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Whether you enjoy lifting weights, doing aerobic exercises, or clocking up miles on the treadmill, having the right pair of shoes is key to keeping your feet comfortable. And if you’re on a budget, no worries, you’ll find below our top cheap workout shoe picks priced at $90 and below.
These affordable workout kicks may not be loaded with the latest technologies. But one thing you can be sure of is that you’re getting a quality product from trusted brands such as Nike, Reebok, and Adidas. They’re stylish and offer cushioning to keep you comfortable in the gym.
To get you started, we’ve tested cheap workout shoes available on the market. We revealed all the pros and cons of each shoe by testing them in the gym and in our shoe lab. We’ve also identified the top performers in different categories for faster reference.
How we test cheap workout shoes
To select our favorites in the budget-friendly category, we’ve put in the legwork to meticulously test all models on this list. We tested each model during our daily workout routines, highlighting how well the shoes felt during Zumba classes, regular gym sessions, or short treadmill runs.
Here’s exactly how we do it:
- We buy affordable workout shoes from different brands. We use our own money for this to maintain our freedom and avoid any brand influence.
- We use the shoes during our gym workouts. We test the shoes in a variety of training exercises and cardio activities. During each session, we write down our impressions of the shoes’ fit, cushioning, arch support, stability, and more.
- We tear the shoes apart and we scrutinize all of their components. We perform various lab tests to learn more about the shoe's support, breathability, robustness, and stiffness.
Best cheap workout shoes overall
What makes it the best?
We tested many cheap workout shoes through rigorous workouts and intensive lab assessments and found the Nike MC Trainer 3 to be the best overall because of its luxurious cushioning and maneuverability. For only $80, we experienced comfort straight out of the box, with seamless ventilation as the cherry on top.
It’s hard to believe this trainer falls under $100 because it erases ground impact and spoils our legs so abundantly. Our caliper shows an above-average stack height of 30.6/21.8 mm, while our durometer confirms it’s 13.0% softer than average. This makes jumps and occasional runs so much more kinder to us.
It felt easy to pick up the pace since MC Trainer 3 weighs only 10.4 oz (296g). Its flexible build adds to its lightness because it’s easy for us to bend our feet naturally during lunges and planks thanks to the deep flex grooves in the outsole.
The mesh upper feels light too, keeping us refreshed with exceptional ventilation. Our smoke test proves its breathability with a 5/5 rating, showing it’s a great place to be during heated workouts.
However, while the forefoot and heel sections are wide, the midfoot is unexpectedly narrow. Therefore, we cannot recommend this shoe to those with wide and voluminous feet.
Pros
- Fantastic value for money
- Highly breathable
- Doesn't drag the foot down
- Better cushioned than v2
- Heel bevel is better for running and walking
- Decent stability for moderate workouts
- Good flexibility for lunges and planks
- Accommodating toebox
- Comfortable padded interiors
Cons
- Not for flat and wide feet (narrow midfoot)
- Upper lacks wear resistance
Best cheap workout shoes for beginners
What makes it the best?
After working out in it for several hours, we declare the Nike Legend Essential 3 as the best cheap workout shoe for beginners because of three reasons. First, it was superbly lightweight. Not once did we feel weighed down, even after hours of intense workout. Second, it had a really stable platform. Finally, it had a really nice grip on the gym floors. It’s also worth noting that at $65 a pair, this trainer is indeed one of the cheapest picks out there; the average price is $91.
We knew in our test workouts that this shoe was pretty lightweight, but we were still surprised to learn that it’s actually 21% lighter than average. Our weighing scale in the lab measured its weight to be 8.8 oz or 250g, which is significantly lower than the 11.2 oz or 317g average.
The platform provided ample space for splays and lateral displacements during motion. Our caliper revealed that the platform is 112.2 mm wide at the forefoot and 90.7 mm wide at the heel. The average widths at the same points are 109.6 mm and 87.0 mm.
The outsole of the Legend Essential 3 also did so well in terms of providing traction. Every time we did lateral movements, we surely could really rely on it to provide much needed grip to stabilize our feet. Our HC durometer showed that the outsole is slightly softer (80.5) than average (84.4). We learned that this additional softness helped the rubber to stick more securely.
