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Trying to find a good pair of cheap running shoes is like trying to find a needle in a haystack. One of the most common complaints that I've received during my time in the running industry is "running shoes are expensive." There's some truth to that statement. Let's face it. Even the best running shoes hardly last past 400 miles. Picture it this way. If you run an average of 25 miles per week, that's 100 miles per month, and only 4 months of use out of your running shoes. That means you'd have to replace your running shoes three or more times per year if you want to stay healthy and injury free doing that type of mileage. At an average of 100 dollars per pair, running shoes can rack up a hefty annual bill. Don't get me wrong. If I have to spend the money to buy a good pair of running shoes so that I can keep fit and healthy, I'll do it. My health is worth it. But I've found with a little due diligence and shoe savvy, we can significantly reduce our expenses. Below is a guide to finding good running shoes at low prices. Before we get started, a few words of caution. Shy away from off brands. These are the brands that you find at places like Wal-Mart, Target, Payless, etc. They're dirt cheap but often lack the cushioning and support that the more respected brands offer. Run in "El Cheapo" long enough and you'll open yourself up to a plethora of injuries. Then, you'll pay back your initial savings ten fold on doctor's visits and surgery bills. You're better off sticking with highly trusted brands such as ADIDAS, ASICS, Brooks, Mizuno, New Balance, Nike, Pearl Izumi, Reebok, and Saucony because they simply have more time tested technologies. Even their cheaper models will perform better than the off brands' best models. Likewise, you can sometimes get good prices on their more high end models. The rest of these tips will show you how to find these diamonds in the rough. The most obvious place to look for cheaper running shoes is the clearance sections. You can find shoes that are at a fraction of the original retail price. Alternatively, or in addition to a clearance section, some stores will have a "once worn" section. If you don't mind buying a pair that's been used by someone else, this is an excellent way to shave a lot of dollars off the price of your running shoes. You should be able to get a decent amount of wear from them because they've only been run in for a few miles (usually under 25). Lastly, check if there's a "classics section," which features models that came out years ago but are still in production because they still have a large following. These older models can cost significantly less than their newer counterparts. As good as these deals are, people hardly take advantage of them. You may have to hunt around the store for these sections because they're often set up away from the main shoe wall area, or in the back of the store somewhere. Sales reps often try to direct your attention elsewhere because the lower the price on a shoe the lower their "numbers" will be. Shop for last year's model. Manufacturers are always coming out with new stuff, so the retailers that sell these brands will reduce the prices on the "out-dated" models to make room for the new models. So the next time you pay a visit to your local running or sporting goods store, don't immediately buy the newest model featuring the "latest and greatest" technology. Just ask for the older models of the shoes you are interested in. Contrary to what sales reps want you to think, last year's models are not much different from this year's models. If you you're willing to be patient, you can save a lot of money by waiting for sales. Visit the websites of various retailers frequently. Keep in the loop by signing up with the newsletters of different retailers. If you sign up with enough of them, you're bound to get a sales notice nearly every week. My favorite sales are the BOGO sales. Retailers will put on these sales a couple times per year and give you a price break (usually 50%, sometimes 100%) on a second or additional pairs of shoes. You pay more upfront but you won't regret it when it's time to replace that first pair. Just make sure you use the additional pair(s) within the next two years or else it will get stiff or decompose. One of my favorite ways of finding cheap running shoes is by using the various sort functions of a manufacturer's or retailer's website. Across all the different websites I've visited, the sort process goes something like, 'click on men's/women's, footwear, running, shoe category (stability, neutral, motion control, etc.), sort by price from lowest to highest.' This is a great way to see all the selections available, working methodically from the bottom up, choosing and comparing until you find a shoe that matches your needs. Who knows? You might find a shoe that is dirt cheap and gives you the best ride of your life! Always compare prices between multiple retailers and manufacturers. Don't just stop at your usual place for running gear. What may be at regular price at one place may be on clearance at another place. Customer loyalty can be expensive, and sticking to one place can cost you tons of money unnecessarily. But if you believe in customer loyalty, ask for a price match at the least. The way I see it, if XYZ company wants to keep your business, it shouldn't give you any reason to shop with its competitors. Some retailers have a reputation for consistently offering the lowest prices. Knowing and remembering who these retailers comes in handy when you're in the market for some new shoes. Just bookmark their websites like me! Some of my favorite places to get running shoes at great prices are Running Warehouse, Road Runner Sports, Shoes.com, Onlineshoes.com, Dick's Sporting Goods, Big 5 Sporting Goods, Sports Authority, Finish Line, and Holabird Sports. Make sure you use the sort functions for these guys. So there you have it! Use the above tips and I'm sure you'll find a great pair of running shoes at a great price. But always keep in mind that you should first check to see if a shoe will meet your unique biomechanical needs, then look at the price tag. It's a good thing to save money on your running shoes, but preventing injuries so you can enjoy running for the rest of your life should be your top priority. If you need help finding out what type of shoe is right for you, click here to learn how to choose running shoes. Below are a few models that I think perform well and are currently at great prices at most retailers. Whenever possible, I add the following notations where appropriate to help you get your ideal fit.
Stability
Neutral
Motion Control
Other Running Shoe Links
Helpful Links
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