5 Best Cheap Nike Running Shoes in 2023

The Run Swift 2 is simply the best cheap shoe Nike has to offer. For just $70, the shoe delivers impressive comfort, cushioning, and a durable and grippy outsole, giving it a lot more versatility than the average Nike running shoe, which costs $126.

Upon initially trying the shoe on, it honestly felt like a much higher-end trainer. The ankle collar and tongue are both generously padded, with the tongue 3.2 mm thicker than the average running shoe. That padding hugged our feet nicely without causing any hot spots.

We also felt there was more than enough underfoot protection during our runs. When checking the midsole in the lab, we found the Run Swift 2's 33.7 mm is right at the average for running shoes, but it has 1.9 mm more stack height in the forefoot.

And the outsole is outstanding, both in terms of durability and grip. Not only is the outsole rubber 0.9 mm thicker, but it's also 10.9% harder, so it won't wear out easily. Moreover, it also has 2.2 mm lugs. Those lugs gave the shoe added grip when we took it on mild dirt paths, showing just what a versatile cheap shoe this is.

However, the Run Swift 2 is also far from a flexible shoe, as it took us 29.5% more force to bend it 90 degrees in the lab. So those who want a cheap shoe with more flexibility should look elsewhere.

The Winflo 9 is the clear winner for the best cushioned cheap Nike shoe. The shoe’s midsole offers class-leading underfoot cushioning while its upper is very breathable and its outsole has unrivaled durability. That’s all for the price of $100, which is a good $26 below the average Nike running shoe price.

The Winflo 9 delivers way more comfort than its price point might suggest. We felt it had a wonderfully soft ride on our runs. That's because its midsole is 24.9% softer than average. And while the 24.2 mm forefoot stack is right at the running shoe average, its 35 mm heel stack is 1.8 mm more than usual.

The upper was also much better than expected. It had a lot of padding in the tongue and around the heel, which didn’t cause any rubbing or blisters. And even with all that padding, the shoe was still very breathable. We gave it a 4 out of 5 on our breathability test, where 5 is the highest score, as the smoke we pumped into the shoe easily passed through the mesh. 

But perhaps the biggest surprise is the outsole, which got the highest-ever hardness measurement in our lab at 92.8 HC. With that score, we don't expect the durability of this outsole to be an issue at all.

However, that super-hard outsole rubber does compromise its traction, as we were let down by its noticeable lack of grip. So those who value a stronger grip on their shoes should consider other options.

The Downshifter 11 may be dirt cheap, but it does a fantastic job of keeping our feet cool. And with its superb lightness and terrific durability, it is hands down our pick for the best breathable budget Nike shoe.

At just $60, the Downshifter 11 is 2.2 times cheaper than the average Nike shoe, which costs $132. But while many other budget shoes sacrifice breathability, the Downshifter 11's mesh upper breathes very well indeed. We did not experience any heat-related discomfort in the shoe as our feet were kept nice and cool throughout our test runs.

Meanwhile, the Downshifter 11 is a delightfully light shoe that does not weigh us down in the slightest. It comes in at just 8.78 oz (249g), which makes it 1.3 oz (37.8g) lighter than the average daily trainer.

The Downshifter 11's outsole is also as durable as it comes. Our durometer measured it to be 10.9% harder than the average outsole, so we don't expect it to wear out quickly.

However, the Downshifter 11 does have a high heel to toe drop, which some might not prefer. Our caliper measured its drop at 11.6 mm, which is quite steep.

The Revolution 6 is the reigning people’s champ in the cheap Nike shoe space. But that shouldn’t really be much of a surprise given its impressive responsiveness, flexibility, and consistency considering its price.

At just $65, the Revolution 6 is among the cheapest running shoes Nike sells and is twice as cheap as the average Nike running shoe, which costs $132. But that’s not the only reason it’s such a popular shoe, with over 14,000 people leaving reviews for it.

It’s simply a strong and capable shoe overall for its price. It has a very firm midsole which we measured at 52 HA, 2.1 times firmer than the average running shoe, and we felt that that midsole became nice and responsive once it broke in.

But while the shoe is quite firm, we felt it still delivered a fun ride thanks to its added flexibility. Our 90 degree bend test confirmed that it is 14.8% more flexible than the average running shoe. It also stayed fairly consistent even in the cold; it became just 15.4% stiffer after 20 minutes in the freezer, significantly less difference than the average of 46.1%.

However, the Revolution 6’s grip lets it down. We felt little to no grip on the pavement and were uneasy turning on corners because of it. So for runners who want more grip on their shoes, consider other options.

The Quest 5 is a cheap running shoe that can easily pass for a sweet sneaker thanks to its attractive design. And it's also an awesomely comfortable shoe with ample cushioning, making it our best 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.