Best Running Shoe Deals: Six Bargains Worth Hunting Down

Introduction

Some of the best value in running footwear never shows up on launch day. It arrives months later, when retailers quietly cut prices on shoes that are still genuinely excellent. This roundup collects six running shoes available at significant discounts, all spotted at the start of April 2025. Availability changes fast, and some sizes may already be gone, so if something fits your needs it is worth acting quickly.

The list spans a wide range: a towering max-stack super trainer, a cushioned everyday workhorse, a wild-fringed plate racer, two carbon racing options from Nike, and a lightweight daily trainer from Adidas. Each one has a clear type of runner it suits best.

Adidas Prime X: The Max-Stack Bargain

Start Fitness still had the linen green version of the Adidas Prime X available in almost all sizes at £159, down from £250. That is arguably the best deal on this list. The Prime X is a 50mm stack monster that proved forgiving in use, and it stands out as one of the most fun and usable super trainers on the market.

It is a slightly odd and sometimes misunderstood model. The first version was superb and lighter than the V2 Strung that followed a couple of years later. It runs a bit more squashy and entertaining, great for longer steady runs with a smattering of speed mixed in. The Continental rubber outsole delivers top-notch grip. At this price, it is a steal.

This is one of the strongest running shoe discounts around, and the remaining supply may not last long.

Puma Magnify Nitro 2: A Sensible Max-Cushion Alternative

Start Fitness also had a strong deal on the Puma Magnify Nitro 2, with almost a full size run at around £70, and select sizes in other colorways as low as £50. If you have a smaller foot, that lower price could be within reach.

The Magnify Nitro 2 offers an optimum stack of Nitro foam and works as a worthy substitute for many max-cushion shoes in other brands’ lineups. It feels a little more conservative and less clunky, remaining nimble without being overtly bulky. This version appears to do away with the knit-like materials through the middle of the shoe where the tongue area sits, a subtle iteration Puma has made on several models. That tweak makes it slightly more compatible with warmer weather, which suits a UK summer nicely. Expect great Puma grip traction on the outsole and a cushioned yet stable feel underfoot.

Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro 3: One for the Enthusiasts

The Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro 3 is down 17% to £175, which is still a fair amount of money. This is a shoe for enthusiasts and inquisitive runners who want to test something outlandish: a dramatic heel bevel and serious stack. Thanks to a measurement quirk, it sits above the 40mm limit in practice, even though the printed spec says otherwise.

The midsole uses the super soft Mizuno Nez XP foam, placed strangely on the bottom of the shoe rather than where it is printed. The G3 outsole looks superb, minimizing weight without diminishing traction on road and pavement. It has been a while since that G3 material appeared, which adds a touch of nostalgia for long-time shoe watchers.

The design is too way out there for some runners, but Start Fitness had almost a full size run at the time of the deal. If a bold, fringe-pushing racer appeals to you, this discount may be enough to tip you over the edge.

Nike Vaporfly 3: The Outgoing Racer

With the Vaporfly Next% 4 on the horizon, the outgoing Vaporfly 3 is heavily discounted, now around £168 down from £240 retail. It was never a favorite, feeling a little controlling and lacking some of the magic of earlier versions, but it remains very popular at local races.

You still get the full ZoomX midsole with the famed carbon plate that countless brands have tried to copy. This might be the last chance for a while to get a 40mm Vaporfly, as the new version returns to a leaner, lower midsole stack closer to the original. Sportsshoes.com had quite a few sizes in the crimson tint guava ice and black version, plus the striking Lightning McQueen-style edition released for the Echoon races in Japan. That colorway is either beautiful to you or one to leave well alone, with no middle ground.

Nike Alphafly 3: A Real Banger at a Real Discount

The Alphafly 3 is reduced to £240 from £285, a £45 discount that brings it down to roughly Vaporfly retail territory. The red and lime green colorway is truly awesome, and similar tones in the Zoom Fly 6 have proven winners.

Around 200 miles went into a first pair of the Alphafly 3 and they still work great as a training tool, remaining mega forgiving. With a little care, they keep going for many miles. One caution: this deal came from Sports Direct. Pre-order marked listings there are often hit or miss, but this one was in stock at the time with no pre-order status, which is why it makes the list. Several other retailers were running similar deals, so the discount is not an outlier.

Adidas Adizero SL2: The Lightweight No-Brainer

Adidas ran a sale of their own with the Adizero SL2 priced around £70, particularly in the cobalt blue lucid lemon blue spark version. You will need to hunt around a little for sizing, since individual sizes were scattered across different UK retailers.

The SL2 carries a superb Lightstrike Pro midsole, at least at its core, and a nice lightweight feel. At this kind of money, it is a no-brainer. The outsole has noticeably deeper lugs than some other models, adding a touch more grip. It suits runners with a slightly narrower foot who want something airy, without loads of mass or overblown width and stack.

Overall Buying Advice

Match the deal to the run, not just the price. The Prime X is the standout bargain if you want maximum cushioning with genuine fun factor. The Magnify Nitro 2 is the sensible daily option and the cheapest entry point if you can find your size. The Wave Rebellion Pro 3 rewards curiosity and tolerance for bold design. Between the two Nike racers, the Vaporfly 3 suits runners who want a classic carbon-plated feel before it changes, while the Alphafly 3 offers more forgiveness and doubles as a long-lasting training tool. The Adizero SL2 is the easy pick for a lightweight, airy daily trainer.

Two practical checks before buying: confirm the colorway and size are genuinely in stock rather than on pre-order, and remember that deals found at the start of April 2025 may have expired by the time you read this.

Conclusion

Six strong discounts, six different runner profiles. Whether you are chasing a 50mm super trainer at £159, a £70 cushioned daily, a fringe racer at £175, or two carbon race options with serious savings, there is genuine value in this batch. Move quickly, check your size, and pick the shoe that fits the running you actually do.