Hours of lab tests and miles of running showed us that the Nike Downshifter 13 is the ultimate cheap running shoe. At only $75, it’s way below the $100 budget and boasts remarkable durability for a longer shoe lifespan. Additionally, its flexibility and breathable nature create a sense of effortlessness in our ride.

The Downshifter 13 delivered outstanding resilience and toughness in our lab, even beating its more expensive counterparts. Our durometer reveals a high 90.5 HC reading vs. the 80.1 HC average, indicative of its strength. It even conquered our abrasive Dremel with only minor damage, proving it’s built to last.

The midsole displays amazing versatility, making it easy for us to move naturally. Our bend test confirms its flexibility by needing 39.7% less force than average to bend to 90 degrees. 

Above our feet lies a light and perforated upper that allows seamless airflow. We undeniably enjoyed the cool sensation in our runs, which our smoke test mirrors with an impressive 4/5 rating.

However, while the ride feels smooth, it lacks spark. Those who crave an exciting ride will be satisfied with other models.

Runners looking for a budget shoe built for long distances can't go wrong with Saucony Axon 3. It boasts premium cushioning, a light build, and exceptional durability in our lab and run trials, making it an easy pick for our top cheap long-distance shoe.

At just $100, it falls significantly below the $130 average of daily trainers. Despite its low price point, it has much more cushion and less weight than usual. Both features rarely go together, but Axon 3 made it happen. Our scales show it’s only 8.6 oz (244g) vs. the 9.4 oz (266g) average of road-running shoes.

We measured its forefoot to have 3.2 mm more foam than average, which gives us extra protection on longer runs, especially for forefoot strikers. The cushion feels soft underfoot and our durometer confirms an 18.3 HA measurement, 22.5% below average. 

After repetitive test runs, the outsole displayed reliable grip and barely showed visual signs of wear. Axon 3 proves it can take the beating of several training blocks as it uses rubber that’s 0.7 mm thicker and 3.5% harder than average.

However, we don't recommend the Axon 3 for runners in search of a flexible shoe for that natural feel. This shoe is quite rigid torsionally and longitudinally.

At an affordable $110, there’s nothing like the ASICS GT 1000 13. It inspires confidence through steady arch support most comfortably and naturally. It's built to last, making it an excellent value compared to the $141 average for stability shoes. Our lab tests and runs found that this cheap running shoe performs best for flat feet.

The Flytefoam perfectly blends impact protection and support by making the stack a well-cushioned 33.7/25.0 mm that’s made of a balanced 22.5 HA foam. Meanwhile, the PureGEL technology in the heel enhances softer landings for added comfort.

This shoe also has mild stability elements such as the 3D Guidance System, midsole sidewalls, and heel reinforcements to ensure steady strides. Despite the structural stiffness, the ride still feels versatile and pleasant since it bends without restrictions. Our 90-degree bend test confirms it’s 50.0% more flexible than average—a stark contrast vs. traditional stiff counterparts.

The AHAR outsole’s durability is very impressive and offers great value for money. Our durometer reading shows it’s a high 85.1 HC and it resisted our Dremel bravely with a minimal 0.7 mm dent, cementing its toughness.

This shoe ticks many boxes, yet speed isn’t one of them. More advanced runners may find the midsole’s lack of energy underwhelming.

Low price and weight plus high versatility and support perfectly sum up the ASICS Gel Pulse 15 experience as confirmed by our lab and runs. At $100, it offers the comfort, stability, and effortless ride we expect from a more premium shoe. It’s light on the feet and in the pocket—making it our top lightweight cheap running shoe.

Its 8.4 oz (237g) build feels easy on the feet as it’s lighter than the 9.4 oz (265g) average road-running shoe. Its midsole offers minimal resistance and adapts to our every move, as validated by our flex test with 26.1% better bendability than average. Its natural feel makes it versatile for walking and other daily activities.

Its 21.0 HA cushion feels soft, protective, and surprisingly stable. With a caliper in hand, we found the midsole stabilizes our landings with its wide 118.8/97.9 mm base. The light shoe, flexible build, and soft cushion combo lead to a comfortable and enjoyable ride. However, the midsole will feel limiting to those who crave a responsive ride. We believe this shoe shines best on easy paces.

At an accessible $105 price point, the Nike Winflo 11 offers a luxurious experience and a lasting outsole. Its thick, breathable upper and plush underfoot feel make it exceptionally comfortable for all-day wear. After conducting actual wear tests and lab analysis, it’s our best cushioned cheap running shoe pick.

Despite being a budget-friendly shoe, the Winflo 11 is generously cushioned. Besides its massive 37.6 mm heel stack, it features a full-length Air unit that enhances the overall softness with some bounce for a more effortless ride. Our durometer confirmed what we felt: the foam measures 35.0% softer than average, ensuring comfort for long hours.

Even the upper feels soft to the touch. Yet contrary to what we expected, the shoe is well-ventilated. We were amazed when it received a remarkable 4/5 breathability rating in our smoke test.

Underneath, it balances softness with toughness. Our durometer shows a robust 93.0 HC rubber that resists wear, evidenced by its minimal signs of use post-testing.

However, the downside of a well-cushioned shoe with a solid outsole is a heavier weight of 10.4 oz (295g). We don’t recommend this pair to runners who prefer light trainers.

Among cheap running shoes, the Nike Interact Run was kind to our feet and finances, making it the best for all-day wear. It features the premium, plush, and airy Flyknit upper despite being an $85 shoe. Our lab confirms it’s an exceptionally versatile shoe that’s great for casual runs and daily activities because of its lightness and flexibility.

The upper’s comfort is prominent upon slip-on, feeling soft to the touch and breezy on the foot. Our microscope reveals a dense Flyknit material that’s dotted with ventilation holes for free airflow. Our lab results align with our observations, earning a 5/5 breathability score. While most shoes perform inversely for resilience, Interact Run breaks the norm with a perfect durability score.

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.

With its excellent cushioning and impressive breathability, the Asics Gel Venture 9 is a noteworthy beast on the trails. With a surprisingly low price tag, the Asics Gel Venture 9 is the best cheap trail running shoe.

At a jaw-dropping price of 80 USD, it is tough to find a better shoe at the same price point. It provides insane value in having a versatile shoe to handle trail running, hiking, or even road running in a pinch.

We measured the heel stack of the Gel Venture 9 to be at 33.3 mm—more than the 31.7 mm average stack height of trail running shoes. Additionally, when we pressed our durometer against the midsole foam, it found the foam to be 10.87% softer than average—all contributing to comfortable cushioning while tackling the trails.

The Asics Gel Venture 9 has a well-ventilated mesh upper. We tested the shoe’s breathability by pumping smoke inside the shoe. The smoke effortlessly passed through the material, garnering a well-deserved score of 4/5. Trail running even in hot weather is definitely not a problem with these shoes.

While it does provide great value, the upper's durability is a weakness. It scored a poor 1/5 on our Dremel test. Trail runners may want to look at other options for trail running shoes with more durable uppers.