7 Best Cheap Workout Shoes in 2023

Nicholas Rizzo
Nicholas Rizzo on
7 Best Cheap Workout Shoes in 2023
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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 picks of cheap workout shoes priced at $65 and below.

These affordable workout kicks may not be loaded up with the latest technologies. But one thing you can be sure of, 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 carrying out a strict process of investigation in and out of the lab. We’ve also identified the top performers in different categories for faster reference.

Best cheap workout shoes overall

What makes it the best?

In our opinion, gymgoers on a budget will not be left wanting more with the Nike Air Max Alpha Trainer 5. This training shoe is aptly equipped with all the essentials for a moderate workout. What's more, we feel like it makes for great casual footwear thanks to its smooth steps and fun design. All in all, for $90, we consider it money well spent!

Pros

  • Excellent value for money
  • Stable for easy weightlifting
  • Smooth heel-to-toes
  • True to size
  • Comfortable in-shoe feel
  • Durable outsole
  • Very good looks

Cons

  • Not breathable
  • Toebox lacks durability
  • Not for advanced workouts
Full review of Nike Air Max Alpha Trainer 5

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
Black (DM0829002)
White (DM0829103)
Amber Brown Guava Ice Mica Green (DM0829200)
White (DM0829100)
Cobblestone Lt Crimson Flat Pewter White (DM0829006)
Phantom/White/Flat Pewter/Green Strike (DM0829009)
Black (DM0829001)
Smoke Grey White Dk Smoke Grey Dark Grey (DM0829003)
More colors

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
Full review of Nike Legend Essential 3

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
Black White Iron Grey (DM1120001)
Smoke Grey White Dk Smoke Grey (DM1120002)
Anthracite Blue Lightning White Black (DM1120004)
Grün (DM1120700)
Racer Blue White Obsidian Sund (DM1120402)
Sequoia/High Voltage/Light Silver (DM1120300)
Light Silver/Summit White/Iron Grey (DM1120008)
White (DM1120003)
More colors

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
Full review of Nike Flex Control 4

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
Gray (CD0199001)
black (CD0197002)
White (CD0197100)
Midnight navy/metallic silver (CD0197400)
Black/White-dark Smoke Grey-smoke Grey (CD0197003)

Cheap workout shoes with the best stability

What makes it the best?

The Nike Renew Fusion is an excellent value training shoe with some high-end features at a very reasonable price. Everyday athletes and seasoned gym rats alike can enjoy this shoe for their training activities. This model may not be ideal for very heavy lifts, but for most people, it will likely work very well.

Pros

  • Exceptionally stable and supportive
  • Secure foothold
  • Fits true to size
  • Excellent cushioning
  • Solid grip
  • Adequate outsole flexibility
  • No break-in period
  • Durable
  • Very breathable
  • Contemporary style
  • Value price

Cons

  • Excessive heel-to-toe drop
  • Narrow fit
  • Prominent arch support may not work for everyone
Full review of Nike Renew Fusion

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
Grey Fog/Smoke Grey/White (CD0200001)
Black (CD0200400)
Grey (CD0200200)
Black (CD0200002)
TWILIGHT MARSH (CD0200300)

Cheap workout shoes with the best speed

Reebok Speed TR
88
Great!

What makes it the best?

If you round the routines in the gym, the Reebok Speed TR will back you every step. From the climbers to the presses, to the squat-rack, treadmills, rowers, and cycles these just work well at any station. No, they are not weight-lifting shoes, or stair climbers, or rowers specifically. But they are great generalists!

Pros

  • True to size
  • Snug fit
  • Superb comfort
  • Breathable
  • Very lightweight
  • Great ground contact
  • Versatile for various activities
  • Durable

Cons

  • Not for wide feet
  • Break-in period
  • Lace bite
Full review of Reebok Speed TR

Today's best price

Unisex
Any color
Poplar Green/Alabaster/Black (LGB34)

Cheap workout shoes with the best heel support

Nike Reax 8 TR
84
Great!

