December Running Shoe Bargains: 11 Discounted Picks Worth a Look

Introduction

Pre-Christmas is a surprisingly good time to grab running shoes at sensible prices, and this round of discounts covers the full range: marathon racers, cushioned daily trainers, tempo workhorses and a couple of overlooked bargains. Below are eleven shoes currently discounted, with what each does well and the trade-offs to check before you buy. Prices move quickly on sale stock, so treat the figures as a snapshot of what was available at the time of writing.

Nike Deals: Alphafly and Invincible Run

The Nike Alphafly in its solid color models is listed at around 208, down from the levels some buyers managed earlier, but still the best price found right now. Colorways include bright mango and hyper turquoise, and its enormous midsole makes it a serious option for the full marathon distance. Considering what it is designed to do, it remains reasonably good value at that price.

The Invincible Run is the max-cushioned counterpoint, available in phantom and football gray across a wide range of sizes for around 132. It featured on several best max-cushion lists for 2021, and it has built a genuine following among runners who need serious underfoot protection. Some runners credit it with helping them return from injury or manage joint pain, which says a lot about what the shoe does well.

Adidas Deals: Boston 9, Boston 10 and Adizero Adios 6

At Start Fitness, the Boston 9 is still available in some women’s sizes at around 79. If you prefer the lower stack and the high-mileage durability of its Boost midsole, it could be right up your alley.

The Boston 10 is down to around 90, a drop of about 40 from retail. It brings increased stability and a smooth ride, though some testers found the guided feel underfoot a little too directed for their taste, and sizing runs snug enough that going a half size up is worth considering.

The standout deal here is the Adizero Adios 6, down to around 77 with roughly 34 off pretty much every men’s and women’s colorway. It earned a place among the best shoes of its year, and it is rare to see a performer of that level at such a low price.

View more details for Adidas Adizero Boston 10

Saucony Deals: Endorphin Pro and Endorphin Speed

Saucony has plenty of shoes at 20 percent off, including the original Endorphin Pro at around 151 and the Endorphin Speed at around 123, both across a wide selection of colorways. The Pro is the race-day option with its carbon plate, while the Speed leans on a bouncier midsole material that many runners prefer for daily training and faster sessions alike.

At these prices, both are strong picks if you want proven performance without paying full launch pricing.

Nike Zoom Rival Fly 3

Over at SportsShoes.com, the very bright, low-profile Zoom Rival Fly 3 is down to only around 72. You get Cushlon foam in the midsole and an air unit in the forefoot, which makes it something of a steal at the discounted price. It impressed as a daily offering, and it could also see use over shorter distance races, which is a genuinely versatile combination for the money.

New Balance FuelCell RC Elite v2

Also at SportsShoes.com, the FuelCell RC Elite v2 carries a large discount of around 55, down to about 165 in the bright London colorway. This is a cushioned contender for anyone after a carbon-plated shoe that can handle both training and a full marathon race. It is also ideal if you want a super shoe with slightly more room, as the forefoot is a touch wider and more accommodating in the toe box while keeping the lightness and propulsion of a carbon plate.

Under Armour Flow Velociti Wind

The Under Armour Flow Velociti Wind may be one of the most overlooked shoes of its year, and it is down from around 140 to about 84. The Flow midsole is a real highlight, paired with a very light, glove-like upper. Compared with the original Endorphin Speed, it leans toward a rebound-style, high-bounce midsole rather than a compressive, dense feel. Very few runners have tried it, but at this price it is worth testing. Go a half size up from your usual size, as the fit runs slightly snug.

Adidas Ultraboost 21

With the Ultraboost 22 on the way, the Ultraboost 21 has been discounted, down to around 104 from about 160 in the classic black and white colorway. Plenty of runners enjoy it as a daily shoe, and the dense layer of resilient Boost foam pellets may help reduce the judder on your joints. It is certainly a heavier shoe, but at this price it has a clear place in a runner’s rotation.

Buying Advice

If you are racing a marathon, the Alphafly and RC Elite v2 are the headline picks. For high-mileage training on tired legs, the Invincible Run and Ultraboost 21 offer the most cushioning. Budget-conscious runners get the most outright performance per unit of money from the Adizero Adios 6, the Zoom Rival Fly 3 and the Flow Velociti Wind. Watch sizing on the Boston 10 and Flow Velociti Wind, both of which run snug.

Conclusion

There is real depth in this batch of deals: proven super shoes, durable daily trainers and a couple of under-the-radar options at unusually low prices. Match the shoe to your running rather than the discount alone, and any of these could be a smart pick-up before the new year stock resets.