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You don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars on running shoes. Unless you’ve got an injury, you can run just as well with a cheaper pair. Contrary to popular belief, cheap doesn’t mean tacky!
In this article, I’m going to review the 5 best men’s running shoes under $100. You’ll learn about the pros, cons, best features, and more.
If you’re in a hurry, my top pick is the Nike Men’s Flex Experience Running Shoes. They look great, feel great, and help you perform great!
Wow, that’s a lot of ‘greats’!
Why You Should Trust Me…
My name is Chantelle and I’ve been running for 7 years. With adequate experience under my belt, I understand which shoes are best. For this article, I’ve combed through the internet to see which men’s shoes are the most talked about.
My Top 3 Picks
5 Best Men’s Running Shoes Under $100
1.Nike Men’s Flex Experience 9 – Best For Narrow Feet
- Flex grooves in the outsole move naturally with your foot, delivering comfort with every step. Stretchy material at the toe helps you move freely during your run
- A deconstructed Heel conforms to your foot, helping you stay SECURE during your route. Support at the midfoot adds another layer of lockdown comfort
- The full-length rubber outsole provides durable traction on multiple surfaces
The best men’s running shoes under $100 are the Nike Flex Experience 9’s. They are super narrow, which is ideal for people with smaller feet. If you have larger feet, I recommend ordering a few sizes bigger to get the best fit.
Because of the narrower fit, you’re more likely to experience a snug fit, making them super comfortable.
The sole is rather narrow, which is better for shorter distance runs. As you begin racking up the miles, your feet and legs may become tired.
With that being said, the lightweight design helps counteract some fatigue you may experience. It also helps prevent muscle strain and some injuries.
In fact, it’s not uncommon for these shoes to help people continue running with back and heel pain.
Although, I wouldn’t recommend it!
In addition, I wouldn’t recommend running in the rain with these shoes. While the mesh upper provides excellent breathability, it’s not going to protect your feet from harsh weather.
What I Like…
- Snug and comfortable fit
- Great for people with narrow feet
- Good for short distance runs
- Lightweight design limits fatigue
- May help with back and heel pain
What I Don’t Like…
- Not waterproof
- Tread wears rather quickly
2.Brooks Men’s Revel 4 – Best For Forefoot & Midfoot Strikers
- THIS MEN'S SHOE IS FOR: For runners looking for a shoe with modern looks and performance features to make running feel springy and fun, the Revel 4 delivers all-day versatility with a responsive feeling perfect for putting in miles on the road.
- BALANCED, SOFT CUSHIONING: BioMoGo DNA cushioning adapts to your stride, weight, and speed to help protect you by deflecting impact away from your body.
- QUICK TRANSITIONS: An updated arrow-point pattern in the outsole lets your foot move from heel to toe quickly.
The Brooks Revel 4’s feel more lightweight compared to the previous model (Books Revel 3). They have an 8mm drop, which is best for forefoot and midfoot strikers. A lower drop has also been shown to help with knee pain.
Another popular compliment is how durable and long-lasting they are. You can expect to run at least 100 miles without any signs of wear and tear, making them super reliable.
Not only do these shoes perform well, but they also look great. With that being said, there are different colors to choose from, such as gray, black, red, green, and many more.
They even offer a Christmas-themed design if you’re in the festive spirit!
In terms of downsides, I found the laces are made from cheap material. If you have your heart set on buying these shoes, I would purchase additional laces.
What’s more, they don’t provide as much cushioning as the Ghost lineup.
What I Like…
- Lighter than previous model (Revel 3)
- Best for forefoot and midfoot strikers
- Small drop may help with knee pain
- 100+ miles with visible wear and tear
- Many color options are available
What I Don’t Like…
- Laces are made from a cheap material
- Don’t have as much cushioning as the Brooks Ghost
3.Nike Men’s Free RN Flyknit Running Shoe – Best For Long Distance
The Nike RN Flyknit Running Shoes are super-lightweight, making them great for long-distance runs. Not only that but they are made from flexible material, providing a snug and comfortable fit.
In fact, I consider these shoes the most comfortable in this article.
The mesh-like material also makes them great for people who live in hot climates. They let your feet breathe, which helps prevent athlete’s foot and other types of infections.
You’ll also be surprised to hear Nike doesn’t make these shoes anymore, so they’re a lot harder to come by. With that being said, it may be a good idea to purchase a few pairs while they’re still available.
