The Best Affordable Running Shoes Under $100
By Bach Pham, Content Manager
There is an age old saying that the best thing about running is that you just need a pair of shoes. Well, the reality is that running shoes are expensive. That's just a fact no matter where you are. Especially as you get more and more into mileage, the cost of shoes and rotating shoes is starts adding up fast. There are a lot of ways to help navigate this though, and in this guide we offer a few strategies and get into some of the best finds available now.
Tips for Finding the Best Price
Are you a Sports Medicine Professional?
Brooks has a 40% off program for those in the field. Find the program here.
Disclaimer
The following recommendations are from a variety of websites. This includes links to our friends at Running Warehouse, which are affiliate links that help support Doctors of Running. The remaining links are non-affiliate links.
In today's market, there are kind of two/three levels of price points for running shoes. Quality running shoes typically start around $110 and quickly skyrocket. There is then a new upper echelon of running shoes that are either highly cushioned and built or built for racing which starts around $160 and goes as high as $275.
There is then a whole layer of new shoes priced $100 and below, which starts getting tricky as the options become harder to parse. For the most part, shoes we review tend to be in the $100+ end as they are more well-built for higher mileage running. Most generic shoes under $100 lack a lot of comfort for racking up miles. While these generic shoes may work for getting started, eventually it is worth exploring a higher quality footwear to help you on your running journey as you go further and further.
There are a few tips we usually provide for finding a quality running shoe at a good price point. The first is to look for last year's models. When a new model releases, typically you can find excellent deals on the previous model. This is a great way to get started compared to buying models that are under $100, but typically lower quality. While in recent years shoes have gotten more and more exciting by the season, last year's models are both proven and plenty of fun for a new runner to get started with.
Doing some research to learn about the various models will also let you go a long way towards looking out for deals. Aim for shoes that are originally between $100-150 initially for deep discounts as well. Daily trainers like the Nike Pegasus, Saucony Ride, and others are often good places to start with and explore as the discounts can run fairly deep.
If you have a good local run store, also get to know them and see if they have annual sales! Stores have to clear inventory annually and when they do it's an amazing way to find deals on shoes you would not be able to get for the price anywhere else.
Finally, be on the lookout during holiday season. It's a great time to find super deals and save up.
There is then a whole layer of new shoes priced $100 and below, which starts getting tricky as the options become harder to parse. For the most part, shoes we review tend to be in the $100+ end as they are more well-built for higher mileage running. Most generic shoes under $100 lack a lot of comfort for racking up miles. While these generic shoes may work for getting started, eventually it is worth exploring a higher quality footwear to help you on your running journey as you go further and further.
There are a few tips we usually provide for finding a quality running shoe at a good price point. The first is to look for last year's models. When a new model releases, typically you can find excellent deals on the previous model. This is a great way to get started compared to buying models that are under $100, but typically lower quality. While in recent years shoes have gotten more and more exciting by the season, last year's models are both proven and plenty of fun for a new runner to get started with.
Doing some research to learn about the various models will also let you go a long way towards looking out for deals. Aim for shoes that are originally between $100-150 initially for deep discounts as well. Daily trainers like the Nike Pegasus, Saucony Ride, and others are often good places to start with and explore as the discounts can run fairly deep.
If you have a good local run store, also get to know them and see if they have annual sales! Stores have to clear inventory annually and when they do it's an amazing way to find deals on shoes you would not be able to get for the price anywhere else.
Finally, be on the lookout during holiday season. It's a great time to find super deals and save up.
Are you a Medical, Military, or First-Responder?
Asics has a 25% off program for those in these fields. It's a massive discount on new shoes that you should learn more about. Find the program here.
Asics has a 25% off program for those in these fields. It's a massive discount on new shoes that you should learn more about. Find the program here.
Are you a Sports Medicine Professional?
Brooks has a 40% off program for those in the field. Find the program here.
Disclaimer
The following recommendations are from a variety of websites. This includes links to our friends at Running Warehouse, which are affiliate links that help support Doctors of Running. The remaining links are non-affiliate links.
