Berlin  - Cheap running shoes are clearly worse than expensive ones, according to a German consumer product testing organization that tested 19 different types of running shoes.

Only two of seven inexpensive shoes were recommended, the organization said in its magazine, published in Berlin. The worst were discount supermarket shoes, which rubbed the foot wrong, caused knee pain and became damaged in a durability test.

In addition to durability, the shoes were tested for the quality of their biomechanics and orthopaedic fit. The test also took into consideration the manufacturers' concern for environmental and social issues. (dpa)