With recent impacts of inflation, it seems like everything has increased in price. Running shoes are not immune to this trend. High shoe prices can be a deterrent from running. Don’t let high shoe prices be a reason you give up on running. We cover a few ideas on how to still get the footwear you need at a reasonable price.
Prices Continue to Grow
I recently bought a pair of running shoes that were last year’s model. I don’t need the latest running shoes, because they are not going to help me much. However, support and cushion are important to me. My clearance shoe of choice was the previous version of the Nike Pegasus. To my surprise, the prices were much higher than I’m used to paying.
According to Statista, they are projecting an almost 8% increase in the average price for fitness footwear to a new peak of nearly $144 per pair between 2024 and 2029. It’s not a huge increase, but still an increase on the average. The higher end shoe is continuing to grow as well with the addition of carbon fiber to aid the runner’s performance. The Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1 are priced at $500. The Nike Vaporfly Next is upwards of $250 per pair. Both prices show growth in the high end market for performance running. And both prices are really high for my budget!
Don’t Let High Shoe Prices Deter You
High shoe prices shouldn’t deter your running. If that $250+ pair of carbon plated shoes doesn’t meet your budget, you can still find a good quality pair of shoes at a budget. You don’t need carbon plated shoes of course you may want them. It’s important to find the right pair of shoes to properly support your feet. A bad pair of shoes will lead to injury and keep you away from running. Here are a couple of ideas to find the best deals:
- Shop during sales events: In many countries, there can be big sales around the time of holidays. Keep a watch of shoe prices around big holidays to find a great deal.
- Check out discount or outlet stores: Most big shoe brands can be found at clearance or outlet stores at a discounted price. Most of the time these are previous year model shoes. Getting the latest shoe will make you the coolest runner on the block, but last year’s shoe should suffice. Buy last year’s model and save!
- Check out the secondary market: Running shoes have a limit to the number of miles you can run on them, but you might get lucky and find a pair of running shoes on the second hand market that still have some life in them. Be careful not to buy shoes that don’t provide enough support to avoid injury.
Keep you and your bank account in Shape
You can make running on a budget work. Check out sales, sign up for rewards, and follow your favorite brands to find the best deals. If you’re on a budget, you can find a great pair of shoes at a deal that will still make running fun. I’m personally a previous model shopper and still get excited about a new pair of shoes. Get thrifty and stay motivated!