No matter how good the Nike Legend Essential 3 is, we still cannot recommend this shoe to those who want to lift heavy. The shoe’s midsole might be too soft for such an exercise. It only registered a 26.3 (the average is 27.0) on our HA durometer.
Pros
- Very affordable
- Super lightweight
- Breathable upper
- Enough cushioning for jumps
- Wide platform
- Flexible
- Good grip
Cons
- Lacks durability
- Not for heavy lifting
Best cheap minimalist workout shoes
What makes it the best?
At only $65 per pair (the average is $100), it’s quite hard to find another trainer that can topple the Nike Flex Control 4 price-wise. Another benefit that cannot be overlooked straight out of the box is this shoe’s amazing lightness. We were also stunned by this trainer’s low-to-the-ground profile, which made us quicker and more in control. Add its amazing flexibility to the mix and we got for ourselves the best minimalist and cost-effective workout shoe.
In the lab, we confirmed the lightness that we felt while working out. The scales reported the Flex Control 4 to weigh only 9.8 oz or 277g. This is way lighter than the 11.2 oz or 317g average. No wonder accelerating and jumping higher were never difficult for us!
Our caliper showed that the heel and forefoot are only 19.0 mm and 15.6 mm thick, respectively. These figures make the Flex Control 4’s cushion 5.6 mm and 2.7 mm thinner than average. And we loved how this shoe brought our feet closer to the surface.
It’s also quite amusing that this shoe lives up to the ‘Flex’ in its name. Flexing the foot at even the most unusual angles was never a problem because the shoe just moved with the foot quite naturally. In the lab, we learned through our manual twists and squeezes that the shoe’s base and heel counter do not put up much resistance. Both features got scores of 2 out of 5 for rigidity.
However, we think that gym rats who love to lift their heaviest most of the time should steer clear from this shoe. In the gym, we noticed that this shoe forced our feet forward as we lifted heavier. This motion not only affected our stability but also made our toes feel a bit uncomfortable.
Pros
- Comfortable in-shoe feel
- Lighter than average
- Very flexible
- Foot feels planted
- Budget-friendly
- Good grip
- Simple aesthetics
- True to size
Cons
- Durability issues
- Not for serious workouts
Cheap workout shoes with the best stability
What makes it the best?
When it came to stability, no cheap workout shoe came close to the New Balance DynaSoft TRNR v2. This trainer came with an impressively wide platform that left no room for any accidental falling off from the footbed. This cheap workout trainer also delivered a good deal of breathability, twist protection, and affordability. It is sold for only $80 when the average trainer was at $100.
The platform of this New Balance trainer was 117.3 mm wide at the forefoot and 91.6 mm at the heel. The averages were 109.5 mm and 86.6 mm, respectively. Oh, how our confidence to run, skip, and jump rose when we realized that there was practically no chance that our feet would just slide off the footbed!
As is the case with many cheap workout shoes, the NB DynaSoft TRNR v2 was pretty well-ventilated. It got a pretty impressive 4 out of 5 when we performed our usual smoke test on it in our lab.
We also did not worry about twists when we were wearing this shoe because its base had an amazing resistance to bending. We assessed it in the lab, and it also got a 4 out of 5 for torsional rigidity.
However, this shoe didn’t have any sturdiness whatsoever. Both the toebox and the heel padding didn’t do well during our Dremel assessments. Both got a dismal 1 out of 5 for durability.
Pros
- Highly breathable
- Lighter than average
- Wide and steady platform
- Hard-wearing outsole
- Solid grip on gym floors
- Comfortable in-shoe feel
- Can be worn casually
Cons
- Upper fabric tears easily
- Cheap and frail laces
Best Air Max Best cheap workout shoes with Air Max
What makes it the best?
The Nike Air Max Alpha Trainer 6 delivered a solid amount of cushioning and support in our gym sessions, allowing us to focus on our high-impact exercises and moderate lifts fully. Our lab test shows it’s immense breathability, allowing us to blow off steam during intense workouts. True to its name, it’s our best Air Max cheap workout shoe for everything it delivers, all for just $95.
