If our top pick costs more than you want to spend on your first pair of running shoes, the Nike Winflo 12 provides enough of the essentials for much less. In fact, it’s significantly more stable than the ASICS Novablast 6, inspiring confidence with a very secure base while you’re still getting comfortable with regular running. Though it doesn’t absorb shock as well as the shoe above, it still does a decent job of taking the sting out of the sidewalk, helping keep your legs protected on your first run and beyond. It also comes in several color options and is available in wide sizing, making it approachable for different tastes and foot shapes.

However, the lower price comes with some important sacrifices. The Winflo 12 is significantly heavier, and its cushioning gives less energy back as you push off, so you have to do more of the work yourself and will tire sooner, especially when you try to run faster. Its cushioning also doesn’t protect your legs as your runs get longer, either. The shoe sits very high off the ground, too, so there’s a lot of shoe between your foot and the road; it can feel unfamiliar and takes some getting used to if this is your first proper pair of running shoes. That said, if you mainly want a secure, affordable shoe for building a running habit and don’t need the longer-distance or faster-running performance of our top pick, the Winflo 12 is the best pick in this price range.