Best Budget Running Shoe Picks:
September 2024
Daily Trainers (Neutral)
(Shoes for Everyday Mileage at Easy to Moderate Paces)
The Brooks Hyperion Max is a lightweight, rockered performance trainer
that is equally comfortable at easy and uptempo paces. The
nitrogen-infused DNA FLASH midsole provides ample underfoot protection
while retaining a snappy and responsive ride. The rearfoot and forefoot
rockers, which Brooks calls Rapid Roll technology, contribute to smooth
transitions without forcing motion. I have been asking the shoe universe
to send me a replacement for my beloved, discontinued New Balance
Beacon, and this shoe may help fill the void. The Hyperion Max is a
great option for runners looking for a lightweight trainer that can
handle uptempo paces and easy miles.
Brooks Revel 6 | Review
The Brooks Revel 6 is a neutral daily trainer that, along with the Launch series, has long been a solid daily training budget option in the Brooks line at the $100 level. Featuring an "energizing," springy midsole, it is a shoe that performs nicely a daily efforts and has a little capacity to pick up the pace as well. Best for newer runners looking for a classic training option with no frills and a well-fitting upper, the Revel 6 remains a popular choice that's both easy on the wallet and easy to find.
The HOKA Rincon 3 is a no frills lightweight trainer that is
an interesting crossroads of maximalist design while still maintaining
some ground feel. The third version brings a more breathable upper,
slightly increased rubber outsole coverage, a drop in weight, and some
changes in outsole design that has an impact on heel stability and
effective heel to toe offset. The Rincon sits on the firmer end of the
HOKA line and stays out of the way when different runs and conditions
are thrown at it.
Daily Trainers (Stability)
(Shoes with some form of stability. See our Stability Guide to learn more)
(Shoes with some form of stability. See our Stability Guide to learn more)
Saucony Guide 16 | Review
New Balance 860v13 | Review
The now surprisingly nimble Saucony Guide series returns with mild
refinements that continue to to progress it forwards in performance and
comfort. A refined upper provides a little more room while still
providing a secure and comfortable fit for those with narrow to
normal-width feet. A new PWRRUN+ insole provides a softer and slightly
bouncier ride compared to the previous model. The Hollow Tech support
frame continues to provide a moderate level medial support along with
several other guidance based approaches. The Saucony Guide 16 continues
as a comfortable stability daily trainer that runs on the lighter end
while providing consistent and well-integrated new-age support.
New Balance 860v13 | Review
The
New Balance Fresh Foam 860v13 is a moderate stability daily trainer for
those who want a wider fitting, rockered, sturdy shoe for easy miles. A
softer Fresh Foam X midsole sits underfoot, providing balanced
cushioning from heel to toe. Well-designed sidewalls and an integrated
medial post provide integrated and non-obtrusive stability. A wider
fitting, but secure upper sits up top, providing room for those who
either want a wider fit or have wider feet. The 860v13 maintains a
similar weight that keeps it mostly for easy mileage, but the updated
midsole and stability improve comfort in the long run.
Performance Trainers and Racing Shoes
(Shoes for Uptempo Running, May Be Used for Daily in Some Cases)
(Shoes for Uptempo Running, May Be Used for Daily in Some Cases)
Saucony Endorphin Pro 3 | Review
Deal: $149.88 at Running Warehouse
Deal: $149.88 at Running Warehouse
It is not under $100, but it is one of the best racing shoe deals available now! The Saucony Endorphin Pro 3 is a fast, bouncy, max stack height, carbon
fiber plated distance racing shoe that truly has achieved a "super shoe"
status. A maxed-out midsole features 39.5mm/31.5mm of PWRRUN PB,
providing a bouncy and fast ride. A snug but comfortable upper provides a
highly secure and incredibly breathable fit. A new midsole geometry
provides a guided and inherently stable ride. Combined with a new,
lighter weight, all this together makes for an extremely fast, yet
comfortable shoe that has the comfort for the marathon and the
responsiveness/speed for some down to the 5k.
