The Best Budget Running Shoes
The best budget running shoes in 2026 give you a comfortable, durable ride without paying $150 or more. Our top pick is the Brooks Launch 12, a light, lively trainer at about $120 at full price. If you want the lowest sticker price, the Brooks Revel 8 lists at about $100, and the Nike Winflo 12 at about $110 delivers a plush feel for easy miles.
"Budget" here means two things. Some shoes are simply cheap at full price. Others list higher but are often discounted, such as the New Balance 880v15 and Saucony Endorphin Speed 5, which showed sale prices on the brands' own pages when we checked. We note which is which, because sale prices move daily.
We have not tested these shoes. Picks come from brand specs, independent lab data and what owners and reviewers commonly report. To filter by budget, width and cushion, use our running shoe finder.
| Brooks Launch 12 | Brooks Revel 8 | Nike Winflo 12 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $120 | $100 | $110 |
| For | Men & women | Men & women | Men & women |
| Sizes | Men's and women's US sizes (full range not captured) | Men's and women's US sizes (full range not captured) | Men's and women's US sizes (full range not captured) |
| Fabric | - | - | - |
| Weight | 249 g (8.8 oz) | 246 g (8.7 oz) | 305 g (10.8 oz) |
| Heel-to-toe drop | 8 mm | 8 mm | 10 mm |
| Heel stack | 35 mm | 32 mm | 40 mm |
| Forefoot stack | 27 mm | 24 mm | 30 mm |
| Cushioning | Balanced | Balanced | Balanced |
| Support | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| Widths | Regular, Wide | Regular, Wide | Regular, Wide, X-Wide |
| Plate | None | None | None |
| Best use | Daily | Daily | Daily |
| Comfort (our rating) | 4/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Performance (our rating) | 4/5 | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Durability (our rating) | 3/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Value (our rating) | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Returns | 90 days | 90 days | 60 days |
| Check price | Check price | Check price |
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Our picks at a glance
Our picks, in detail
Brooks Launch 12
- Men & women
- Sizes Men's and women's US sizes (full range not captured)
- Cushioning: Balanced
- Support: Neutral
- Heel-to-toe drop: 8 mm
- Weight: 249 g (8.8 oz)
- Wide widths
The Launch 12 is the shoe to buy if you want something quicker than a basic trainer without paying for a race shoe. It lists at about $120 at full price, weighs 249 g in the men's and has a supercritical EVA midsole that reviewers describe as reactive underfoot, with a breathable upper and secure fit. A Wide is offered in the men's version, and Brooks' 90-day Run Happy trial covers it. Our estimated ratings give it 5 out of 5 for value. The compromises: the fit is narrow and tapered, the stiff heel counter can irritate Achilles tendons and it is slightly heavier than the Launch 11. Skip it if you have a wide forefoot or want plush recovery cushioning. Our Brooks Launch 12 review covers fit in more depth.
Brooks Revel 8
- Men & women
- Sizes Men's and women's US sizes (full range not captured)
- Cushioning: Balanced
- Support: Neutral
- Heel-to-toe drop: 8 mm
- Weight: 246 g (8.7 oz)
- Wide widths
The Revel 8 is the simplest, cheapest way to get a proper running shoe from a major brand. It lists at about $100 at full price, upgraded to DNA Loft v2 foam, and RunRepeat says grip is much better than on the Revel 7. It is light and flexible at 246 g in the men's, offered in Regular and Wide and a good beginner pick according to reviewers. Brooks' 90-day trial applies. The trade-offs: the foam is not very energetic, it is not ideal for forefoot strikers and it suits shorter distances best. Skip it if you plan long runs or want a bouncy, high-cushion ride. It is also tagged for everyday wear, so it can double as a gym or errands shoe, and owner votes call the fit slightly small, so consider trying a half size up or the Wide before you commit.
Nike Winflo 12
- Men & women
- Sizes Men's and women's US sizes (full range not captured)
- Cushioning: Balanced
- Support: Neutral
- Heel-to-toe drop: 10 mm
- Weight: 305 g (10.8 oz)
- Wide widths
The Winflo 12 feels more expensive than it is. It lists at about $110 at full price, and reviewers describe a stable, plush ride with a durable outsole, a vented upper and more bounce than the previous Winflo. Regular, Wide and X-Wide widths are offered in the men's, and it is tagged for walking and long runs in our data, which makes it a good all-rounder for easy miles. Nike's 60-day return window is generous. The big trade-off is weight: at 305 g in the men's it is heavy, and it is not meant for fast running. Skip it if you want a light shoe or you plan to race. Our Nike Winflo 12 review has more detail. Owner votes call the fit true to size, which makes ordering online less of a gamble than with some narrower, tapered shoes.
HOKA Rincon 5
- Men & women
- Sizes Men's and women's US sizes (full range not captured)
- Cushioning: Balanced
- Support: Neutral
- Heel-to-toe drop: 8 mm
- Weight: 227 g (8.0 oz)
The Rincon 5 is HOKA's entry point at about $125 at full price. It has a smooth MetaRocker ride, a breathable engineered-mesh upper with reflective details and a rubber outsole built for traction, and it comes in at about 227 g in the men's, although sources disagree on weight and stack, so treat those numbers as approximate. It uses basic compression-molded EVA, which does not bounce like newer foams. Only the standard width is confirmed, so it is not a great pick for broad feet. Skip it if you need a Wide, a lively ride or the lightest possible shoe. As a simple, comfortable shoe that gets you into the HOKA ride, it is solid value, and HOKA's 30-day Fly for 30 guarantee helps if it does not fit.
