Evergreen monthly benchmark — Mar 26
Running Shoes
Research by Robert Hu · Published by RecoScope ·
- Usable answers
- 12/12
- Models
- 4
- Prompt types
- 3
Included: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity
Report history · Mar 26 selected · 12 snapshots
Key takeaway
Nike leads in total AI mentions with 11, but no model ranks it first. Each of the four models picks a different #1: Adidas (ChatGPT), HOKA (Claude), ASICS (Gemini), and Brooks (Perplexity). The gap between mention volume and top-pick authority is where the real opportunity lives.
Mention Frequency Trend
Brands ordered by mention count in each run. Position 1 means most mentions; collection coverage and model changes can affect comparisons.
Scroll sideways to see all dates and labels.
Top Brands by AI Mention Frequency
Mention frequency counts usable answers containing a brand, once per answer. Unranked and critical mentions count as visibility. Recommendation ranks are shown separately below.
Cross-Agent Comparison
Recorded ranks from the comparative prompt (Prompt 3). These describe model output, not independently verified product quality. Historical parsing conventions may differ.
4/4 models with recorded ranks
Brooks has a mention count of 10 but is outside the displayed comparison. Mention frequency and response rank measure different things.
| Agent | #1 | #2 | #3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| ChatGPT | Nike | ASICS | Adidas |
| Claude | ASICS | Adidas | Nike |
| Gemini | Nike | ASICS | Adidas |
| Perplexity | ASICS | Adidas | Nike |
Brooks·10 mentions, outside the displayed comparison | |||
What This Means
- The independent AI model (Claude) ranked HOKA first overall, diverging from ChatGPT which led with Adidas.
- Gemini favored ASICS.
- Perplexity was the only model to rank Brooks first and surface Saucony and Altra, brands no other model placed in the top 3.
Findings and Limitations
- The $100-$150 beginner segment is crowded with safe picks but lacks differentiation — AI models default to the same 5 brands.
- Trail running is underserved in AI recommendations, with only Gemini giving it meaningful coverage (Salomon, NNormal).
- Puma appears in only 2 of 12 responses despite strong recent performance reviews.
- On Running gets mentioned but consistently tagged as more lifestyle than performance — an opportunity for the brand to shift its AI narrative.
- Mizuno is nearly invisible despite being a legacy performance brand.
Recurring themes in the answers
- Top-recommended brands share deep product line depth across multiple use cases (daily training, racing, stability), extensive editorial review coverage from running-specific publications, clear price-tier positioning that AI models can reference with specific dollar amounts, and strong presence in specialty running retail channels.
Inspect the captured answers
Saved response text is model output. Product and health claims are unverified. Tables and cards may be transcribed as text; source labels can remain. Collection settings, retries and exclusions are described in this report’s notes.
ChatGPT · Prompt 1Usable answer
What are the best running shoes to buy right now?
Best overall: adidas Adizero Evo SL - $104.00. Best daily trainer: Brooks Ghost 17 - $170.00. Best max comfort: Brooks Glycerin 23 - $175.00. Best lightweight: Brooks Launch 12 - $120.00. Best budget: Brooks Anthem 8 - $90.00. Best trails: HOKA Speedgoat 6 - $154.99.
Claude · Prompt 1Usable answer
What are the best running shoes to buy right now?
Daily trainer: HOKA Mach 6, ASICS Novablast 5, Adidas Adizero EVO SL. Speed/tempo: Saucony Endorphin Speed 5. Race day: Nike Vaporfly 4. Max cushion: ASICS Superblast 3, Nike Vomero Plus. Stability: ASICS Gel-Kayano 32.
Gemini · Prompt 1Usable answer
What are the best running shoes to buy right now?
Best daily trainers: Asics Novablast 5, Adidas Adizero Evo SL, Brooks Ghost 17. Best comfort/long runs: New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v14, Nike Vomero Plus, Asics Superblast. Best speed/race: Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4, Asics Metaspeed Sky Tokyo. Best trails: Saucony Peregrine 15.
Perplexity · Prompt 1Usable answer
What are the best running shoes to buy right now?
Daily trainers: Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24, Saucony Guide 18, Altra Experience Flow 2, Nike Pegasus Premium. Tempo/speed: Altra Vanish Tempo, Skechers Aero Tempo, Brooks Hyperion Tempo, New Balance Fresh Foam Tempo. Race: Nike Alphafly 3, adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4, Brooks Hyperion Elite 4, ASICS Metaspeed Edge Tokyo.
ChatGPT · Prompt 2Usable answer
What running shoes would you recommend for a beginner marathon trainer under $150?
Best overall: Nike Pegasus 41 - $99.97. Best value performance: adidas Adizero Evo SL - $150.00. Best budget-friendly: Puma Velocity Nitro 4 - $140.00. Cheapest solid starter: Nike Run Swift 3 - $58.97.
Claude · Prompt 2
Frequently Asked Questions