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20 Best Running Shoes For Under $100 (Review) In 2022

Best Choice
asics women's gel venture 5
ASICS Women's GEL-Venture 5 Running Shoe Under $100
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Best Value
adidas performance women's duramo 6 w
Adidas Performance Duramo 6 Running Shoe Under $100
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Premium Pick
skechers men go run ride 7
Skechers Men's Go Run Ride 7 Running Shoe Under $100
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By Shoe Hero
Published 07:38 am
Show contents
Contents
  1. 1. ASICS Women's GEL-Venture 5 Running Shoe Under $100
  2. 2. Adidas Performance Duramo 6 Running Shoe Under $100
  3. 3. Skechers Men's Go Run Ride 7 Running Shoe Under $100
  4. 4. Under Armour Men's MicroG Assert 7 Running Shoe Under $100
  5. 5. Merrell Women's Vapor Glove 2 Barefoot Trail Running Shoe Under $100
  6. 6. New Balance Men's Cruz V2 Fresh Foam Running Shoe
  7. 7. Saucony Women's Kineta Relay Running Shoe
  8. 8. Reebok Men's Fast Flexweave
  9. 9. Nike Women's Free 5.0+ Running Shoe
  10. 10. Brooks Men's Launch 5
  11. 11. Saucony Women's Ride 7 Running Shoe
  12. 12. Nike Men's Zoom Winflo Running Shoe
  13. 13. New Balance Women's 680v3 Running Shoe
  14. 14. Champion Women's Margaret Runner
  15. 15. Under Armour Men's Speedform Intake 2 Running Shoe
  16. 16. ASICS Gel-Kenun Men's Running Shoe
  17. 17. Under Armour Women's Micro G Assert 6 Running Shoe
  18. 18. Adidas Men's Questar Tnd Running Shoe
  19. 19. ALEADER Women's Running Shoes
  20. 20. Reebok Men's Zigpulse Running Shoe

If the world’s best running shoes have one thing in common it’s the price. Many cost well over $100 with more than a few tipping the financial scale north of $200. It can be quite a hit when you’ve got rent, food, transportation and a thousand other demands on your finances. That reality got us to wondering which running shoes out there provide the best value. So without further ado here they are, the result of long hours of research and testing: the best running shoes for under $100.

The Best Running Shoe For Under $100

Best choice

1.
ASICS Women’s GEL-Venture 5 Running Shoe Under $100

asics women's gel venture 5
Key Features

    Multi-surface outsole

    GEL cushioned midsole

    High abrasion rubber

    Removable sock liner

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The GEL Venture 5 from Asics provides space, comfort and support in a lightweight affordable package that’s built to last. To our way of thinking that pretty much defines value. The shoe also provides the kind of lateral support you don’t expect in a running shoe. So it wouldn’t be a stretch to wear it playing tennis. The design is fairly pedestrian but performance is anything but. At this price, it’s one of the great steals in athletic footwear. If you are a new to running, be sure to check out our guide to the best running shoes for beginners.

Best Price

2.
Adidas Performance Duramo 6 Running Shoe Under $100

adidas performance women's duramo 6 w
Key Features

    Air Mesh upper

    Synthetic rubber sole

    Adiprene cushioning

    Non-marking sole

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The Performance Women’s Duramo 6 from adidas provides outstanding structural support from heel to toe. The company’s “Adiprene” cushioning is welcoming, forgiving and flexible. The upper is a combination of breathable fabric and faux leather that hugs your foot firmly without pinching. There’s a shock absorbing EVA midsole, good to excellent arch support and plenty of cushion in the heel. It’s also available in a range of color schemes that are sure to please.

Premium Pick

3.
Skechers Men’s Go Run Ride 7 Running Shoe Under $100

skechers men go run ride 7
Key Features

    Breathable fabric upper

    Neutral multipurpose trainer

    Real rubber sole

    Flight Gen cushioning

    Reflective safety accents

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The Skechers Men’s Go Run Ride 7 is very light and airy, very handsome and comfy, very well made and quite durable. This is the 7th edition of the shoe and in this iteration they have completely remade the midsole, correcting some inadequacies from earlier versions. The new foam layout is far more accommodating and does a much better job preventing repetitive impacts from taking a toll. And although some may bemoan the relative lack of color choices we found the available colors tastefully subdued. To avoid pain while running, pick your favorite pair of running shoes for shin splints from our list.