New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v15
- Men & women
- Sizes Men's US 7-16 (half sizes to 13, then 14-16)
- Cushioning: Soft
- Support: Neutral
- Heel-to-toe drop: 6 mm
- Weight: 299 g (10.5 oz)
- Wide widths
The 880v15 lists at $149.99, but New Balance's page showed $114.99 when we checked and it is often discounted, so it lands in budget territory on sale. It offers B, D, 2E and 4E widths, which is the widest range of any shoe on this list, and NB calls it its most cushioned Fresh Foam experience. The downsides: it is much heavier than the 880v14 at 299 g in the men's, the foam feels firmer than expected according to RunRepeat and outsole durability is a concern. Skip it if you want a light shoe, or if you will not wait for a sale. Owner votes call the fit slightly small. NB accepts returns within 45 days. Our best wide running shoes list covers other options.
Saucony Endorphin Speed 5
- Men & women
- Sizes Men's and women's US sizes (full range not captured)
- Cushioning: Balanced
- Support: Neutral
- Heel-to-toe drop: 8 mm
- Weight: 238 g (8.4 oz)
- Wide widths
The Endorphin Speed 5 lists at $175, which is not budget, but Saucony's page showed $129.95 when we checked, and at that price a plated, PEBA-foam shoe is a bargain. It has a nylon plate, a SPEEDROLL rocker and weighs 238 g in the men's, and independent testers describe super-shoe-like energy return. It works from tempo runs to race day. The catch: toebox durability scored low, it runs slightly small and it is less agile than its predecessors. Skip it if you will not catch a sale or want a soft recovery shoe. Saucony allows unworn returns within 30 days of shipping. Sale prices change quickly, so verify the price before you decide, and do not pay $175 on the assumption that it will drop.
Adidas Adizero EVO SL
- Men & women
- Sizes Men's and women's US sizes (full range not captured)
- Cushioning: Balanced
- Support: Neutral
- Heel-to-toe drop: 6.5 mm
- Weight: 224 g (7.9 oz)
- Wide widths
The Adizero EVO SL lists at about $150 at full price, with no sale on adidas.com when we checked. RunRepeat's catalog notes retailer deals that can be much lower, which can change. It has 100% Lightstrike Pro foam, weighs 224 g in the men's and is described as agile and fun for short and long runs. A Wide is offered, and adidas offers a 30 Day Guarantee for performance running shoes. The trade-offs are an upper that testers criticize for laces, a short tongue and toebox durability. Skip it if you want soft recovery cushioning or an upper that lasts. At full price it is a good value for the foam, and at a discount it is a steal. Our Adizero EVO SL review has more.
How to shop for budget running shoes
Decide what you need first. A cheap shoe is only a good deal if it fits and suits your running. If you run a few times a week at an easy pace, a simple trainer like the Revel 8 or Winflo 12 is plenty. If you do faster workouts, the Launch 12 or a discounted Speed 5 is a better fit.
Check last year's model. Prior-generation shoes are often marked down when a new version arrives. The Brooks Ghost 17, for example, is widely discounted now that the Ghost 18 is out. Make sure the shoe still fits and that the retailer's return policy applies to sale items. Our Ghost 18 review covers the new model.
Read the return policy. Final sale and clearance items are excluded at several brands, including Saucony's final sale items and anything bought at Nike Clearance stores. Brooks (90 days), ASICS (90 days), Nike (60 days), New Balance (45 days) and Saucony (30 days) all have return windows.
Do not sacrifice fit. A $100 shoe that hurts is more expensive than a $150 shoe that works. See our beginner running shoe guide for fit tips.
Watch the sale math. For example, New Balance showed $114.99 for the 880v15 against a $149.99 list, and Saucony showed $129.95 for the Endorphin Speed 5 against a $175 list. Prices move, so we quote full prices.
What you give up at a lower price
Budget shoes usually trade away a few things. The foam is often conventional EVA rather than a newer, bouncier compound, as with the Rincon 5 and Revel 8. The upper may be simpler, and the cushioning may be a little thinner, with stack heights around 32 to 40 mm at the heel across the cheaper shoes here. What you rarely give up is the basics: a secure fit, a decent outsole and a brand return policy. Several of these shoes also come in Wide. Durability varies by model, so check lab notes in each review rather than assuming that a cheaper shoe will wear out faster.
How we picked
We have not tested these shoes. We picked them from product records built from brand specs, retailer pages and independent lab data, favoring shoes with strong value ratings and honest trade-offs. We included two sale-dependent shoes because they offer unusual value when discounted, and we label them clearly. Ratings are editorial estimates. Read our methodology.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best budget running shoe?
For most runners, the Brooks Launch 12 is our top budget pick at about $120 at full price. It is light, lively and comes with a 90-day trial. If you want the lowest price, the Revel 8 lists at about $100. Both are research picks, not tested by us.
Are cheap running shoes worth it?
Often yes. A $100 to $125 shoe can be a good choice for easy miles and gym days, and many are made by the same brands as pricier models. Pricier shoes usually bring lighter weight, newer foam or more cushion. Pay more only for features you will use.
When should I buy running shoes to save money?
Look for sales on last year's model when a new version launches, and watch brand sale pages. Several shoes here showed sale prices when we checked, but prices change daily. Check the return policy on sale items, since some are final sale.
How do I save money on running shoes without losing quality?
Pick a simple daily trainer from a major brand rather than a flashy model, check last year's version and compare prices across retailers. Look for brands with long trials, such as Brooks and ASICS at 90 days. Do not pay for features, like plates, that you will not use.
Can I use budget running shoes for walking?
Yes, many people do. The Nike Winflo 12 is tagged for walking and the Brooks Revel 8 for everyday wear in our data, and both cost about $100 to $110 at full price. For a walking-specific list, see our best walking shoes. For persistent foot pain, see a podiatrist.
