Responsive cushioning for long runs

Asics Nimbus 27

The Nimbus 27’s cushioned and neutral midsole makes it ideal for supinators.

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The Nimbus 27 receives the Kayano 31 treatment. It’s been updated with a new midsole that looks and feels like a PEBA blend. The ride quality differs from the Nimbus 26, but only slightly.

The new foam makes the forefoot stiffer, making the rocker’s work easier. The roll-off comes more naturally than before, as the rocker ‘tips’ the foot forward.

Nonetheless, the Nimbus 27 is a highly cushioned shoe with a supportive and neutral character. Its ‘neutral’ quality doesn’t interfere with the gait cycle and lets the foot transition naturally. The midsole architecture helps supinators during the gait cycle.

Standard daily trainers like the Asics Nimbus 27 use a hard heel counter.

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Runners will find the same (secure) heel fit and elastic tongue from the previous Nimbus.

That being said, the forefoot fit is more accommodating, thanks to the thinner mesh.

Supportive cushioning for distance runs

Brooks Glycerin 21

The Glycerin 21’s lack of prescriptive features makes it a safe and reliable pick for under-pronators.

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1. Read our detailed review of the Brooks Glycerin 21 here.

The Brooks Glycerin 21 hits the sweet spot of running shoes. With a ride that blends cushioning comfort and ride smoothness, the Glycerin’s road manners will please most runners. As a bonus, it’s very neutral and supportive as well; a quality that works well for supinators.

Pictured here is the cushioned and neutral DNA Loft midsole of the Brooks Glycerin 21.

The added padding pushes the foot forward by a few mm.

The Brooks Glycerin 21's insole is thick enough to be replaced by a stability Orthotic.

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As a result, it works as a reliable daily workhorse for most distances. This time, the DNA Loft midsole foam is noticeably softer than the Glycerin 20 – a shoe that we found to be rather firm.

Brooks has done a nice job with the upper as well. The knit mesh exterior combines rearfoot plushness with a smooth, seam-free interior.

Also see: Puma Magnify Nitro 2.

Soft cushioning for distance runs

New Balance 1080V14

Supinators who want the comfort of a super-soft trainer will find it in the 1080V14.

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1. Read our detailed review of the New Balance 1080v14 here.

The New Balance 1080 has always been a good fit for supinators, thanks to its non-prescriptive midsole. Meaning, the midsole doesn’t try to control the gait, but rather helps cushion the foot naturally.

Sure, this is a very bouncy running shoe – more so than the 1080V13 due to the reformulated Fresh FoamX.

However, that doesn’t change the fact that the Fresh Foam midsole helps the foot roll inwards naturally. There are no raised midsole edges or stability features on the inner midsole.

The v14's 'heel spring' or bevel is higher than the norm, so there's not enough real estate available during heel landings.

The 1080v14 has a stronger 'rocker' effect.

The larger and stiffer outsole lugs alter the 1080's ride dynamics.

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Its soft cushioning doesn’t feel slow, so the 1080V14 is very versatile for what it is. It’s an excellent shoe for long runs and marathons, while being a reliable everyday trainer. It’s not ideal for speed-work like intervals training and their kind, though.

Just know that the new upper fits narrower than before. This time, the V14’s upper is made of a thicker mesh with a mildly stretchy panel, so the forefoot isn’t as accommodating.

The tighter fit makes the midsole rocker more effective by locking down the foot more securely. The better fit security brings the foot closer to the Fresh Foam midsole and increases the responsiveness during foot-strikes and landings.

B (narrow), 2E (wide), and 4E (extra-wide) widths are optional.

Softest daily trainer for supinators

Asics Gel-Cumulus 26

This version of Cumulus is softer than ever before, and that’s good news for underpronators.

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The Cumulus 26 is nothing like the Cumulus 25 or any other version that came before it.

The midsole has a firm base made of foam, but with a softer Flytefoam layer on top. The cushioning doesn’t end there; the foot is comforted by two layers of plush foam. To be specific, there’s an Ortholite insole and lasting directly under the foot.

The result is an everyday trainer that’s softer than most other shoes of its class, and that includes the Brooks Ghost 16, Saucony Ride 17, New Balance 880V14 (this comes close though), and the Nike Pegasus 41.

The Asics Cumulus's midsole is soft but not mushy.

The wide midsole of the Cumulus 26 produces a neutral and supportive ride .

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The Cumulus doesn’t feel mushy, as the firm base keeps the foot supported. However, given the lack of a rubber outsole, the grip is lacking on smooth floors and slushy sidewalks.

This may also be the most accommodating upper on a Cumulus. The toe-box has ample room to splay, and the knit tongue stays flush over the foot.

Versatile daily trainer for underpronators

Saucony Ride 18

The Ride 18 is cushioned yet neutral – exactly what supinators need.

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While the Ride 18 uses the same midsole material as the Ride 17, the updates are more than just skin deep. Saucony has tweaked the formula to make the Pwrrun+ foam lighter and softer than last year’s model.

The upper fit has changed too. There’s more foam padding inside the heel collar, so the foot’s position moves forward by a few mm. This reduces the space in front of the toes.

Also, the forefoot fit is tighter with better lockdown. The new mesh is softer, and the tongue padding has improved. These changes make the upper more comfortable than the Ride 17.

