Best Running Shoe Deals January 2026: Eight Bargains Worth a Look

Introduction

January is a good month to buy running shoes. Retailers are clearing inventory, and a handful of excellent models are currently sitting at prices well below their original retail. This roundup covers eight shoes worth a second look right now, from budget-friendly daily trainers to high-stack marathon machines.

A quick note before the details: Start Fitness is currently offering an extra discount code (BFJ15) that stacks on several of the shoes below, plus a free pair of More Miles socks with any shoe purchase. Those socks reportedly wash well, which makes a good deal slightly sweeter.

Adidas Adizero SL2

The Adizero SL2 is down to between £65 and £82 at Start Fitness, depending on the colorway, which is serious value at this level. It sits slightly more stable than the Evo SL while keeping that narrow, nimble character. The outsole grip is excellent thanks to a ridged pattern, and the shoe works well as a shorter-distance daily trainer.

One fit note: these run a touch small, so consider going up a half or even a full size. Sizing is broad across multiple colorways, so you should be able to find your pick.

Puma Magnify Nitro 3

The Magnify Nitro 3 has dropped to £78 in a black and orange colorway at Start Fitness, barely more than the recently discounted Velocity Nitro 4. With more stack in the heel, it makes a strong case as a long run shoe, and Puma Grip rubber delivers excellent traction on the outsole. A full size run is available in this colorway, and sportshoes.com carries a black and blue version at around the same price.

The discount likely reflects Puma’s online-only availability, which limits the chance to try shoes on in stores. That is a shame, because Puma’s midsole foams are among the better ones on the market and the value here is real. Do not overlook these options.

Saucony Endorphin Elite 2

The Endorphin Elite 2 is now available in a wide range of colorways for around £169 in the UK at sportshoes.com, with a full size run. For runners chasing maximum impact protection, this shoe has the softest midsole foam around, built on Incredi-RUN TPE material that has proven exceptionally durable in testing, likely thanks to the elastic nature of the material.

The upper is somewhat unique and extremely breathable, making this a smart pick for warmer-weather racing where heat is a concern. If you are training for a half marathon or marathon in 2026, this is a strong contender.

Puma DV8 Nitro 3

Sportshoes.com has a standout deal on the DV8 Nitro 3: £89 in a black and white colorway with a full size run, a hefty cut from the £150 retail price. It is a carbon-plated shoe with a nice stable feel, a well-fitting upper, and plenty of cushioning from the Nitro and Nitro Elite foam combination. The Puma Grip outsole rubber provides loads of traction.

Think of it as an alternative to the Zoomfly 6 with arguably a better outsole for wet or testing conditions. It suits tempo sessions where speed is the priority, and it could be a genuine option for Hyrox-style events. A weatherized version with a slightly different toggle lacing system is available at the same price. Availability outside the UK remains patchy, which keeps this model overlooked.

Adidas Adizero Evo SL

Start Fitness has the original Evo SL on a modest discount, including a striking snakeskin-style version in Grey Three, Lime Burst, and Core Black. Use the BFJ15 code and the price drops to £92.90, which is excellent for this shoe. Sizing is sporadic, so check availability before committing.

Two caveats: the Evo SL is soft, and it is probably not the best choice for out-and-out daily running, as some runners may find it a touch unstable. The standard version is the one on sale here; the woven variant the reviewer runs is a comfortable, very bright shoe kept for treadmill use only.

Saucony Endorphin Speed 5

At Start Fitness, the Endorphin Speed 5 comes in just under £100 with the BFJ15 code applied to what was originally a steep retail price. What you get is a light, nimble shoe with exceptional durability in both midsole and outsole, plus a stable and breathable upper.

That combination makes the Speed 5 a versatile pick: a marathon shoe for runners on a budget, a strong option for speed training, and a legitimate long run shoe for half or full marathon training. It is especially well suited to races from April through August in warmer weather. There is also the free-socks bonus from Start Fitness. You cannot lose with this one.

Adidas Takumi Sun 11

A women’s-specific deal from Start Fitness on the Takumi Sun 11: four colorways, and with the BFJ15 code the price comes down to £104. This is aimed at lighter-framed runners after significant response at a low weight for shorter-distance races.

It is slightly under max stack compared with the top marathon shoes, but it uses the older Lightstrike Pro formula, which is more responsive and very durable. Energy rods add torsional stability and a bit of pop on toe-off. For the price of a daily trainer, you get a serious racer for the 2026 season. Excellent value on a durable model.

Adidas Prime X3 Strung

The final deal is the Prime X3 Strung, down to £150 with the BFJ15 code, available in Lucid Lemon or Powder Plum in almost all sizes, with Flash Aqua somewhat more limited. The bright yellow upper improves visibility on dark winter mornings, which is genuinely useful at this time of year.

The huge stack is a little more stable than previous versions of the shoe, and the Continental outsole is mega durable. If your marathon build includes long sessions of 16 miles or more, the Prime X3 could really save your legs on those Sunday morning long runs. It is the top pick of this list.

Buying Advice

A few quick pointers on choosing between these deals. For pure value in a daily trainer, the Adizero SL2 at £65 to £82 is hard to beat, just remember to size up. For long runs, the Magnify Nitro 3 and Prime X3 Strung both bring big cushioning at sharp prices. For race day, the Endorphin Elite 2 offers maximum impact protection while the Takumi Sun 11 favors lighter runners over shorter distances. The Endorphin Speed 5 covers the most ground as a do-everything option under £100, and the DV8 Nitro 3 is the wildcard pick for tempo work and obstacle racing.

Conclusion

January’s discounts make this an unusually good moment to buy, with marathon racers sitting at daily-trainer prices and solid daily shoes dipping into the £60s. Check sizing carefully, since several of these models run small or have patchy availability, and consider whether the free socks and discount codes apply where you shop. Happy running, and hopefully a few pounds saved.