7 Best Cheap Nike Running Shoes in 2024

At $105, Winflo 11 is a steal vs. the $113 average Nike daily trainer. For a budget-friendly shoe, it surprisingly delivers comfort with its plush cushioning, further enhanced by the full-length Air unit. Plus, its breathability and durability make it a reliable trainer for prolonged use—making it our top cheap Nike running shoe.

Winflo 11 doesn’t hold back and houses a velvet foam that’s 35.0% softer than average, as per our durometer. Not only is it soft, but rises to a generous 37.6 mm in the heel for softer landings in this area. To counter the mushiness, the Air unit provides subtle energy return for efficient turnover.

Winflo 11’s upper feels premium, providing both padding and breathability. Despite its thick nature, it still earned a high 4/5 breathability score in our smoke test, ensuring humid weather and blisters can’t stop us from running.

Value for money is another advantage since its outsole is tough and long-lasting. Measuring 15.5% harder and 0.4 mm thicker than average, it ensures solid resistance against wear and tear, further proven by its pristine condition even after numerous outdoor test runs.

Unfortunately, Winflo 11 has a significantly narrow heel at 84.6 mm vs. the 90.4 mm average. Rear strikers who need more stability should look elsewhere for better support.

The Flex Experience Run 12 perfectly encapsulates minimalism among Nike’s more affordable line. Our lab numbers confirm what our feet experienced—this versatile trainer highlights a natural feel with its light, low, and loose build.

Only weighing 8.5 oz (241g), this shoe is definitely on the lighter spectrum of road-running shoes since the average is 9.4 oz (266g). Its lack of rubber outsole and humble stack keeps the weight down.

The shoe delivers high ground sensitivity with its firm and low 25.9/19.9 mm stack. We found the platform has that minimalist feel even though it’s not a zero-drop shoe, thanks to its very flexible build. Honoring its name, our 90-degree bend test reveals a low 6.8N—one of our lowest lab measurements and stands a mind-blowing 76.8% below average. It adapts to our natural strides, giving our feet plenty of freedom—perfect for gym workouts or walking.

Another minimalist feature of this shoe is its price. At only $70, it’s almost half the $137 average of road-running shoes in our database. 

Since this Flex opted out of a rubber outsole, it showed signs of wear after our runs. Our Dremel tore through it brutally, confirming it’s not suitable for off-road adventures.

While most Nike trail shoes in our lab average $132, Juniper Trail 2 stands at an attractive $85. The balanced cushion feels comfortable, stable, and protective for road-to-trail runs. It offers flexibility that keeps us nimble on uneven terrains and is grippy enough for most surfaces. It’s our best trail pick among Nike’s budget-friendly lineup.

For such an affordable price tag, JT2 offers generous cushioning rising to above-average heights of 34.7/25.3 mm. The platform feels moderately firm and our durometer confirms its 27.1 HA foam is around the average. The balanced cushion enhances stability since we don’t sink into it and shields our feet from sharp rocks.

Further enhancing a steady ride is the wide platform that measures 113.7 mm in the forefoot and 95.0 mm in the heel. This gives us more than enough room to find our balance and to land safely with every stride.

What keeps us agile on various terrains is the unresisting midsole. Our bend test confirms it’s 26.0% more adaptive than average. 

Underfoot, the 3.1 mm lugs keep us steady on gentle terrains. Unfortunately, we found that the hard rubber outsole and the subpar lugs lack grip for more technical terrains.

The Nike Free RN NN is more than just "barely there" – it redefines minimalist comfort, making it our best lightweight pick from the brand’s budget-friendly lineup. Testing it in our lab and on the streets, we were consistently amazed by its feathery design and flexible build, which made us question whether we were wearing shoes at all.

Weighing in at just 6.9 oz (197g), it’s 25.7% lighter than average, offering an almost weightless sensation that enhances the natural feel of running. Its unparalleled flexibility, with a mere 6.1N of force to bend to 90 degrees, proved 79.0% less rigid than the average, ensuring a remarkably smooth and unrestrained run that leaves our legs feeling fresh.

