Key takeaways
- Best overall: Brooks Ghost 16 ($130 – $150).
- Choose cushioning and stability based on your running style and distance.
In this article
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Not sure which running shoes to buy in the US? This list keeps it short: our top pick, the best-value option, the premium choice and the models we would avoid, all with typical prices.
Prices are typical ranges, not live prices. The button on each pick opens the current price.
Quick answer
- Best overall: Brooks Ghost 16 ($130 – $150)
- Premium pick: ASICS Gel-Nimbus 26 ($150 – $170)
Running shoes compared
| Product | Verdict | Score | Typical price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brooks Ghost 16 | Buy | 8.9/10 | $130 – $150 |
| HOKA Speedgoat 6 | Buy | 8.9/10 | $155 – $160 |
| HOKA Clifton 9 | Buy | 8.8/10 | $140 – $150 |
| ASICS Gel-Nimbus 26 | Buy | 8.6/10 | $150 – $170 |
| Salomon Speedcross 6 | Buy | 8.5/10 | $140 – $150 |
| Altra Lone Peak 9 | Buy | 8.5/10 | $140 – $150 |
| Brooks Cascadia 18 | Consider | 8.3/10 | $140 – $145 |
Our picks in detail
Brooks Ghost 16
Verdict: Buy · Score: 8.9/10 · Typical price: $130 – $150
For most people, Brooks Ghost 16 is worth its usual price of $130 – $150. Our score: 8.9/10.
HOKA Speedgoat 6
Verdict: Buy · Score: 8.9/10 · Typical price: $155 – $160
HOKA Speedgoat 6 is one of the running shoes we would buy in the US. It scores 8.9/10 in our ratings and usually sells for $155 – $160.
HOKA Clifton 9
Verdict: Buy · Score: 8.8/10 · Typical price: $140 – $150
For most people, HOKA Clifton 9 is worth its usual price of $140 – $150. Our score: 8.8/10.
ASICS Gel-Nimbus 26
Verdict: Buy · Score: 8.6/10 · Typical price: $150 – $170
ASICS Gel-Nimbus 26 is one of the running shoes we would buy in the US. It scores 8.6/10 in our ratings and usually sells for $150 – $170.
Salomon Speedcross 6
Verdict: Buy · Score: 8.5/10 · Typical price: $140 – $150
Salomon Speedcross 6 is one of the running shoes we would buy in the US. It scores 8.5/10 in our ratings and usually sells for $140 – $150.
Altra Lone Peak 9
Verdict: Buy · Score: 8.5/10 · Typical price: $140 – $150
Altra Lone Peak 9 is one of the running shoes we would buy in the US. It scores 8.5/10 in our ratings and usually sells for $140 – $150.
Brooks Cascadia 18
Verdict: Consider · Score: 8.3/10 · Typical price: $140 – $145
Our verdict on Brooks Cascadia 18 is consider: a decent option, but compare it with the picks above before paying $140 – $145.
What to check before you buy
- Choose cushioning and stability based on your running style and distance.
- Fit in the toe box matters more than looks.
- Trail shoes have grippier soles for off-road runs.
What to skip
Common mistake: Running in worn-out shoes; replace them every few hundred kilometers.
When to buy
The deepest discounts usually arrive during the big summer sales in July, the October sales events and Black Friday through Cyber Monday in late November. Last season's colors are often heavily discounted.
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Related reading
Frequently asked questions
What are the best running shoes in the US?
Our top pick is Brooks Ghost 16 (typically $130 – $150).
What should I check before buying running shoes?
Choose cushioning and stability based on your running style and distance. Fit in the toe box matters more than looks.
When is the best time to buy running shoes in the US?
The deepest discounts usually arrive during the big summer sales in July, the October sales events and Black Friday through Cyber Monday in late November.
What is the most common mistake when buying running shoes?
Running in worn-out shoes; replace them every few hundred kilometers.