Deal: $104.99 at Running Warehouse
The Topo Specter is a brand new maximalist performance trainer that
combines a traditional EVA midsole with a PEBAX insert. The sole
features a taller stack height combined with a non-plated but stiffer
and highly rockered ride. The upper carries over Topo's traditional
normal fit with an anatomic toebox, making for a comfortable fit that
lets the toes splay. Best for easy runs, longer efforts, uptempo and
tempo runs, the Topo Specter will work as a performance trainer for some
and potentially a longer distance racing shoe for those searching for
PEBAX without an aggressive plate.
Asics Hyper Speed 2 | Review
Deal: $59.88 at Running Warehouse
Deal: $59.88 at Running Warehouse
The ASICS Hyper Speed 2 is a (rare) traditional racing flat for those who want a light, lower stack height, flexible shoe for faster efforts. The upper is slightly snug and secure but has decent room throughout for this shoe type. The ride underfoot is obviously on the firmer side, but is well cushioned for how low stack this shoe is. The sole is flexible but snappy and light at 6.7 oz (men's size 9). This makes the ASICS Hyper Speed 2 a great option for those who want a non-plated, non-super foam racing shoe for 5k/10k racing and shorter workouts.
Trail Shoes
(Shoes for tackling a variety of terrain)
Trail Shoes
(Shoes for tackling a variety of terrain)
Saucony Endorphin Edge | Review
Deal: $99.88 at Running Warehouse
Shop Men | Shop Women
Deal: $99.88 at Running Warehouse
Shop Men | Shop Women
The Saucony Endorphin Edge is the first carbon plated, full-length
superfoam trail shoe. Featuring a Carbitex plate that stabilizes a high
stack of PWRRUN PB, the shoe provides a highly cushioned and responsive
feel on the trail. A slightly wider fitting upper will work for a
variety of feet and does well over long mileage accommodating foot
swelling. It also features a wide sole with plenty of grip for both
smooth and somewhat aggressive trails. A fun shoe that can handle slower
training efforts, workouts and fast race efforts over a variety of
longer distances, the Saucony Endorphin Edge is a go-to trail shoe no
matter what lies ahead.
Saucony Blaze TR | Review
Deal: $100 at Saucony
Shop Men | Shop Women
Deal: $100 at Saucony
Shop Men | Shop Women
The Saucony Blaze TR is a budget-performance trail shoe for those who
want a lighter, high-stack option at a great price ($100). The durable
upper mesh provides a slightly snug fit that locks down well for those
needing to feel secure over a variety of terrain. The midsole is
full-length PWRRUN, providing a firmer but grounded ride despite the
higher stack height. The Blaze TR is a great option for those who want a
budget option to try trail running or others who want a second uptempo
option for softer surfaces.
Have questions? Send us an email at doctorsofrunning@gmail.com
Thanks for reading!
More Guides from Doctors of Running
Beginner's Guide to Running Shoes: Are you a brand new runner and unsure where to start? Visit this guide first to get started.
Stability Shoe Resource Page: Our comprehensive guide to stability shoes and alternatives for neutral runners as well
Carbon Fiber Plated Shoes Resource Page: Want to go as fast as possible for race day? Visit this page for all of our super shoe reviews
Guide to Walking Shoes: Featuring some science behind walking and the best running shoes for walking based on our everyday testing and clinical experience working with patients.
Getting the Right Fit: Unsure if your shoe fits? Visit this page to help you determine how to find the right shoe for your feet. Comfort is one of the most important things we emphasize at Doctors of Running before you get out the door and on the road. Sometimes the right shoe for you is not what works for many others. That is why it is important to try different shoes when you can to get a better understanding of works best for your needs.
Beginner's Guide to Nutrition/Hydration: Guest writer Jennifer Giles (Registered Dietitan/Nutritionist) helps bring a new guide for fueling to Doctors of Running as part of our summer hydration series.
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