4.
Under Armour Men’s MicroG Assert 7 Running Shoe Under $100

under armour micro g assert 7
Key Features

    EVA sockliner

    Lightweight upper

    Durable leather accents

    MicroG foam insole

    Genuine rubber outsole

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The Under Armour Men’s MicroG Assert is sleek and slick and bouncy and supportive. It’s also comfortable, breathable and durable, with its various leather accents. It features a full-length EVA sockliner that helps mold the shoe to your foot and a moderately grippy rubber sole. It also provides a breathable woven upper that’s light and keeps your feet cool and a reinforced heel cup that stabilizes your motion through impact. If we have a quibble it’s the design of the outsole. Which makes it look like you’re running on marshmallows.

5.
Merrell Women’s Vapor Glove 2 Barefoot Trail Running Shoe Under $100

merrell women's vapor glove 2
Key Features

    Ultra-low profile

    Extra wide forefoot

    Genuine rubber sole

    Microfiber cushioning in the footbed

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Merrell is best known for their climbing boots and shoes but they hit the nail on the head with their Vapor Glove 2 Running Shoe. Designed specifically for trail running you’d do well to stay off the pavement with them. But if you can find some reasonably level bike or hiking trails you’ll soon discover why they’ve garnered so much attention lately. They’re light, breathable and well cushioned. And they have plenty of room in the toe box to compensate for that time later in your run when your feet are puffing up a bit. One of the best cheap pairs of trail running shoes for women on the market.

6.
New Balance Men’s Cruz V2 Fresh Foam Running Shoe

new balance cruz v2
Key Features

    Highly breathable

    Fabric and nubuck leather upper

    Sleek modern profile

    Molded heel cup

    Easy on easy off

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New Balance Men’s Cruz V2 is another minimalist running shoe that provides surprising support and high-end cushioning. The upper is super light and breathable. The rubber sole is responsive and durable. The nubuck leather accents provide lock-down stability and the monochromatic color scheme is manly as all get-out. Total weight of the pair is around a pound and a half. Which means they’re not going to become anchors in the late stages of your run. Part high-performance slipper part athletic shoe they’re a breath of fresh air.

7.
Saucony Women’s Kineta Relay Running Shoe

saucony women's kineta relay
Key Features

    Memory foam insole

    Tonal mesh upper

    Abrasion resistant EVA outsole

    15 color combinations

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Saucony provides wearers of their Kineta Relay Running Shoe with a custom fit by way of their Form2U Memory Foam. It molds itself to the shape of each foot and then retains that imprint. So each time you slip on the Kineta your foot finds a perfect contour waiting for it. The foam also provides ample cushioning against shocks. When you couple that with the highly breathable upper and the light weight of the shoe you get hard to beat comfort at any price. Thankfully you get it here for well under $100. If your feet are a little wider than average, you will definitely find a pair that suits you in our guide to the best running shoes for wide feet.

8.
Reebok Men’s Fast Flexweave

reebok fast flexweave
Key Features

    Genuine rubber outsole

    Flexweave fabric upper

    Highly breathable

    An array of subtle colors

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While the visuals of the Men’s Fast Flexweave left us wanting we found the shoe to be immensely likable from a comfort and performance perspective. It’s relatively light, well built, and the figure 8 “Flexweave” on the upper produces a fabric that’s stretchy and breathable. It’s sort of like having Spandex shoes if you can imagine such a thing. As we said we were not impressed with the look of the shoe, regardless of which subtle color combination was in play. But taste is subjective.

9.
Nike Women’s Free 5.0+ Running Shoe

nike free 5.0+ womens
Key Features

    Breathable mesh upper

    Genuine rubber outsole

    Flex grooves for mobility

    Promotes proper gait

    Flywire tech for great fit

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This is another of the best cheap running shoes that impressed us greatly from a performance perspective but left us wanting something more in the style department. It’s very comfortable and follows your foot through the entire running motion without argument. You can almost feel it guiding your step as you go and that’s a strange and wonderful thing. The Flywire tech has more than a little to do with that, as do the flex grooves, the cushioned midsole and the physical aspect of the layout. Nike Free 5.0+ Running Shoe is also one of the lightest on our list. For more light footwear, check out our guide to the best zero drop running shoes.

10.
Brooks Men’s Launch 5

brooks launch 5
Key Features

    Breathable fabric upper

    Generous midsole cushioning

    Rubber outsole

    9 color schemes

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The Launch 5 features a clean, uncluttered design that lifts many of its visual cues from Nike. The ample cushioning through the midsole envelopes your feet in a well of comfort and effectively dissipates shock so your ankles and knees don’t suffer. The overall action is smooth and stable and the Air Mesh venting in the upper allows heat and moisture to escape to keep you cool and dry. The figure 8 pattern on the sole isn’t ideal for running but it’s not going to hold you back either.

