Why Now Is the Best Time to Sell Running Shoes
Running seems like a cheap sport – all you need are shoes! — until you actually go to the shoe store. The right shoes can make or break your experience. They can also break your budget; even the simplest models cost more than $100 new. (Keep in mind, though, that the most expensive shoes won’t necessarily be the best ones for you .)
Of course, you can look for deals at any time—there’s usually something on sale no matter when you’re looking. But if you want specific shoes to be on sale, it’s worth looking at the release schedule for new products. And a top tip: New shoe styles tend to come out in the spring, so now is a great time to stock up on discontinued styles.
Spring is the best time to buy sneakers
Like cars, sneakers are distinguished by brand (Asics), model (Gel Nimbus) and, well, at the end of the name instead of the model year there is usually a number: Asics Gel Nimbus 27 . Shoes are updated once every year or two, depending on the model; The long-running Nike Pegasus has version 41.
And, as with cars, there’s often a deal to be had at the end of a model year, when sellers clear out their old inventory to make room for newbies. You can keep an eye on sites like Runner’s World or Sole Review to see what models are being updated and when they are scheduled to launch. But an even easier way to stay on top of shoe season is to simply check the “new arrivals” section of your local running shoe store’s website or sign up for their newsletter.
For example, since the Asics Gel Nimbus 27 released this year for $165, you can bet that the Asics Gel Nimbus 26 is available for much less. As of this writing, most color and size combinations are priced around $110—that’s over 30% off.
This is a pretty typical deal, but you can do even better if you shop around and if you don’t mind choosing shoes that have the lowest price rather than the prettiest colors.
This matter of choice is a good reason to shop now rather than wait. As summer approaches, you may find bigger discounts on last year’s model, but you’ll also have fewer options. Sizes are also sold out. Here’s a great example: The Asics Gel Nimbus 25 ( two models ago) retails for just $99.95 . The catch is that you will have to wear the cream/fawn color as it is the only color option available.
Save money by purchasing these models.
There are too many running shoes to list all of the offerings, but I wanted to highlight a few notable examples where a shoe was recently released that resulted in the previous version being sold at a much lower price. (The release dates listed below are based on what companies or publications announced earlier this spring and may or may not be the same as the actual release date. You get the idea, though.)
-
The Hoka Clifton 10 was released in March for $150, and now you can find the Hoka Clifton 9 for $94.25 ( women’s and men’s models ).
-
Brooks Glycerin 22 was released in February for $165, and Brooks Glycerin 21 is now available for $105.60 ( men’s ) and $98 ( women’s ).
-
The Brooks Ghost 17 was released in May for $150, and the Brooks Ghost 16 is now available for $109.95 ( women’s , men’s ).
But beware of shoes that are too old.
If you’re looking to buy discontinued models, there are a few pitfalls you should be aware of. First, the foam in a pair of shoes decomposes while it sits on a shelf . This is not a problem if you buy a model that has just been discontinued – it will be fine. But if you find shoes that are two or three models older, they probably won’t last as long as new ones. (The price may justify their cost, even with the reduced lifespan, but consider yourself warned.)
The same goes for if you buy last year’s model as a backup and plan to keep it in your closet until your current shoe breaks. Consider how long it will be before you actually wear the shoes and decide accordingly. While you’re at it, apply the same logic to any gently used shoes you can find on eBay or Poshmark .