Best Value Running Shoes 2023: Five Bargain Picks Under £100

Introduction

Retail prices keep climbing, but the sale racks tell a different story. With several 2023 models being cleared out to make room for newer releases, this is one of the better windows in recent memory for picking up a genuinely great running shoe at a fraction of its original price. This list sticks to shoes that sit at or below roughly the £100 mark at current sale prices, so every pick here is a true value play rather than an expensive shoe pretending to be a bargain.

The ranking weighs price per performance: cushioning, fit, grip, versatility, and durability, all measured against what you actually pay today.

Number 5: Reebok Floatride Energy 5

The Floatride Energy 5 is the overlooked gem of this list. Reebok has never marketed its running line as aggressively as the bigger names, and that shows in the pricing. Currently available from as little as £59 in the UK, with some ladies’ sizing spotted even lower around £43, it is outstanding value for what you get.

The midsole foam is cushioned and compressive, sitting at a Shore A hardness of around 28, which is essentially the average softness of the shoes tested in recent years. Nothing about the fit and grip, though, is average. The outsole handles typical pavement and road running with ease, and the shoe is light enough for faster work, including 1K repeats in a 5K or 10K build. The moderate stack height keeps it grounded while the cushioning stays plush.

It is an ideal first serious trainer or a fresh rotation addition for daily outings, and at these prices it is very hard to lose.

Number 4: Nike Pegasus 40 and Pegasus 39

The Pegasus is the outright value winner among Nike’s lineup, and there is not a lot separating the 40 from the 39. Around the £80 mark, and occasionally a touch less with discount codes, few shoes offer this much performance per pound.

Nike Pegasus 40

The Pegasus 40 is a daily do-it-all trainer with a little more under the hood than most rivals at this price. Beyond the foam itself, Air Zoom pods in the forefoot and heel add resilience that keeps the midsole from bottoming out easily. That extra structure means it can handle longer run sessions where softer foam-only shoes start to feel flat, while remaining light enough for faster bursts.

Nike Pegasus 39

If lighter weight is the priority, the Pegasus 39 shaves a little mass off the 40 while keeping the same core recipe. Both versions share stretched waffle lugs on the outsole that work well on road and pavement, and may even cope with buffed-out trails in some regions, though UK-style trails are probably beyond it. Either shoe can slot into almost any position in a rotation, from daily miles to quicker efforts, with only extremes like dedicated recovery or race days left to specialist models.

Number 3: Adidas Adizero Adios 8

The Adios 8 is the nimble pick of this list, and at around £70, down from an original £120, it earns its spot easily. It keeps you on your forefoot, staying light and responsive without weighing you down, which makes it useful both as a daily trainer and for faster training days.

The heel uses Lightstrike 2.0 foam, the same trick that benefits the Boston 12, making the rear of the shoe more forgiving. That pairs with a Lightstrike Pro section in the mid to forefoot for a snappy ride. Outsole grip comes from Continental rubber, as you would expect from Adidas, and the relatively modest stack height feels like a genuine novelty in the current market.

Lighter-framed runners who want more road feel in a shoe that stays nimble will find this one a genuine bargain.

Number 2: Puma Deviate Nitro 2

The Deviate Nitro 2 is a plated trainer with some of Puma’s top-performing foam, Nitro Elite, at around £89 in the UK depending on size and colorway. For that combination, very few shoes can compete.

It is remarkably versatile. Daily runs, shorter efforts, longer efforts, and a full range of paces all sit comfortably within its range, and it feels comfortable and stable throughout. The midsole is stable, resilient, and durable, so it holds up over plenty of miles.

One caveat: the last is slightly narrower, so runners with wider feet may struggle. Trying before buying, or buying from a retailer with a solid returns policy, is a sensible move here.

Number 1: Adidas Adizero Takumi Sen 8 or 9

The top value pick is the Takumi Sen, available for as little as £85 for the Sen 8 and £101 for the Sen 9, against a £170 original retail. Considering what this shoe does, that is remarkable.

The midsole and outsole are identical across both versions; the only real changes are in the upper. Both have a glove-like fit, with the Sen 9’s upper a slight, marginal improvement. The magic is in the midsole: the proportions are superb, with a more moderate stack than many current super shoes, a very responsive ride, and a well-balanced forefoot that never feels excessive. Lightstrike Pro proves more durable than most competing foams, and Continental rubber covers the outsole.

This shoe has produced good times in both road and trail races, and it is durable enough for training use without the anxiety of ruining fragile race-day foam. With the Takumi Sen 10 arriving soon, prices are this low right now, and both models are absolute bangers.

Buying Advice: Which One Should You Pick?

Match the shoe to the gap in your rotation. Newer runners or anyone wanting an affordable daily trainer should start with the Floatride Energy 5 at £59. Runners who want one shoe that can do almost everything should target the Pegasus 40 or 39 around £80. Those who prefer a low, nimble, road-feel-heavy ride will get the most from the Adios 8 at £70.

If you want a plated trainer for varied pace work, the Deviate Nitro 2 at £89 is the standout, but check the narrow fit first. And for race days plus fast training at a once-unthinkable price, the Takumi Sen 8 at £85 or Sen 9 at £101 is the best value running shoe on this list.

Conclusion

Sales cycles have turned premium 2023 models into genuine bargains. Whether it is a £59 daily trainer or a £85 race shoe with £170 genetics, every pick here offers exceptional price-per-performance. Buy for the type of running you actually do, and any of these will deliver well beyond their current price tags.