We measured the stack at a ground-connected 25.6/18.7 mm, far below the 33.6/24.9 mm average. Despite this, it provides adequate cushioning and rebound, ensuring we remain comfortable and protected underfoot.

The sock-like Flyknit upper snugly embraces our foot, slipping on effortlessly and securing with ease, further enhancing the sensation of running barefoot. However, the shoe falls short in breathability, scoring a below-average 2/5 in our tests. Runners prioritizing ventilation and ensuring a blister-free experience should look elsewhere.

The Nike Downshifter 12 is ridiculously cheap given that it has top-grade comfort underfoot and high-end durability. It is a respectable, beginner-friendly shoe that has great value at a low price tag. Our lab tests and countless runs prove it—the Nike Downshifter 12 has the best comfort among cheap Nike running shoes.

At an incredibly low price of 70 USD, the Downshifter 12 is one of the lowest-priced shoes we’ve ever tested. For context, the average price for the running shoes we’ve tested in our lab is 132 USD. The price difference alone is enough to sway us in the direction of the Downshifter 12. 

When it comes to comfort, the Downshifter 12 does not skimp out—especially in its upper. We enjoyed the flexible heel counter, coupled with its lush and abundant padding that was present throughout the heel collar and tongue. We measured the tongue, and at 10.1 mm, it boasts so much more padding compared to the average thickness of 5.8 mm. 

Low price and durability do not typically go hand-in-hand but it does so in the Downshifter 12—a very welcome surprise. The outsole hardness (2.88% softer) and thickness (3.5 mm vs 3.4 mm average) are right around the average but even after more miles than we could count, the shoes still look and feel as good as new.

On the downside, the Downshifter 12 is not a very responsive shoe. Faster shoes are available in the market at higher prices.

The Quest 5 is a cheap running shoe that is best used as a sweet sneaker thanks to its attractive design. And it's also an awesomely comfortable shoe with ample cushioning, making it our best stylish sneaker among cheap Nike running shoes.

At just $80, the Quest 5 is well below Nike's average running shoe price of $132. But despite being in the budget category, it is quite a good-looking shoe, one that we have no hesitation wearing out to work, school, or any other casual setting. 

We also have no qualms with the shoe's overall comfort, which is outstanding. There is a ton of padding around the heel and the tongue, with the latter measuring 10.2 mm thick. That is 43% thicker than the average road running shoe.

The Quest 5 also needs no break-in time and is plenty flexible right out of the box. It is 39.3% more flexible than average running shoes based on our 90 degree bend test, giving it a nicely natural feel while wearing them casually.

However, wide-footed individuals might need to size up since the Quest 5 runs narrow in the toebox. It has a very aggressive taper that makes its width at the big toe 6.6 mm narrower than average.

Revolution 7 is a crowd favorite among Nike’s cheap running shoes. At only $70, it’s 45% cheaper than the average of our lab-tested Nike trainers. It offers versatility for activities beyond running and remarkable stability for its price.

One thing we immediately noticed upon our first slip-on is the slightly broad base and firm cushion, both of which contribute to a more stable ride. Our caliper confirms above-average widths, particularly in the 93.1 mm heel vs. the 90.2 mm average. Meanwhile, our durometer shows a firm 28.4 HA cushion, 20.3% denser than average. We feel the shoe is supportive enough for those with mild stability needs, which adds value beyond $70.

Complementing the tougher underfoot is a free-flowing midsole that bends easily to our demands. This boosts comfort and makes Revolution versatile enough for walks, gym workouts, and other activities. Our bend test confirms it’s 37.5% more adaptive than average.

Our lab tests reveal a low 21.0 mm forefoot stack, which may feel harsh to mid-to-forefoot strikers on longer runs. Our runs tell us this shoe is more suitable for heel-strikers.