Solereview recommends

New Balance 1080V14

With the new 1080, New Balance has knocked it out of the park. The ride quality has improved, and so has the upper comfort.

Buy from New Balance

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

The 1080V14’s high-volume midsole is packed with ride comfort, be it for everyday runs or marathons.

The newest 1080 is noticeably softer and livelier than the V13. That’s due to the reformulated Fresh FoamX and the snugger forefoot fit.

A snugger fit keeps the foot seated over the midsole for improved stability and responsiveness. The slightly elastic toe-box mesh produces a conforming fit that also feels plush at the same time. Also, the thicker mesh takes up some space.

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.

1 of 17

Like last time, a cushy Ortholite footbed and foam lasting add step-in comfort.

The segmented outsole design muffles the hard landings and transitions. This enhances the cushioning experience – which directly influences ride comfort. The 1080 has a noticeable rocker effect that helps roll the foot forward for smoother – and quicker – turnovers.

The 1080V14 is also available in three different (besides the regular D size) widths.

Cushioned everyday trainer

Saucony Ride 18

With a softer and lighter midsole, the Ride 18 is the most comfortable it’s ever been. The plusher upper is a bonus.

Buy from Zappos.com

1. Read our detailed review of the Saucony Ride 18 here.

Is the Saucony Ride 18 the softest and plushest daily trainer of its class? No, that honor goes to the New Balance 880V15.

But comfort is less about how soft the midsole is, and more about how the entire package behaves on the road. That’s where the Ride 18 scores over its competition.

This is a versatile running shoe that can switch roles between a daily trainer, tempo runner, or half-marathon footwear.

Rocker assist is unavailable on the Saucony Ride 18.

1 of 18

Just like the Ride 17, Saucony uses an expanded Polyurethane foam called Pwrrun+. However, it’s softer and lighter than last year’s shoe. These changes make the Ride 18 more comfortable to run in.

The footbed uses the same foam as the midsole and adds a soft comfort layer.

The Pwrrun+ foam isn’t overly soft. The cushioning strikes an excellent balance between comfort-producing softness and transition-friendly firmness.

The mild rocker effect helps with the turnovers, as it helps the foot glide through the transitions. The durable XT-900 rubber grips well and lasts long.

While the gusseted upper sells optional widths, the standard width fits just right.

It’s worth mentioning that the Ride 18 fits differently than the 17.

The foot moves closer to the front because of the increased heel padding. This reduces the room in the front while making the forefoot fit tighter.

The mesh is now a softer spacer kind that contributes to the overall comfort.

Max-cushioned trainer for recovery runs

Brooks Ghost Max 2

The G-Max 2 is a vast improvement over last year’s mode, thanks to its redesigned and super-comfy midsole.

Buy from Zappos.com

1. Read our detailed review of the Brooks Ghost Max 2 here.

The Nike Invincible 3 is passé, the Brooks Ghost Max 2 is here. This shoe is our favorite max-cushion cruiser for low-speed (5:30 min/km, 8:50 min/mile, and slower) runs.

The tall and wide DNA Loft V3 midsole is the Ghost Max 2’s not-so-secret sauce. The 39 mm and 33 mm stack ensures that there’s no dearth of cushioning comfort. This new foam also differentiates the G-Max 2 from the last year’s model which rode flatter in comparison.

Unlike the flat cushioning feel of the Ghost Max 1’s EVA-type midsole foam, the new DNA Loft V3 is delightfully squishy and bouncy.

1 of 15

This shoe also has a very wide midsole, and that’s not surprising considering Brooks’s history. Models like the Brooks Beast and Addiction have had wide midsoles for a while now. The high midsole sidewalls also keep the foot seated for better stability. Lastly, a soft insole and strobel add top-level plushness.

With everything that’s going on, the plush ride experience is a given. No matter where you land, the Ghost Max 2 is ridiculously comfortable. The flat outsole profile creates a smooth transition path during runs and walks.

This is not a fast shoe. The advertised ‘rocker’ is of little use, as the midsole is too soft to make the transitions quick. This is an easy speed cruiser for everyday mileage, long recovery runs, and marathons with over a 4:30 finish time.

We would have loved a tongue gusset on the Ghost Max 2, but the rest of the upper is as plush as the midsole. The tongue and heel are packed with foam, and the interiors have a true-to-size and secure fit.

Versatile max-cushioned trainer

Asics Superblast 2

The Superblast 2 proves that a max-cushioned trainer can also very extremely versatile.

Buy from Asics.com

1. Read our detailed review of the Asics Superblast 2 here.

The Asics Superblast 2 delivers the high levels of ride performance without using a plate. Instead of a plate, Asics places a firmer foam layer (Flytefoam Blast+) between the cushy FF Turbo foam and the outsole.

Most of the midsole cushioning comes from the soft Flytefoam Turbo foam – the same material that’s used on the Asics Metaspeed. Long runs and marathons are easier on the feet, thanks to the soft and lightweight Flytefoam Turbo midsole. The foam density is softer than the Superblast v1.

