Best Running Shoes: Most Searched Running Shoes (2026)
Ranked by what people actually search
The best running shoes people search for most come from On, Hoka, Brooks and Asics. This page ranks running shoe brands by how many people search for each one every month, not by who pays us.
We may earn a commission from some links on this page. It never changes the order. Affiliate disclosure.
Running is the biggest shoe type in our data, at about 2.1 million searches a month across all running keywords. On, Hoka, Brooks, Asics, Altra and Saucony are counted with all their searches, since they’re mostly running brands. Nike, Adidas, Under Armour and New Balance are counted on running searches only.
Last updated: November 1, 2026
Running shoe brands, ranked by monthly searches
| Rank | Brand | Searches/mo |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | On Buy on Amazon | 1,151,800 |
| 02 | Hoka Buy on Amazon | 723,300 |
| 03 | Brooks Buy on Amazon | 424,300 |
| 04 | Asics Buy on Amazon | 420,200 |
| 05 | Nike (running) Buy on Amazon | 157,100 |
| 06 | Altra Buy on Amazon | 131,000 |
| 07 | Adidas (running) Buy on Amazon | 124,800 |
| 08 | Saucony Buy on Amazon | 105,500 |
| 09 | Under Armour (running) Buy on Amazon | 60,200 |
| 10 | New Balance (running) Buy on Amazon | 56,100 |
Searches/mo = estimated monthly US searches (Semrush, October 2026).
The top 10, with where to buy
1.On
On is a Swiss running brand founded in Zurich in 2010, known for its CloudTec cushioning with hollow “cloud” pods on the sole.
2.Hoka
Hoka started in France in 2009 and is known for thick, highly cushioned midsoles. It’s owned by Deckers Brands.
3.Brooks
Brooks is a Seattle running brand owned by Berkshire Hathaway. Its best-known shoes are the neutral Ghost and the stability Adrenaline GTS.
4.Asics
Asics is a Japanese brand from Kobe. The Gel-Kayano 14 is the running-style model people name most in this data, at about 100,700 searches a month across variants.
5.Nike (running)
This count is Nike’s running searches only. The Pegasus, Nike’s long-running everyday trainer, gets about 14,800 searches a month on its own.
6.Altra
Altra is known for zero-drop shoes (heel and forefoot at the same height) with a wide, foot-shaped toe box, and it’s popular with trail runners.
7.Adidas (running)
This count is Adidas running searches only, including the Adizero line. The Adizero Evo SL gets about 49,500 searches a month by itself.
8.Saucony
Saucony is one of the oldest running brands, founded in Pennsylvania in 1898. It’s owned by Wolverine World Wide.
9.Under Armour (running)
This count is Under Armour’s running searches only; its running line includes the HOVR shoes.
10.New Balance (running)
This count is New Balance running searches only. The Boston brand’s running line includes its Fresh Foam shoes.
Also popular: the running shoes people name
The models people search by name most in this data:
- Asics Gel-Kayano 14: about 100,700 searches a month across variants. Shop Gel-Kayano 14 on Amazon
- Adidas Adizero Evo SL: about 49,500 searches a month. Shop Adizero Evo SL on Amazon
- Nike Pegasus: about 14,800 searches a month. Shop Nike Pegasus on Amazon
How to choose running shoes
“How to choose running shoes” gets about 110,000 searches a month. The basics:
- Where you run. Road shoes are for pavement and treadmills. Trail shoes have grippier, lugged outsoles for dirt and rocks.
- Neutral or stability. Stability shoes, like the Brooks Adrenaline GTS and Asics Gel-Kayano, add support for runners whose feet roll inward. Neutral shoes, like the Brooks Ghost, don’t.
- Cushioning and drop. Hoka is known for max cushioning; Altra for zero drop. Check each shoe’s listed stack height and drop.
- Fit. Try them on later in the day and check the brand’s return policy, since sizing varies between brands.
Best trail running shoes
“Best trail running shoes” gets about 135,000 searches a month, as many as the main keyword, and “trail running shoes” adds 49,500. Hoka, Altra, Brooks, Saucony, Asics and On all make trail lines.
Shop trail running shoes on Amazon
Best running shoes for men and women
“Best running shoes for men” gets about 60,500 searches a month and “for women” about 40,500. Every brand above makes both.
Shop men’s running shoes on AmazonShop women’s running shoes on Amazon
Best running shoes for flat feet
“Best running shoes for flat feet” gets about 22,200 searches a month. Runners with flat feet often look at stability shoes, like the Brooks Adrenaline GTS or Asics Gel-Kayano. A podiatrist or a running store gait check can help you choose.
Shop stability running shoes on Amazon
Running shoe searches
| # | Search | Searches/mo |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | best running shoes | 135,000 |
| 02 | best trail running shoes | 135,000 |
| 03 | how to choose running shoes | 110,000 |
| 04 | best running shoes for men | 60,500 |
| 05 | trail running shoes | 49,500 |
| 06 | best running shoes for women | 40,500 |
| 07 | best running shoes for flat feet | 22,200 |
More shoe rankings
For trails without running, see hiking boots.
FAQ
What are the best running shoes right now?
By monthly US searches, On, Hoka, Brooks and Asics lead, followed by Nike running, Altra, Adidas running, Saucony, Under Armour running and New Balance running.
What is the most popular running shoe model?
The Asics Gel-Kayano 14, at about 100,700 searches a month across variants, followed by the Adidas Adizero Evo SL (49,500) and Nike Pegasus (14,800).
What are the best trail running shoes?
Hoka, Altra, Brooks, Saucony, Asics and On all make trail running shoes. Look for a grippy, lugged outsole.
What running shoes are good for flat feet?
Runners with flat feet often look at stability shoes, like the Brooks Adrenaline GTS or Asics Gel-Kayano. A gait check can help.
How do I choose running shoes?
Pick road or trail, neutral or stability, then cushioning and fit. Try them on and check the return policy.
How this list was made: ranked by estimated monthly US searches for each brand, with name and product variants added together (Semrush Keyword Magic Tool, US database, pulled October 2026). Search interest is not sales, and no brand is moved up or down because of affiliate links. Prices change often, so check the store for current pricing.
Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links, including Amazon links. As an Amazon Associate, What Are People Buying earns from qualifying purchases. That never changes the order, which comes from search data, and brands we can’t earn from stay on the list. Read our affiliate disclosure.