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Two features make the Ride 18 excellent for supinators. The midsole is very neutral in its cushioning delivery, so it doesn’t redirect the loading one way or another. The Ride 18 offers consistent cushioning comfort for everyday runs, 10k, and even a half marathon.

The non-prescriptive ride quality allows underpronators to roll their foot naturally. The snug fit of the true-to-size upper keeps the foot locked in for efficient power delivery to the midsole.

The Ride 18 is also available in an optional wide.

Versatile do-everything trainer

Asics Novablast 5

The Novablast 5’s midsole is tall and cushioned, yet non-prescriptive. Yes, that’ll do for supinators.

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Depending on the runner, the Asics Novablast 5 can be an everyday trainer, tempo run shoe, or half-marathon footwear.

The soft Flytefoam midsole adds cushioning comfort for everyday miles and distance runs. The rocker profile and bouncy midsole make the Novablast 5 versatile enough for tempo workouts. The 8 mm drop keeps the Achilles stress low.

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Novablast loyalists will notice the changes on this year’s model. The midsole is noticeably softer than the 4 due to the new Flytefoam Blast Max foam.

The higher level of softness makes the rocker effect slightly less effective. The Novablast 5’s forefoot is easier to bend than the 4, so the ‘roll forward’ effect is weaker. Runners will still benefit from the rocker midsole, but it’s not as aggressive.

The upper fit has been updated with more forefoot room. Unlike the narrow fit of the V4, the V5 goes easy on the forefoot.

That’s because of the thinner mesh and partly due to the new lacing system. The first two rows are now speed loops instead of eyelets, creating a larger opening on the top.

Carbon-plated racer for supinators

Saucony Endorphin Pro 4

Under-pronators will find the Endorphin Pro 4’s broad and neutral midsole appealing.

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The Saucony Endorphin 4 differs from a typical carbon-plated racer in two ways. For one, the midsole is much wider with more outsole rubber. In performance terms, that translates into more foam under the foot and a better grip.

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The Carbon plate inside the Pwrrun PB is stiffer than the Nylon plate of the Endorphin Speed 4, and that gives the midsole better structure. While the plate directs the transitions along the midsole length, the midsole isn’t prescriptive in a traditional sense.

Meaning that the inner midsole isn’t more supportive than the outer side, and vice versa. That makes this plated racer a good fit for supinators.

The soft and breathable upper is accommodating without being excessively roomy. The secure fit helps the neutral midsole perform better.

Lightweight tempo trainer

New Balance Rebel V4

The wide and cushioned midsole lets supinators work naturally through the gait cycle.

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1. Read our detailed review of the New Balance Rebel V4 here.

So far, most shoes in this guide are mid-weight trainers. But what if you wanted a lightweight and efficient running shoe with a low heel-to-toe offset? One that is also comfortable for up to 10K distances?

The New Balance Rebel 4 fits that description. It’s worth noting that the Rebel V4 is nothing like the Rebel V3. The updated midsole foam and geometry make it a very different shoe than the V3.

For starters, the Rebel V4’s foam is firmer. Also, it has a wider midsole with a rocker forefoot, something that the Rebel V3 lacked. Most importantly, the foot had to do most of the work on the Rebel V3. That’s not the case here, as the rocker midsole helps the foot roll forward.

The balanced midsole sidewalls produce a neutral ride without any bias, and the responsive Fuelcell foam makes the shoe comfortable enough for up to a half marathon. This neutral-supportive character makes the Rebel 4 suitable for most gait types and foot strikes.

The lightweight and breathable upper is secure-fitting and true to size.

How we selected: What to look for

Shoe brands make a killing selling products for runners who were supposed to be ‘over’ and ‘under’ pronators.

There is no scientific evidence to support the theory that runners should be matched with shoes based on how their foot pronates. Even today, many running shoe stores and brands will ‘analyze’ your gait and suggest a ‘suitable’ running shoe – all based on how your foot rolls during a run. This is such a flawed process.

For example, if the ‘gait analysis’ indicates that the extent of inward foot roll was minimal (supination/underpronation), then a neutral running shoe is likely to be recommended.

Conversely, a person with excessive foot roll (overpronation) would be paired with stability running shoes.

We’ve been saying for years that all this is hogwash. If you want proof, just look around. Brands are replacing traditional stability shoes with supportive neutral shoes.

The ‘Guiderails’ of the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24.

Be it the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24 or Nike Structure 25, the switch to supportive neutral shoes didn’t take long. The same logic applies to supinator-friendly running shoes.

Conventional wisdom states that a person with a supinating foot (with a limited inwards roll) should be matched with a soft, neutral shoe. In industry parlance, a neutral shoe lacks ‘stability’ features like a medial post.

Does this approach work? If the shoe is cushioned, supportive, and fits well, then most runners should have no problem. Having said that, a running shoe is not going to have a significant effect on your gait – unless the shoe is extremely soft or doesn’t fit the way it should.

If you want to head down this rabbit hole, let us help you. Our guides for the best neutral shoes and runners with high arches cover a similar category of shoes.

High arches and supination are often used interchangeably, so why do two different buyer’s guides exist? Well, even high-arched runners can over-pronate, so both circumstances shouldn’t be conflated.

Based on our experience, all supportive neutral running shoes are a safe bet. This is regardless of whether you classify yourself as someone with supination or over-pronation.