What ChatGPT recommends: running shoes
Asked 6 times in Sept 2026, ChatGPT named Hoka Clifton in 4 of 6 answers, ASICS Gel-Nimbus in 4 and Nike Vomero in 3. No brand appeared in every answer.
Checked Sept 23, 2026
- Hoka Clifton 4 of 6
- ASICS Gel-Nimbus 4 of 6
- Nike Vomero 3 of 6
- Brooks Ghost 3 of 6
- Hoka Bondi 3 of 6
- Saucony Ride 2 of 6
- Brooks Glycerin 2 of 6
- New Balance 1080 2 of 6
Cited most: runnersworld.com, rtings.com, fleetfeet.com
Every brand ChatGPT named
| Brand | Answers | Named first | Average position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hoka Clifton | 4 of 6 | – | 2.5 |
| ASICS Gel-Nimbus | 4 of 6 | 2 | 2.5 |
| Nike Vomero | 3 of 6 | 2 | 2.3 |
| Brooks Ghost | 3 of 6 | 2 | 3 |
| Hoka Bondi | 3 of 6 | – | 4.3 |
| Saucony Ride | 2 of 6 | – | 3 |
| Brooks Glycerin | 2 of 6 | – | 3 |
| New Balance 1080 | 2 of 6 | – | 3 |
| New Balance 880 | 2 of 6 | – | 4 |
| ASICS Superblast | 2 of 6 | – | 6.5 |
| ASICS Gel-Cumulus | 1 of 6 | – | 3 |
| Hoka Arahi | 1 of 6 | – | 3 |
| Brooks Adrenaline GTS | 1 of 6 | – | 4 |
| On Cloudsurfer Max | 1 of 6 | – | 4 |
| Saucony Triumph | 1 of 6 | – | 4 |
| Nike Revolution | 1 of 6 | – | 5 |
| Brooks Glycerin Max | 1 of 6 | – | 5 |
| ASICS Novablast | 1 of 6 | – | 6 |
Position is the order a brand first appears in an answer. 1 means it was named first.
The websites ChatGPT cited
ChatGPT attached 7 different websites to these answers. These are the ones it used most. If you want to be named, these are the pages to be on.
| Site | Publisher | Answers citing it |
|---|---|---|
| runnersworld.com | Runner's World | 6 of 6 |
| rtings.com | RTINGS.com | 5 of 6 |
| fleetfeet.com | Fleet Feet | 2 of 6 |
| runrepeat.com | #1 Athletic Shoe Review Site | 2 of 6 |
| solereview.com | Solereview | 1 of 6 |
| marathonsports.com | Marathon Sports | 1 of 6 |
| eatingwell.com | EatingWell | 1 of 6 |
The questions we asked
- "What are the best running shoes for beginners?" (3 runs)
- "What are the best cushioned running shoes for long runs?" (3 runs)
Asked twice, the same question kept about 38% of its brands and 51% of its cited sites.
Ads
We saw no ads in these 6 answers. That is expected: ChatGPT shows ads mainly to logged-in Free and Go users, and we ask logged out. See who sees ChatGPT ads.
Read one of the answers
"What are the best running shoes for beginners?"
If you're just starting out, look for a comfortable, cushioned daily trainer rather than a racing shoe. Current 2026 beginner-shoe guides consistently emphasize comfort, fit, cushioning, and versatility. My shortlist Brooks Ghost 17 $119.95 · SCHEELS Saucony Ride 19 $145.00 · Nordstrom New Balance Fresh Foam X 880 v15 $119.99 · Nordstrom HOKA Clifton 10 $123.97 · DICK’S Sporting Goods ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28 $179.99 · DICK’S Sporting Goods Brooks Ghost 17 — A very straightforward first shoe: balanced cushioning, neutral support, and available in multiple widths. Runner's World specifically describes the Ghost as a good starting point for new runners. Saucony Ride 19 — A versatile option if you want something that feels a little more energetic while still being cushioned for easy running. Fleet Feet includes it among its 2026 beginner picks. New Balance Fresh Foam X 880 v15 — Particularly worth considering if you need different width options or prefer a stable, predictable feel. HOKA Clifton 10 — Good if you like a softer, higher-cushion feel and a rocker that helps roll you forward; it's also recommended for run/walk beginners. ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28 — A maximum-cushion choice if comfort and impact protection are your priorities. It's heavier and less lively than some alternatives, so it's particularly suited to relaxed running. If I were narrowing it to two pairs to try on fir
Common questions
What does ChatGPT recommend for running shoes?
Asked 6 times in Sept 2026, ChatGPT named Hoka Clifton in 4 of 6 answers, ASICS Gel-Nimbus in 4 and Nike Vomero in 3. No brand appeared in every answer.
Which websites does ChatGPT cite for running shoes?
The sites cited most often were runnersworld.com (6 of 6 answers), rtings.com (5 of 6 answers), fleetfeet.com (2 of 6 answers).