Finding a good running shoe doesn't have to mean spending a lot. These days, some cheap models can offer similar value compared to more expensive models. While there are some trade-offs, when looking at budget shoes, you'll want to consider the following:
- Price: What counts as cheap varies with your budget and where you shop. Choosing a budget model can mean substantial savings. Sales and second-hand pairs can also help you get a good shoe for less, as can looking beyond the usual retailers to sites like Shopnings or AliExpress for affordable models from Chinese brands. Ordering these shoes can be less straightforward, though, and delivery to Western countries often takes longer.
- Cushioning: How well the shoe absorbs the impact of each landing. Some inexpensive foams offer less protection as the miles add up, so if you’re planning longer runs, check our long-run cushioning test to see how well they hold up. Heavier runners should also check how the cushioning performs under higher loads.
- Stability: How steady the shoe feels when you land. Some shoes are stable by design, thanks to a lower stack and firmer foam, which is common in affordable shoes. Support shoes add dedicated features to help guide your foot. These features often come at a higher price. If a medical professional has told you that you overpronate and need extra guidance, look for a support shoe.
- Weight: Lighter shoes feel easier to lift when you pick up the pace. Most cheap models are fairly heavy, partly because they often use inexpensive foams that usually weigh more than premium foams. Some stay light by using less cushioning, which can feel harsher underfoot. For relaxed miles, a little extra weight can be worthwhile if it gets you better cushioning.
- Energy return: How much energy the foam gives back after your foot compresses it. Basic foams often return less energy than premium materials, so cheaper shoes may provide less help pushing you forward at faster paces. For easy running, extra rebound can add a little fun, but cushioning and stability should still come first.
We've tested over 300 running shoes across a wide range of prices. Below are our picks for the best cheap running shoes.
If money is no object, you can check out picks for the best running shoes. If you're looking for long-run specific shoes, check out our picks for the best long-distance running shoes. If your priority is comfort, explore our picks for the most comfortable running shoes.
We've bought and tested more than 300 running shoes. Every pair purchased with our own money, never supplied or sponsored by brands. Our data-driven tests are designed to go beyond marketing claims, and since every shoe goes through the exact same methodology, you can directly compare results to find the right pair for your needs.
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Best Cheap Running Shoes
Cushioning7.3Stability8.4True To Size8.9Energy Return6.8Weight:296.7 g (10.47 oz)Heel Stack Height:44.3 mmHeel-To-Toe Drop:12.5 mmSee all our test resultsPlate:NoneThe Nike Winflo 12 is the best cheap running shoe we've tested. This shoe offers a dependable ride and is suitable for daily training, making it a solid option if price is a factor. If you're familiar with Nike's lineup, you will notice that it's a more affordable take on the higher-end, well-cushioned Nike Vomero Plus. However, at this price point, you'll have to make some sacrifices. The Winflo 12 is less cushioned and energetic, so it can feel harsher underfoot and won't help propel you forward as much. Still, for its price, there's enough cushioning for everyday miles and enough spring underfoot to keep the ride lively, while its firmer foam provides a reassuringly stable feel.
It's also on the heavy side, so it's best suited for relaxed paces, and its midsole becomes less protective over very long distances. For shorter everyday training, though, it covers the essentials well. At this price point, its balance of cushioning, stability, and energy return is hard to beat, making it our top cheap shoe for most runners.
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Best Cheapest Running Shoes
Cushioning5.0Stability8.5True To Size9.4Energy Return3.9Weight:258.9 g (9.13 oz)Heel Stack Height:33.0 mmHeel-To-Toe Drop:10.1 mmSee all our test resultsPlate:NoneIf keeping the price as low as possible is your priority, consider the Nike Run Defy. Like many shoes at this price point, it uses more basic materials to keep costs down, which can mean a harsher feel underfoot and a shorter lifespan. Compared to the Nike Winflo 12, though, it has a lighter build that feels more nimble, making it a practical option for occasional short runs, sessions that mix running and walking, and everyday exercise.
