Save $$ on Running Shoes

Everyone wants to save money on running shoes but there are right ways to do it, and very wrong ways.

Let’s break it down.

❌ The Wrong Way: Entry-Level Shoes

Buying cheap, entry-level running shoes might look like a smart move… until you start running in them.

Shoes like the:

• New Balance Propel

• ASICS Gel Pulse

• Nike Winflo

are often stiff, under-cushioned, and simply not built for regular running. Especially not for mileage builders.

I’ve seen this countless times in the store: runners buy a pair “just to try running,” log 20 km, end up with pain or injury and then have to buy proper shoes anyway.

In the end, you either:

• Stop running because it feels terrible, or

• Spend another $150 on a real shoe, costing you more than if you’d started with the right pair.

✅ The Right Way: Cost Per Kilometer

Instead of looking at the sticker price, think in cost per kilometer. This is the concept of how much you spend for every kilometer you run.

Example:

• You buy a $150 shoe and run 800 km → $0.19/km

• You buy the same shoe on sale for $125 → $0.16/km

That’s already a small but meaningful improvement.

Second-Hand and Reselling

Now let’s take it a step further. Running shoes lose a lot of value in the first kilometers.

Say you buy that same model for $95 on Vinted with 55 km already on them. You still get around 745 km of use → $0.13/km.

I do this frequently and usually leave it at that. But you could take it another step further.

You could run 150 km in them yourself, then resell them for $80 while they’re still in demand.

Your effective cost drops to around $0.10/km — nearly half the cost of buying new at full price.

Total savings 💰

If you run 2,500 km per year (≈50 km/week), this last strategy could save you over $220 annually without compromising on quality.

Getting below $0.10/km is tough unless you’re sponsored 😉

But with smart buying (and reselling), you can save a lot of money and keep your legs happy along the way.

Want help finding the right shoes that fit your stride, last long, and don’t break the bank?

I offer 1:1 shoe consultations where we pick the perfect model for your needs and budget. You can find more information here.

Thank you for reading!

Tim 👟