5 Ways to Find Cheaper Running Shoes
The largest expense a runner faces is usually your running shoes. Here are 5 ways to reduce the costs of your running shoes that don’t involve sacrificing the quality of the shoe.
1. Buy Older Shoes on Clearance.
The first and easiest method is to buy last year’s model when it goes on clearance. Most of the major running shoe companies change shoe models each year in an effort to improve the shoes and to drive more sales. If you find a shoe you like, then I recommend buying multiple pairs of them when the new model goes out because you can often purchase them at a discounted rate while the running shoe stores try to clear their inventory to make room for the new model.
2. Order Your Shoes Online
The second method, which is also pretty easy, is to order your shoes online. I tend not to do this for a few reasons, first and foremost being that I would rather keep my money local if I am going to being paying at or near full retail for a pair of shoes. Saving $5 isn’t worth sending the money out of my community. Online stores can often operate with fewer overhead costs than a brick and mortar business, though, and many will pass those savings onto you, the customer. Just pay attention to shipping charges, and be careful that the store you order from has a good return policy in case the shoes don’t fit right or are damaged in transit.
3. Wait For Special Deals
The third method is to keep an eye out for deals, both online and in person. You can sometimes get coupons or gift certificates for participating in local races, and some stores may offer credits for volunteering at their sponsored races or for recycling your old shoes. Both local and online retailers often have holiday or other specials, when they have a really good deal or discount on their shoes.
You can also keep an eye out for old stock that gets brought to a marathon expo or other event, which can cut the cost of the shoes at least 25% off of retail. If you are purchasing shoes from a company at any location other than their normal place of business, you may find that they are open to haggling and making deals. The salesmen don’t want to have to carry any more stock back with them then they have to, especially late during the last day of an event.
4. Get Sponsored
The fourth method is to get sponsored yourself or to join a sponsored club or team. This can be a little difficult and can vary depending upon the area you live in and your own running abilities. Local stores may offer discounts to clubs that operate under their roof, or to local clubs in their area. You might also find a competitive team that is directly sponsored by one of the major shoe companies. Sponsored teams will often have a deep discount off of the retail pricing for shoes and apparel.
5. Find Free Shoes
The fifth method is to find free shoes. This is the best method, but is usually the most difficult. The two main ways to find free shoes are to obtain a personal sponsorship or to win shoes in a race or raffle. Most people can get a shot at free shoes in a raffle, especially if you have to be present to win and it is after an awards ceremony. Winning shoes in a race requires a little more talent and hard work and can be very difficult unless a race is ill-attended.
Obtaining a professional sponsorship from a shoe company is much more difficult. Even elite athletes can sometimes find it difficult to find sponsorships.
I have managed to obtain shoes through each of those methods at one point or another. I try to make my shoes last as long as possible, and when it is time to rotate in a new pair I will assess my needs and my options to find the cheapest pair that I can. I never sacrifice quality for price, though. Most of the shoes that I would personally wear cost less than $100 at full retail, so if that is what I need to pay in order to participate in my sport I am more than willing to do so.
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Blaine Moore is a running coach in Southern Maine with 20 years of training and racing experience that he shares on his blog at Run To Win.com. Download his free report, The 3 Components of an Effective Workout, to learn why the work you put in during your training is only the third most important factor that determines how well you improve as a runner and an athlete.
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