Top 3 best cheap running shoes 2025

These are the greatest affordable running shoes in terms of comfort, value, and durability. They offer excellent performance at a reasonable price.

Shoes for running can be purchased for less than $100. particularly if you’re not racing competitively or trying to set records.

We developed the best choices in many categories after evaluating inexpensive running shoes in our lab and on test runs. We have alternatives that emphasize style, comfort, durability, or a combination of all three, depending on what matters most to you in running shoes.

Additionally, we inform you of all the RunRepeat features that can assist you in finding a great deal, such as price history, price email alerts, and discount filters.

Best cheap running shoes for long distance: Saucony Axon 3
Cheap running shoes with the best cushioning: nike winflo 11
Cheap running shoes for all-day wear: nike interact run

Best cheap running shoes for long distance

Saucony Axon 3

The Saucony Axon 3 is an excellent choice for those on a tight budget who want a shoe designed for long distance running. It is an obvious choice for our best low-cost long-distance shoe because of its superior cushioning, lightweight design, and outstanding longevity in our lab and run tests.

At only $100, it is far less than the daily trainer average of $130. In spite of its modest cost, it weighs less than usual and has a lot more padding. Rarely do both aspects work together, but Axon 3 did. Compared to the average of 9.4 oz (266 g) for road-running shoes, our scales indicate that it weighs only 8.6 oz (244 g).

Its forefoot has 3.2 mm more foam than typical, according to our measurements, which provides us with additional protection during longer runs, particularly for forefoot strikers. Our durometer confirms an 18.3 HA measurement, which is 22.5% below normal, and the cushion feels soft underfoot.

The outsole demonstrated dependable grip and hardly showed any visible degradation after several test runs. Axon 3’s usage of rubber that is 3.5% harder and 0.7 mm thicker than typical demonstrates its ability to withstand the rigors of multiple training blocks.

For runners looking for a flexible shoe with a natural feel, we do not suggest the Axon 3. Both longitudinally and torsionally, this shoe is fairly stiff.

Cheap running shoes with the best cushioning

Nike Winflo 11

The Nike Winflo 11 provides a luxury sensation and a long-lasting outsole at an affordable $105 price point. It is incredibly comfortable for all-day wear thanks to its thick, breathable upper and soft underfoot feel. It’s our top choice for a low-cost, cushioned running shoe based on lab analysis and real wear testing.

The Winflo 11 is reasonably priced, yet it has a lot of cushioning. In addition to its enormous 37.6 mm heel stack, it has a full-length Air unit that adds some bounce and softness for a smoother ride. Our durometer verified our intuition, showing that the foam is 35.0% softer than usual, guaranteeing comfort over extended use.

You can feel the softness of the upper as well. However, the shoe is well-ventilated, which is not what we anticipated. Its outstanding 4/5 breathability rating in our smoke test astounded us.

It strikes a mix between hardness and tenderness underneath. The durable 93.0 HC rubber in our durometer exhibits little symptoms of wear after testing, indicating its resistance to wear.

The drawback of a strong outsoled shoe with good cushioning is that it weighs 10.4 ounces (295 grams). For runners who want light trainers, we do not suggest this pair.

Cheap running shoes for all-day wear

Nike Interact Run

The Nike Interact Run was the greatest all-day running shoe because it was kind on our feet and wallets. Despite costing $85.00, it has the high-end, soft, and airy Flyknit upper. Because of its flexibility and light weight, our lab demonstrates that it is a very adaptable shoe that is ideal for everyday activities and casual runs.

When slipping on, the upper’s comfort is immediately apparent; it feels light to the touch and airy on the foot. A dense Flyknit material with ventilation holes for unrestricted airflow is seen under our lens. With a breathability score of five out of five, our lab results support our observations. With a flawless durability score, Interact Run defies the norm, as most shoes perform opposite in terms of resilience.

Adding to its weightless feel is its actual light 8.5 oz (241g) build, 9.1% below average. This is mostly attributed to its minimal cushioning, which also leads to higher flexibility. True enough, it emerged 50.2% less resistant than average in our bend test, making it comfortable for daily walks and errands.

However, we find the cushioning lacks support and energy return. We recommend more serious runners to invest in other shoes.