The transition quality benefits from the firmer midsole base and the rockered forefoot. Despite the extremely tall stack heights (45.5 mm and 37.5 mm, rear and front), the Superblast feels agile. This is a fairly lightweight shoe for what it offers.

Its versatile ride and durable build quality also makes the Superblast an excellent daily trainer. This places the Superblast 2 in rare company, as most running shoes that are this cushioned lack the versatility and durability levels required for everyday miles.

The rocker effect of the midsole is toned down by the less-than-ideal fit and softer Flytefoam Turbo.

The lightweight and uber-cushioned Superblast 2 is missing two things that contributed to the Superblast 1's success.

The midsole stability is excellent relative to its stack height and deep cushioning.

1 of 16

So what’s new for the Superblast 2? The roomy forefoot is the change most runners will notice first, followed by a slight improvement in the outsole grip.

The extra room inside the upper has its advantages and drawbacks. Wide-footed runners will appreciate the new-found space. On the flip side, increasing the forefoot room has a detrimental effect on the power delivery to the midsole. The softer FF Turbo stack also negatively affects the speed capabilities of the SB2.

Without exception, a tighter upper will always do a better job of establishing a (stronger) connection between the foot to the midsole. That has a huge effect on how the shoe behaves, so choose your version of the Superblast well. Both the V1 and V2 are great, but different.

Daily trainer for overpronators

New Balance Fresh Foam 860V14

This is the softest and most comfortable version of the 860 to date. The unique ‘stability plane’ plate is the icing on the cake.

Buy from New Balance

The 860 has come a long way since its medial post days. Brands are getting creative with gait management design, and the 860V14 proves that.

Rather than a firmer piece of foam on the arch side (which was how traditional stability trainers were built), the 860 has a ‘stability plane’. This semi-rigid plate is full-length on the inner midsole and rearfoot-confined on the outer midsole.

From the outside, only the outline of the plate can be seen. Inside the midsole is where the meaningful action happens. Longitudinally, the outer half of the plate has perforations; the inner (arch) half is solid.

The unique plate design makes the outer easier to compress than the inner side, and this is how the 860 manages overpronation. By making the inner midsole more supportive, the 860 directs the loading towards the outer side.

1 of 14

That being said, the 860 keeps the pronation control aspect low-key. The cushioning bias isn’t very noticeable – the gait management thing happens in the background.

The rest of the shoe has what it takes to be a versatile everyday trainer. The Fresh Foam X midsole adds comfort to daily miles and up to a half-marathon. This is also the softest the 860 has ever been – except for the gait control aspect, it’s not all that different from the 880.

The true-to-size upper has a sleeved midfoot, spacious toe-box, and a secure fit.

Comfortable marathon racer

Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris

The thicker layer of Flytefoam under the plate makes the landings and transitions comfortable.

Buy from Roadrunnersports

Here’s a hypothetical question. Why recommend the Metaspeed Sky for this buyer’s guide instead of the Metaspeed Edge?

After all, both shoes are very similar – down to the exact upper design and fit. Even the midsole material (Flytefoam Turbo) is the same.

But not everything is the same. The Carbon plate(s) inside the Sky and Edge are designed differently to achieve separate outcomes.

Inside the Metaspeed Edge, the Carbon plate is closer to the ground under the forefoot. From a cushioning perspective, there’s a thinner layer of foam between the plate and outsole. The plate has a sharper curve too, and the forefoot outsole doesn’t have the cutout that the Sky has.

The Metaspeed Sky’s plate isn’t as curved as the Edge. The flatter profile means that there’s more Flytefoam Turbo between the plate and the outsole. The extra foam, combined with the cutout on the forefoot outsole ensures softer landings.

1 of 22

So you get the gist. While both the Sky and Edge are comfortable marathon racers, the Sky offers greater comfort under the forefoot and heel.

The lightweight upper uses a surprisingly well-padded heel collar, something that most shoes in this class don’t have. The fit is secure, true to size, and extremely well-ventilated.

The Nike Vaporfly 3 isn’t bad either, but we view the Metaspeed Edge (not Sky) as a polished version of it.

Lightweight tempo trainer

New Balance Fuelcell Rebel V4

Increased midsole stack and width, more upper room. Same weight. Therefore, lots of lightweight comfort.

Buy from New Balance

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

New Balance hasn’t changed the name of this shoe, but just know that the Rebel 3 and Rebel 4 are two very different products.

The Rebel V3 was a slimmer tempo trainer with a bouncy ride and a snug fit. On the other hand, the Rebel 4 has a wider and taller midsole made of a reformulated ‘Fuelcell’ foam that behaves differently than the previous version.

On the road, the ride feels better padded but is less bouncy than before.

There’s more space inside the V4’s upper as well. The more spacious upper doesn’t lock in the foot the same way the V3 did.

Still, the Rebel V4 maintains the same weight and ‘disappear over the foot’ feel. And that makes it an excellent shoe for more aggressive paces.