However, that lighter build comes with much less foam underfoot. Less foam means less impact protection, which will affect your comfort if you're running longer distances. The duller ride also makes running feel more draining because the foam provides little spring as you push off, so you get less help moving forward. For occasional exercise and short, relaxed runs, though, it still gets the job done at a very low price.
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Best Cheap Running Shoes For Beginners
Cushioning7.2Stability8.2True To Size9.3Energy Return4.7Weight:269.9 g (9.52 oz)Heel Stack Height:41.3 mmHeel-To-Toe Drop:9.6 mmSee all our test resultsPlate:NoneIf you're new to the sport and still working on your running form, the ASICS DYNABLAST 6 provides a steady base as you land and helps you roll smoothly into your next stride. It's lighter than our top pick, the Nike Winflo 12, and has a more effective rocker that guides you toward your toes, making the transition from landing to push-off feel smoother. Its heel cushioning also absorbs higher impacts well, helping soften your landings if you strike the ground heel first, which is common for beginners.
It feels much less springy than our top pick, so you get less help pushing forward, but if you're just starting out, building steady mileage should take priority over speed. In our simulated long-run test, we noticed the cushioning holds up over time, so your legs stay protected from impact as you gradually extend your runs. That makes it a great value for a first pair, as you can build a consistent running routine without needing to buy a more expensive trainer right away.
For more options as you get started, check out our top picks for beginner runners.
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Best Cheap Running Shoes For Wide Feet
Cushioning5.5Stability8.5True To Size9.8Energy Return4.2Weight:256.1 g (9.03 oz)Heel Stack Height:36.8 mmHeel-To-Toe Drop:6.5 mmSee all our test resultsPlate:NoneIf you need more room than a standard running shoe offers, the New Balance Fresh Foam 520v9 is our pick. It comes in standard, wide, and extra-wide versions for both men and women. Few shoes at this price offer so many widths, so it offers the best value for those with very wide feet. That's also one more width option than our top pick, the Nike Winflo 12, which comes in regular and wide. Keep in mind that your feet can swell as you run, so having a bit of extra room helps keep the fit comfortable.
Compared with the Winflo, the New Balance provides substantially less cushioning and rebound. This can leave your legs feeling more beat up as the miles add up and make running feel more draining. It's best suited to shorter, easy runs and walking, particularly if finding enough room for your feet is your main concern.
For more options, browse our table of running shoes we've tested that are available in wide sizes.
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Best Cheap Running Shoes For Stability
Cushioning5.0Stability8.1True To Size9.4Energy Return1.8Weight:266.6 g (9.40 oz)Heel Stack Height:36.0 mmHeel-To-Toe Drop:9.2 mmSee all our test resultsPlate:NoneIf you overpronate, meaning your feet roll too far inward, the ASICS GT-1000 15 offers dedicated support at an accessible price. Shoes with these guidance features usually cost considerably more, making it our best-value pick if you need extra support on a tight budget. It has a wide outsole to help you land steadily, with a midsole that rises around the heel and midfoot to cradle your foot. As the cushioning compresses under your weight, those raised edges brace your foot against excessive inward rolling, helping keep it centered.
Compared with our top pick, the Nike Winflo 12, the GT-1000 provides substantially less cushioning and rebound, making it better suited to shorter, easy runs. If you simply want a shoe that feels steady without dedicated guidance for your stride, the Winflo remains the better choice.
For more shoes with a steady feel underfoot, check out our picks for the best stability running shoes.
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Best Cheap Running Shoes For Faster Running
Cushioning6.3Stability7.9True To Size9.4Energy Return7.9Weight:209.0 g (7.37 oz)Heel Stack Height:33.1 mmHeel-To-Toe Drop:5.8 mmSee all our test resultsPlate:NoneIf you want to pick up the pace in training or test your limits in a race, the adidas Zenboost is our pick for faster running on a budget. It's much lighter than our top pick, the Nike Winflo 12, and gives you more spring as you push off, helping you pick up the pace during intervals, tempo runs, and shorter races. Its firm platform also helps you feel steady on your feet as the pace increases.
