I have long wondered whether artificial intelligence can help you choose running shoes. Since AI is supposed to be aware of all written information, it is said that it should know the right answer, but if it doesn’t, we have asked the wrong question.
Let’s accept that this is the case. But the problem with that is that you can’t always judge whether the answer is the right one, if you knew the right answer you wouldn’t ask the AI.
Since I use ChatGPT a lot, I thought I have enough knowledge and experience to ask the right questions, and on the topic of running shoe choice, I might be able to decide if I get the right answer.
I thought of a running shoe before I started the promotion, and I promoted it all the time in the hope that I would get an answer by the end.
I also planned, before I started, that whatever the outcome of my attempt, I would write it down and that I would face it with the detailed running shoe search on our site.
I used the paid version 4.0 of ChatGPT, since it has the latest information (the shoe I was thinking of has been available for almost a year).
ChatGPT, has over 150 personalities, and before you can promote, you need to put in the personality closest to the topic of the question. For example, if you want to have him write a professional article, you should say “you are a journalist”, or if you want to have him write a marketing plan, you should start with “you are a marketing professional”. Unfortunately, among the 150+ characters, I couldn’t find anything close to the topic of running shoe choice, so I left that out.
Another simple trick is to write the promt with the AI. To do this, we just ask it to ask us a few questions, and once we answer them, we’ve written the perfect promt.
So I started like this:
Here are the 10 questions, with a little bit of rounding off (you can avoid the latter by writing “do not explain” at the end of the question)
- How often do you plan to run? (e.g. several times a week, occasionally, for races, etc.)
- What distances do you run?
- What kind of terrain will you most likely run on? (Asphalt, cross-country, track, etc.)
- Do you have any foot or joint problems to consider? (e.g. flat feet, knee pain, etc.)
- What is the shape and width of your feet? (Narrow, normal, wide)
- What is your running technique? (e.g., does he land on heel, midfoot, toe-off)
- What is your body weight? (This may affect the need for cushioning in the shoe.)
- What size shoes do you usually wear?
- Do you have a preferred brand or model that you have used and liked in the past?
- What price range do you prefer to buy shoes in?
The answers to these questions will help you narrow down your options and find the perfect running shoes for you.
Correct questions, and not too difficult ones either, you don’t need much experience to answer them. I would have asked a few more questions that might have been important, but you left out a very important one, which I’ll clarify later, but without rushing ahead, here are my answers:
- I run on average 4 times a week, 60-70 km in total
- I run 15-20 km per day
- I will run on asphalt
- I’m a minor bronze medallist and I’ve had ITB injuries before
- I have a normal foot width
- most of the time I come in toe to toe or midfoot
- I am 63 Kg 171 cm tall
- my normal shoe size is a 41 but I usually buy a 42 for running shoes
- I don’t have a preferred shoe brand
- I would spend a maximum of 200 € on this running shoe
I was completely honest, but I made a deliberate promotional error. I let myself misspeak, so I wasn’t surprised to get a clouded response that was effectively a retraction of my answer:
Thank you for the detailed information, based on which I suggest the following points to consider when choosing running shoes:
- Cushioning and flexibility: As you run several times a week and for relatively long distances, it is important to choose a well-cushioned yet flexible shoe that absorbs the shock of running on asphalt.
- Pronation support: Given the slight pronation, it is a good idea to choose a shoe that stabilizes the foot and provides adequate support, especially if you have a history of ITB injury.
- Leg support and comfort: As you have a normal width foot, most standard sized shoes may be suitable. A size 42 may be a good choice, as running shoes are often smaller than your usual size.
- Running Technique: Since you tend to land more on your toe or midfoot, you should choose a shoe that has good traction and supports natural foot movement.
- Value for money: For a budget of 200 €, you can find high-quality, brand-name running shoes that meet the above criteria.
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Recommended brands include Asics, Nike, Adidas, Brooks, or Saucony, all of which offer different models based on the criteria mentioned above. I recommend trying on several models in specialized stores to find the one that is most comfortable and fits your feet best.
I let him misspeak, so I asked nicely that I expect a concrete answer and I also added the incantation “Don’t hallucinate!”. It would be long to fully explain, but most AIs like to hallucinate. You can change this in the ChatGPT settings anyway, but you can also regulate it with this simple command. And here I also gave him the opportunity to ask more questions, in case he asks the important question I alluded to earlier.
And there you have it, specific suggestions:
Thanks for the clarification, and I understand you want specific shoe recommendations. Based on the information you have provided, and taking into account your needs and preferences, here are some specific running shoes that may suit you:
- Asics Gel-Kayano: This may be an excellent choice for mild pronating runners. It provides stability and good cushioning, especially for long distance runs.
- Brooks Adrenaline GTS: This is another stable running shoe specifically designed for pronation support. Comfortable and durable, it is ideal for long distance asphalt running.
- Nike Air Zoom Structure: This model provides stability and support while still being flexible and comfortable. It adapts well to the foot and may be a good choice for you.
- Saucony Guide: This is another stabilizing running shoe that may be a good choice for mild pronators. It has excellent cushioning and can help prevent running injuries.
- Mizuno Wave Inspire: This is a lightweight yet stable running shoe that provides excellent support and helps to keep the foot correctly aligned.
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All of the models mentioned can be excellent for you, taking into account your specific needs such as running frequency, distance, terrain, pronation tendencies and injury history. I recommend trying several models and choosing the one that feels most comfortable and fits your foot best, including size and shape.
