Best Running Shoe Deals Right Now: 9 Solid Picks From $90 to $225

Introduction

Not every great running shoe costs $250. A surprising amount of quality is sitting on the deals rack right now, including several last-generation daily trainers that remain better picks than their successors. Here are nine discounted shoes worth a look, ordered from cheapest to most expensive.

Adidas Supernova Rise

At $90, the Adidas Supernova Rise is not the most exciting shoe on the market, but it is one of the most comfortable. The upper has nice padding around the heel and a well-cushioned tongue, and the platform offers decent stability for a neutral trainer. The foam feels livelier and softer than a standard Nike Pegasus, and the upper fit is better too. The main downside is the 10mm drop, though that matters less for newer runners or aggressive heel strikers. As a basic, comfortable sneaker for easy miles and everyday wear, it is a very solid pick with multiple colorways available.

Asics Gel-Nimbus 26

The Gel-Nimbus 26, also $98, is a favorite over the newer Nimbus 27 for one simple reason: it is firmer, more streamlined, and bouncier. The 25 was a super-soft, compressive shoe with a large heel chunk of foam; the 26 keeps the softness and support but feels more balanced underfoot. It was one of the better daily trainers tested in the back half of its release year, with a stretchy tongue and comfortable upper. Because the foam is not as soft as the 25 or 27, it should also hold up well over many miles, making it one of the best beginner-friendly daily trainers under $100.

Asics Novablast 4

The Novablast 4, $98, is a more divisive shoe than the Nimbus. Some runners love the underfoot geometry, others find it choppy at easy paces, and it sometimes took 20 to 30 minutes to get rolling. But if you land up on the forefoot or put a lot of force into the shoe, it delivers a nice bounce and is one of the most stable non-stability shoes available. It is also one of the best budget marathon and half marathon training picks around: comfortable enough for long runs of 90 minutes to two hours, with plenty of good colorways.

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New Balance Fresh Foam 1080 v13

At $107, the Fresh Foam 1080 v13 keeps appearing on every deals list until it sells out, and for good reason. It is one of the most comfortable shoes of the 2020s, and this v13 is preferred over the current v14, which costs $58 more at MSRP. After 300 miles of testing, the Fresh Foam held up well despite skepticism about its durability. It is not an energetic shoe, so do not expect pep in the ride, but for 60 to 90 minute runs, recovery miles, relaxed cruising, and even casual wear at the farmers market, it remains a personal favorite soft shoe.

Brooks Glycerin 21

The Brooks Glycerin 21 at $116 is another case where the previous generation beats the current one. The Glycerin 22 and its new DNA Tuned foam did not work out, feeling firm in the forefoot and lacking the feel of the Glycerin Max. The 21 uses DNA Loft v3, one of the best training foams around: a supercritical EVA with genuine pep and bounce once it gets going, and a formula that also impressed in the Ghost Max 2, Ghost 16, and Adrenaline GTS 24. If you want a 10mm-drop workhorse that delivers bounce, support, comfort, and longevity, this is the pick, at roughly $50 less than the new model.

Adidas Ultraboost 5X

The Ultraboost 5X drops from a $180 MSRP to $121, a roughly 33% discount, and like the Glycerin Max it is a reliable 10mm-drop cruiser. It is more fun to run in than the Glycerin Max, and the beaded TPU foam should last a long time. The Continental rubber outsole is among the grippiest available, which makes it a good winter option, and it suits bigger runners well. If you want one shoe to do everything and have no interest in managing a big rotation, this will get the job done.

Nike Pegasus Plus

Also $121, the Nike Pegasus Plus sits lower to the ground and feels more streamlined than the Ultraboost. This is a speed training shoe, not a max-cushion marathon workhorse; going over six to eight miles is not the sweet spot. The snug, streamlined performance upper fits close, so it works better as a faster shoe for the gym and short workouts than as a casual pick. With minimal foam to fight against, it is well suited to shorter intervals and faster sessions, and it will hold up well over time thanks to durable, grippy Nike rubber.

New Balance Fresh Foam More v5

The New Balance Fresh Foam More v5, $143 with roughly $57 off MSRP, is a gamble worth considering. It is very similar to the 1080 but even softer, with a wide base that is still not the most stable and a low drop that heel strikers may not enjoy. It did not quite land as a daily trainer, and workouts involve fighting the foam, but it is protective even on high-mileage days and did not bottom out. For forefoot runners, lighter runners, or anyone who just wants a very comfortable ride, it is a good deal, and it doubles as an excellent casual shoe if running does not click.

Saucony Endorphin Elite

Now under $200 at $198 because the v2 has arrived, the original Saucony Endorphin Elite remains a favorite marathon race shoe, especially for faster, PR-focused efforts. The firmer PWRRUN HG supercritical foam supports a midfoot-driving or heel-biased stride and handles the power of bigger runners going sub-3:15 or sub-3. The trade-off is comfort: at some paces it can feel harsh, so for a 3:30-plus marathon, something with more cushioning makes more sense. Still, with one of the best race foams around and a plated, poppy ride, this is a strong buy at this price.

Adidas Prime X 2

The Adidas Prime X 2 at $225 is not exactly a bargain given its $300 MSRP, but it is becoming a cult favorite among bigger runners who want a race shoe experience with maximum foam and bounce for four-hour marathons. At around 330g it is a heavy shoe, and the Lightstrike Pro balance here is not super soft, but if you can put force into it, the ride is protective, comfortable, and surprisingly versatile: it handled everything from 7:30 pace down to 5:50s on a long run. The wide base gives a tank-like, stable feel with the carbon plate and race foam you want on race day, plus a very comfortable upper.

Overall Buying Advice

If you want maximum value, the Supernova Rise, Gel-Nimbus 26, and Novablast 4 all land under $100 with no meaningful compromises for everyday training. For comfort-first runners, the 1080 v13 and Glycerin 21 are proven previous-generation picks at steep discounts. Speed-focused runners should look at the Pegasus Plus for short workouts and the Endorphin Elite for marathon race day, while bigger runners eyeing a four-hour marathon should give the Prime X 2 a close look despite the price.

Conclusion

Last-generation daily trainers keep proving that the best running shoe deals are often one model year behind the hype. Match the shoe to your stride, your paces, and your longest runs, and any of these nine can earn its place in a rotation without straining your budget.