We put cushioned running shoes through rigorous testing both on the feet of local runners and in our RW Shoe Lab. These are the 10 best models so far in 2022.
Drop: 5mm
Take the wide and well-cushioned Ultraventure, make it a little firmer and more secure, add a rock plate for more protection, and keep the grippy Vibram outsole with its pronounced lugs. The end result is the hardy Ultraventure Pro, a companion shoe to the Ultraventure 2, that’s meant for taking on harsher, rockier terrain. It’s as resistant to rugged conditions as it is to rain. The rock plate safeguards your forefoot when traversing over rocks and roots. The plate is an essential feature since the Zipfoam cushioning, though sufficient on trails, left some testers wanting a little more support when they wanted to tack on extra miles.