The cheapest good running shoes usually aren't the cheapest shoes on the shelf — they're last season's version of a proven running shoe, sold at a discount by a running specialty store, a brand's own outlet site, or during an end-of-season sale. That combination gets you real running-shoe engineering without the current-season price tag.

A Korean woman in her thirties, an ordinary beginner runner, compares a flexible running shoe with a plain everyday sneaker, holding one in each hand beneath a bridge underpass

If you're new to running, it's tempting to grab whatever's cheapest at a general store. But running shoes take a beating a normal sneaker never sees, so where you buy matters almost as much as what you buy.

Where should beginners look first?

Start with places that specialize in running, then work outward:

Are outlet running shoes really the same shoe?

Usually, yes. Outlet running shoes from a real running brand are typically the same shoe from a past model year — same cushioning, same support — just an older colorway or superseded version number. What's rarely worth buying is a shoe made specifically for outlet stores under a running brand's name; those sometimes use lower-grade materials. If a listing doesn't specify a model name and number, that's a sign to look elsewhere.

A Korean woman in her fifties, an ordinary beginner runner, presses a thumb into the midsole of a plain unbranded running shoe to check its cushioning on a hillside road above roof

What about big box stores or general marketplaces?

They can work for casual sneakers, but be cautious buying dedicated running shoes there unless you recognize the exact model. A shoe labeled generically as "running shoe" without a specific name and version is a different product than a running brand's actual line, even at a similar price. When in doubt, look up the model name on the brand's own site to confirm it's a real, current or past running shoe — not a look-alike.

When is the best time of year to buy?

Shoe brands typically release new models on a yearly-ish cycle per shoe line, and prices on the outgoing version drop right around a new release. Watch for:

A Korean man in his twenties, an ordinary beginner runner, checks the empty toe space inside a loosely laced running shoe before setting off on a wide riverside path in a Korean ci

Should you buy running shoes online without trying them on?

It's fine once you know your size and preferred fit in a specific brand/model, since running shoe sizing is fairly consistent within a line. If it's your very first pair, try shoes on in person first (even if you don't buy there) to learn your size and feel, then look for that exact model at a discount online.

A simple way to shop on a budget

Once your shoes are sorted, the rest of your running kit doesn't need to be expensive either — see our post on how much beginners should spend on running shoes for a full budget breakdown, and best budget running shoes for beginners for specific picks. And if carrying your phone is next on your list, LULURUN's rotating running armband is a simple, affordable way to keep it secure without breaking your budget.

FAQ

Are last season's running shoes worse than the newest version? Not meaningfully for most beginners. Brands usually make incremental changes year to year, so a shoe from one or two seasons back still performs like a real running shoe — just at a lower price.

Is it safe to buy running shoes secondhand? It's riskier, since cushioning wears down with use even if the shoe looks fine outside. If you do buy used, check for visible wear on the sole and choose a pair with very low mileage.

Do outlet running shoes run the same size as retail? Generally yes, if it's the same model and brand as the retail version. Stick with a model and size you've already tried, or size up/down based on that brand's usual fit if you're trying something new.

Run happy, run free.