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Our team of testers has been reviewing shoe after shoe with higher stack heights and even more cushion. So it’s no secret that max cushioned running shoes are truly having a moment right now. But the question on many minds is are max cushioned running shoes bad for us?
While we’ve been having a lot of fun with the max cushion, we wanted to know what does the data say? Is all that cushion hurting us? Changing our stride? Or giving us some extra impact protection? Keeping our legs fresher??
We went to the experts to find out what Physical Therapists, doctors, folks running lots of miles and any potential studies might say.
What’s Considered A Max Cushioned Running Shoe?
Let’s start here. This term has changed a lot over the years. The first max cushioned shoe was the Hoka Clifton and it was a mere 32mm compared to today’s towering mounds of cushion.
Stack height is referring from the ground to the top of the cushion in the heel (and also to the forefoot). Your heel drop is then the change from the heel to the toe.
Stack height is the amount of cushioning material that separates your foot from the ground.
- Higher the stack height, the more cushioning and greater…