What makes it the best?

The Nike Reax 8 TR knows what it needs to do and does it well. It is a training shoe with great versatility no matter what you’re training for. Whether it’s running, jumping or some combination workout, you can be confident this shoe won’t fail you.

Pros

  • True to size
  • Great heel support
  • Amazing comfort
  • Lightweight
  • Good breathability
  • Durable
  • Great lockdown
  • Excellent traction
  • Nice ft
  • Great value for money

Cons

  • Squeaky
  • Non-flat sole is not great for squatting
Full review of Nike Reax 8 TR

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
White White Pure Platinum (621716102)
black (621716010)
Black/black/metallic gold (621716020)

Cheap workout shoes with the best comfort

PUMA Enzo 2
84
Great!

What makes it the best?

PUMA Enzo 2 is a great gym shoe option with an affordable price tag. However, its elastic straps may get in the way of fast-paced workouts. It won't be a problem if you mostly do stationary exercises such as lifting, rowing, and other types of weight training. But it's better to stay away from this PUMA shoe if you jump, sprint, and lunge a lot.

Pros

  • Plush comfort
  • Solid base for heavy lifts
  • Little to no break-in time
  • Grippy
  • Durable
  • Lightweight
  • Breathable
  • Cheap

Cons

  • Narrow
  • Poor lockdown
  • Not for running or cycling
Full review of PUMA Enzo 2

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
White (19324908)
Red (19324905)

Comparison of the 7 best cheap workout shoes

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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.

nike-legend-essential-2-review.JPG

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.

Adidas Powerlift 5 Heel tab

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:
  • strong lateral support to aid with foot stabilization
  • decent amount of cushioning to absorb shock
  • light weight to increase agility
  • flexible forefoot to allow your feet to naturally flex and your toes to splay out
The ideal shoe for strength training will have:
  • raised, high-density heels that promote deeper squats and an upright posture for maximum power
  • hard, solid soles, which maximize your capacity to exert force into the ground
  • incompressible platform
  • exceptionally supportive uppers
  • wide toe box to allow for toe splaying as you push upward
The ideal shoe for running on a treadmill will have:
  • heel and forefoot cushioning to absorb impact
  • extra support on the inside of the midsole if you are an overpronator

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.

nike-flex-control-4-side-view.JPG

Example of a minimal cheap workout shoe

nike-air-max-alpha-trainer-5-side-view.JPG

Example of a well-cushioned cheap workout shoe

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.

nike-air-max-alpha-trainer-5-vs-reebok-nano-x3-dremel-durability-test.jpg

$90 shoe vs. $140 shoe

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. 

Nike Legend Essential 3 Review

How we test 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. As fitness enthusiasts ourselves, we wear each model during our daily workout routines, highlighting how well the shoes felt during Zumba classes, or across multiple workout regimens.

Here’s exactly how we do it:

  • We buy affordable workout shoes from different brands. We use our own savings for this to maintain our freedom and avoid any brand influence.
  • We use the shoes during our workouts in the gym. 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 many more. We make sure that all our reviews are based on our real-life experiences.
  • We tear the shoes apart and we scrutinize all of their components. We perform various tests that tell us about their capability in terms of support, breathability, robustness, and more.
Author
Nicholas Rizzo
Nicholas Rizzo

Nick combines 10+ years of experience in the health and fitness industry and a background in the sciences in his role as the Fitness Research Director. During his competitive powerlifting years his PRs have him sitting in the top 2% of bench presses (395 lbs), top 3% of squats (485 lbs) and top 6% of deadlifts (515 lbs) for his weight and age. His work has been featured on Bodybuilding.com, LiveStrong, Healthline, WebMD, WashingtonPost, and many more. Along the way, collaborating with industry leaders like Michael Yessis, Mark Rippetoe, Carlo Buzzichelli, Dave Tate, Ray Williams, and Joel Seedman.