Best Running Shoes on a Budget

What I like about it is that the fit is fairly consistent, Nike can be weird with sizing sometimes but the Revolution 7 tends to run pretty true. The foam midsole is comfortable without being too squishy, and the price (usually under $65 or around ₹4,500 in India) makes it easy to recommend for people who aren't sure yet how committed they are to running. No point spending more until you know you'll stick with it.

3. Saucony Cohesion 16

Most people outside running circles haven't heard of Saucony. That's kind of a shame because they make really decent shoes. The Cohesion 16 in particular is worth knowing about if you're someone who needs a slightly roomier fit or tends to land hard on your heels.

It's plush in a way that makes longer runs genuinely more comfortable. The collar padding is thick, the toe box isn't cramped, and the heel sits securely without rubbing. Around ₹3,500–4,500 depending on where you shop. For that price, the cushioning alone makes it stand out from most competitors in the same range.

4. Puma Velocity Nitro 2

Look, aesthetics matter to some people. No shame in that. And most budget running shoes look... budget. The Velocity Nitro 2 is different. It's genuinely a nice-looking shoe, and more importantly, the Nitro foam in the midsole is legitimately good, lightweight, a bit springy, and noticeably more responsive than what you get in most shoes under ₹6,000.

It handles faster-paced runs better than the others on this list, so if you occasionally like to push the pace or do some tempo work, this one's worth considering. Also transitions well to casual wear, which honestly matters if you're wearing your running shoes outside of just running.

5. Reebok Floatride Energy 5

Reebok doesn't get talked about much in running circles these days, which I think is why the Floatride Energy line stays underrated. The Energy 5 has a snappy, bouncy feel underfoot that makes it genuinely fun to run in. It's not heavy. The knit upper breathes well and doesn't create hot spots on longer outings.

For road running specifically, steady-paced 5K and 10K distances, it's one of the better options in the ₹4,500–5,500 range. Worth trying if the other options feel a bit generic.

A few things worth knowing before you buy

End-of-season sales are your friend. Shoe companies release updated models every year or so, and when they do, the previous version drops hard, sometimes 40% or more. The new version isn't always meaningfully better. Check what's on clearance before paying full price.

Try them on later in the day. Feet swell as the day goes on. Shoes that feel perfect at 10am might pinch by evening.

Don't buy into the super shoe hype for training. Carbon-plated race shoes are cool. They're also expensive and not meant for daily use. Save them for race day if you ever get there. For everything else, a regular trainer is what you need.

And finally, swap them out around 600–700km. Worn-out shoes cause more injuries than people realise. The foam compresses over time and you're basically running on flat plastic. If your legs are consistently more tired or achy after runs, the shoe might be more worn out than it looks.

Running doesn't have to be expensive to be good. Find something that fits, get out consistently, and honestly, that's most of the battle right there.