Rating the Most Popular Max Cushion Running Shoes on Comfort, Speed, Durability, Traction, Bounce, Weight, Fun Factor and Value - Part 2
Here we will break down the comfort, speed, stability, durability, traction, bounce, weight, fun factor, and overall value of four of the most popular max cushion running shoes currently on the market—the Nike Vomero Premium, the Nike Pegasus Premium, the Hoka Bondi 9, and the New Balance Fresh Foam More v6.
Welcome back to Choose Your Player. In this series, we’re giving running shoes an overall score based on 10 key categories—ranging from pure speed to all-day comfort—each rated from 1 to 100. This week, we’re breaking down the stats on 4 of the most popular max cushion trainers on the market right now, including the Nike Vomero Premium, Nike Pegasus Premium, Hoka Bondi 9, and New Balance Fresh Foam More v6.
Nike Vomero Premium - Overall Score of 83
Nike Vomero Premium
The Nike Vomero Premium looks like a straight-up beluga whale. It’s insanely bulky and stacked, and honestly we were a little skeptical at first. How can a shoe with 55mm of foam in the heel, a full ZoomX midsole and dual Air Zoom units really hang with its lighter-weight competitors? At first glance it feels like it could be more of a novelty, but at the same time it looks fire and it is packed with fresh tech. With one Air unit up front and another in the back—it’s definitely different and definitely bold. We were pleasantly surprised after the first three runs, including a 20 mile long-run, that the Vomero Premium officially hits that next level. The Invincible 3 was soft, bouncy, and just plain fun for its time, and since then, not many shoes have matched that vibe. The Vomero Plus and Vomero 18 never really hit that same level. But this one? This one is on that level. This is what brands should be doing: keep your reliable daily trainer, keep your workhorse shoe, but give us something different. This shoe feels like that fresh option we’ve been waiting for. The ride is bouncy, fun, and unique—almost like you are running on an anti-gravity treadmill. The protection and impact absorption are next level. It is not fast and it is heavy, but it’s not designed as a speed shoe. This isn’t just a novelty item, it is a truly fun, runnable shoe for shoe sickos who love trying out the latest technology and innovation to hit the market.
Nike Pegasus Premium - Overall Score of 80
Nike Pegasus Premium
The Nike Pegasus Premium is one of the most innovative shoes we’ve tried this year with a full-length Air Zoom unit in the midsole. It sits at the top of Nike’s new Pegasus silo and is a fun, new option in the Nike line-up. It has a unique, floaty ride, and delivers a soft, fun bounce. But don’t expect a lot of speed capabilities. This is a shoe that is better for longer time on feet and daily or recovery miles than for any type of workout. Because it has the full length air unit, it can also feel unstable for runners who prefer more support. Some runners also feel the shoe is bulky (note that it’s less than 5% heavier than the Vomero 18). Simply put, it’s a gamble. We liked it, but you may not. If you like super max stack, you’ll likely enjoy the floaty, cushioned and protective ride. However, the Vomero 18 or the Vomero Plus are the safer bet for most people looking for a new Nike, especially for $65 and $40 cheaper, respectively, and with much wider availability. The Puma MagMax is another great option if you are looking for more of a stable cruiser and comes in at $180.
New Balance Fresh Foam More v6 - Overall Score of 66
New Balance More v6
New Balance’s max cushion cruiser is back with a max stack of foam wrapping up around the foot for a stable, ultra-plush ride. The Fresh Foam More v6 is designed to be a protective, cushioned shoe built for maximum comfort. Unfortunately it is a much better walking shoe than a running shoe. It is overly soft and the foam is lifeless. Unlike the previous version, the More v5, there is no energy return and bounce to the midsole. Whatever supercritical EVA they are using in this version just feels heavy and like an outdated relic of the past. The launch lineup for this shoe is just… bland. Gray with blue, black with gray—it’s like they tried to make the safest, most inoffensive options possible. We get not every shoe needs to be neon, but at least give us one that pops. This is definitely one that we can’t recommend as a true running shoe.
Hoka Bondi 9 - Overall Score of 77
Hoka Bondi 9
The Hoka Bondi 9 is a definite upgrade from the previous version, which was better for walking than running. This version features a more fun and bouncy supercritical EVA midsole that delivers a smooth, supportive ride that can stand up to high mileage training. It is a stable and supportive max cushion cruiser perfect for handling daily miles. It’s one of the top cushioned comfort shoes on the market right now and it comes in some fun and exciting colors. It’s a great recovery day option for when your legs are feeling beat up and you just need something comfortable that is going to help you turn your legs over. It has a nice wide base, a generous stack of bouncy foam and a smooth, rocker geometry that’s perfect for relaxed miles. If you are a bigger runner and find some of the other max stack shoes to be too soft or squishy, the Bondi 9 will likely be a great option.
Check out our Choose Your Player Marathon Racing Shoes - Part 1, Choose Your Player Marathon Racing Shoes - Part 2, Choose Your Player Marathon Racing shoes - Part 3, Choose Your Player Max Cushion Shoes, Choose Your Player Long Run Shoes, Choose Your Player Elevated Daily Trainers, or Choose Your Player Speed Training Shoes editions if you've enjoyed this format.
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