Best Bargain Running Shoes Right Now: 8 Trail and Road Deals Worth Grabbing

Introduction

When running brands roll out new models each year, the previous versions drop in price fast, and that is exactly the window where smart buyers win. We have pulled together eight stand-out deals across trail and road, covering everything from plush daily trainers to half-price carbon-plated racers. Four of the shoes below came from the same discount retailer, which says a lot about how much value is floating around right now if you know where to look.

Best Plush Daily Trainer: Brooks Glycerin 20

The Glycerin line has long been a favourite among runners new to the sport, and the Glycerin 20 keeps that reputation intact. It pairs a deeply cushioned, nitrogen-infused DNA Loft v3 midsole with a super plush engineered mesh upper, sits on a 10mm heel offset, and weighs 283g. It works equally well as a first neutral daily trainer or as the workhorse in an existing rotation, and at 52% off its £165 RRP, it is an easy recommendation.

Best Versatile Trail Shoe: Merrell Agility Peak 5

This one earned top spot in our trail shoes of 2023 roundup, and it is easy to see why. A first pair clocked well over 400 miles and is still going strong, and the shoe runs comfortably straight out of the box with barely any break-in. The midsole stacks 31mm at the heel and 25mm under the forefoot for a 6mm offset, and it weighs 308g in a UK 9.5. Fit is true to size with an average-width toe box.

At £40 off the £140 UK retail price, it lands at £99, which feels fair for such a grippy, comfortable and genuinely versatile trail shoe.

Best Carbon Racer Bargain: Nike Vaporfly Next% 2

With the Vaporfly now on version three, the previous model has dropped to a fraction of its original price. The Next% 2 remains one of the most popular marathon day shoes around, and at £122.50 it is half its original RRP. In our experience it is arguably the best carbon-plated race day shoe we have used, with a ride we prefer to the newer version, even if the brighter colourways on the current model win on looks.

Best Carbon Racer Value: Reebok Floatride Energy X

If you want carbon-plated propulsion for even less, the Floatride Energy X now sits at £89.99, roughly 50% off. It has a carbon plate worked into the midsole to add a bit of extra propulsion on the way to the finish line, making it a genuinely accessible entry point for racers and quicker weekly sessions.

Best Long-Distance Trail Bargain: Saucony Exodus Ultra

The original Exodus Ultra carries some serious mileage history, including 80 miles straight out of the box with zero foot issues, and a finish at the brutally challenging TDS at UTMB. It uses a comfortable dual-compound midsole that copes with any terrain, even long tarmac sections, with a 32.5mm heel stack and 26.5mm under the forefoot for a 6mm offset.

Flip the shoe over and you find a three-piece outsole with a forefoot rock plate for underfoot protection, built on Saucony’s PwrTrac rubber with 4.5mm lugs. At £48.99, that is almost £100 off the original RRP, which is extraordinary value. Note that sizes were already limited at the time of checking, so a full size run is not guaranteed.

Best Neutral Daily Trainer Deals: Asics Novablast 3 and Nike Pegasus 40

Two very popular neutral daily trainers round out the road side of this list. The Asics Novablast 3 is a super soft, deeply cushioned option, found for £78, a 39% saving off retail. The Nike Pegasus 40 turns up in the striking Eliud Kipchoge colourway at 50% off, landing at just £65. Both are excellent value picks for everyday mileage.

Best Lightweight Trail Racer: Brooks Catamount 2

Closing out the list is a relatively lightweight trail option from Brooks. The Catamount 2 weighs 274g in a US 9 and uses a DNA Flash midsole with a 6mm heel offset, plus the Brooks SkyVault propulsion plate for added propulsion and extra protection on rocky trails.

The outsole lug depth is not the deepest, so this is better suited to spring, summer and autumn conditions than deep winter mud, but the sticky TrailTack rubber delivers solid grip on both wet and dry surfaces. Normally £160 in the UK, it is available for £79.99, a 50% saving.

Buying Advice

If you need one everyday road shoe, the Glycerin 20 is the safest all-rounder at this price. Trail runners after a single do-everything shoe should look at the Agility Peak 5, while the Exodus Ultra is the pick if long distances and underfoot protection matter most. Racers on a budget get the most carbon-plated shoe per pound from the Floatride Energy X, and the Vaporfly Next% 2 is for those chasing a proven marathon winner. The Novablast 3 and Pegasus 40 are ideal second-shoe rotation fillers, and the Catamount 2 suits faster trail running in drier months.

Conclusion

Discount seasons reward patience, and this batch shows just how far a modest budget can stretch when previous-generation models hit the shelves. Whatever your mix of road and trail, at least one of these eight shoes should earn a place in your rotation at a price that is hard to argue with.