Ranking Every Max Cushion Shoe from Softest to Firmest
Below we will help you pick out a max cushion running shoe for your rotation based on how soft or firm you like a shoe to be. We’ll cover the comfort-oriented, super soft shoes like the Mizuno Neo Vista 2 and the Nike Vomero Premium, to more middle of the road options like the Nike Vomero Premium, ASICS Megablast or Brooks Glycerin Max, to very firm shoes like the Puma MagMax and Hoka Bondi 9.
Here we are ranking every max cushion shoe from cloud to concrete block. We lined up 29 of the chunkiest midsoles in the game and sorted them by how soft or firm they feel underfoot. From squishy recovery cruisers like the Neo Zen and More v6 to structured tanks like the Superblast 2 and Ghost Max 3, the full spectrum is here. Some are bouncy, some are bricks, and a few might surprise you.
Soft & Squishy
When we hear “max cushion,” we often think of soft and squishy—these are the shoes that best deliver on the promise of a cloud-like ride experience. The shoes in this category are best for relaxed runs and building mileage in comfort. The best offer good bounce and assistance (ASICS Gel Nimbus 27, Skechers Aero Burst, Mizuno Neo Vista 2), while the worst can feel like running on sand (New Balance More v6). Our top picks of this group are the Neo Vista 2 for how easy it feels to stack mileage and the Nimbus 27 for its comfort and value (often $100 on sale). Just don’t expect to be setting an 800m PR in any of these guys.
Asics Gel-Nimbus 27
Skechers Aero Burst
Mizuno Neo Vista 2
Goldilocks Zone
These are the shoes that aren’t too soft or firm. They have well-balanced rides, comfortable enough for stacking major mileage (Nike Vomero Plus, Brooks Glycerin Max) yet not too soft for occasionally dialing up some strides or even a light workout (ASICS Novablast 5, Puma Magnify Nitro 3). Our favorite heres are the Salomon Aero Glide 3 for its comfort and versatility and the ASICS Megablast for its blend of speed and long run capability. Some other on our list include the Saucony Hurricane 25, Hoka Skyward X, Hoka Clifton 10, and the Nike Vomero Premium. Goldilocks shoes tend to work well for a lot of runners, so if you’re new to max cushion shoes, your best bet is to start here.
Nike Vomero Plus
Brooks Glycerin Max
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ASICS Megablast
Asics Novablast 5
Puma Magnify Nitro 3
Firm & Supportive
These are the shoes that feel more robust, structured and supportive underfoot. While there are some bricks here (Saucony Triumph 23, Brooks Glycerin 22), firm isn’t always a bad thing—in fact, a firmer platform typically translates to higher stability, such as in the ASICS Superblast 2, more energy return like you find in the On Cloudmonster Hyper and Hoka Skyflow, or a smoother ride as in the Hoka Bondi 9, Nike Vomero 18, and Brooks Ghost Max 3. Our favorite from this group is the Puma MagMax, which has a firmer feel at relaxed paces but offers fun zip and long run capability when pushing pace or distance.
Puma MagMax Nitro
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Asics Superblast 2
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Hoka Bondi 9
Brooks Ghost Max 3
Nike Vomero 18
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