Cheap running shoes, if you do your homework right, can often provide equal or greater levels of comfort and protection compared their more expensive counterparts. A larger price tag doesn’t necessarily mean you will get a better quality shoe and in fact a 2007 UK study[1] found that low and medium cost running shoes provided the same, if not better cushioning as higher priced shoes. Above all, fit is the most important aspect of a shoe, not price.
All of the following running shoes hover around or below the $75 price point normally, with the exception of the motion control category. Some can be found for even cheaper if you shop around for sales.
Cheap Running Shoes by Foot Type
(see “Pronation Defined” below to learn more)
Stability Shoes
Stability is the most common shoe type, for those with average arches and no or mild overpronation. These shoes feature a more structured upper overlay, an additional amount of foam on the inside to slow down the rate of pronation which may occur, and more straight bottom. Some good choices are:
- ASICS GT 2110 Very popular and widely praised shoe; retails for $75
- New Balance 763 Classic, high-mileage shoe; retails for $70
Stability shoes to look for on sale:
- Brooks Adrenaline GTS 10 Best-selling 11.1 ounce legend; retails for $100
Neutral Shoes
Neutral shoes are best suited for underpronators, but can also be suitable for light-framed runners with normal pronation. These shoes lack added stability or support features to better encourage a more natural foot motion, and will have a fairly curved bottom. Underpronators will want to seek out shoes with sufficient cushioning.. Cheap running shoes to look out for are:
- ASICS GEL Maverick 3 A cheap introductory running shoe; retails for $50
- ASICS GEL Equation 3/4 Simple no frills shoe; retails for $70
- ASICS Gel Hyper Speed 3 Super lightweight 6.9 ounce shoe; retails for $75
Neutral shoes to look for on sale:
- Nike Air Pegasus+ 27 Widely favored classic cushioned shoe; retails for $90
- Mizuno Wave Rider 13/14 Also popular great cushioned shoe; retails for $100
Motion Control Shoes
For those with severe overpronation, motion control shoes have greater features in place to restrict excess motion. These features include a much more built up upper section, stronger median construction, and a very straight bottom. These features don’t easily make for cheap running shoes, and there are far fewer selections available overall. These shoes stood out though with great reviews, and being conservatively priced compared with other models:
- Asics Gel Foundation 9 Long-time favorite with great support; retails for $100
- Brooks Addiction 8 Another comparable long-time favorite; retails for $100
Pronation Defined
Pronation is the natural and healthy inward roll of the foot upon striking the ground, that acts as a cushioning mechanism. The average person with an average foot arch is best served with stability shoes. Overpronation is when the feet roll too much inward, occurs most frequently with low arching(flat) feet, and is best served with motion control shoes. Underpronation, or supination, is when there is not enough inward motion, and occurs most frequently with high arching feet. It can be best served with cushioned and in particular neutral cushioned shoes. Knowing which foot type you are is key – correctly fit cheap running shoes will trounce expensive ones anyday.
Which Foot Type Are You?
An easy way tell what type of gait you have is by looking at your used shoes. Place them on a surface, pointing away from you and you should be able to observe one of three scenarios: If you have overpronation then the shoes will have a slight or noticeable inward tilt. Underpronator’s will have a outward tilt, and those with a neutral gait exhibit no tilt.
Absent used shoes, you can determine your gait by looking at your foot arch. Lightly wet the bottom of your foot and step on a brown paper bag. High arches will have a very pronounced inside “S” curve(looking at right foot). Average arches will have a pronounced but smoothed curve, and low arches(flat feet) will only have a slight, almost straight inside curve.
Additional Pointers
- Try on the shoes during the same time of day you run. What fits well in the evening may be slightly loose feeling come morning.
- Beyond speciality stores, outlet stores can be great for finding cheap running shoes, as they tend to carry a lot more of past season’s footwear.
1. http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/early/2007/10/11/bjsm.2007.038844.abstract