7 Bargain Running Shoes Worth Grabbing Before New Models Arrive

Introduction

As the year winds down, running brands start preparing their next launches, and that usually means the current models get heavily discounted. It is one of the best windows of the year to pick up a quality running shoe without paying full retail.

The seven shoes below cover both road and trail running, and each one has been run in and put through its paces, so the performance comments come from real mileage rather than spec sheets alone. The key thing to remember: you do not need to spend a small fortune to get a genuinely good running shoe, as long as you are happy not to be running in this season’s newest release or colorway.

One practical tip before you buy: always check which sizes are actually in stock before getting excited. Some bargains look amazing until you discover the only remaining sizes are a UK 6 and a men’s UK 13.

Hoka Torrent 2: Lightweight Trail Bargain

The Hoka Torrent 2 is a lightweight trail shoe weighing in at 264g, with a fairly aggressive, luggy outsole covered in super sticky Hoka rubber. The upper is comfortable and breathable, and the midsole offers a good level of ground connection.

That combination makes it best suited to runners who like a lightweight, nimble feel underfoot and want to stay stable on more technical trails. It has proven itself a solid performer over multiple pairs and years of use. At $59.99, down from the £110 retail price, it is a substantial saving, with plenty of sizes available at SportsShoes.com.

Saucony Ride 15: A Road Trainer at Half Price

When the Saucony Ride 15 was tested earlier this year, the improvements over the Ride 14 were striking. It felt more responsive, lighter, and the midsole felt noticeably softer while returning more energy. It is simply a more exciting shoe to run in.

That makes it a great daily trainer option capable of covering most aspects of your training. At £65 from Start Fitness, that is a 50% saving off the RRP, and a free pair of running socks is thrown in as well.

Nike Wildhorse 8: A Trail Workhorse from Nike

Trail shoes are not usually where Nike stands out on value, but the Wildhorse 8 is a genuinely good update that performs much better than the previous version. At 343g in a UK 9.5 it is not the lightest trail shoe available, though it does not run particularly heavy either.

The upper worked well for foot shape with good lockdown around the midfoot and heel, while still leaving nice volume and wiggle room in the toe box. The full React midsole felt comfortable on all types of terrain, and the luggy outsole is arguably the best-performing outsole yet seen on a Nike trail shoe. On Nike’s own website, a pair costs £80.47 in a bright red color option, with lots of sizes available. If you want a workhorse trail shoe, this fits the bill.

Reebok Floatride Energy: Budget Trail and Gravel Option

The Reebok Floatride Energy for adventure is already a reasonably priced shoe at £84, but on the Sports Direct website it drops to just £44, a 45% saving. The catch is that sizes are a little limited, so check availability first.

This is not the shoe for very muddy, boggy trails, as the outsole is not the most aggressively lugged. But for tarmac crossings, gravel trails, towpaths, and fire roads, it does a very good job, delivering a lightweight, comfortable, and super affordable trail option.

Nike Vaporfly Next% 2: Carbon-Plated Speed for Less

With the third version of the Vaporfly now out, deals on the Next% 2 are starting to appear. On SportPursuit you can currently get a pair for £134.99. That is still a lot of money for a running shoe, but with most other carbon-plated race day shoes sitting at over £200, and given the original RRP, it is solid value.

This is one of those rare shoes that feels exciting the moment you put it on: responsive, lightweight, and fast, the kind of shoe that puts a smile on your face mid-run. SportPursuit has nearly a full size run and a couple of colorways to choose from. If you have always wanted to try a carbon-plated race shoe for an upcoming half marathon or spring marathon training but never wanted to gamble on the full price, this is a good moment to grab a pair.

Saucony Xodus Ultra: A Dependable Trail Favorite

The original Saucony Xodus Ultra has featured heavily in trail coverage over recent years and stands as one of the most dependable trail shoes around, well loved by seasoned trail runners and a safe choice for a first pair of trail shoes alike. At $74.99 from SportsShoes.com, with both the flow yellow and blue colorways available and pretty much a full size run, the value is hard to argue with.

New Balance FuelCell Rebel v3: Featherlight Daily Trainer

The New Balance FuelCell Rebel v3 is the latest version of a standout daily trainer, available on the New Balance website for $78.99. It weighs a remarkable 227g in a UK 10, so you can barely feel it on your feet, and it has one of the best-fitting, most comfortable uppers seen on a road shoe.

The FuelCell midsole feels comfortable at easy paces but springs to life when you push the tempo, returning a lot of energy. That makes it a very versatile daily trainer: happy on long slow recovery runs, tempo and interval sessions, and even crossover race day duty. One caveat: if you need a fair bit of structure and support, this may not be the shoe for you. It suits runners who are light on their feet, typically midfoot to forefoot strikers; heavy heel strikers may find the very soft, flexible midsole runs unstable.

Overall Buying Advice

The common thread across all seven shoes is timing. Brands discount outgoing models ahead of new launches, so previous versions and last season’s colorways become genuinely excellent value. Check size availability before committing, compare the discounted price against the original RRP rather than assuming any discount is a deal, and match the shoe to the terrain you actually run: aggressively lugged shoes for technical or muddy trails, smoother outsoles for gravel and towpaths, and lightweight responsive trainers for road work.

Conclusion

Quality running shoes do not have to cost a fortune. From a $59.99 lightweight trail shoe to a carbon-plated racer at a third off its RRP, every shoe on this list has proven itself in real running. If one matches your terrain and running style, the end-of-year discount window is the right time to buy.