The Best Budget Running Gear, Tested and Reviewed

Running is famously one of the cheapest sports out there. In theory, all you really need is a pair of shoes and the open road. (OK, let’s be honest—sports bras count as essentials, too.) But just because the list of must-haves is short doesn’t mean runners don’t want some bells and whistles. The good news? There is a lot of quality gear that isn’t outrageously expensive.

At Outside Run, we’re constantly testing gear, and I keep a special eye on the stuff that delivers the most bang for your buck. Sure, sometimes you get what you pay for—but you definitely don’t have to drop $100 to find a great pair of shorts. Consider me your resident bargain hunter.

Here are some of the best budget-friendly finds for every type of runner.

Best Budget Running Watch

Garmin Forerunner 165 Music

• Weight: 1.4 oz with the silicone band
• Face Diameter: 30.4 mm

For runners who can’t imagine a workout without a playlist, the Garmin Forerunner 165 Music is the perfect watch. At $300, it sits on the lower end of Garmin’s price spectrum but still packs a ton of value: 4GB of music storage for long-run playlists, a bright and easy-to-read AMOLED screen, reliable GPS with multi-band connection, and seamless phone connectivity. It’s also impressively small and light, making it comfortable for everyday use. It has everything runners need in terms of health and wellness monitoring and has an 11-hour battery life.

$300 at REI   $300 at Walmart

Best Budget Running Headphones

Raycon Everyday Earbuds

There are plenty of great headphone options for runners besides AirPods these days. The Suunto Wing 2, for example, is an excellent open-ear pick under $200. But if you prefer in-ear sound and an even friendlier price tag, it’s hard to beat the Raycon Everyday Earbuds. I grabbed a pair after losing an AirPod while sprinting away from a scary dog mid-run, assuming they’d be “just fine.” Instead, they exceeded my expectations with a 32-hour battery life, quick pairing to both my watch and phone, and surprisingly strong sound quality. The only hiccup is that they can be a little finicky when switching between Bluetooth devices—but for under $80, the extra effort is absolutely worth it.

$80 on Amazon

Best Budget Running Shorts

UA Fly By Shorts

I’m the kind of runner who wears shorts year-round, so having a solid rotation is key. While I’ve tested plenty of compression shorts, I also like to give my legs some breathing room—which is why I keep coming back to Under Armour’s Fly By shorts. I’ve worn some version of them for the past decade, usually picking up a new pair every couple of years. Sometimes I grab the wild printed ones (they’re often on sale), but even the standard colors are under $40. They dry quickly, offer plenty of room to move, last for years, and have a soft, comfortable waistband. The one trade-off? No storage pockets. But they’re designed to be lightweight, not to haul gear. For men, the UA Launch is a close equivalent—my husband swears by them.

Men’s Launch Shorts $38  Women’s Fly By Shorts $23

Best Budget Running Socks

Feetures Elite Six Pack

OK, I know, these picks aren’t exactly cheap. But if you’re going to splurge on one piece of running gear, make it your socks. Feetures are my go-to. Buy them in bulk and you’ll save two bucks per pair, which adds up fast. They dry quickly (a must for sweaty-footed runners like me), prevent blisters, and feel like little clouds for tired feet. Plus, they’re surprisingly durable—most of mine have lasted for years without ripping or stretching—so the value goes a long way. You can take a quiz to see which Feetures socks will work best for you, but I really dig the Elite light cushion for just the right amount of padding and compression.

Elite Pack for $97 on Feetures  $15 for one pair  on Running Warehouse 

Best Budget Running Heart Rate Monitor

Wahoo Fitness TRACKR

The Wahoo Fitness TRACKR chest strap is one of the most affordable heart-rate monitors out there, and it’s also one of the easiest to use right out of the box. It pairs instantly with just about anything—your phone, watch, or even a bike computer—thanks to ANT+ and Bluetooth. The battery lasts around 30 hours, and it gives you all the post-workout stats you need, which makes heart-rate training way less of a hassle.

$100 on Wahoo. $100 on REI

Best Budget Running Shoes

Brooks Hyperion

Like socks, shoes are too important to cheap out on. But with prices climbing higher every year, I get the urge to hunt for something under $150. Pro tip: Check sales for last season’s models—you can usually score a deal. If you’re sticking with the latest releases, though, let me introduce you to my forever favorite: the Brooks Hyperion.

I’ve basically lived in the Hyperion 2 for the past year, running in them until they were flat as pancakes. Now that it’s time to replace them, the Hyperion 3 promises more cushion and better energy return—which means, yes, Brooks will be getting more of my money.

$140 at Brooks, Women’s  $140 at Brooks, Men’s 

$140 at Running Warehouse, Women’s   $140 at Running Warehouse, Men’s 

Best Budget Running Base Layer

REI Base Layer

As the temps drop, there’s one piece of gear I always reach for: my REI base layer. It’s the gold standard for cold-weather running—it keeps me dry and warm without fail. I first discovered its magic when I swiped one from my husband (he was not thrilled), and after realizing how good it was—and how much cheaper it is than fancy jackets or Merino bases—I bought my own.

I like the synthetic blend (recycled polyester and spandex) because it’s soft against the skin and can survive the dryer without fuss. Bonus: It also comes with UPF 50+ sun protection. If you’re looking for the perfect long sleeve to get you through fall runs, this is it.

$40 at REI