With their shock absorbing technology, grippy lugs and stabilising qualities, running shoes often come at a steep price – but there are some great options out there for those on a budget.
We’ve saved you time and effort by listing our favourite cheap running shoes below. They all come in at less than £100, and many are under £50, so you should be able to find a pair to suit your budget.
Some of them may only be cheap due to sale prices, so be quick if you want a bargain!
For a more general list of our favourite footwear for triathlon, see our guide to the best triathlon race-day run shoes.
Best budget road running shoes
New Balance 520v7
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New Balance’s 520v7 run shoes are designed to combine comfort and smart aesthetics, and they come in at under £50, so they’re worth considering if you’re on a budget.
The shoes have been constructed to provide support and include a soft midsole, moulded heel and adjustable lace closure to reduce impact and keep your foot secure as you run.
These affordable road running shoes are also said to provide plenty of grip and breathability thanks to their rubber outsole and synthetic textile upper.
They come in a range of smart, dark tones including black and navy.
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Kiprun Ultralight
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Although these budget running shoes feature a Nike-like swoosh and evoke the name of the brand’s sponsored runner Eluid Kipchoge, they’re actually from Decathlon’s own brand and have a wallet-friendly price tag.
Unlike many cheap running shoes, they’re comfortable to wear for long periods of time – even without socks – as the insides aren’t plagued by lots of scratchy seams.
Another big plus point is their lightweight construction; a size 10.5 weighs just 220g, which makes them ideal for intervals and 5km time trials. See our full Kiprun Ultralight shoe review for more information.
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Hoka Rincon 3
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Hoka’s Rincon 3 running shoes have an RRP of just over £100, but you can often find them at a significantly reduced price and grab yourself a bargain.
This is another lightweight option, coming in at around 200g – lighter than Hoka’s older Rincon 2 model. Although there’s extra cushioning and reinforcement around the midsole and outsole, the slim asymmetrical tongue and breathable mesh upper make it a streamlined run shoe.
A convenient heel loop and standard 5mm heel-to-toe drop complete the package. See our full Hoka Rincon 3 review for more information.
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Nike Revolution 6 FlyEase Next Nature
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A wraparound zip at the back and a pull tab on the front sets these budget running shoes apart from others on the market and should make them easy to get on and off.
Nike developed a computer-generated midsole design to deliver cushioning and flexibility for a natural running action on roads. Plus, the shoes are said to include at least 20% recycled materials from post-consumer and manufacturing waste.
The design is said to improve on the previous Revolution 5 model with softer foam cushioning in the midsole. It also boasts supportive mesh along the forefoot and collar, as well as plenty of grip on the soles.
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Merrell Vapor Glove 4
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Merrell’s Vapor Glove 4 is a minimalist shoe, so it won’t work for every runner, but they’re an option for anyone who’s a convert to the barefoot running movement and wants a more natural experience. Merrell says these shoes offer fantastic flexibility, breathability and traction, while they’ll also allow you to feel closer to the terrain.
It has a stack height of 6.5mm at both the heel and toe, resulting in zero drop, while a 3mm midsole offers some cushioning and support, while 2mm lugs are responsible for traction. This should all add up to a minimalist running gait.
Other useful features include an abrasion-resistant Vibram sole and a breathable mesh lining to help limit foot odour and promote breathability.
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Adidas Duramo 10
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Adidas’ Duramo 10 is another running shoe that comes in at a good price for those on a budget. The brand’s focus here is on creating a supportive sole, which is fitted with Lightmotion cushioning to lessen the impact on your foot as you run.
Another plus point is the breathable mesh upper, which is said to be made from at least 50% recycled materials.
The popular brand has also added no-sew overlays, a soft heel and a rubber outsole for durability.
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Asics Gel-Contend 7
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Asics champions natural movement with these budget running shoes. The stretchy mesh upper is said to be flexible enough to accommodate your stride, and the brand’s Guidance Line technology is designed to help stabilise your feet by concentrating pressure into the heel-to-toe grooves.
The Gel-Contend 7 shoes also have plenty of design features for support and shock absorption. There’s gel technology at the rear of the sole, cushioning Amplifoam in the midsole and an Ortholite sockliner, which are al designed to combine to give you a comfortable and supportive running experience.
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Kalenji Run Active
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Decathlon recommends these budget running shoes for anyone running up to 10km per week and says they can offer a good level of shock absorption through the brand’s Circular System (CS) technology in the heel. EVA foam is also added in the sole to help diffuse impact from the road.
The design includes stabilising synthetic strips to keep your foot in place as you move.
A size 5.5 weighs just 204g, though you may want to consider sizing up, to make sure there’s enough space between the tips of your toes and the end of the shoes.
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Best budget trail running shoes
Evadict Race Light Trail Running Shoes
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These colourful shoes combine lightweight construction with plenty of cushioning, making them a practical choice for trail running. By avoiding a bulky design, Evadict keeps them streamlined for ease of movement and a closer connection to the terrain underfoot.
When we tested these run shoes, we discovered an annoying label on the inside of the ankle, and we would’ve preferred a slightly longer and more cushioned tongue. But the grippy, lightweight design still makes them a contender for the best budget running shoes. Read our full Evadict Race Light shoe review now.
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Merrell MTL Long Sky
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With 5mm lugs on the sole, Merrell’s Long Sky run shoes give an impressive level of grip without being uncomfortable on tarmac. The stack height sits at 27.5mm, while the 8mm drop makes them suitable for racing.
Inside the shoe, you’ll find a comfortable sock-like inner. Elsewhere, there’s an EVA midsole and insole providing vital cushioning, and a durable mesh upper. Read our full Merrell MTL Long Sky shoe review.
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Hoka Torrent 2
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Ideal for long-distance running on demanding terrain, Hoka’s Torrent 2 have chunky midsoles and a lightweight design. We turn to these for long winter runs – but they do get soggy in wet weather.
The Profly midsole cushioning allows for powerful push-offs while the multi-directional lugs give you extra traction on tricky terrains. As an added bonus, the Torrent 2 contains recycled content.
If you can get them in the sale, they’re fantastic value for money. Read our full Hoka Torrent 2 review for more.
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Merrell Agility Peak 4
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Complete with a FloatPro foam midsole, removable EVA insole and FLEXconnect groves, Merrell’s Agility Peak 4 can support overpronators to achieve a healthy running action.
When we tested these shoes, we found they provided great support in the arches, as well as a breathable mesh upper. The rock plate and protective toe caps are useful additions to improve comfort when running over sharp or rocky surfaces.
See the top stability running shoes for overpronators or read our full Merrell Agility Peak 4 review here.
New Balance FreshFoam Arishi Trail
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With their no-sew upper, these New Balance trail running shoes have a streamlined silhouette. They also utilise an AT Tread outsole that’s designed to give them grip on virtually any kind of terrain.
Toe protection and a Fresh Foam midsole with an EVA insert are also said to make them comfortable to wear on rocky surfaces.
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Salomon Trailster 2
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The Salomon Trailerster 2 use the brand’s durable Contragrip in the soles to stand up to wear and tear. This rubber outsole uses multi-directional lugs to help give these budget run shoes a high level of traction and protection on uneven terrain.
Also included is a single layer of quick-drying mesh on the upper to promote airflow and provide breathability for maximum comfort, says the brand. Underneath, the OrthoLite sockliner is designed to reduce irritation on your feet, while the EVA midsole is said to absorb impact from the trail.
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See our run-down of the best trail running shoes for men and women.