I Bought The Internet’s 5 Most Comfortable Shoes

Overview

The reviewer compared five widely praised comfort shoes with the New Balance More V6, his previous number-one pick. His broader comfort list was based on extensive walking, side-by-side comparisons, firmness testing, and blindfold tests. No numerical ratings were given.

Shoes reviewed

ASICS Slow Cush

• A new model with a very tall, soft sole: about 48 mm, compared with roughly 42 mm on the New Balance.
• Its cushioning felt as soft as, or possibly softer than, the More V6.
• The reviewer especially liked its plush, stretchy tongue, padded ankle area, and soft inner lining. The upper felt comfortable and premium.
• Verdict: A close contest, but the reviewer found it slightly more comfortable than the New Balance, largely because of the upper.

Nike 247

• Designed for all-day wear, with substantial soft cushioning and shallow sole ridges that create a subtle massage-like sensation.
• Features a suede upper, generous tongue and ankle padding, and a firm heel for hands-free EasyOn entry.
• The padding and construction make it relatively heavy and bulky, though the reviewer said this matters less for casual wear.
• Verdict: Extremely comfortable and likely top-10 material, but the reviewer narrowly preferred the New Balance.

ASICS Superblast 3

• Lightweight and highly cushioned, with a notably springy, energetic feel that also suits running.
• The reviewer thought it looked appealing and considered it versatile for running, walking, errands, and long periods on one’s feet.
• Its lively feel can be less stable and less “cloud-like” for everyday comfort. The New Balance felt softer in use, more stable, and roomier in the toe box. It also had more upper padding and better-feeling materials.
• Verdict: A strong all-rounder, but not more comfortable than the New Balance for the reviewer.

Saucony Paramount Max

• Has exceptionally soft, unusually large cushioning, with a broad base that helps counter the softness and provide stability.
• The reviewer liked its balance of plushness and spring, smooth heel-to-toe transition, non-aggressive sole shape, padded tongue, premium materials, and heel pull-tab for easy entry.
• The main drawback was a squeaky insole, which the reviewer said could be replaced.
• Verdict: The reviewer thought it was more comfortable than the New Balance, praising its combination of softness and resilience.

ASICS Novablast 6

• Lightweight and comfortable, with versatility for jogging, workouts, errands, walking, or standing for long periods.
• Its cushioning and heel feel much like the previous version’s, though the new model may be slightly softer. The reviewer preferred the previous version’s appearance.
• It offers noticeable but less extreme cushioning than the maximal options. The ankle lining was pleasant; the tongue was not especially plush but felt nice.
• Verdict: A capable everyday shoe, but the reviewer did not think it beat the New Balance.

Blindfold test and overall verdict

Dylan’s blindfolded comparisons generally showed how close the leading shoes were, though his preferences did not always match the reviewer’s. He found the Saucony extremely soft but possibly too spongy and unsteady, and noted heel stiffness or fit discomfort. He also found the New Balance and Nike very similar, and ultimately chose the New Balance over the Novablast.

Overall, the reviewer’s strongest challengers to the More V6 were the ASICS Slow Cush and Saucony Paramount Max. The Slow Cush edged it for its soft, well-padded upper, while the Saucony impressed with its balance of cushioning. The Nike 247, Superblast 3, and Novablast 6 were all comfortable, but did not take the reviewer’s top spot.

Different perspectives

• Reviewer: Favoured the Slow Cush and Paramount Max over the New Balance; preferred the New Balance to the Nike, Superblast 3, and Novablast 6.
• Dylan: In blind comparisons, valued easy, stable walking comfort; found the Saucony potentially too soft and chose the New Balance over the Novablast. Some of his other left-versus-right preferences are not clearly linked to a specific model in the subtitles.