Your choice is completely fair, with 5 running shoes recommended to match my answers. If he had asked that important question at the beginning, or if he had taken the opportunity I gave him to ask more questions, I’m sure he wouldn’t have recommended these, but let’s move on.
Since I felt I had misled him a bit by writing that I was slightly pronating (which is true, by the way, he just took it very seriously), I asked him to give me some non-stable running shoe suggestions as well:
Thanks, that’s a much more perfect answer. Please also recommend shoes where stability is not an issue. Stop hallucinating!
I got a perfectly fair answer to that and running shoes:
Of course, given that stability is not a primary concern, here are some running shoes that focus more on comfort, flexibility and the natural experience of running:
- Nike Air Zoom Pegasus: This is one of Nike’s most popular models, serving as a universal, cushioned running shoe. Lightweight, flexible, and offering excellent overall performance, it can be an ideal choice for long distance runs on asphalt.
- Adidas Ultraboost: The Ultraboost is renowned for its comfortable, energy-returning sole that provides great flexibility and cushioning. This model is particularly popular with runners due to its high comfort level.
- Asics Gel-Nimbus: This model offers excellent cushioning and comfort, especially for those who prefer a softer running feel. The Gel-Nimbus can be an ideal choice for long runs and to protect the foot on asphalt.
- Saucony Ride: The Saucony Ride is another great cushioned running shoe that offers comfort and flexibility. It is suitable for long distance runs on asphalt and can be a great choice for toe-to-toe or mid-foot running.
- Hoka One One Clifton:The Hoka One One Clifton is highly cushioned yet surprisingly lightweight, making it a great choice for those who prefer maximum cushioning and comfort.
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These models may not necessarily be considered “stable” shoes, but they do provide excellent cushioning, comfort and flexibility, which can make them perfect for long runs on asphalt. I always recommend trying the shoes on in person to find the best fit and feel.
As fair as the response is and recommended the right shoes for the request, I added the one thing to my promt that I really missed, and that is the type of running shoes I am looking for:
I’d like a little more clarification on my needs. You want a running shoe for which my answers to your questions above are true, but should be versatile, allow you to run faster runs as well as slower relaxing runs, be dynamic and well-cushioned but not too heavy, and not have a carbon plate in the midsole, because I prefer more flexible running shoes. With these in mind, which running shoes would you recommend. Stop hallucinating!
He also recommended very good concrete running shoes and we are much closer to what I had in mind. The problem is that he didn’t ask me that one cardinal question on his own, I had to lead him to it. If I’m not experienced in the subject, I don’t know the otherwise good answers, I wouldn’t have been able to guide him in such depth…
Based on the criteria you provided, which include versatility, dynamic and flexibility, and good cushioning without the shoe being too heavy or carbon-plated, I recommend the following running shoes:
- Nike Zoom Pegasus Turbo 2: This shoe is lightweight yet highly cushioned, making it ideal for faster runs. The ZoomX foam material provides energetic and flexible feedback, while there is no carbon plate.
- Adidas SL20: This shoe is lightweight and dynamic with Lightstrike midfoot cushioning for good energy return and flexibility. It can be an excellent choice for faster paced runs as well as long, relaxing runs.
- Brooks Ghost: The Brooks Ghost provides excellent overall cushioning and comfort. Dynamic and versatile, it’s suitable for runs at different paces.
- Saucony Kinvara: The Kinvara is known for its lightweight and flexible feel. It has no carbon plate and can be an excellent choice for both faster and slower runs.
- Hoka One One Rincon: The Rincon is another lightweight but well-cushioned shoe that allows for dynamic running without being heavy. It can fit well for faster and longer, relaxing runs.
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These models are excellent for comfort, flexibility and versatility and are suitable for runs at different speeds. I recommend trying on several models to find the best fit that comfortably fits your feet and suits your running style.
Of course, I could have gone further with it, even asking about prices, specific stores where the shoes are available, but I think that’s enough to answer the question in the title. But before I sum up, I exchanged two messages with him.
First, I told him which running shoes I was thinking of:
thank you! I was thinking of the Asics Superblast running shoe, but your suggestions aren’t bad either
I was quickly confirmed back that it was a good choice, meeting all the criteria discussed above:
Glad I could help! The Asics Superblast is also an excellent choice. This is a relatively new model from Asics that is known for its high level of cushioning and energetic running experience. Its features include light weight, a flexible and responsive midsole, and a comfortable upper, all ingredients that make it a versatile and dynamic running shoe.
It’s always a good idea to consider multiple models, as each runner has unique needs and preferences. Trying out Superblast, as well as the models I mentioned, can help you find the perfect shoe that best suits your running style and needs. I wish you good luck and enjoyable runs in your new shoes!
Since I’m lazy and cumbersome in searching for pictures, I honestly confessed to him that I did it all for the sake of a post and to generate a picture for me for the article, the result of which you can see at the top of the post, I think it didn’t turn out bad.
I’d like to reply to the above topic “Can AI help you choose running shoes?” please provide a suggested image
And, not to leave the question “Can AI help you choose running shoes?” unanswered, I think the answer is yes, if you can promote it well and if you are familiar with the topic. This is just a summary, a help to bring out the knowledge I have in my head anyway. For inexperienced runners, for runners less familiar with running shoes, this is not the best way to choose running shoes. Instead, go into a specialist running shoe shop and ask the sales staff for help (or use the detailed running shoe search)
As promised, I’ll contrast the AI running shoe selection procedure with our detailed running shoe finder where you can set the answers to 12 questions (you don’t have to answer all 12). The questions and conditions are surprisingly similar to the AI questions, worth a try.
I set the same answers and Superblast 😊
