One of the great attractions of running has always been that it doesn’t require expensive equipment or a monthly membership. You would be forgiven, however, for calling BS on that statement, because the cost of any brand’s new, flagship running shoes can be well above £100 and frequently top £150.
If you’re someone who wants the best of everything the minute it comes out, there’s no getting around it – you’ll need to splurge to get the running shoes you want. Thankfully a good pair will usually last for more than 800km and the materials used in some of the top-line shoes offer some impressive benefits. If you’re on a budget, don’t worry – there are also a number of ways to get a great pair of running shoes that won’t break the bank.
The best strategy is to seek out an older model of a shoe. Often the differences between the latest release and last season’s model might only be cosmetic, but the price will be significantly lower. We always flag in our reviews when the differences between generations are minimal. By searching brands’ websites and third-party retailers you’ll be able to find a top shoe for a song.
Another option is to seek out a budget shoe. This can be a bit of a crapshoot, but if you stick to the “does it feel right” test when trying it on, you should be able to find one that works for you.
The other option is to wait for Black Friday, or another big sales period. If you have the patience and aren’t in need of a set of kicks immediately, this can be your best bet for finding great shoes at a knockdown price.
The shoes that are discounted in the sales can vary, so if you’re not sure what to look for then check out our guide to the best running shoes first and then go hunting for deals on the ones that catch your eye. We’ll also be collating some of the best deals on running shoes here, so you can save time searching yourself.
The Best Budget Running Shoes
The Floatride Energy line of shoes has been a go-to option for savvy runners in recent years, and the latest version of the shoe is a considerable upgrade on the third version. Lighter and more versatile, the Floatride Energy 4 is still comfortable enough for easy runs but also snappy enough for speed and tempo sessions, making it a great daily training option. It’s also frequently reduced from its already-low RRP – look out for codes on the Reebok site you can use to bring the price down.
Read more in our Floatride Energy 4 review
Even though there are cheaper shoes on this list, we urge you to consider the Velocity Nitro 2, because it’s fantastic value at its RRP. It’s a great all-rounder running shoe with an enjoyable, bouncy ride that’s great for cruising through easy runs or picking up the pace in your fast training sessions. It also has an excellent outsole and can be used as a road-to-trail shoe on lighter off-road tracks, and it lasts a long time too.
Read more in our Puma Velocity Nitro 2 review
The Saucony Ride 16 will launch soon but it’s expected to be very similar to the Ride 15, so now’s the time to go bargain-hunting on the older shoe, and it’s going for £50-£70 at Sports Shoes at the moment with plenty of sizes available. The Ride 15 is a versatile shoe that can handle all your daily training runs and also works as a long-distance racing option if you’re not convinced by the need for a carbon super-shoe.
Read more in our Saucony Ride 15 review
As above, so below. As with Saucony’s Ride range, the Guide 16 is coming so you can grab a big discount on the Guide 15, which again is expected to be similar to the newer shoe and now going for £50-£70 at Sports Shoes. The Guide 16 adds supportive elements to guide your foot into a neutral position on the run, and is a tad heavier than the Ride 15 as a result, but it’s still a versatile daily trainer that works well for all runners.
The Puma Deviate Nitro Elite is one of the less heralded carbon plate racing shoes, even though Molly Seidel used it to win bronze at the Olympic Marathon in Tokyo, but it offers a lightning-fast ride and better grip than most super-shoes. The Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 2 just came out, which means the original shoe has dropped below £100 on many websites – £80 is the cheapest we’ve seen it. The original Elite is actually lighter than the new shoe, and a better short-distance racing option as a result, so we’d jump on this deal if you have some 5K or 10K events coming up and don’t want to spend big on your carbon racer.
Read more in our Puma Deviate Nitro Elite review
If you’re looking for exceptionally cheap running shoes without wanting to faff around with sales then Decathlon own-brand Kalenji is worth checking out, with several options under $50 in the US and £50 in the UK. This pair are well under those marks and are suited to two or three 5Ks a week on the road or treadmill.
A genuine bargain for runners who spend a lot of time ploughing through the mud on wet trails, the Soil Shaker 2 is always available for a lot less than its £79.99 RRP, and has deep 8mm lugs for gripping boggy ground. The second version of the Soil Shaker is considerably lighter than the original, a welcome change that makes it more enjoyable to use in thick mud when your feet already feel heavy.
More About Running Shoes
Why you can trust Coach Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
- Find the best running shoes for you with our recommendations of road running shoes, stability shoes, trail shoes and more
- Wondering how to choose running shoes? This guide covers all the key points to consider when seeking the perfect pair of running shoes
- It’s all about grip and protection out on the trails. Use our recommendations to find the best trail-running shoes for you