In terms of downsides, I wouldn’t recommend using them on surfaces with small stones. The tread has small grooves that collect stones while running. Due to the weird shape, they can sometimes get stuck.
What I Like…
- Very lightweight, making them great for long-distance
- Flexible materials provide a snug and comfortable fit
- The breathable design is perfect for people living in hot climates
- Nike doesn’t produce these shoes anymore
- Modern-looking design and multiple color choices
What I Don’t Like…
- The shoe tread collects small stones
- They make a squeaky noise when walking
4. Saucony Men’s Ride 13 – Best For Supination
- New PWRRUN cushioning protects from impact with a soft, yet responsive feel underfoot
- TRIFLEX outsole optimizes flexibility
- FORMFIT surrounds the foot in 3D comfort, enhanced by 3D-Print overlays
If you want a pair of running shoes that provide just the right amount of firmness, coupled with a slight cushioning, the Saucony Ride 13’s are perfect for you.
Some previous Saucony running shoes are a little too soft for my liking; however, these ones are perfect!
If you supinate while running, you’ll be glad to hear these shoes provide a substantial amount of arch support, making your runs easier and preventing common issues like ball of foot and ankle pain.
While they’re not as lightweight as the Nike RN Flyknit Running Shoes, they only weigh 1.65 lbs, which is great!
Another thing people love about these shoes is there isn’t a break-in period. Most people can put them on and hit the trails without suffering from blisters and discomfort.
When it comes to downsides, I found they don’t have a wide toe box. This can be an issue for some people with wider feet. Also, I’d like to see some additional color options available in future models.
What I Like…
- Perfect amount of firmness and cushioning
- Recommended for people who supinate when running
- Great arch support
- Lightweight design makes them great for long-distance
- Comfortable from the get-go (no break-in period)
What I Don’t Like…
- They don’t have a wide toe box
- I’d like to see more color options
5.ASICS Men’s Gel-Contend 5 Running Shoes
The Asics Men’s Gel-Content 5 Running Shoe is similar to the Nike Flex Experience 9’s, as they are better suited for people with narrow feet or that prefer a ‘tighter’ fit.
With that being said, they do provide sufficient cushioning, helping prevent your body from injuries and unnecessary stress.
After extensive research, I also found the top of the shoe is a little too high at the back. In turn, this causes people to experience blisters on the back of their heels, even after the break-in period.
You can combat this by wearing high socks; however, it’s a major downside in my eyes.
On a positive note, they also offer a substantial amount of ‘firmness’, helping to push off from the ground when running for long periods of time. In turn, this is going to prevent your feet from feeling tired.
If you need to remove the insole from these shoes, you need to be aware that the current ones are glued in. That means you’ll need to rip them out using some force, causing a small amount of damage.
What I Like…
- Provide a great level of cushioning
- They offer the right amount of firmness
- Feel super-comfortable on your feet
- Durable design makes them long-lasting
- Multiple color options
What I Don’t Like…
- Super narrow for some people
- The current insoles are glued in; however, they can be removed
What To Look For When Choosing The Best Men’s Running Shoes Under $100
Before you dive in and start splashing the cash on a new pair of running shoes, it’s important to understand what makes a shoe ‘good’. Listed below are the 4 reasons I choose the shoes outlined in this article.
Comfort
When it comes to running shoes, comfort starts in the midsole. A well-cushioned midsole helps absorb impact and prevent your heels, ankles, and toes from becoming overly stressed.
They can also help alleviate pain associated with other parts of your body such as your back and knees.
Durability
Durability is also a major factor when buying running shoes. You want something that’s going to stand the test of time, especially if you’re going to be clocking the miles, right!?
To ensure you get something that’s durable, reliable, and made from high-quality materials, stick with the major running brands such as Nike, Saucony, and Brooks. On average, a pair of running shoes should last between 300-500 miles.
You’ll need to replace your shoes when you notice signs of wear and tear.
The Fit
Before purchasing a pair of shoes, you need to think about the fit. It’s important your feet feel comfortable in the shoe, otherwise, you’re not going to feel comfortable running in it.
Support/Firmness
While cushioning is important, you also need a substantial amount of firmness (in most cases).
Before We Part
While you may want to spend hundreds on a pair of running shoes, you don’t need to, especially if you’re a beginner. You’d be surprised what you can get with a budget of $100.
To recap, my top pick is the Nike Men’s Flex Experience 9’s. They offer a snug fit and are great for people with narrower feet. If you have any questions about the shoes in this article, drop a comment below and I will get back to you!
Which pair is your favorite!?