Research running shoes, and you’ll undoubtedly come across the word “cushioning.” That’s because a shoe’s cushioning plays a significant role in the shoe’s comfort.
Cushioning provides impact absorption, smooth transitions, a soft ride, and an energetic feel. Cushioned running shoes can enhance your running experience on roads, trails, at the gym, and everywhere you like to run.
Our Marathon Sports experts researched and tested various cushioned running shoes from the best running shoe brands. The mission was to help you narrow your search for the ideal running shoes for your needs.
The Marathon Sports Review Process
At Marathon Sports, we’re determined to help you find the best-fitting and most effective running shoes for your running style. That’s why we spend weeks researching and testing the latest and greatest running shoes.
We logged countless miles testing each cushioned running shoe’s comfort, responsiveness, support, and overall fit. We assessed the latest cushioning technologies and their effectiveness in providing energy return while remaining soft and lightweight. The result is our definitive list of the ten best cushioned running shoes for 2026.
The Best Cushioned Running Shoes for 2026
Numerous brands updated their running shoes for 2026, including some models that hadn’t been substantially upgraded in years. Our reviewers chose the ten absolute best options for runners who like the soft and energetic feel of a cushioned running shoe.
- Asics Gel-Nimbus 28
- Saucony Triumph 24
- Brooks Glycerin 23
- Mizuno Wave Sky 9
- HOKA Bondi 9
- New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v15
- Adidas Supernova Rise 3
- Altra FWD VIA 2
- On Cloudmonster 3
- Puma MagMax Nitro 2
Asics Gel-Nimbus 28
The Asics Gel-Nimbus 28 is still doing what runners came to the original Nimbus for, and that’s making running a little easier on the body. It’s not the shoe you grab when you want to hammer a workout. That’s not really the point. What it does well is soak up impact and keep your feet comfortable over longer distances. There’s that soft, protected feel Nimbus fans usually rave about.
Asics kept the FF Blast Plus midsole and PureGEL setup, so there’s plenty of cushioning and forgiveness, though this version feels a touch more dialed-in than the last one. There’s still a lot of shoe underfoot, but not so much that it feels clumsy. Part of that comes from the broad platform, part from the geometry, and part from the fact that it came in around 7% lighter this time around. Not dramatically lighter, but enough that you notice it after a few miles.
Up top is where the shoe really won over our reviewers. The engineered mesh has a plush, almost tailored feel compared to the original jacquard mesh, and the heel collar and tongue do a nice job of holding the foot without feeling stiff. Then there’s the outsole. The Hybrid ASICSGRIP rubber adds a lot here, especially if you’re not always running on the pavement.
Saucony Triumph 24
The Saucony Triumph 24 delivers the same incredible comfort that owners of previous Triumph models have come to rely on with a variety of new and improved features.
Our reviewers feel the most notable improvement is the updated midsole foam. With the newest upgrade, Saucony replaced the PWRRUN PB cushion to a brand new IncrediLUX midsole foam. This new premium foam gives the shoe a lighter, softer, and more responsive max-cushioned feel. The upgraded cushioning is supplemented by a padded tongue and heel collar for additional snug comfort.
This cushioned and comfortable shoe is made even better by the plush and breathable mesh upper that features an adaptive lacing system to fit your unique foot shape and keep you feeling secure as you move. The wider platform and rocker shape also help with transitions and provide additional support as you tackle long runs.
There’s no concern about traction either, with durable, long-lasting XT-900 carbon rubber strategically placed on the outsole. The shoe is also made from vegan and recycled materials.
Brooks Glycerin 23
The Brooks Glycerin 23 is what most people look for in a daily trainer. You get comfort, durability, and reliability when your legs are a little cooked. It’s great for morning jogs, long runs, recovery days, and everything in between. There’s nothing groundbreaking about the shoe, but it is extremely usable.
