How to not spend a fortune on running shoes

go barefoot

if you have nike factory outlets near you, those are a goldmine.

find shoes that were top of the line 2-3 years ago for like $50 a pair

For quite some time I was able to buy last year shoes for under$75. That seems kind of over.

Last one was a whooping $90.

I have had three pairs of New Balance Propels recently as my every day shoes. $37 for the first pair (likely a mistake on Amazon) and then $45 each for the next two pairs on Ebay. I have another older model that I really enjoyed (NB Sonic) waiting in the wings that was $76 on Ebay. I occassionally pay at or near full price for a pair which I don’t mind given how cheap my other purchases were.

The $75 shoe guy wrote:

For quite some time I was able to buy last year shoes for under$75. That seems kind of over.

Last one was a whooping $90.

Sadly, gone are the days of 75 dollar Cliftons and runningwarehouse.com discount codes. I feel like shoe prices shot up pretty rapidly the last few months. Tried ebay but ended up getting scammed and demanding a refund. Usually I win enough in gift cards at local races to get cheap shoes that way but with no races im always searching for cheap options. Check out the new Saucony Axon that retails for 100.

Zappos has a discount ‘outlet’ site called 6pm.com. They do have running shoes like Nike, New Balance, Saucony, etc. I’ve bought a pair of New Balance Beacon for $29.95, and Altra Escalante’s for $29.95.

Also the Nike Outlets are good too.

Scour roadrunnersports and runningwarehouse for deals in shoes. I usually take 2-4 pairs of what I want. It might be a small fortune of $200-$500 but then I am set. Get the different colors and alternate. You can get leftover life from shoes.

Then later on if I see an elite shoe I like on sale for $120-$140 I pick it up and have it serve a different function like Sunday long runs in the trails and so forth.

bizzaroworld wrote:

Tried ebay but ended up getting scammed and demanding a refund. Usually I win enough in gift cards at local races to get cheap shoes that way but with no races im always searching for cheap options. Check out the new Saucony Axon that retails for 100.

Exactly. Ebay can still be a resource but look for trusted sellers and especially those with endurance focused storefronts that got a premier production line of the shoe but went a different direction. Use your senses. Make sure the colors and model numbers are legitimiate.

Ebay has been a godsend for me as far as buying shoes goes. I purchase most of my shoes new from various sellers on Ebay, (my most recent pair was some Peg 36s for $59, free shipping) and have never had any issues. Highly recommend!

First you can’t be picky. Have 3 different shoes your willing to wear. That should be easy to find similar shoes across the brands.

I use runningwarehouse but there are numerous

Shoe outlets out there but they regularly have year old models on sale. You have to buy early when you see a good price. And buy in bulk if it’s a really good price. I regularly see them priced 40-50% off. If I see 50% I buy 2-3 pairs. Basically it’s all the normal things. Wait till it goes on sale, buy in “bulk”, and never buy the latest and greatest.

You can easily get to 3 pairs a year (4 months each) for under $300

Atreyu subscription... $55. Shoe Goo $6 to touch up the outsoles once a week. I ran in mine and just did the Shoe Goo thing this afternoon. Whether they will hold up to your mileage... I don't know, but the shoes are great and super light 6.5 ounces in men's 9.5.

I stock up on last years models at the New Balance Outlet store. They always have legit sales. And the girls working there like their feet 🦶 rubbed.

Between Walmart's Athletic Works brand and FootFox's brand, I have spent under $100 on 6 pairs of athletic shoes in a year.

I've run distances from 1 mile (6:23 recent pr after a 5k -2018-) to 5k 20:58 (5:57 first mile -2018) to 1/2 marathon 1:43:16 pr in AW shoes.

That is how to truly save.

Just google the shoe you want. Google shopping will show every place that has it and the price. Be patient and keep trying every few days and you'll find the shoes you want for a good price.

I've never paid more than ~1/2 retail price.

As someone else said, runningwarehouse and some others don't have the deals they used to, but you can still find deals.

I've been running since the late-70s. The first shoes I bought were Etonic Streetfighters.

I have never spent more than $60 on a pair of running shoes. Ever.

Today, that means I shop at Ross, Burlington, and Nordstrom Rack, and sometimes check in the Nike Factory Outlet. I also grab shoes on ebay.

prh wrote:

I run 60 miles per week ... I wouldn't mind getting my yearly spending below 300$.

3000 miles on $300 is gonna be tough.

500 miles a pair is a lot, so that would be below $50 per pair.

This is Jim Kiler wrote:

I've been running since the late-70s. The first shoes I bought were Etonic Streetfighters.

I just googled Etonic Streetfighter and that’s a good looking shoe in the navy/yellow color with white laces. Did all those EVA wedge shoes feel the same, like Nike Cortez’s and Unitsuka Tiger’s?

Not so much where to find less expensive shoes, but how to make your shoes last longer.

Shoe Goo already mentioned. Well worth the price.

Run more on softer surfaces. Less impact forces equals less midsole compression so cushioning and protection lasts longer. Softer surfaces (grass, sand, dirt, synthetic tracks, etc,) abrade outsoles less so they last longer.

If you know you are going to do most of a run on a soft surface (including snow) wear an older pair of shoes with a compressed midsole that you would not use on the roads.

Placing a new insole or sockliner in an older shoe extends its useable life.

Cleaner shoes mean less particles abrading the upper fabrics, so they last longer. Harsh and frequent cleaning can also wear out uppers.

Rotate shoes. Use an older pair for rainy, dirty runs. Seems like midsoles will recover/decompress a bit if they are not used for a couple days. Dry shoes attract and hold less dirt particles.

Run fewer miles and cross train more.

Lose weight to reduce impact forces.

Run slower. I have noticed that as I age I am running slower and my shoes last longer. Covering less distance per time spent running helps. But faster running seems to put more strain on shoes which makes them wear out faster. Faster running involves more strain like outsole abrasion, impact forces, upper flexion, etc.

You can deff get discounted shoes, just need to look. I buy all previous year model shoes. Just google the shoe you want and continue to watch the results.