Best cushioned running shoes 2026
Max-cushion shoes put the most foam between you and the road. They're the go-to for long runs, recovery days and anyone who wants their legs to feel fresher the next morning.
16 current models, newest first. Updated October 2026. Want a personal pick? Try the shoe finder.
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ASICS
Gel-Slowcush
ASICS' most cushioned shoe ever, made purely for slow, easy miles. A sofa for your feet.
298 g8 mm dropplushsoft -
Brooks
Ghost Max 4
High-stack, broad-based and lighter than before: a protective, naturally stable cruiser for easy miles.
295 g6 mm dropplushrocker -
On
Cloudmonster 3
On's first three-layer CloudTec midsole: a big, rolling, energetic trainer with a distinctive ride.
285 g6 mm dropbouncyrocker -
Brooks
Glycerin 23
Brooks' plush premium trainer with nitrogen-infused DNA Tuned foam. A wide-footed runner's dream.
290 g10 mm dropplushsmooth -
New Balance
1080v15
The 1080 swaps Fresh Foam X for nitrogen-infused Infinion: still pillowy, now bouncier, in four widths.
285 g6 mm dropplushbouncy -
adidas
Adistar 4
An excellent, durable max-cushion daily trainer with a rocker-driven ride.
310 g6 mm droprockerprotective -
ASICS
Gel-Nimbus 28
Pillowy, protective and polished. The Nimbus is the luxury cruiser for runners who prioritise comfort above everything.
290 g8 mm dropplushsmooth -
HOKA
Bondi 9
The original maximalist: tons of protective cushion and a smooth rocker for gentle, joint-friendly miles.
310 g5 mm dropplushrocker -
Kiprun
Kipride Max
Big, stable cushioning for easy and long runs, using a PEBA-blend foam at a price well below the big brands' max trainers.
277 g6 mm dropcushionedstable -
New Balance
Fresh Foam X More v6
More of everything: more stack, more width underfoot, more soft foam. A soft landing every time.
305 g4 mm dropplushsoft -
Nike
Pegasus Premium
Air Zoom, ZoomX and ReactX stacked into one wild ride. Punchy and fun, heavy for what it is, and unlike anything else in the lineup.
310 g10 mm dropbouncyresponsive -
Nike
Vomero 18
Nike's big-stack comfort shoe: a deep ZoomX-and-ReactX sandwich that soaks up long, slow miles at a fair price.
300 g10 mm dropplushsmooth -
Nike
Vomero Plus
A full-ZoomX max trainer that feels like a super shoe without a plate. Huge bounce, huge comfort, surprisingly light for its size.
290 g10 mm dropbouncyplush -
PUMA
MagMax Nitro 2
PUMA's max-cushion long-run shoe: bouncy, protective and unexpectedly fun.
300 g10 mm dropbouncyplush -
Saucony
Triumph 24
Saucony's plush premium trainer, with PWRRUN PB foam that keeps it soft and springy over long distances.
290 g10 mm dropplushbouncy
Not sure which one is right for you?
The shoe finder checks every current shoe against how you run and shows your two best matches.