Cushioning is a matter of personal preference and does not necessarily make one shoe better than another. Cushioning refers to the level of firmness of the foam underfoot and can be largely subjective. What one runner finds firm, a heavier runner may find soft. It was previously thought that a more cushioned shoe reduced the impact on your legs. However, it’s been found that your body will adjust forces based on the firmness of the surface you are running on. The bottom line — buy a running shoe that feels comfortable to you.