Best Running Shoes for someone who just started, no marathon talk

Every beginner running thread turn into the same argument. Half the people say shoes dont matter and half say you need a $200 carbon plate thing. Both wrong.

Here is what actually matter when your starting cushion, a bit of stability, and the right width for your foot. Thats it. The rest is marketing.

I went pretty deep on this, read through running forums, physio recommendations and few hundred reviews to figure out which pairs keep coming up for beginners.

https://grabwize.com/5-best-running-shoes-for-beginners-that-feel-effortless/#1

Short version below, the full comparison here got the sizing notes and prices for all six.

Brooks Ghost 16 ~best overall

The pair that shows up in basically every beginner list. Its boring in a good way. Cushion is soft but not marshmallow soft where you sink into it, and thats the balance you want. A good shoe is one you forget your wearing. Not cheap, and people mention the upper get warm in summer, but durability is the strong point most reviews put it around 400 miles before the foam feel dead.

ASICS Gel-Contend 8 budget pick under $100

If your not sure you gonna stick with running, dont drop $160 on shoes. This one keep getting recommended for 3-5 mile runs and the gel in the heel take some of the harshness out of landing. Heavier then the rest and the cushion flatten out around 250-300 miles, but for the price who cares. Its the obvious answer for "i wanna try running but i dont wanna spend money yet".

HOKA Clifton 9 most cushioned

These look ridiculous, like clown shoes, and thats the first thing everyone say. Then physios keep recommending them anyway. Its like running on a firm mattress. If your heavier build, or you got joint pain, or coming back from injury, this is the one that come up most. Downsides people mention alot narrow toe box and it feel a bit tippy on sharp corners.

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23 if your ankles roll in

If your foot collapse inward when you run (overpronation is the word) you want a stability shoe and this is the classic. Its been around forever for a reason. You dont feel it working, you just dont end up sore in weird places.

Two more that made the list New Balance Fresh Foam 880v14, which is the one for wide feet because NB do real wide sizes not fake wide, and the Saucony Ride 19 thats lighter and more responsive once you got few months behind you. Both explained properly in the full post.

Stuff worth knowing before you buy: go half size up because feet swell when you run, dont do 5 miles day one in brand new shoes, and replace them around 300-500 miles even when they still look fine outside. The foam is dead long before the outside look worn.

If anyone got a specific foot issue drop it below, someone here will know.