11.
Saucony Women’s Ride 7 Running Shoe

saucony women's ride 7 gtx
Key Features

    Air mesh venting

    Synthetic mesh upper

    Reflective accents for safety

    Durable rubber outsole

    ComfortLite sock liner

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The Women’s Ride 7 Running Shoe from Saucony is as comfortable as it is colorful. It’s also well-built and features a sock liner that seems to massage your foot as you run. The upper is fashioned from breathable fabric with lots of venting for heat and moisture. And the heel cup is well cushioned and ergonomically shaped to minimize impacts. This is an ideal all-around trainer and you’ll find it a worthy companion on even the longest runs. Find more great running footwear by checking out our guide to the best running shoes for flat feet.

12.
Nike Men’s Zoom Winflo Running Shoe

nike zoom winflo 5
Key Features

    Genuine rubber sole

    Supportive structure

    Protective tip overlay

    Waffle design for flexibility

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If you’re a guy who appreciates being given choices the 27 color options provided by the Men’s Zoom Winflo from Nike are going to whisper sweet nothings to you. But that’s not the only aspect of this affordable running shoe you’re going to like. It also provides a firm, comfortable fit with a full-length woven upper that’s both breathable and stretchy. The shoe has Nike’s signature clean lines which converge and dissipate toward the toe and don’t interfere with your enjoyment of the more than 2 dozen available colors.

13.
New Balance Women’s 680v3 Running Shoe

new balance women's 680v3
Key Features

    Fabric and leather upper

    Reinforced toe

    Rubber sole for extra grip

    No-sew seams prevent irritation

    Abzorb heel cup

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The 680v3 from New Balance is light and airy and holds your foot firmly through your stride. It’s ideal for longer runs, tennis and general training sessions indoors or out. The New Balance Abzorb system soaks up impacts and dissipates the force throughout the shoe to make for a very comfortable stride regardless of surface. The shoe is very flexible and doesn’t fight back. It’s also notable for needing very little time to break in. Add it all up and you have one of the best cheap running shoes that perform like an expensive shoe. And if you by any chance suffer from underpronation, be sure to check out our guide to the best running shoes for underpronation.

14.
Champion Women’s Margaret Runner

champion women's margaret
Key Features

    Memory foam midsole

    Fabric and leather upper

    Skid resistant outsole

    Extra roomy toe box

    Durable construction

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Champion delivers a value winner with their Margaret Runner. It features a skid-resistant outsole, extra room in the toe box and memory foam throughout the midsole that welcomes your foot like an old friend. This is an attractive shoe with a timeless profile that’s going to appeal to a lot of women who want to be able to wear their athletic footwear out for casual get-togethers. If there’s a downside (and at this price there often is) it’s that the outsole has a bulky appearance that seems unwarranted by performance considerations.

15.
Under Armour Men’s Speedform Intake 2 Running Shoe

under armour speedform intake 2
Key Features

    Woven textile upper

    Handsome sleek profile

    Memory foam liner

    Synthetic rubber sole

    UA SpeedForm construction

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If you think ankle support is for the birds you’ll probably love the Under Armour Men’s Speedform. The shoe has a low, minimalist profile that suggests motion and incorporates ample Air Mesh venting to keep your feet cool and dry. All the structural elements of the shoe ride low toward the sole and the effect is rather like a running sandal. But the design is not a gimmick. The synthetic rubber sole has impressive propulsive capabilities that seem to push you along as you run. A nice trick and a welcome effect that helps you reach the zone that much quicker.

16.
ASICS Gel-Kenun Men’s Running Shoe

asics gel kenun
Key Features

    Genuine rubber sole

    Breathable fabric upper

    Faux leather accents

    Outstanding lateral support

    6 color schemes available

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Those who put a premium on performance are going to appreciate the lightweight responsiveness of the Asics Gel-Kenun Men’s Running Shoe. Those who want an athletic shoe they can also wear out for casual get-togethers and such are going to be less impressed. That’s all we’ll say about that. The shoe provides impressive lateral support, promotes a nice smooth gait and breathes like it’s going out of style. The gel cushioning lives up to its promise to absorb whatever shocks comes its way, while the molded heel cup keeps everything properly aligned.

17.
Under Armour Women’s Micro G Assert 6 Running Shoe

under armour women's micro g assert 6
Key Features

    Breathable fabric upper

    Foam underlayer

    Faux leather accents

    Comfortable EVA sock liner

    Anti-scuff leather touches

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If there’s one thing we learned during our journey through the best cheap running shoes it’s that design is where it seems most companies wind up cutting costs. Because, while there are only a couple of real design clunkers on our list, many are simply unremarkable or fall back on well-worn design cues. Such is the case of the UA MicroG Assert 6. While it has an appropriately overwrought 2019 title the look of the shoe is a bit sigh-inducing. On the other hand, you’re likely going to love what it brings to the table in terms of comfort and performance. So the value in running shoes means accepting the not so great with the good. If you need extra comfort, check out our reviews of the best insoles.

