One of the great attractions of running has always been that it doesn’t require expensive equipment or a monthly membership. You would be forgiven, however, for calling BS on that statement, because the cost of running shoes has rocketed in the past few years.
If you’re someone who wants the best of everything the minute it comes out, there’s no getting around it—you’ll need to splurge to get the running shoes you want, especially if you’re after a set of the best carbon plate running shoes. Thankfully a good pair will usually last for more than 500 miles and the materials used in some of the top-line shoes offer some impressive benefits.
If you’re on a tight budget, don’t worry—there are several ways to get a great pair of the best running shoes for less. The best strategy is to seek out an older model of a long-running shoe line. Often the differences between the latest release and last season’s model might only be cosmetic but the price will be lower, even outside of major sales events such as Black Friday. I always flag in my running shoe reviews when the differences between generations are minimal and I’ve highlighted a few to keep an eye out for.
Another option is to seek out a budget shoe. This can be something of a crapshoot, but if you stick to the “does it feel right” test when trying it on, you should be able to find one that works for you. I’ve also included my tried-and-tested recommendations for shoes that cost less than three figures.
How I Test Running Shoes
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I regularly run 50-70 miles a week following a training plan, usually for a marathon, where my PR is 2hr 28min. This allows for a lot of shoe testing, and I aim to run at least 30 miles in each shoe before writing my review for Coach. I’ve been testing shoes for around eight years and have tried several generations of many popular lines, so can recommend them with confidence.
Best Last-Gen Models To Look For In Running Shoe Sales
In my experience, it’s not uncommon for the latest version of a shoe to represent a slight downgrade. All of which means it’s wise to look for last-gen models in running shoe sales if you’re trying to build a running shoe rotation on a budget, or looking for one shoe to do it all. You’ll usually find older shoes in a sale, especially if you shop during events like Black Friday. The discounts can be considerable.
I’ve reviewed hundreds of pairs of running shoes and several generations of many popular lines like the Nike Pegasus, Brooks Ghost and Hoka Clifton. I’ve picked out what I think are the best last-gen shoes to look for in sales because they’re as good, or better, than the latest version.
The Nike Pegasus 39 was a big update on the Pegasus 38, with a lighter design that made it a more versatile shoe, while still being comfortable and cushioned. Nike made only minor changes to the upper with the Nike Pegasus 40—which is the latest version of the shoe—and actually the Pegasus 39 is lighter than the 40, while having the same feel underfoot. I’d get the older Pegasus in a heartbeat, and it’s often in Nike’s sales.
Read more in my Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 39 review
I’m not a fan of the Brooks Ghost 14 or Ghost 15 because I find them a bit heavy and they lack the bouncy midsole foams in other shoes, however they’re popular shoes and a good option for runners who want a cushioned, stable and durable daily trainer. During testing, I didn’t find anything in the latest version of the Ghost that made me consider it an upgrade on the Ghost 14, so I’d pick up the older shoe in a sale.
Read more in my Brooks Ghost 14 review
This is a case where I actually prefer the older shoe because I found the Asics Gel-Nimbus 25 more comfortable than the Gel-Nimbus 26, and this is a max-cushioned shoe that’s all about comfort on easy runs. That’s down to the new outsole on the Gel-Nimbus 26, which is designed to deliver more grip, but made the ride harsher, especially on long runs. I didn’t struggle for grip with the Gel-Nimbus 25, and this is an expensive shoe line so the savings you can make by going for the older shoe are worthwhile.
Read more in my Asics Gel-Nimbus 25 review
The Saucony Triumph 21 has a new-and-improved upper compared to the Triumph 20, but the upper on the latter suited me fine: you get the same experience underfoot. If there’s any difference in price I’d pick up the older shoe. It's a great cushioned daily trainer that lasts a long time. The Triumph 22 looks to be a major update for the line in 2024, but the Triumph 20 and 21 are similar shoes.
Read more in my Saucony Triumph 20 review
The Puma Velocity Nitro 2 was one of my favorite running shoes because it offered great value as a comfortable, versatile daily trainer with an outstanding outsole. That’s all true of the Puma Velocity Nitro 3, and the new shoe has more cushioning underfoot and a redesigned upper that I prefer, though if you can make a big saving by getting the Nitro 2 I wouldn’t hesitate to get it. It’s a shoe that pops up in sales regularly, so you shouldn’t have to wait long to get it for under $100/£100.
Read more in my Puma Velocity Nitro 2 review
I skipped a generation in my testing of the Takumi Sen, missing out on the 9th edition of the shoe, though it was, by all accounts, similar to the 8. I’ve recently tested the Adidas Adizero Takumi Sen 10, which I loved. It’s a brilliant short-distance racer and a great fast training shoe too, but it’s not a considerable upgrade on the Takumi Sen 8, which I also adored. If you want a fast shoe at a great price, older generations of the Takumi Sen drop to around $100/£100 at reasonably regular intervals, and there’s no need to pay extra for the new shoe, in my opinion.
Read more in my Adidas Adizero Takumi Sen 8 review
The Best Budget Running Shoes
The Floatride Energy line of shoes has been a go-to option for savvy runners in recent years, and the latest generation is a great daily trainer that is cushioned enough for easy runs but has enough speed for your workouts. The Floatride Energy 5 has a tad more cushioning underfoot than the Floatride Energy 4, as well as a new X-shaped torsion plate to add more stability, which is also helped by the firmer feel of Reebok’s midsole foam.
Overall I just prefer the Floatride Energy 4, which might be an even better bargain if you can find a pair, but it’s not readily available. The newer shoe is still an excellent option for runners seeking a versatile shoe at a reasonable price.
Read more in my Reebok Floatride Energy 5 review
A genuine bargain for UK runners who spend a lot of time plowing through the mud on wet trails, the Soil Shaker 2 is always available for a lot less than its RRP, and has deep 8mm lugs for gripping boggy ground. The second version of the Soil Shaker is considerably lighter than the original, a welcome change that I found makes it more enjoyable to use in thick mud when your feet already feel heavy.
The Kiprun KS900 Light from Decathlon is a cushioned daily trainer that provides a comfortable and stable ride for your easy runs. It’s not the fastest shoe, but is light enough to use for some speedwork, and it is certainly durable: Decathlon suggests it should last for 1,000km (621 miles) of running.
Compared with many cushioned running shoes the KS900 Light is a low-stack option, so some might want more foam underfoot for long runs in particular. While I found the level of cushioning great at the heel of the shoe, I found the forefoot felt a bit firm over long distances.
More About Running Shoes
- Find the best running shoes for you with our recommendations of road running shoes, stability shoes, trail shoes and more
- Wondering how to choose running shoes? This guide covers all the key points to consider when seeking the perfect pair of running shoes
- It’s all about grip and protection out on the trails. Use our recommendations to find the best trail-running shoes for you