The biggest improvement from the last iteration is the cushioning. Brooks kept the nitrogen-infused DNA Tuned midsole, but added about 2mm more foam up front, which gives the forefoot a better feel than before. Our reviewers mentioned that earlier versions felt a bit more heel-heavy, whereas this one feels more evenly built from back to front. The drop now sits at 8mm, giving the ride a slightly different shape but keeping it familiar enough for loyal Glycerin fans to enjoy.
The upper stays true to the Glycerin identity with secure padding and comfort. It’s an excellent step-in-and-go shoe. Our testers liked the wider platform and the cupped heel, especially later in runs when form starts getting loose.
However, some reviewers also noted that the toe box feels a bit more snug than previous versions. Even so, for runners who want a solid cushioned trainer that can do the distance, the Brooks Glycerin 23 makes a strong case for itself.
Mizuno Wave Sky 9
The Mizuno Wave Sky 9 goes big on the soft factor. Really big. If the last version felt cushioned, this one pushes further, with more stack, more underfoot protection, and a ride that feels especially forgiving when fatigue kicks in. It’s just as suitable for long runs as it is for recovery days. And while it’s not the kind of shoe that begs you to speed up, it has a lot going for it in terms of comfort.
Mizuno reworked the midsole with a softer top layer of Enerzy NXT over Enerzy foam below, and the result is a fuller, deeper kind of cushioning than before. Our reviewers said they felt it right away. The rocker helps keep the shoe from feeling stuck to the ground, which is important for a shoe that has a ton of foam. Midfoot and forefoot strikers may get along with it especially well, since the geometry seems to favor a smoother roll through the front half of the shoe.
There are a couple of welcome fixes elsewhere. The upper breathes better than the previous version, which was one of the Wave Sky 8’s weaker points, and the traction is also improved. That outsole grips much more confidently on slick pavement than older models did. It still feels like a premium daily trainer first and foremost, and maybe an expensive one, but the Mizuno Wave Sky 9 is a better shoe than its predecessor.
HOKA Bondi 9
HOKA is a brand known for its ultra-cushioned running shoes. The Bondi is one of the company’s most iconic models, with softness and balance that’s challenging for the competition to rival.
Upgrades for 2025 include an updated EVA foam midsole and HOKA’s Rearfoot-focused Active Foot Frame technology that makes landings softer than ever. It also features HOKA’s signature MetaRocker geometry, which promotes balanced transitions from your heel strike to forefoot push-off. The foam midsole is lighter and spongier than previous models, offering an even more cloud-like feel.
Hoka’s memory foam collar and engineered mesh construction add even more overall comfort, encouraging runners to go the extra mile.
New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v15
The New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v15 might be the strongest version yet. It’s still soft. Still plush. Still very much a 1080. But this time, there’s more life to it, which was overdue. The shoe feels a bit livelier and springier. Our reviewers love the fact that it’s more willing to keep up with them when they pick up the pace, even though comfort is the primary selling point.
The biggest change is underfoot. New Balance moved to a new Infinion foam, which still has that marshmallow-style feel the line is known for, but also offers more bounce. Not race-shoe bounce, but enough to make daily training feel less sleepy. The rocker is still moderate, which helps the shoe roll forward naturally rather than forcing the stride into an exaggerated gait.
Then there’s the upper, which is still one of the best parts of the shoe. The knit feels soft, and the fit should work for most runners thanks to the width options. When something is built for long, comfortable miles, the fit has to disappear on foot, and the new 1080 v15 does that well. For runners who already liked the series, this version gives them more to work with.
Adidas Supernova Rise 3
adidas took a pivot with the Supernova Rise 3 compared to the first two versions. It’s softer now, with more cushion, and has a more planted ride. Some runners will love that right away. Others, especially people who liked the more flexible, natural feel of the earlier models, may need a minute with it. Still, as an everyday trainer, our reviewers love what it has to offer.