18.
Adidas Men’s Questar Tnd Running Shoe

adidas questar tnd
Key Features

    Cushioned midsole

    Telescoping heel

    Sleek contemporary look

    Energy-returning boost foam

    Very breathable fabric upper

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The Questar from adidas feels every bit as light and spunky as it looks. It envelopes your foot the minute you slide it in and works with it, enabling every motion. This is a multipurpose athletic shoe that can double as casual footwear. You’ll likely find yourself wearing it just as often to movies and on nights out with friends as you will running or training. It’s wonderfully breathable, provides a surprising amount of lateral stability and is stable from the word go.

19.
ALEADER Women’s Running Shoes

aleader women's running shoes
Key Features

    Breathable lining

    Comfortable EVA midsole

    Slip-resistant rubber sole

    Outstanding arch support

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Those who like their footwear to walk on the wild side are going to love the Aleader Women’s Running Shoes. To call them “colorful” would be an understatement. But they’re more than just a wearable color wheel. They also offer top-notch support via the EVA midsole, have a slip resistant outsole and feature a ton of lateral buttressing that encourages confidence whatever your activity. To call the sole design “unique” would be selling it short. But it’s not an impediment to performance. Overall the shoe looks like a gimmick but performs like a high-quality athletic shoe. Go figure.

20.
Reebok Men’s Zigpulse Running Shoe

reebok zigpulse
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Just when you think shoe design can’t get much more bizarre than the Aleader we just reviewed along comes the last item on our list of best running shoes for under $100: the Reebok Men’s Zigpulse. If they gave out a prize for “most unusual looking shoe ever made” this puppy would win going away. But beyond the otherworldly unusual-ness of the sole design there’s plenty to like here. Including a shock absorbing heel cup and lots of lateral support via the faux leather buttressing. If you like your running shoes to be conversation starters the Zigpulse won’t let you down. If you are a passionate runner, check out our guide to the best trail running shoes for men.

Running Shoe For Under $100 Buying Guide

How We Chose Our Selection Of The Best Running Shoes For Under $100

Price - The title of this review piece says it all. We went on a mission to find value and set the price cap at $100. ‘Nuf said.

Brand - We weren’t as concerned with brand names as we were with whether or not the shoes delivered on the quality front within the price limit we set.

Reviews - We always take customer reviews into consideration. But at the end of the day, we base the bulk of our judgments on our experience with the product.

best running shoes for under $100

Features To Look For In Best Running Shoes For Under $100

Grip - The sole of a running shoe has to walk a tightrope. It has to be grippy enough to hold firm to all the different surfaces you’re going to encounter. While at the same time not being so grippy that it impedes your stride and makes you work harder. These are not racquetball shoes after all. So they shouldn’t have a gum rubber sole.

Comfort - It’s a fact of life when it comes to virtually any type of footwear that the more you pay the more comfortable the shoes typically are. That’s because comfort is a function of things like quality materials, time spent sweating the details of arch support and flexibility and eliminating things that might cause irritation. Makers of lower cost shoes simply don’t have the time to spend on such details. That doesn’t mean the shoes have to be torture devices though. The best cheap running shoes put a premium on carving the most comfort from the fewest resources.

Weight - Ideally you don’t want your running shoes to weigh more than about 1.5 pounds total for both shoes. Any more than that and they’re likely to start weighing on you in the latter stages of your run. Lighter is good, as long as the lighter design doesn’t sacrifice shock absorption, stability or durability in the process.

Stability - With some shoes lateral stability is of primary importance. But in the case of stability running shoes, it refers more to the way the shoe coddles your foot as you go through the heel to toe motion. Because virtually all of your motion is going to be forward-oriented this only makes sense. So look for things like a moderately firm midsole, a snug heel cup with ample cushioning to absorb shocks and a toe box wide enough to accommodate your foot as it spreads and swells slightly during the course of the run.

best running shoes for under $100

Breathability - The further you run the more your feet are going to sweat. The hotter the weather the more your feet are going to sweat. Running a long way on a hot day is going to produce a perfect storm of conditions that could lead to blisters, bacteria and stinky shoes. Breathability has always been a primary concern when it comes to running shoes. And that’s the case whether they cost $100 or $300. Look for synthetic mesh uppers, Air Mesh vents and other features that promote the release of heat.

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