The wide forefoot, outsole coverage, and mild rocker effect make running easier at 3:30 min/km (5:30 min/mile) paces, with the sweet spot being 4:00 min/km to 4:30 min/km range.

Comfortable 10K racer

Hoka Mach 6

The Mach 6 is quick enough to set personal bests, yet cushy enough for a 10K.

Buy from Zappos.com

1. Read our detailed review of the Hoka Mach 6 here.

A 10K race can be run in almost any running shoe. It can be run in the previous version of the Brooks Ghost or Saucony Ride. If you’re feeling fancy, the Carbon plate(s) inside a Nike Vaporfly or Asics Metaspeed Edge will make your 10K race propulsive.

The Hoka Mach 6 can wear many hats, be it a shoe for interval training, tempo runs, or short-distance races like a 5K-10K. There are a few reasons why the Mach 6 is so versatile.

First, it has a brand-new midsole made of a bouncy supercritical foam (read here to know what that means). The V6 feels nothing like the V5 – the latter had a firmer EVA base (which was also the outsole) with a softer layer on top.

This time, the entire midsole is made of a bouncy foam with excellent feedback. The high stack heights (37 mm and 32 mm) provide plenty of cushioning whether it’s heel or forefoot landings. The thick midsole cushions the foot during a quick 10K race.

The narrow fit makes the Mach 6 too aggressive to be an everyday trainer, but that kind of lockdown is useful at higher speeds and tight turns.

Not only does the tight upper secure the foot, but it is also very effective at connecting the foot with the midsole. A stronger foot-midsole connection increases the midsole responsiveness and ride efficiency.

Comfortable 5K racer

Nike ZoomX Streakfly

What does a soft, full-length ZoomX midsole and a spacious upper get you? Lots of comfort, of course.

Buy from Nike.com

1. Read our detailed review of the Nike ZoomX Streakfly here.

Our in-depth review made it clear that while the ZoomX Streakfly isn’t the best running shoe for short-distance races, it is certainly the most comfortable one.

This 6-ounce shoe’s midsole is made entirely of ZoomX foam, so that translates into a soft underfoot experience. Don’t worry – the midsole isn’t overly thick, so this shoe keeps up at medium-fast paces of 4:00 min/km or so.

The Streakfly during a 10K race.

If you’re looking for a lightweight tempo trainer to finish your 10K runs in, the Streakfly is worth considering. The lightweight and breathable upper also disappears on the feet during runs.

Comfortable trail runner

Brooks Caldera 8

The Caldera is like an off-road version of the Ghost Max – a super cushioned shoe for the trail.

Buy from REI.com

The Brooks Caldera 8 is like a rugged, off-road version of the Ghost Max. The midsole is wide, tall, super cushioned, and cups the foot around the heel to keep it seated. It’s much firmer than the Ghost Max for better on-trail stability.

Though there’s no rock plate, the thick midsole and Trailtack outsole offer ample protection over the rough stuff. The wide outsole footprint delivers solid footing, while the articulated layout offers dependable grip on the trail.

The DNA Loft midsole makes long trail runs comfortable; the 39 mm heel and 33 mm forefoot stacks keep the feet fresh. It’s a great shoe for longer trail runs where the extra cushioning proves useful.

Only the upper has changed between the Caldera 7 and 8, so the ride quality is identical.

Removing the Caldera 7’s forefoot overlays on the sides makes the Caldera 8’s upper roomier. The toe bumper is reinforced with synthetic overlays for protection and abrasion resistance.

The velcro-assisted gaiter attachment point over the Caldera 7’s heel has been removed. If you don’t use a gaiter, then this change won’t affect you.

How we selected: What to look for

The word ‘comfort’ means different things to different people. Some runners equate a soft midsole with comfort. Others don’t care about how soft the ride is, and instead, use a plush and roomy upper as a yardstick.

At times, running shoe comfort is activity-dependent. Something that works for a 5K run may not be for a marathon – with the opposite being also true.

What is Solereview’s definition of a comfortable running shoe? After all, we’ve reviewed hundreds of shoes and clocked thousands of miles over the last 14 years.

If you ask us, it’s about finding the sweet spot between the different attributes. For example, the midsole should be cushioned with a level of step-in comfort that’s immediately accessible.

At the same time, the upper should (preferably) be made of soft-touch materials for a plush over-the-foot experience. The fit shouldn’t be overly snug or have hot spots.

So which shoes are on this list? Glad you asked.

Along with the ‘safe’ choices like the Saucony Ride 17 and New Balance 1080 V14, there are other interesting products. Asics’s innovative max-cushioned shoe – the Superblast – combines its premium Flytefoam Turbo foam with a firmer base to deliver a comfortable and very versatile ride.

The very capable Asics Metaspeed Sky reserves one of the spots in this guide, and so does the Nike ZoomX Streakfly – it uses the namesake foam to create a soft ride experience for short-distance races.

To make things simpler, we’ve mentioned the recommended use cases for each shoe. After all, a shoe that’s comfortable for speed runs isn’t the same kind that works during high-mileage cruising.