Key takeaways
- Cheapest pick worth buying: Brooks Ghost 16 ($130 – $150).
- Last season's colors are often heavily discounted.
- Choose cushioning and stability based on your running style and distance.
In this article
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On a budget? Here are the best-value running shoes in the US, starting with the cheapest model we rate, with typical prices and our verdict on each.
Prices are typical ranges, not live prices. The button on each pick opens the current price.
Budget picks at a glance
| Product | Verdict | Score | Typical price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brooks Ghost 16 | Buy | 8.9/10 | $130 – $150 |
| HOKA Clifton 9 | Buy | 8.8/10 | $140 – $150 |
| Salomon Speedcross 6 | Buy | 8.5/10 | $140 – $150 |
| Altra Lone Peak 9 | Buy | 8.5/10 | $140 – $150 |
| Brooks Cascadia 18 | Consider | 8.3/10 | $140 – $145 |
Budget picks in detail
Brooks Ghost 16
Verdict: Buy · Score: 8.9/10 · Typical price: $130 – $150
For most people, Brooks Ghost 16 is worth its usual price of $130 – $150. Our score: 8.9/10.
HOKA Clifton 9
Verdict: Buy · Score: 8.8/10 · Typical price: $140 – $150
For most people, HOKA Clifton 9 is worth its usual price of $140 – $150. Our score: 8.8/10.
Salomon Speedcross 6
Verdict: Buy · Score: 8.5/10 · Typical price: $140 – $150
Salomon Speedcross 6 is one of the running shoes we would buy in the US. It scores 8.5/10 in our ratings and usually sells for $140 – $150.
Altra Lone Peak 9
Verdict: Buy · Score: 8.5/10 · Typical price: $140 – $150
Altra Lone Peak 9 is one of the running shoes we would buy in the US. It scores 8.5/10 in our ratings and usually sells for $140 – $150.
Brooks Cascadia 18
Verdict: Consider · Score: 8.3/10 · Typical price: $140 – $145
Our verdict on Brooks Cascadia 18 is consider: a decent option, but compare it with the picks above before paying $140 – $145.
How to save money
Last season's colors are often heavily discounted.
The deepest discounts usually arrive during the big summer sales in July, the October sales events and Black Friday through Cyber Monday in late November.
Where not to cut corners
Choose cushioning and stability based on your running style and distance.
Common mistake: Running in worn-out shoes; replace them every few hundred kilometers.
Compare more options
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Related reading
Frequently asked questions
What are the best cheap running shoes in the US?
The cheapest model we would still buy is Brooks Ghost 16, typically $130 – $150.
Are cheap running shoes worth it?
Last season's colors are often heavily discounted. Do not compromise on the basics, though. Choose cushioning and stability based on your running style and distance.
When are running shoes cheapest in the US?
The deepest discounts usually arrive during the big summer sales in July, the October sales events and Black Friday through Cyber Monday in late November.