Top 5 Best Cushioned Running Shoes of 2025

You need the best running shoes whether your goal is to run your first marathon in 2025, increase your treadmill mileage, or start running for the first time in the new year.

Spending a little money and being serious is necessary if you want to run without getting hurt or if you want a more serious shoe to improve your performance. Purchasing a running shoe is one area where you don’t want to cut corners, even though a cheap fitness tracker might help you keep track of your calories and mileage. Wearing the incorrect shoe puts you at risk for harm, possibly chronic.

To give you our top choices, we’ve tested the best products available. Importantly, you won’t find a cheap option here because, when it comes to running shoes, cheap isn’t the solution. We do, however, have recommendations for our best shoes all around, shoes for fast sessions, shoes for slower or longer runs, and a selection for runners who overpronate.

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Last update on 2025-02-16 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

Top 5 Best Cushioned Running Shoes of 2025

1.Brooks Ghost 16

Although the updated DNA Loft v3 midsole foam in the Brooks Ghost 16 is a welcome addition to the Ghost lineup, the shoe still feels dated. We find it difficult to understand why this is the most popular running shoe available. The improved foam is still uninteresting and doesn’t have the durability that we’ve grown accustomed to from the best daily trainers. For midfoot runners in particular, landing transitions feel choppy and difficult.

For many runners, the 14 mm drop may feel unnatural. Positive aspects include the shoe’s great durability, stability, ease of approach to the geometry, and incredibly comfortable upper. Because of all of that, it’s a safe option for novices. However, this shoe performs noticeably worse than its price. Despite its popularity, we do not advise the great majority of runners to wear it, especially those who only land on their heels.

For heel strikers looking for a dependable daily shoe, the Brooks Ghost 16 represents a minor but constructive advancement in the line. Our lab tests demonstrated the value of the wide toebox and sturdy outsole, and we were pleased by the improvements in stability and cushioning. We’ve concluded that the Ghost remains one of the best affordable daily trainers available for another year, even though there is still space for improvement on our list.

2.Saucony Triumph 22

Despite being a significant change from the previous model, we still believe the Saucony Triumph 22 is a fantastic choice for comfortable, easy mileage. The composition of this shoe is totally changed by the substitution of PWRRUN PB foam. It sacrifices some ground feel and versatility in favor of a softer, more pillowy feel. It’s a win for runners who prefer that kind of extremely cushioned shoe, but it’s likely to disappoint runners who cherished the Triumph 21’s versatility.

With a thick piece of premium foam, a wider base, and a soft knit upper, this shoe offers the most comfort for your easy mileage. This is a fantastic choice if you want a high-mileage trainer to keep your legs feeling new. This is not the shoe for you if you want the adaptability of previous iterations.

This shoe is ideal for easy mileage at relaxed paces. Thanks to the cushioning, we found it to be very comfortable over long efforts, although we did start to notice its overall size as we fatigued. We found that the cushioning of this shoe felt best on hard pavement rather than crushed limestone or dirt roads, where it felt a little mushy underfoot.

The Triumph is still our recommendation for max-cushioned mileage, although for a different reason than last year. Previously, we loved the way the Triumph bounced along at easy paces. It was enjoyable and engaging. The new version of the shoe is extremely comfortable but less engaging.

We found it difficult to maintain an uptempo effort and to run threshold pace in this shoe, so runners seeking a highly cushioned shoe that can handle a range of paces should think about other options. This shoe performed well during leisurely long runs. We didn’t enjoy it during long runs with faster sections.

The foam’s compressibility and total weight are the two biggest problems. Although the PWRRUN PB comfortably compresses under our weight, we didn’t receive the expected energy return. This indicates that when we start to pick up the pace, the shoe feels like it’s stealing some power. Additionally, the shoe is not small, which causes problems when we attempt to shift gears. Rocker geometry is present, but it’s not very noticeable and doesn’t help with faster-paced efforts. This shoe, like the majority of its max-cushioned rivals, compromises comfort and performance in a big way.

The Triumph 22 is for you if you want high-end comfort and don’t care about speed. We discovered that it had outstanding upper comfort and leg-saving levels of cushioning. However, this is probably not the best option for you if you prefer to switch things up and don’t have a speed trainer or daily trainer that is faster. This shoe performs best when used in a rotation with something a little lighter and quicker so that it can share the mileage.

3.Nike Pegasus 41

The Nike Pegasus 41 is likely the best shoe for almost everyone because it isn’t the best running shoe in almost any of the specialized categories you can think of.

You can always count on the Pegasus 41 as your go-to dance move. This shoe has been in production since 1982 for a reason. It is not a high-mileage hero with more foam than a mattress, nor does it have a carbon plate or an extremely light upper. Simply put, it’s the one running shoe that I would suggest for practically everyone in practically every circumstance.

Naturally, the Pegasus 41 might not be on your radar if you’re a seasoned runner with several pairs of shoes in rotation and a bandolier full of Kendal Mint cake. Even so, I would contend that it’s an excellent middle-distance daily trainer and the ideal place for novices and runners to start if they want to resume their running. These days, there is a running shoe for every distance and discipline, but if you could only purchase one, I would most likely go with the Pegasus 41.

The most recent Pegasus has a full-length foam midsole composed of Nike’s ReactX foam, which was used in the original Pegasus. It’s wonderful to see Nike improving overall durability and responsiveness, as my 39s feel pretty crushed and battered. This improvement is immediately noticeable underfoot.

