-average midsole. True enough, the fit feels forgiving and each landing feels safe. Its 4D Guidance System uses a softer foam positioned under our arch so that it adjusts to the shape of our foot, providing custom stability.

The stable ride came as a surprise since the shoe felt very tall. And true enough, our cut-in-half shoe reveals a staggering 39.7/27.7 mm height, packed with ASICS’ plushest foam. This magical combination kept the ride smooth and muted out ground feel.

Unlike most stability and maximalist shoes, the midsole is surprisingly flexible. It enhances comfort since it doesn’t restrict the contortions of our feet. Our flex test confirms it takes 13.8% less force than average to bend this shoe to 90 degrees.

However, GK30 doesn’t break the norm with its heavy 10.7 oz (303g) build. Those who prefer lighter options should explore elsewhere.

The comfort level we attained in the ASICS Gel Nimbus 26 delivers an unparalleled experience. Its supremely padded yet breathable upper harmonizes seamlessly with an exceptionally cushioned midsole that feels remarkably stable for its size. Our lab analysis further cements Nimbus 26's position as the most comfortable cushioned running shoe.

The stretchy knitted upper exudes a premium feel, embracing our feet with generous padding. Despite this plushness, hotspots and blisters are nonexistent, courtesy of the shoe's excellent ventilation. Our breathability assessments award it a 4/5 rating, ensuring comfort across all seasons. Indeed, double-digit miles feel almost therapeutic. 

With its monumental 40.4/32.0 mm stack height, exceeding the average by 6.9/7.3 mm, it radiates heavenly plushness regardless of footstrike. Heel strikers particularly enjoy the premium landings with the PureGEL technology in the rear area. Furthermore, our durometer confirms it's 21.6% softer than average, giving us zero ground feel throughout our runs.

The unexpected stability of the Nimbus 26 proves to be a delightful revelation. Its broad 118.4/101.7 mm base, coupled with a snug upper fit and a rigid midsole, instills confidence and security with each stride.

However, the additional comfort comes with extra weight. Tipping the scales to 10.7 oz (303g), it impedes tempo paces. We recommend reserving the Gel Nimbus 26 for easy-paced days to fully appreciate its luxurious comfort.

We ran with confidence, regardless of terrain and distance, with the Nike Zegama 2. It's extremely comfortable without compromising the energy, grip, and durability needed to Nike diverse trail conditions. After our lab tests and runs, Zegama 2 emerged as the king of the trail among cushioned running shoes.

Our adventures with Zegama 2 felt effortless thanks to the plush yet bouncy ZoomX midsole. This shoe gave one of the most premium experiences on the trail with its 30.3/26.3 mm stack that’s 36.1% softer than the average trail shoe. Together with its rocker geometry, each transition felt magically smooth and energetic.

Another standout feature is the unmatched Above ankle length boots, which we further put to the test. We felt its 4.0 mm-deep Traction Lugs reliably stick to the ground, weathering loose soil or muddy paths. Our lab reveals it’s highly resistant to abrasions too, sustaining only 0.8 mm damage in our Dremel test.

From top to bottom, Zegama 2 proved its strong-willed nature in the lab. Our Dremel was no match against the breathable upper and the heel, earning impressive scores of 4/5 and 5/5, respectively.

However, the shoe tips the scales to a heavy 10.7 oz (302g). Those who prefer a more natural and lightweight experience are better off elsewhere.

At $100, the Axon 3 is surely a bang for the buck — keep in mind that the average price of a daily trainer is $130. It got impressive ratings in and out of our lab and proved itself a cushioned, versatile trainer that can perform on the same level as its more expensive counterparts. 

Not only is this daily workhorse light in the pocket but also on our feet too. While most cushioned and affordable trainers are heavy, Axon 3 weighs only 8.6 oz (244g). That’s 12.5% lighter than the average daily trainer!

Another reason why we got our money’s worth is its durability. Double-digit miles barely scratched the Carbon Rubber outsole, which is 21.9% thicker than average. We also confirmed it lasts long as it showed 22.2% less indentation than average in our brutal Dremel test.

The PWRRUN foam feels soft underfoot, perfect for beginners and even high-mileage runners. We pressed our durometer into the midsole, resulting in 18.3 HA — 22.5% softer than average. The shoe is impressively stacked for its weight — notably its 27.9 mm front, which our forefoot enjoys.

Given its low-drop geometry, we recommend extreme heel-strikers to look elsewhere for better comfort.