That said, it provides a lot less cushioning than the Nike, so it feels less forgiving as the miles add up. For shorter, faster efforts, though, its combination of low weight and lively rebound makes it an appealing way to push the pace without spending heavily.
For longer races, such as a marathon, consider a more cushioned option from our picks for the best marathon running shoes, but be aware that most of these options usually cost more money.
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Best Budget Running Shoes
Cushioning7.6Stability7.9True To Size8.4Energy Return7.8Weight:202.6 g (7.14 oz)Heel Stack Height:38.2 mmHeel-To-Toe Drop:10.1 mmSee all our test resultsPlate:Plastic ShankIf you can stretch your budget a bit, the PUMA Deviate Pure NITRO offers a more refined experience for your everyday training. Paying this higher price buys you a trainer that you can keep enjoying as you get fitter and your training becomes more demanding, without immediately feeling the need for something more performance-oriented. Compared with our pick for faster runs, the adidas Zenboost, it provides noticeably better cushioning while keeping a similarly light, energetic feel. That makes it a more complete option for combining easy mileage, longer steady outings, and faster workouts in one shoe.
It's also much lighter and livelier than our top pick, the Nike Winflo 12, with slightly better cushioning overall. In our tests, we noticed that the midsole becomes less effective at protecting your legs on longer runs, so it can feel harsher and less comfortable as the miles add up. It's still very comfortable for shorter, easy miles, though.
Notable Mentions
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ANTA C202 7:
The ANTA C202 7 is an affordable carbon-plated trainer offering strong value for workouts, faster long runs, and race day. It provides more cushioning and a snappier push-off than the adidas Zenboost, making it better suited to longer races. However, it costs more, and its softer heel feels less stable during relaxed mileage.
See our review -
adidas Questar 4:
The adidas Questar 4 is a simple and affordable daily trainer with decent cushioning and a stable feel for easy runs. Its cushioning is fairly on-par with the Nike Winflo 12, but it returns much less energy and offers less heel protection, leaving the ride flatter and less enjoyable when you pick up the pace.
See our review -
Dynafish Xiaonian:
The Dynafish Xiaonian comes from a Chinese brand and offers excellent value, with more cushioning and rebound than the PUMA Deviate Pure NITRO in an even lighter shoe. It works well across daily miles, long runs, and faster workouts, but its softer ride feels less stable. It can also be harder to find in Western markets, and delivery can take a while.
See our review -
adidas Runfalcon 6 CLOUDFOAM:
The adidas Runfalcon 6 CLOUDFOAM is an inexpensive everyday shoe for walking, gym sessions, and occasional short runs. Compared with the Nike Run Defy, it provides similarly limited cushioning but is slightly heavier and less energetic. Still, the adidas is worth considering if you can find it around the same price or for less.
See our review -
Li-Ning Red Hare 9 Ultra:
The Li-Ning Red Hare 9 Ultra offers runners on a budget much more cushioning and rebound than our top pick, the Nike Winflo 12, with protection that holds up exceptionally well through long runs. Its soft platform feels much less stable, though, and it can be harder to find in Western markets.
See our review
Recent Updates
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Oct 01, 2026 at 09:07 am:
We've updated this article with more affordable picks overall, including options for different needs, such as wide feet, stability, and faster running.
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Jul 27, 2026 at 08:45 am:
We've updated this article by replacing the adidas Supernova Rise 3 with the Saucony Triumph 23 as our best beginner pick. We've also revised the wording in every category box to provide more context about each shoe's intended use.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are based on what we consider the best budget running shoes currently available. We consider performance, value, availability, and the everyday reality for budget-conscious runners: some shoes only become bargains after the next version drops, while others are cheap in one region and prohibitively expensive in another. Availability matters too, because a great deal isn't much use if only three sizes are left and none of them are yours.
If you'd rather hunt for shoes on your own, our full running shoe review list is a great place to start. Ultimately, there's no universally perfect running shoe; the right pair comes down to what best serves your goals: comfort, support, speed, fit, price, or the trade-offs you're willing to make when you find a bargain in your size.