Buy If
- You want maximum cushioning without a wobbly ride.
- You want a high-stack shoe that can still pick up the pace.
- You value a secure lockdown and a fit that works well for a widish foot.
Craft is going big with the new Atmosfär 1.
This is a max-cushion road shoe built around a massive 51 mm stack height, Px Foam, and a design focused on delivering plenty of protection underfoot for daily miles and long runs.
At $190, the Atmosfär 1 enters a crowded category with some serious competition.
So, after putting in the miles, where does it fit in the max-cushion market?
Let’s get into The Good, The Bad, and The Verdict.
Price$190
Stack51 / 45 mm
Drop6 mm
CategoryMax Cushion
Miles Tested
Cody28 Miles
The Good
Cody
Right out of the box, it was impossible not to notice the stack. At 51 mm, this might be the tallest running shoe I have ever worn. But somehow, Craft made it incredibly stable.
During my longest run, I threw wet ground, big climbs, descents, and winding roads at it, and I never felt unstable. That’s impressive for a shoe this tall.
But the Px Foam is where the magic happens. Most max-cushion shoes are cruisers, but the Atmosfär 1 can move. Dropping into the low-7:00-per-mile range felt great, with a smooth roll and plenty of bounce.
The lockdown is also excellent. My widish foot fits comfortably with plenty of room without feeling sloppy.
The Bad
Cody
Honestly, this section is pretty short.
The biggest issue is the 51 mm stack. It won’t be for everyone. There’s almost no ground feel, and even though the shoe is surprisingly stable, you definitely notice how high you’re sitting.
I also found that the Atmosfär 1 doesn’t love really slow paces. The rocker and Px Foam seem to come alive when you pick things up, so it feels more natural at steady or faster efforts.
Finally, narrow-footed runners may find the upper a little roomy. My widish foot fits great, but there’s definitely some extra space to work with.
The Verdict
Cody
At $190, Craft has put the Atmosfär 1 in a really interesting position.
Calling this simply a max-cushion shoe doesn’t tell the whole story. To me, this feels much closer to a top-tier super trainer.
It’s highly cushioned. It’s stable. It feels surprisingly light on foot. And, most importantly, it’s fast.
That’s what separates the Atmosfär 1 from a lot of the other massive max-cushion shoes I’ve tested. I can throw it on for a comfortable run, but when I want to start dropping the pace, the shoe comes alive.
The Craft Atmosfär 1 might end up being my shoe of the year.
Worth the Price?
Cody
Yes.
For what you’re getting, $190 really isn’t bad, especially when you consider that many of today’s top super trainers are already at or above the $200 mark.
The Atmosfär 1 gives you massive cushioning without feeling like a traditional max-cushion cruiser. It can handle long runs, steady miles, and faster efforts while still delivering a ton of protection underfoot.
At $190, Craft isn’t just competing with max-cushion shoes. They’re competing with some of the best super trainers on the market.
Skip If
- You want ground feel or prefer a lower, more traditional ride.
- Most of your running is at very slow recovery pace.
- You have a narrow, low-volume foot and prefer a snugger fit.
Disclosure
Disclosure: This review reflects Cody’s honest opinions after real-world testing. Craft had no input into our testing, opinions, or final verdict.
