Shoes with the Most Cushion | Maximum-Depth Road Models

If your legs ache after long road miles, a maximum-cushion shoe absorbs the pounding instead of passing it to your joints. Shoe brands describe this category differently—ASICS calls it “Maximum,” HOKA calls it “Plush”—but the goal is the same: the thickest, most forgiving midsole stack a road shoe can carry. The two models below are the clearest current benchmarks in the gathered specs.

What “Most Cushion” Actually Means

Maximum cushioning refers to how much foam sits between your foot and the road. The thickest bed provides impact absorption at the cost of ground feel and some responsiveness. Both leading models run neutral—they offer no built-in stability correction, so runners needing support should not look to these as corrective shoes.

Here is how the two leaders compare on the published specs:

Note that weights shift by gender, size, and colorway—the ASICS listing shows two different weights across its variants, so compare the same size when weighing options.

ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27: The Explicit Maximum

ASICS labels the GEL-NIMBUS 27 as “Maximum” cushioning outright, making it the most direct max-cushion statement in the lineup. The shoe carries an 8 mm heel drop and the FF BLAST™ PLUS foam as its core cushioning layer, paired with HYBRID ASICSGRIP™ outsole rubber for road traction.

The NIMBUS has a durability reputation that runners trust for high weekly mileage. One thing to watch: the sale price you see on ASICS listings may be a discount, not the regular $165.00—check which one you are paying.

HOKA Bondi 9: Plushness by Design

HOKA positions the Bondi 9 as its comfort-first road shoe, using a “higher bed of soft cushion” with super critical foam and a 2 mm stack height increase over the prior version. The 5 mm heel-to-toe drop gives a more rockered feel than the ASICS model.

One honest nuance: HOKA’s own page notes a low-profile cushion bed and a firmer material for push-off efficiency. That means “max cushion” does not equal “soft at every point of the ride”—some sections feel firmer by design to help you move forward.

For runners who want the plush ride inside a proven daily trainer, the Bondi 9 delivers both. If you are shopping for a woman specifically, our top cushioned shoes for women rounds up tested models that fit the same need.

Which One Should You Choose?

Deciding between the two comes down to drop preference and feel: choose the ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 if you want an 8 mm drop and explicit Maximum rating; choose the HOKA Bondi 9 if you prefer a lower 5 mm drop and HOKA’s signature rocker geometry.

Both are road-specific neutral shoes—neither is built for trails, and neither corrects overpronation. Prices are regional, too; HOKA lists different prices in USD, CAD, GBP, and other currencies, so expect local variations. Before buying, try each on with your usual running socks and take a short test jog to feel which foam bed matches your stride.