Just to be sure, have you taken all of the other perks leading to "Cushioned" on the tree?
Yes, the only one before it is the "Fists of Steel" which is when having no armor on your gauntlets do more damage... or w/e..
I thought that would unlock it FOR SURE and it didn't.. still dark.
And I have 3 Bladesman perks outta 5, and the Double Fury perk tooken BOTH two times. So I don't get why it just simply won't unlock when I'm way past 50 now..