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Best Shoes of September 2026

By the Selectopicks test desk Updated 13 September 2026 5 brands assessed 5 published, 0 in draft

Scored against our published weighted rubric. Ranking order is set by score alone; partner links are labelled and never move a brand up the list.

Advertiser disclosure. We may earn a commission if you buy through the “Visit Site” buttons on this page. It does not affect our scores or this ranking order. Prices were verified on 13 September 2026 and may change.

HOKA 9.1/10Excellent

Editor's Choice$145

Maximal cushion balance that protects joints during high volume training runs.

EVA compression molded foam midsole provides a 32 millimeter heel stack height for impact protection.
Unconditional thirty day wear test trial allows full cash refunds on worn road dirt shoes.
Engineered knit upper includes reflective heel details and a gusseted tongue to eliminate migration.

$145
Clifton 9 MSRP with free ground shipping on orders over $99

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Nike 8.6/10Very good

Most Features$140

Durable daily trainer featuring dual Air Zoom units and dense ReactX foam.

Dual Air Zoom pockets embedded in heel and forefoot provide distinct kinetic bounce.
ReactX foam midsole claims a thirteen percent increase in energy return over previous React formulations.
Full rubber waffle pattern outsole delivers superior wet pavement and track traction.

$140
Pegasus 41 MSRP standard shipping free for Nike Members

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adidas 8.3/10Good

Best Value$140

Pelletized TPU foam midsole delivering maximum energy return and soft upper comfort.

Light Boost midsole technology provides bouncy cushion with lower material weight than original Boost foam.
Primeknit upper wraps the foot like a sock to prevent localized pressure points.
Continental Rubber outsole delivers exceptional wet and dry grip across all road surfaces.

$140
Ultraboost 5X MSRP with free shipping for adiClub members

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Brooks 8.0/10Good

Best For Beginners$150

Dependable traditional running shoe with soft nitrogen infused foam cushioning.

DNA LOFT v3 nitrogen infused midsole foam provides soft impact absorption without excess weight.
Segmented Crash Pad transitions foot strike smoothly from heel strike through toe off.
Engineered air mesh upper provides a relaxed traditional fit with zero hotspot friction points.

$150
Ghost 16 MSRP standard shipping free on orders over $100

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ASICS 7.7/10Good

$140

Smooth riding neutral trainer featuring internal GEL pads and lightweight foam.

PureGEL technology embedded in the heel dampens heavy landing shock during road runs.
FF BLAST PLUS cushioning provides energetic lightweight responsiveness under the forefoot.
FluidRide outsole delivers smooth transitions without adding heavy bottom rubber weight.

$140
GEL-Cumulus 26 MSRP standard shipping free for OneASICS members

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Side by side

Full comparison table

Best Shoes of September 2026 compared
Brand	Score	Starting price	Billing basis	Best for
#1 HOKA	9.1/10	$145	Clifton 9 MSRP with free ground shipping on orders over $99	Maximal cushion balance that protects joints during high volume training runs.
#2 Nike	8.6/10	$140	Pegasus 41 MSRP standard shipping free for Nike Members	Durable daily trainer featuring dual Air Zoom units and dense ReactX foam.
#3 adidas	8.3/10	$140	Ultraboost 5X MSRP with free shipping for adiClub members	Pelletized TPU foam midsole delivering maximum energy return and soft upper comfort.
#4 Brooks	8.0/10	$150	Ghost 16 MSRP standard shipping free on orders over $100	Dependable traditional running shoe with soft nitrogen infused foam cushioning.
#5 ASICS	7.7/10	$140	GEL-Cumulus 26 MSRP standard shipping free for OneASICS members	Smooth riding neutral trainer featuring internal GEL pads and lightweight foam.

Sources: HOKA pricing · Nike pricing · adidas pricing · Brooks pricing · ASICS pricing

How to choose shoes

Scored against our published weighted rubric. We start every category the same way: build a shortlist from the brands buyers actually consider, price each one on the plan a typical buyer would choose, then score against the published rubric rather than a feature checklist supplied by the vendor.

Maximal cushion balance that protects joints during high volume training runs.

Watch the second term. Foam loses responsiveness around 350 miles causing noticeable loss of energy return before outsole rubber wears down. Where a brand advertises a promotional rate, the renewal figure is shown in the comparison table above and repeated on the brand’s review page.

Frequently asked questions

How does Selectopicks rank shoes?

Each brand is scored against the same weighted rubric: performance 30%, features 25%, value 25%, support and trust 20%. Scores are set before any commercial team sees the article, and commission rates are never visible to the editorial desk.

Is the cheapest option the best choice?

Not automatically. Foam loses responsiveness around 350 miles causing noticeable loss of energy return before outsole rubber wears down.

How often is this page updated?

Pricing and plan details are re-verified at least every 90 days. This page was last verified on 13 September 2026.

Guides for this category

Do You Need Carbon Plated Running ShoesCarbon plated running shoes increase running economy by 4 percent for fast racers but increase calf strain and plantar pressure during slow daily training.
Running Shoe Return Policies ExplainedNike and HOKA allow 30 day wear tests on dirty shoes while adidas requires pristine condition. Knowing brand return policies protects your money.
When to Replace Running ShoesRunning shoe foam breaks down between 300 and 500 miles regardless of how clean the rubber outsole looks. Replacing shoes based on midsole compression prevents joint strain.

How this ranking was produced

Scores are produced by the Selectopicks test desk against our published methodology. Entries marked as draft are visible here for transparency but carry no score and no pricing claim until verification is complete.