The AT6’s stack is one of the tallest we’ve measured at 36.1/25.0 mm when most trainers don’t even exceed the 30-mm mark. The height is mostly attributed to the Air Max unit, which gives just the right amount of compression for impact protection without collapsing too quickly when lifting weights.
The heel also includes a larger TPU clip, which adds stiffness to the shoe’s structure to enhance stability. Our lab results confirm its rigidity with the highest 5/5 rating when twisting the shoe and pinching the heel counter. Plus, the spacious 111.6/91.1 mm base kept us well-planted for one-legged exercises.
The mesh upper boosted comfort by ensuring our feet remain well-aerated. Smoke instantly escaped as soon as we pumped it into the shoe, receiving a well-deserved 5/5 breathability rating.
However, the shoe’s heavy 13.2 oz (373g) and stiff build lack the agility for quick and foot-bending workouts. Those who want freedom of movement should find another trainer.
Pros
- Excellent breathability
- Decent durability for the price
- Abundant cushioning for high impact exercises
- Stable platform for moderate weightlifting
- Great lateral stability
- Comfortable padded interiors
- Visually striking Air Max unit
Cons
- Heavier than average
- Can feel platformy, disconnected from the floor
- Stiff for lunges and planks
A guide on buying cheap workout shoes
Choosing the right shoe for your foot is about a whole lot more than looking good in your kicks. Getting it right will make your workout more functionally efficient, it’ll improve your comfort in the gym and it will reduce your risk of suffering a nasty ankle injury.
The first step in finding your ideal cheap workout shoe is to answer the following question:
What type of training will you be doing?
Choose workout shoes based on your activity
Is the majority of your gym time going to be spent in the power rack and squat area, the functional training zone, in the machine weight training area, or will you be dipping into each of these areas?
A workout shoe is designed to be used by people doing an all-around gym workout. As a result, it has the challenging task of being all things to everyone. Whereas a weightlifting shoe will go all out to provide stability and lockdown, a workout shoe needs to balance that requirement for heavy lifting with the ability to move laterally, be flexible, and provide an element of cushioning for functional training and plyometric training.
If your workout program calls for you to do different types of workouts on different days, you should consider buying two pairs of shoes and changing them out between workouts. For example, if you are doing strength training on Monday and Thursday and functional workouts on Tuesday and Friday, buy a pair of weightlifting shoes for your strength workouts and a pair of cross trainers for your functional sessions.
Here’s an overview of the key footwear needs of each type of workout. A general workout shoe will, obviously, have to do its best to satisfy each of these requirements.
| The ideal shoe for HIIT workouts will have: |
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| The ideal shoe for strength training will have: |
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| The ideal shoe for running on a treadmill will have: |
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The level of cushioning in a workout shoe is ultimately a matter of personal preference. All workout shoes will try to hit that sweet spot between the minimum cushioning of a weightlifting shoe and the maximum support of a runner, but you’re the one who has to wear it.
Depending on your personal preference, you may want to go for a more minimal trainer or a shoe with extra cushioning and energy return.
What’s the trade-off with cheap workout shoes?
If you’re buying a workout shoe that’s half the price of the one your training partner’s wearing, it’s only natural to expect that there’s some kind of quality compromise. And, of course, there is.
Quality/Durability
In order to put out a workout shoe for less than seventy bucks, a manufacturer will have to use less costly construction materials.
Whereas top-of-the-line workout shoes generally feature TPU and leather, the budget models are more likely to be made from such less expensive materials as EVA and synthetic leather.
Cheaper workout shoes will generally have less durable stitching and will be put together with cheaper glues.
Be sure to check our in-depth reviews to see how each workout shoe performed in our Dremel tests.
Aesthetics/Design
Another compromise in cheap workout shoes is the aesthetics. More expensive shoes will feature cooler colors and incorporate special features to enhance the look of the shoe.
It is important to keep in mind, however, that function should always trump form. In other words, what the shoe does is more important than how it looks. Of course, you don’t want to be hitting the gym in a pair of shoes that are ugly, but, so long as they look decent and are designed to enhance your general-purpose workout, you’ll be good to go.
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