5 Best Cheap Nike Running Shoes in 2026

How we test cheap Nike running shoes

All the shoes in our lab are tested the same way. The tests are standardised, and so are the testing conditions (temperature and humidity are kept at the same level, both in the lab and in our storage facility). 

However, when it comes to cheap shoes, we love uncovering where the money was saved: is it the cheaper foam? Is its shock absorption ridiculously low? Is the insole thin and flimsy? How durable is the upper? We answer these and many more questions using durometers, callipers, and specialised machines. We end up with more than 30 data points that describe each shoe. On top of that, we run in the shoes and combine our field-testing experience with the lab data for the final verdict. 

We publish all our findings on the website. The best thing is: we also compare the findings to those of other shoes (and you can choose which shoes those are!) and to the category average. This gives you a great context and the option to find what works exactly for you. 

What makes Nike running shoes cheap?

Cheap running shoes from Nike have an MSRP (manufacturer’s suggested retail price) of less than £100. That’s the price when they are released; we are not talking about more expensive shoes being discounted. There are a few things that the brand does to make the shoes cheaper: 

1. Using EVA foam instead of ReactX or ZoomX. EVA is a standard foam that offers lower energy return and shock absorption, and it’s usually heavier. We’ve covered the difference between standard and premium foams in great detail in our ultimate guide on foams. 
2. Outsoles get thinner or offer less coverage, so you may be seeing more exposed foam. 
3. Less durable mesh uppers.
4. No premium features like carbon-fibre plates or Zoom Air units. 

But is this a rule? Of course not. Nike may cut corners here or there, not on all fronts. In the sections below, we’ll compare the performance of Nike’s popular cheap models to the averages for Nike and running shoes overall. This will give us context that is large enough. 

Weight of cheap Nike running shoes

In the lab, naturally, we measure the weight of the shoes. We test all the shoes in men’s US 9, standard width. 

On the one hand, one could think that cheap shoes have to weigh less because they have fewer features. That’d be true if we’re talking about Gore-Tex membranes, for example. However, premium materials such as mesh and foam weigh less. Let’s look at the overview below: 

Cheap Nike running shoes, on average, are not heavier than the average daily trainers.

Shock absorption and energy return: lab data

When talking about cushioning, most beginners will say they want something soft, thinking that’s the best they can do for comfort. While not completely off track, we have to make room for shock absorption. That’s the midsole’s ability to reduce the impact forces at each landing. Imagine landing on asphalt barefoot.

Now imagine landing on asphalt wearing shoes. See the difference? A similar thing happens with midsoles that have low shock absorption and high shock absorption. You want the high one! 

• Average shock absorption (at the heel) of cheap Nike road running shoes: 116.2 SA
• Average shock absorption (at the heel) of all daily trainers in RunRepeat database: 125.6 SA

The same test is used to measure energy return, which tells us how responsive (lively) the ride is. The highest energy return is found in race shoes, while daily trainers don’t need to score that high, because they are made for slower paces where durability, stability, and comfort and prioritised. 

• Average energy return (at the forefoot) of cheap Nike daily trainers: 55.2%
• Average energy return (at the forefoot) of all daily running shoes in RunRepeat database: 57.2% 

Given that these are daily trainers, shock absorption matters more than energy return, and we consider it moderate when it’s in the 110-130 SA range, and high when it’s higher than 130 SA. We don’t recommend running shoes with low shock absorption (lower than 110 SA) for actual running. 

How durable are cheap Nike running shoes?

We can discuss 3 sections here: durability of the toebox, durability of the heel padding, and the outsole durability. For all 3 tests, we use a Dremel and predefined (standardised) settings. The duration of the test, the number of rotations per minute, and the force (pressure) are always the same, regardless of the shoe we are testing, so the results are comparable across the whole running shoe category. 

Once the Dremel is “done” with the toebox, we look at the damage and assign a durability score on a 1-5 scale, where 1/5 is the least durable. Looking at the cheap Nike running shoes, their average toebox durability score is 2.9/5.0. The average for all daily trainers in our database is 2.8/5.0. 

Ugh, this one can hit quite close to home if you have Haglund’s deformity, overall bony heels, or if you don’t like using a shoehorn. And it’s fine when it’s cosmetic damage only, but once the padding is destroyed so much that it’s causing heel pain due to all the rubbing against a harsh surface, you’re in trouble. 

Cheap Nike running shoes scored 3.8/5.0 on average on this test. The average for all road shoes is 3.2/5.0. 

Last but not least, the outsole durability. For this test, we don’t have to assess the damage; we can measure it. We use a tyre tread gauge to do so, and we get the exact dent depth. Based on all the lab tests we’ve done so far, cheap Nike running shoes scored 1.3 mm on average. Compared to 1.0 mm, the average for all daily running shoes that went through our lab, we find they are less durable.

When discussing the durability of the outsole, we also have to take the outsole thickness into account. What if the Dremel bites through 1.5 mm, while the outsole itself is only 1.0 mm thick? An exposed midsole happens, and that’s bad. Slippery and simply a red flag. 

Is the insole thinner in cheap Nikes?

11.4% thinner! The average insole thickness of cheap Nike running shoes is 3.1 mm, while the average for all daily trainers is 3.5 mm. 

Should this worry you? Not really. If you’re using orthotics, though, it is something to pay attention to, depending on the thickness of the orthotic. 

Testing the traction in RunRepeat lab

One of the worries is definitely the outsole. Is there enough of it (does it cover most of the surface)? Is it thick? Is it durable? And, finally, does it offer good traction? Turns out, cheap Nike running shoes offer 20% worse traction on average than other daily trainers. 

In the lab, we test the traction following the SATRA TM144 methodology. We measure the dynamic coefficient of friction by pressing the shoe against the wet concrete with a force of 500N and at a 7-degree angle. This replicates real-life conditions. The higher this coefficient is, the better, especially if you occasionally encounter wet weather/surfaces. 

• Average traction of cheap Nike running shoes we’ve tested so far: 0.39
• Average traction of all daily trainers in RunRepeat database: 0.49

For context, we recommend a dynamic coefficient of friction higher than 0.45 for runners who run in wet conditions. Anything between 0.25 and 0.45 is considered moderate traction. 

Nike budget running shoe lines: overview

Most of the budget running shoe lines from Nike actually fall under cheap. It’s worth noting that some lines, like Winflo or Juniper Trail, come in a GTX option, which crosses the £100 limit.