The best cheap running shoes

Fronsoe says this is the number-one selling shoe in his store and remains a fan favorite, 12 versions in.

Runners hate when their favorite shoe receives an update that changes the feel or ride they've come to love. That's why the Brooks Ghost stays as a perpetual best-seller in many running shoe specialty stores — it's always stayed true to its roots.

It's also an all-around crowd-pleaser that's not too cushy, not too heavy, not too anything. It's designed with the neutral runner in mind and works well no matter your running goal. The shoe is known for its soft ride and it's even able to last up to 400-plus miles.

Pros: 13 different color combinations to choose from, tried-and-true design

Cons: Pushes the limits of affordability at $130

Long known for its street style, Skechers made a push into the running space a few years back and has been well received.

Even Olympic marathoner and winner of the Boston Marathon, Meb Keflezighi, runs in a Skechers model, so the brand must be onto something, right? Coming in at just $65, the GOrun Fast Quake is our most affordable shoe.

The Fast Quake is a lightweight trainer and features the brand's 5Gen cushioning and cooling "goga mat" insole. Skechers bills this as moisture-wicking and high rebound, to deliver energy return with every step.

I've run in an older version of this model and liked its flexible sole and lightweight feel. The men's version weighs in at 7.8 ounces, and I can say the fit is comfortable and true to size. The shoe might not go the distance through heavy mileage, but it will get you through a couple of weekly training runs and should hold up for a few months.

Pros: You can't do any better on price than this shoe.

Cons: Durability could be an issue if you're looking for a long-haul shoe.

The New Balance 880 is the number two seller in Fronsoe's store with him adding that, "you can use this shoe for just about anything. It's firm enough to take to the gym but cushioned enough to run in it on roads."

I've been a New Balance fan for years and can confirm that the 880 delivers on an all-around basis. I've taken them on roads, black-top paths and even on softer surfaces like a mulch-covered trail and they responded well each time. It's in its ninth iteration and one of the things I appreciate is that the tweaks New Balance tends to make are smaller, less noticeable ones, so I know I can return to the brands' shoes over and over again and know exactly what I'm getting.

The 880 retails with a price tag of about $125, so it's not the cheapest of our choices but one that still checks most boxes. It features plenty of cushioning, a responsive ride, a mid-level weight at 9 ounces, and a mid-range heel to toe drop at about 10 millimeters. In short, it's the average joe of running shoes and will likely work for most runners.

Pros: A shoe that has something for just about everyone.

Cons: The 880 has a wider toe box than some of its comparable models, so for runners with narrow feet, it may not be the ideal fit.

Now in its sixth version, the Clifton became one of HOKA's stock models and the shoe many runners think of when mentioning the brand.

HOKA is long known for its cushioning and in the sixth iteration of the Clifton, seems to have found the perfect amount to satisfy most fans of its shoes.

Going back to my dislike for overly cushioned shoes, the Clifton surprised me with its performance. I've put in a couple of hundred miles in my pair and find that the soft landing remains, as does the responsiveness I appreciate.

At $129, it hits the upper end of the affordability range but if you're after cushioning, look no further.

Pros: All the cushion HOKA is known for with an embroidered upper that provides a snug fit to prevent feet from slipping.

Cons: The stack height of the sole, which is quite big, can be off-putting to some runners, reducing the sense of ground feel.