There’s more foam underfoot, especially in the forefoot, and any forefoot strikers upgrading from the previous versions will notice it. Dreamstrike+ is still here, but the feel has changed. It isn’t quite as lively as before, and the shoe bends less easily than the older versions did, yet the extra cushioning and wider base give it a more settled ride for daily mileage. That trade-off will probably be worth it for many runners.
Our reviewers enjoyed the new upper. It feels more premium, more comfortable, and a little roomier through the front, which should help runners who usually don’t love narrow-fitting trainers.
The outsole may be the best update of all. adidas swapped in LIGHTTRAXION rubber, and the grip is excellent, especially on wet roads where earlier versions were less convincing. Put it all together, and the adidas Supernova Rise 3 comes off as a more mature daily trainer, one that gives up a bit of flex in exchange for more comfort, more grip, and a modern design.
Altra FWD VIA 2
The Altra FWD VIA 2 is ideal for runners who want a natural, barefoot-inspired shoe with maximum protection underfoot.
The midsole is made from Altra’s new EGO P35 midsole foam, which delivers a soft ride with impressive responsiveness. After logging lots of miles, our reviewers agreed that the energetic stack of cushioning felt just as comfortable during the last mile as it did in the first. The shoe’s rocker shape also promotes superior propulsion for uptempo days or simply more forward guidance during daily miles.
Altra’s signature design comes into play with the FWD VIA 2’s balanced cushioning and low-drop design. The 4 mm offset between the forefoot and heel makes it a perfect choice for runners that value a natural running experience and want to improve their form and alignment without sacrificing cushioning and protection. The wide, foot-shaped toe-box is another signature Altra design, offering a spacious fit with plenty of room for toes to naturally splay out.
On Cloudmonster 3
Some running shoes use the term “max cushion” as a buzzword, but it’s easy to see that the On Cloudmonster 3 has max cushioning as its heart and soul. In fact, the Cloudmonster 3 adds a whole layer of Cloudtec cushioning in the newest iteration of the shoe. Pairing this increased stack with a responsive foam, the Cloudmonster gets the balance of plush and performance just right.
Another fantastic innovation for comfort is the way this version sandwiches a nylon Speedboard between foam layers, delivering strong toe-offs but keeping the soles of your feet on cloud nine the whole time.
Our team’s favorite comfort feature of the Cloudmonster 3 is its CloudTec sole pods. Like a spring, each pod compresses and adjusts according to your unique gait and terrain conditions. The Cloudmonster 3 features 3 layers of these CloudTec pods for even more responsiveness and springy cushioning.
Puma MagMax Nitro 2
Everyone has a different routine for daily training, from jogging in a nearby park to uptempo intervals on the track. Where the MagMax Nitro 2 excels is in its ability to provide a comfortable run wherever your training takes you.
Not many daily trainers are a good fit for nearly every effort level, but the high stack of nitrogen-infused NITROFOAM shines in a huge range of runs. This midsole ups the bounce factor and energy return, while the 46/38 mm stack height maximizes shock absorption and comfort. The PUMAGRIP outsole adds even more versatility, offering reliable traction on multi-surface runs.
One thing to keep in mind, according to our reviewers, is that this daily trainer has a snug profile for the upper. However, many runners enjoy this sleek and supportive fit, especially with the new deluxe knit tongue to reduce pressure. The PWRTAPE along the upper adds even more reinforcement around the foot for a secure lockdown.
Find Your Best Cushioned Running Shoes at Marathon Sports
Every runner is different. Athletes have varying gaits, foot shapes, pronation, preferences, and running goals. The ten cushioned running shoes above vary in width, cushioning, weight, and technologies to suit every type of runner.
At Marathon Sports, it’s our mission to connect you with the best running shoes of 2025 and beyond. Our The Right Fit™ system allows us to create a customized list of running shoes and gear to help you reach your full running potential. Contact our customer care team online or in stores to learn more about finding the right cushioned running shoes for every way you like to explore and compete on two feet.
