How to save money on running shoes

Running is truly a cheap sport. You don’t need much to start running and chances are that you already have everything you need for your first runs. Even if you need to buy some gear to start running, you just need to buy some basic running gear, a good pair of running shoes, and you’re good to go. But when you get excited with running gear, especially with running shoes, then running becomes a not-so-cheap sport!

Introduction

Running shoes companies try to innovate every year, bringing new foams, new sole units, and new uppers to their shoes, and we, runners, are always eager to pick up a new pair of shoes and try the announced innovations. Sometimes we want it only for fun, to diversify the running feelings, but there are also the ones that are looking for a specific type of shoe so that they can better perform both in training and in races.

But following the innovation has a cost. Shoes are getting more complex year after year, with critical production processes, advances plates, and naturally, the prices are rising, reaching values that are hard to justify.

The good news is that you don’t need to spend that much money on new shoes. You can buy new shoes and build your rotation, saving a lot of money, and still get the innovation perks. By the way, if you need to know how to build a shoe rotation, check out my blog post here.

In this post, I’ll give you 4 essential tips to save money when buying new running shoes. So, if you don’t mind spending too much money or if you want the just launched new shoe no matter what, then this post is not for you. Otherwise, keep reading!

Tip 1 - Don’t pay the regular retail price

If the shoe you want was just launched, then its price will be the regular retail price, but if you wait just a few months (sometimes one is enough) then you’ll start to see discounts on several stores, and even on the brand website. The discount range can vary between 10% to 50% so have some patience and wait for the best discounts.

Unfortunately, not all shoes have great discounts. Performance shoes are harder to buy discounted, but if you have enough patience, you’ll find them.

I have a big shoe rotation and all of them were bought with discounts applied, sometimes with a 50% discount.

Tip 2 - Choose the cheaper brand/model

All brands have shoes for all categories so you always have an array of options when looking for a specific type of shoe.

In this array of options, you’ll find cheaper and more expensive shoes, and if you often read or watch shoe reviews, then you know that there are cheaper shoes that are way better than the more expensive options. So, don’t follow the trends or fashion and look for the value that each shoe offers you. Pick the best ones, and buy the cheaper ones.

Need good examples? Puma Velocity Nitro 2, New Balance Propel V4, etc. They are the cheaper (quality) daily trainers, and probably the best right now.

Tip 3 - Don’t buy the latest version

Why do you want the latest version? I know, we always want the latest version. It’s the best right? No, sometimes that’s wrong, meaning that you pay more for a new shoe that’s not even better than the previous version.

• Many new versions don’t bring any innovation. The brand just changes the upper and the outsole to justify having a new version that will drive people to buy it. Examples: Adidas Takumi Sen 9, Saucony Endorphin Speed 2, and so many others.
• Sometimes, the newer versions are worse than the previous ones. Examples: the Adidas Adizero Boston 10, Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 (not consensual), and so many others.

So, by choosing the new version you can be choosing an identical or worst shoe than the previous version. So, why do you want the latest version? Instead of buying the latest version look for discounts on the previous and save as much as 50% on a great pair of running shoes.

Tip 4 - Don’t be afraid to buy online

I will not say that online stores are better than physical ones because I find great discounts on both, but is easier to find great deals in online stores, and if you live in the European Union, then you have access to stores from more than 20 countries.

Despite the digital transformation that already happened and is still happening, there are still several people that are afraid to buy online. Some are afraid to be tricked, some just like to see and touch the product they are buying, and regarding running shoes, some just like to try the shoes and give them a good walk in the store before buying.

So, I’ll give you a few tips regarding buying shoes online.

First, start with the research. Do an internet search for the shoe you want and look for the best prices. Then you have to do the following:

• For each selected store, check opinions or reviews. There are several websites for this purpose and you should pick stores with good ratings.
• I always buy online in stores that also have a physical presence. Companies with physical stores open to the public cannot hide behind an email or phone number, and these stores know that if something wrong happens online, the buyer can show up in the store. So, online stores that also have physical stores are more trustworthy for me. Please note that this does not mean that online stores only should not be trusted. There are several well-known online stores that you can absolutely trust. My comparison is only between a not so known online-only store versus a not-so-known online and physical store.
• Check the return policy. It must be easy to return or exchange a shoe. If you see that the return possibly is too much of a hassle, pick another store. Ideally, the store offers the first return/exchange but I also accept to pay for the return postage service. What I look for is how easy is to return a shoe and buy a different shoe or a different number. When you check some store reviews, you’ll see many buyers complaining about how hard it was to return an item. I already returned some shoes without any hassle. Just filled out the form, printed the tag, and sent the shoes to the store. The shoe exchange should take no longer than 2 weeks.
• Even with a good return policy, some of you don’t like the extra trouble and that’s why you want to try the shoe first. Ok, I understand, but it helps if you never miss your shoe size. Instead of relying on your US, UK, EU, or BR numbers, rely on your feet length. Measure your feet and then add an extra 0,5 cm (0,2 in) or 1 cm (0,4 in). That’s your running shoe size. All brands have the size in centimeters and that size should be what you’re looking for. Here goes another example: I wear Saucony EU45, Hoka EU45 ⅓, and Puma EU44,5. They all have one thing in common, and that is the 29cm length. This is the length that I always buy and so far, I never missed. Now, some brands like to mess with the standards. Recently I bought the Adidas Adizero Takumi Sen 9 and I had to buy the 28cm shoe instead of the regular 29cm. Still, the shoe felt bigger than the other ones with 29cm. So, clearly, the Adidas sizing in centimeters is wrong… but well, in the end, it’s best to rely on the centimeters than on the country's standard sizing.

Conclusion

With these tips, I am sure that you’ll be able to build your rotation, be very happy with it, and save lots of money.

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Portuguese-speaking readers, I have this same content in video format here (video below). Visit my Youtube Channel.

By the way, take a look at the discounts that you might find in these stores:

• US: Road Runner Sports
• EU: Top4Running - Code "allaboutrunning" for an additional 5% discount.
• UK: SportsShoes.com | ProDirectSport.com
• Global: Amazon

These are affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you. It helps out my blog so I can keep bringing new content.