assistant: Welcome back — glad you got the all-clear. For return-to-running after a stress fracture, max cushion is exactly right. You want a shoe that absorbs impact and lets your bones recover without asking them to work hard. At 80 kg, weight matters: heavier runners benefit from shoes with robust midsole depth and durable foam that won't bottom out. I'm recommending three max-cushion options, all road-easy-recovery shoes built for low-impact days. **HOKA Bondi v9** — the max-cushion standard. Maximal stack, proven durability, and a smooth rocker that minimizes joint stress. At $175, it's also the most affordable of the three. **New Balance Fresh Foam X More v6** — Fresh Foam's supercritical EVA is lively and forgiving; maximal cushioning at the lowest price point ($160). This is a solid budget pick if you want to save a few dollars without sacrificing protection. **Nike Vomero Plus** — The Run Testers praise it for bringing back the bouncy, lively feel of earlier max-cushion shoes while staying stable. At $180, it sits in the middle price-wise and offers that responsive-but-soft landing many runners prefer for easy miles. All three are plate-less, road-focused, and designed for exactly what you need right now: absorption without demand. One clarifying question: **Do you have any history of overpronation or ankle instability?** The Mizuno Horizon and ASICS Gel-Kayano in my data both carry mild-stability features, which can be helpful for return-to-running if your feet tend to roll inward — but if you're neutral, the three picks above are your best bet.