The Pegasus 41 has a lot more cushioning than I anticipated at any speed. I was pleasantly surprised even though it won’t provide the incredibly plush ride of the upcoming Vomero 18 or the Nike Invincible 3.As you can probably tell from the shoe’s profile, the cushioning is loaded toward the heel, making this a shoe designed primarily for heel strikers. Nike has added a significant amount of cushioning, as evidenced by the heel stack’s measurement of 37mm, which is 4mm longer than the previous trainer.

Because there isn’t much cushioning up front, anyone running on the forefoot may find the sensation a little odd, but if you fall somewhere in the middle, you should be okay. Although you do receive an Air Zoom unit for the forefoot and heel, I discovered that this results in a fairly firm front feel. It functions much better at the back.

The Pegasus 41’s entire upper is incredibly comfy. Compared to earlier iterations, the mesh is more breathable, and Nike refers to this technology as the Dynamic Midfoot Fit system. An internal midfoot band that encircles your entire foot is where the laces are fastened. The shoe is laced right out of the box, so you can start running right away without having to rewire it. It feels incredibly snug and secure from heel to toe.

4.New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Trainer v3

We believe that New Balance is finally on the right track with the SC Trainer v3, their most recent iteration that aims to perfect the series. With exceptional stability, remarkable grip, and superior energy return compared to its predecessors, we tested it and found it to be the best version to date. Its attractiveness is further enhanced by its reasonable price. We do think there is potential for even more improvements, though, as the midsole’s weight is a little excessive for the stack height provided and it falls short of the performance of supertrainers that are entirely made of PEBA.

We discovered that the SC Trainer v3 performs worse in terms of energy return than other supertrainers, even with improvements from versions 1 and 2 and a brand-new PEBA-blend midsole. We suggest the ASICS Superblast 2 or the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 for individuals who are worried about this factor because they both provide exceptional bounce with each step.

Furthermore, the weight of the SC Trainer v4 is a little higher than optimal, according to our lab tests, which may discourage some runners from choosing this model. The ASICS Magic Speed 4 might be a better supertrainer with more stack height if you’re searching for a lighter option that still has the advantages of a carbon plate.

It’s interesting to note that the SC Trainer is actually getting shorter with each iteration, whereas the majority of running shoes are getting taller every year. The heel height of the original model was 40.2 mm, then dropped to 39.3 mm by New Balance, and now stands at 36.8 mm.

Depending on your preferences, this reduction may or may not be advantageous. This change will be appreciated by those who value stability because the super-soft midsole is balanced by the lower stack height, making for a more stable ride. But those who prefer maximalist, ultra-cushioned shoes might find it lacking, and they might want to look into the Hoka Skyflow for a more protective ride at a similar price.

5.Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3 Running Shoe

Adizero Adios Pro 3 is one of the best racing shoes on the market, if not the best out there. Its extraordinary stability raises the bar for supershoes, and during our brisk runs, we discovered that the full-length Energyrods work in perfect harmony with the springy Lightstrike Pro foam. Its broader design allows for wider feet and provides traction even in damp environments. Although it’s difficult to identify any significant shortcomings, we think the upper’s comfort could be improved for the V4.

Instead of upgrading to version 3, we strongly advise ardent Adizero Adios Pro 2.0 users to remain with their current model. Why? Switching to the new model might be a bit much for those who adore the v2. The v2 is better suited for heel strikers because of its high drop, while the v3 is much wider and more suited to midfoot strikers.

The Adios Pro 3 may also be disappointing to those who prefer very soft racing shoes.It feels a little firmer than other racing competitors like the Saucony Endorphin Pro 3 or the Nike Alphafly 2, but it’s by no means a firm shoe.

Adidas initially claimed a forefoot measurement of 33 mm, but the actual measurement is only 29.8 mm. Forefoot strikers who were hoping for that extra bit of cushioning may find this disparity disappointing.

Although it is still among the most cushioned forefoots available, we hope Adidas will continue to meet its targets.Our measurements revealed an 8 mm drop from heel to toe, whereas the shoe’s recommended drop is 6.5 mm. However, since this drop is common in racing shoes, there shouldn’t be any problems.

We want to remind you that we follow the official guidelines of World Athletics when conducting all of our measurements.In cold weather, the midsole’s 22.8 HA measurement essentially stays the same. We truly value this feature, which is typical of premium superfoams.

This demonstrates a remarkable 9% increase after a 20-minute freezer test. No matter the season, it guarantees the foam will perform at its best.

How to choose the best running shoes for you

You should start by determining the distances you prefer to run (or hope to run). Do you want to get faster at the 5k? Or maybe you are preparing for a marathon? The amount of cushioning you require and the energy return you receive from each step will determine the type of shoe you purchase.

Once you have a distance in mind, you should consider your budget. If none of these shoes fit your pocket, it’s worth going to a running store or an expert and doing some research online, using your ideal shoe from this list as a touchstone. You’ll likely be able to find a shoe tailored to the same distance for a lower price point, such as an older model in the range.

Is it OK to wear running shoes for walking?

Some running shoes are well-suited for walking, especially ones with short stack height and a shallower heel-to-toe drop, or drop for short. Generally speaking, running shoes geared towards racing aren’t good for running as they are designed to move you forward as fast as you can, and often have embedded propulsion plates (e.g. carbon plate) in the foam.

How we test

Every shoe is run on the road at least several times, with each test run tailored to the distance the shoe is made for. Yes, that means we’ve covered a lot of ground, but there’s just no other way to test the shoe.

We look at how the shoe responds in its environment, how the sole responds and the kind of energy returns you get, and whether you get any wear-and-tear on the sole unnaturally quickly. We also check out the upper’s fit around our foot, whether it’s breathable, and how comfortable the ride really is.