Best Budget Running Shoes Under $120: 7 Solid Picks That Skip the Premium Price Tag

Introduction

Running shoe prices keep climbing, with plenty of new plated trainers landing at $180 to $275. The good news: you do not need to spend anywhere near that to get a capable, comfortable everyday trainer. This roundup pulls together seven affordable running shoes that all come in under $120, covering daily training, tempo work, trail running, and even a carbon-plated budget option.

Saucony Axon 3

The Saucony Axon 3 is a versatile daily trainer that sits at the bottom of Saucony’s performance running range and undercuts many similar-feeling shoes by $30 to $50. It uses the same PWRRUN foam found in shoes like the Shift, Kinvara, and Ride, paired with a very simple padded upper.

The result is a firmer but still responsive ride that can handle the varied demands of structured training. The padded upper keeps everyday runs comfortable, and the foam can be pushed for faster efforts too.

Atreyu Base Model

At $85, the Atreyu Base Model is the definition of a no-frills shoe. It does not have the most cushioning, but it offers a really lightweight construction and a responsive supercritical EVA midsole, similar in concept to what you find in the Hoka Mach 5 with a PWRRUN+ style top layer.

It punches well above its weight at that price point. The main caveat is the lack of a rubber outsole, so longevity may be limited. If you are not running five-plus miles in it every day, though, you should have no problem extending its life.

Saucony Kinvara 14

At $120, the Kinvara 14 sits right at the upper barrier of this list, but Saucony has always positioned the Kinvara as its accessible, affordable, no-frills option. It has a lower stack than the Axon, along with a lighter weight and a snappier feel.

This is the fast shoe of the lineup: a non-plated up-tempo option for picking up the pace and running faster miles during training.

Adidas Adizero SL

The Adidas Adizero SL has an MSRP of $120, but it is regularly discounted to half of that, and it can be found for around $60, which makes it a complete no-brainer. At that price it is arguably the most versatile shoe here.

It uses a Lightstrike EVA midsole with a puck of supercritical TPU Lightstrike Pro in the forefoot, though you do not get a huge change in ride character from it. The overall feel is on the firmer side, and you need to put some force in to get feedback on faster days. For slower efforts it is genuinely comfortable, with a padded upper that keeps feet and legs protected through high mileage training.

Brooks Divide 3

At $100, the Brooks Divide 3 is one of the best budget trail options. It has a really comfortable upper and the stable ride characteristic of Brooks road shoes.

The outsole features nice lugs that keep you grounded over muddy, rutted, or rocky terrain, making it a sensible pick for runners heading off-road without paying premium trail shoe prices.

Atreyu Artist

The Atreyu Artist is the best budget super shoe, coming in at $100. It places a carbon fiber plate inside supercritical EVA foam, and while it may not feel as fast and snappy as something like the Vaporfly, it follows the same formula of plate plus soft foam.

That makes it a great companion if you want to conserve your Vaporfly or Endorphin Pro 3 strictly for race days and slot the Artist in as a training shoe. It works well for faster-pace efforts like track days and Thursday tempo sessions, taking some of the burden off your super shoe.

Saucony Triumph 20

The Saucony Triumph 20 from the previous year has had its price cut to $120, making it the best affordable max cushion shoe available. It uses a thick stack of PWRRUN+ foam, a beaded TPU compound similar to Adidas Boost.

The ride is super comfortable and responsive, great for recovery runs as well as the demands of everyday running. It is not the best choice for faster-paced work, but if you want something to slow down and take it easy in, it is a great buy.

Overall Buying Advice

If you want one versatile do-it-all trainer, the Adidas Adizero SL is hard to beat, especially when discounted. The Saucony Axon 3 suits structured everyday training, the Kinvara 14 covers faster tempo work, and the Triumph 20 handles easy miles and recovery days. For trail runners, the Brooks Divide 3 is the clear budget pick, while the Atreyu Base Model and Artist cover minimal mileage and budget speed work respectively.

Conclusion

Good running shoes do not have to cost $200. Every shoe on this list comes in at $120 or less, and several regularly sell for far below that. Match the shoe to the type of running you actually do, and you can build a capable rotation without breaking the bank.