We were very conflicted about having this category, because we've really reached a point where the lines have severely blurred on max cushion shoes and daily trainers due to their growing versatility, design, and quite frankly because they are just everywhere. Despite that, we decided the fact we were debating it meant there had to be some merit to talking about max cushion shoes as a category this year. In this feature, each contributor offered their favorite max cushion (high stacked, near or over 40mm) footwear and why the shoe was special to them for 2022.
HOW WE CHOSE
In this year's Best Of, we decided
to NOT have consensus picks as we couldn't come to terms with just
picking one shoe as the best daily trainer, or stability shoe, or
racing shoe of 2022. With so many variances and specifications for
runners, we decided to leave it a bit broader due to the differences in
many of the picks and let the shoes do the talking. For our Best Max Cushion feature, our contributors considered shoes that suited them best in the category of tall stack height, (ie, something close to or greater than 39 mm in the heel). With many of us falling
into different situations, we hope our picks capture a wide scope of
runners with varying needs.
WRITER'S PICKS
CONTRIBUTOR RYAN FLUGAUR
Despite its 39 mm of PWRRUN foam and max cushion, the Shift 3 uniquely falls into the stable/neutral category thanks to its wider platform and secure sidewalls. While it is not a bouncy max cushion shoe, it offers a soft, well balanced, and secure ride making it a versatile shoe best suited during recovery, base training, and slower tempo runs (use the Endorphin Speed 3 for those faster days). The Shift 3 is also a shoe I frequently recommend in the clinic for certain individuals who have limitations in the ankle and calf thanks to its well done rocker design and shoe geometry. As you can see when looking over our list of favorite shoes, Saucony did an excellent job designing their Endorphin line this year and the Shift 3 is no exception. .
AUDIO ENGINEER BJ MCGEEVER
I’m not hyperbolizing when I say the SC Trainer is the shoe I’d dreamed of. I’d wanted a shoe with a huge stack of bouncy, soft foam with enough roll & snap to keep it moving smoothly, and that’s exactly what I got. The SC Trainer has endless amounts of FuelCell cushion (well, 47mm in the heel) and a very smooth rocker provided by the EnergyArch carbon plate. Even with that giant stack of foam, it’s surprisingly stable. I know others have found it to be almost prohibitively heavy, but the weight’s never bothered me. It’s become my de facto long run shoe because it rides so comfortably while still letting me pick up the pace when I need to. I’ve found it just as easy to run in on a slow recovery jog all the way up to steady state/half marathon pace. Matt and I still can’t believe it’s priced at $180, with other shoes like the Superblast and Prime X coming in much higher. If you’re looking for the bounciest ride out there, go for the SC Trainer.
Honorable Mention: Saucony Triumph 20
Honorable Mention: Saucony Triumph 20
The CTM Ultra 2 is a totally unique max cushion shoe that snuck in earlier this year. It not only provides a high stacked, protective midsole, but a versatile one terrain-wise thanks to its aggressive outsole that can do either road or trail alike. It’s a firmer sole compared to other max height shoes, which does helps keep things stable underfoot. I did my longest efforts of 2022 in the Ultra 2 and would not hesitate to take it for a marathon or further thanks to its well-rockered ride and comfortable underfoot experience. The only caveat is the upper has a wealth of room in the toebox which may be unnerving for those with particularly narrow feet. The best part is that it’s become a huge bargain as of late being nearly a year out, providing a terrific max cushion option for as much as under $100 today some places.
Honorable Mention: Saucony Endorphin Shift 3
CONTRIBUTOR ANDREA MYERS
When I received the SC Trainer for testing, I immediately thought it was like having a dirt road embedded in your shoe. The incredibly beefy 47mm/39mm stack height is like a mute button for the harshness of the pavement on my feet. I have gained an even greater appreciation for the shoe during my most recent marathon training block, in which I have included double days for the first time since high school. When doing a second run after doing 23 miles earlier that day, my feet and legs need a shoe that is maximally protective and the rockered sole provides smooth guidance to help my tired legs turn over. The fit of the thin mesh upper is sock-like and consistently comfortable, even if my feet are irritated from a different pair of test shoes. The weight of the SC Trainer keeps me from using it for runs faster than easy pace, but it remains my hands-down top pick for max cushioned trainer due to its ride and underfoot protection.
Honorable Mention: New Balance Fresh Foam More v4
Honorable Mention: New Balance Fresh Foam More v4
SENIOR CONTRIBUTOR DAVID SALAS
An excellent blend of maximum cushioning with light weight responsiveness. The Superblast provides a lot of versatility for the category and is a very fun shoe to run in. For being at 45mm of stack you actually feel quite grounded. The FlyteFoam Turbo lends itself to running faster paces as well, as this is the same midsole of the Metaspeed Edge and Sky models.
Honorable mention: On Cloudmonster
Honorable mention: On Cloudmonster
SENIOR CONTRIBUTOR NATHAN BROWN
What I want from a maximally cushioned shoe is a soft and stable enough platform that functions best for recovery runs and slower, longer miles. I also like a maximally cushioned with a relatively stable platform that works well for recovery runs when fatigued. The More v4 checked all of those boxes for me with the soft base that is stabilized with a wider platform and some side walls. My favorite shoe for taking it easy.
Honorable Mention: On Cloudmonster
Honorable Mention: On Cloudmonster
CHIEF EDITOR MATT KLEIN
The Fresh Foam More v4 doubles as both the best max cushion shoe as well as the best stable neutral for me. Everything about this shoe has been improved. Soft cushioning and a lighter weight feel for such a maximal shoe creates a smooth ride that is easy on the legs. The mild flexibility in the forefoot combined with an excellent rockered ride further makes this a great shoe that keep going for miles. Finally, the New Balance team did an incredible job adding incredible side walls and geometry that is the ultimate in stable neutral. A wider fit makes it different from many other maximal shoes but only adds to the comfort that makes the More v4 keep me comfortable over more miles.
Honorable Mention: New Balance Supercomp Trainer
Thanks for reading! Stay tuned for our next Best Of feature on Stability and Stable Neutral shoes, coming soon.
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