7 Best Cheap Running Shoes in 2025

Hours of lab tests and miles of running showed us that the Adidas Questar 3 is the ultimate cheap running shoe. At only £80, it’s way below the £100 budget and boasts remarkable durability for a longer shoe lifespan. Additionally, its flexibility and breathable nature create a sense of effortlessness in our ride.

The Questar 3 delivered outstanding resilience and toughness in our lab, even beating its more expensive counterparts. Our durometer reveals a high 84.0 HC reading vs. the 79.2 HC average, indicative of its strength. It even conquered our abrasive Dremel with only a minor 0.8 mm damage, proving it’s built to last.

The midsole displays amazing versatility, making it easy for us to move naturally. Our bend test confirms its flexibility by needing 5.3% less force than average to bend to 30 degrees. At this rate, it’s comfortable enough for walks and occasional gym workouts. 

Above our feet lies a perforated upper that allows strong airflow. We undeniably enjoyed the cool sensation in our runs, which our smoke test mirrors with an impressive 4/5 rating. This score proves it’s a perfect year-round shoe.

However, while the ride feels smooth, it lacks spark. Those who crave an exciting ride will be satisfied with other models.

For only £80, we enjoyed the Adidas Ultrarun 5’s versatility, comfort, and roomy fit. It felt cushioned for easy runs, without going overboard on the foam. Ultrarun 5 also impressed us in the lab with its spacious interior, making it our top cheap running shoe for wide feet.

We replicated the shoe’s fit using our solidified gel mould and measured the widest part at 97.6 mm. Compared to the 95.3 mm average, it felt kind to our broad feet and won’t make even those with bunions feel pressure points.

The midsole is easy to manoeuvre, and received a flexibility score of 15.0N in our bend test. Being at par with average, it confirms its comfort for daily use and other activities such as walking.

The 34.3/24.8 mm stack height we measured is also close to average, giving enough cushioning for slower-paced and shorter runs without adding unnecessary bulk to the shoe.

However, the ride feels flat. Runners who want more bounce should invest in shoes with more premium midsoles.

At an affordable £110, there’s nothing like the ASICS GT 1000 14. It inspires confidence through steady arch support, most comfortably and naturally. It's built to last, making it an excellent value compared to the £140 average stability shoe in our lab. Through our runs, we found that this cheap running shoe performs best for flat feet.

The platform perfectly blends impact protection and support by making the stack a well-cushioned 35.4/25.8 mm that feels well-balanced. Meanwhile, the PureGEL technology in the heel enhances softer landings for added comfort.

This shoe also has mild stability elements such as the 3D Guidance System, midsole sidewalls, and heel reinforcements to ensure steady strides. Despite the structural stiffness, the ride still feels versatile and pleasant since it bends without restrictions. Our 30-degree bend test confirms it’s 18.0% more flexible than average—a stark contrast vs. traditional stiff counterparts.

The AHAR outsole’s durability is very impressive and offers great value for money. It resisted our Dremel bravely with a minimal 0.7 mm dent, cementing its toughness. Plus, it doesn’t sacrifice grip with its high 0.50 score in our traction test.

This shoe ticks many boxes, yet speed isn’t one of them. More advanced runners may find the midsole’s lack of energy underwhelming.

Low price and weight plus high versatility and support perfectly sum up the ASICS Gel Pulse 15 experience as confirmed by our lab and runs. At £100, it offers the comfort, stability, and effortless ride we expect from a more premium shoe. It’s light on the feet and in the pocket—making it our top lightweight cheap running shoe.

Its 8.4 oz (237g) build feels easy on the feet as it’s lighter than the 9.4 oz (265g) average road-running shoe. Its midsole offers minimal resistance and adapts to our every move, as validated by our flex test with 26.1% better bendability than average. Its natural feel makes it versatile for walking and other daily activities.

Its 21.0 HA cushion feels soft, protective, and surprisingly stable. With a calliper in hand, we found the midsole stabilises our landings with its wide 118.8/97.9 mm base. The light shoe, flexible build, and soft cushion combo lead to a comfortable and enjoyable ride. However, the midsole will feel limiting to those who crave a responsive ride. We believe this shoe shines best on easy paces.

At an accessible £100 price point, the New Balance Fresh Foam X Kaiha Road offers a luxurious experience and surprising longevity. Its plush underfoot feel and breathability make it exceptionally comfortable for all-day wear. Our feet already knew, but we further verified in the lab that it’s our cheap running shoe with the best shock absorption.

Despite being a budget-friendly shoe, the Kaiha Road is well-cushioned. It features a 35.8/32.0 mm stack; its forefoot is notably taller than the 25.8 mm average. Yet we credit most of its comfort to its exceptional impact protection. Our shock absorption test confirmed what we felt: the foam received high 132 SA (heel) and 124 SA (forefoot) scores, ensuring zero pain strides.

Even the upper feels soft to the touch. Contrary to what we expected, the shoe is well-ventilated. We were amazed when it received a remarkable 4/5 breathability rating in our smoke test.

Underneath, it balances softness with toughness. In our Dremel test, the rubber resists wear better than average, with its small 0.8 mm dent, also evidenced by its minimal signs of use post-testing.

However, the downside is that the shoe is stiff in all directions. Those who prefer a more fluid ride should go for a pair with a more forgiving midsole.

Among cheap running shoes, the Nike Interact Run was kind to our feet and finances, making it the best for all-day wear. It features the premium, plush, and airy Flyknit upper despite being an £90 shoe. Our lab confirms it’s an exceptionally versatile shoe that’s great for casual runs and daily activities because of its lightness and flexibility.

The upper’s comfort is prominent upon slip-on, feeling soft to the touch and breezy on the foot. Our microscope reveals a dense Flyknit material that’s dotted with ventilation holes for free airflow. Our lab results align with our observations, earning a 5/5 breathability score. While most shoes perform inversely for resilience, Interact Run breaks the norm with a perfect durability score.

Adding to its weightless feel is its actual light 8.5 oz (241g) build, 9.1% below average. This is mostly attributed to its minimal cushioning, which also leads to higher flexibility. True enough, it emerged 50.2% less resistant than average in our bend test, making it comfortable for daily walks and errands.

However, we find the cushioning lacks support and energy return. We recommend more serious runners to invest in other shoes.

The ASICS Gel Venture 10 made sure we can adapt to various surfaces with its flexible midsole and versatile lugs. Given its £80 price, it exceeded expectations in our lab tests by displaying remarkable durability, making it our best cheap trail running shoe.

We enjoyed the natural ride, which felt good for long hours of wear and even other activities, such as walking. The midsole flows effortlessly with our feet, proven by our bend test, with a rating 10.6% more flexible than average.

Underfoot, the outsole gave us the control we needed without being too overpowering. We measured the lugs at 3.7 mm, just the right depth for up to moderate terrain. We tested for its durability with our Dremel and showed a minimal 0.6 mm damage, showing stronger wear resistance compared to its pricier counterparts.

We also tested the upper to see if it can handle sharp rocks or protruding roots that we may encounter. Its performance in our Dremel test shows we don’t need to worry, with its impressive 4/5 toebox durability score.

However, the toebox tapers aggressively than the standard. Therefore, GV10 is limited to those with narrow feet.