Best Budget Running Shoes for Under $120

Running is beautiful for its purity: all you need is a pair of shoes and a desire to move. But the barrier to entry on the former point is getting higher, as inflation, new shoe technologies and increased demand have sent the prices of running shoes to the moon. While most mainstream daily trainers start around $140, and race day shoes are creeping scarily close to $300 (looking at you, Saucony Endorphin Elite…), we've unearthed a few gems below that will keep you running with speed, comfort and style without breaking the bank.

The Best Budget Running Shoes in Summer 2023

To find the best running shoes, we searched the marketplace high and low for all performance running shoes $120 or less—the ground rules were that the shoes had to be from reputable, established brands (no cut-rate knockoffs on Amazon) and purpose-built running shoes, no casual wear, crosstrainer or walking shoes. We then looked at midsole material, upper construction, outsole rubber coverage and runner sentiment to compile our list of finalists. 

We aimed to surface a broad list of shoes across categories, from recovery runs to race day. We included mostly current model year shoes but made exceptions for last year's models on sale where we know there is significant inventory to be sold still and prices won't go up. Here are the top 10 running shoes on the market right now with an MSRP under $120.

1. Saucony Axon 3 ($100): Best Budget Daily Trainer 

An under-the-radar performer, the Saucony Axon 3 has the same supportive and responsive EVA-based PWRRUN foam as the Saucony Ride and Shift 3, which are priced $40 to $50 higher. It has a padded upper for comfort on daily runs, plus a generous rubber outsole to enhance traction, protect the midsole foam and increase longevity. At two-thirds the price of Saucony's heavy-hitters, this is hands-down the best non-sale shoe deal on the market today—and others agree: Runners World called this "the rare budget shoe that rides like its pricier cohorts."

2. Atreyu Base Model ($85): Best No-Frills Shoe

The Atreyu brand was founded in 2020 to bring runners simple, low-cost running shoes. Now in its second version, the base model keeps the affordable mission the same while improving some key elements.The upper of the V2 has been improved with wraparound overlays, providing excellent lockdown and stability, even during workouts and cornering. The midsole has been upgraded with a new supercritical EVA compound, resulting in a bouncier and poppier ride. There's no rubber outsole here, so durability may be less than some of the other shoes on this list—but you'll be getting a fun ride for under $100.

3. Saucony Kinvara 14  ($120): Best Budget Uptempo Shoe

The Saucony Kinvara is a popular lightweight running shoe that has been on the market for over 14 years. It was initially introduced as a transitional shoe between minimalist and regular trainers, and it has maintained its appeal as a lightweight option for daily training, workouts, and races. The latest version, the Kinvara 14, has increased stack height while remaining the lightest in the series. It offers a flexible, cushioned, and fast ride, making it suitable for various paces and distances.

4. Adidas Adizero SL ($120): Most Versatile For the Price 

The Adidas Adizero SL fills a gap in the Adidas training lineup, offering a shoe that falls between the heavier Boston and speed-focused Adios models. The Adidas Adizero SL is a daily trainer that combines performance and liveliness for runners due to the light weight, mix of EVA-based Lightstrike and supercritical TPE Lightstrike Pro foams in the midsole. With a full-contact outsole, responsive ride and comfortable ride, the Adizero SL is a great option for daily training and even longer runs, as well as picking up the pace for faster workouts. This is often on sale for under $100—at time of publication on June 9, 2023, Adidas was running a sale with certain models available for $60 and $72 depending on the colorway (I grabbed a pair of the solar red version for $60).

5. Brooks Divide 3 ($100): Best Budget Trail Shoe

The Brooks Divide 3 offers a comfortable entry onto the trails without breaking the bank. The shoe's rigidity and support make it suitable for a wide variety of trails and conditions, providing a stable and comfortable running experience. While it may not be the best for super technical terrain—consider something with tackier rubber and more aggressive lugs for that—the Divide 3 combines light trail and road performance, making it a versatile option. 

6. Atreyu The Artist ($100): Best Budget Super Shoe

The Artist by Atreyu offers exceptional value in the super shoe category with a price tag of $100, making it significantly more affordable than other carbon-plated racers. The shoe has a 30mm stack of responsive supercritical EVA midsole and a lightweight, unstructured upper. Its snappy and bouncy nature, coupled with the effect of a late-stage rocker, contributes to an efficient and propulsive running experience. Keep in mind that the stack height here is less than other shoes like the Saucony Endorphin Pro 3, Nike Next% Vaporfly and Asics MetaSpeed Sky+, which have 40mm midsoles, but the price undercuts those models as well.

7. Saucony Triumph 20: Best Budget Max Cushion ($120)

The Saucony Triumph 20 has a comfortable padded upper and bouncy, soft midsole made from Saucony's beaded TPU PWRRUN+ foam. It has a wide forefoot platform for stable landings and a thick outsole covering of XT-900 rubber, which grips well in rain and wet conditions. While on the pricier end on affordable, its versatility means that you can use it on everything from recovery runs to daily training to speed sessions—and even raceday if you're prioritizing comfort over speed.

8. Bonus: Anything From Last Year

Finally, one of the best ways to lock down affordable running shoes is the pick up last year's model at a sale price. Some companies change very little with each model year but crank out a new release anyway to keep the hamster wheel of product development and consumer expectations of newness going. You'll be able to find deep, deep discounts if you strike at the right time using this strategy—I've picked up two super shoes for $100 or less and a daily trainer for $60.

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Summary: Best Cheap Running Shoes

Here are our picks to get you moving at an afforable price point this summer. If you can afford to pick up more than one pair, or there's a great sale going, consider purchasing two different pairs of running shoes and rotating them to work different muscles in your legs.

• Saucony Axon 3 ($100): Best Budget Daily Trainer 
• Atreyu Base Model ($85): Best No-Frills Shoe
• Saucony Kinvara 14  ($120): Best Budget Uptempo Shoe
• Adidas Adizero SL ($120): Most Versatile For the Price 
• Brooks Divide 3 ($100): Best Budget Trail Shoe
• Atreyu The Artist ($100): Best Budget Super Shoe
• Saucony Triumph 20 ($120): Best Budget Max Cushion