Running Gear Deals: 7 Bargain-Hunter Tips for Shoes & More

Looking for running gear deals? 

You know...the best price on stuff you love like:

• Running shoes
• Hydration packs
• Shorts
• Shirts
• Hats
• Leggings...
• And all the other running gear accessories you can think of

If you just won the $1.58 billion Mega Millions jackpot, paying $200+ for running shoes and dropping another couple hundred bucks for running gear and clothes probably seems like pocket change.

But if you like saving money, don't want to pay full retail, or you were born to bargain hunt, you can score some sweet deals on running gear if you know where to look.

In this article, WeeViews runner Kristin Kramer will show you 7 ways to save on running gear.

Hi, my name is Kristin, and I have a running gear problem.

Sound familiar?

I am always shopping for stuff like:

• New leggings
• New running shoes
• New shades
• New water bottles...
• And other running gear to make my morning miles pass a little more smoothly (or just a little more colorfully). 

But I also cringe at that $100 price tag on leggings, and $200+ on some running shoes.

And I consider it a personal WIN when I find a great deal on awesome gear that other people are spending a fortune on. 

So I’m always on the lookout for a great bargain on running gear.

If you’re trying to find the best gear for a steal, here are some of my favorite places to look:

I’m lucky enough to have an outlet mall just 20 minutes away from home, so I pop in often to check out the latest deals.

There’s a good chance that your favorite brand is there—and at a huge discount.

• I personally love perusing the clearance racks at Under Armour, where everything is usually at least half off the sale price. 
• You might not get the newest styles—and you might run into some odd issues (like my Cold Gear top, which has a piece of fabric that doesn’t always lay quite right, but it’s still perfectly functional). 

But if you don’t need the very newest version of the hottest shoe, it’s definitely worth taking a look to find some huge discounts on brands like Under Armour, Nike, Adidas, and more.

👉TIP: Looking for an Outlet store for your favorite running brands? Check the running brand's site or search Google for "outlet mall near me."

OK, before anybody starts trash talking Old Navy as a place to get running gear, here's the thing...

Old Navy has a line of performance clothing that measures up to far more expensive brands.

For example...

I have tried a whole lot of brands of leggings.

So. Many. Leggings.

But pricier doesn’t always mean better—and my Old Navy PowerSoft pocket leggings are still some of my favorites.

(Not to mention the PowerSoft joggers for lazy afternoons at home.)

👉TIP: Use the Old Navy app to find deals

• But you don’t need to hit the sale racks and outlet stores here. 
• The best deals are often on the Old Navy app. 
• You can save your favorites—and since the prices at Old Navy are constantly changing, you can check back daily to see if there are any good sales on your favorites.
• And if you find some good sales, you can pick up 5 or 6 pairs of PowerSofts for the price of a pair of Lulus.

As I just mentioned, some brands (like Old Navy) offer extras to loyal app users like:

• Extra sales
• Exclusive deals
• Sneak peeks
• Flash sales

For instance...

The Under Armour app has its own outlet section, so you don’t have to drive out to the outlet store to find great deals on
gear for the whole family.

And, like the Old Navy app, the UA app allows you to save your favorites and check back often to look for price drops.

UA also tends to offer additional sales on outlet items—along with free shipping for anyone with an account—so it often pays to sign up.

👉TIP: Check your favorite brands for apps, and sign up to get text message alerts about running gear deals.

Never heard of TJX Companies?

Chances are pretty good you have, you just don't know it.

TJX Companies operates several discount stores where you can score sweet deals on running gear:

• Marshall's
• TJ Max
• Sierra

Sierra is The Marshalls of active products and one of my new favorite stores—and I often drive across town just to browse the racks.

(And with a new location coming closer to my house soon, it’s pretty much guaranteed that I’ll be a store regular.)

I’ve found some great deals on:

• Sports bras
• Running Shoes
• Running gear
• Even cool school clothes for my daughter

👉TIP: And, as if the store weren’t good enough, I’m always building my cart on the website...

• Where there are even MORE deals. 
• You can get free shipping on orders of $89+
• Or you can ship to your nearest store for free (which also gives you an excuse to stop by to check out the
  clearance racks in person).

I’ve gotten some amazing products for great prices on Amazon.

But you should definitely do your homework here and be prepared for some trial and error.

For example...

• Those $12 fleece-lined leggings that seem too good to be true might actually be too good to be true.
• (Mine were quickly moved from my workout pile to my hockey mom pile). 

Or you might just find a great product for a steal...like my $17 running vest.

👉TIP: I definitely recommend reading through the reviews on the site (and here on WeeViews), so you can get a better idea of what’s a good product and what will fall apart as soon as you try to wash it. 

There’s definitely a lot of cheap junk out there—but there are some gems to be found, too, if you spend some time doing your research.

Your success at the local thrift store might depend on your community.

But they can be a great source for super-cheap athletic wear.

Here's an example...

• One time, word spread around local runners’ groups that a race company had donated all of their leftover race shirts to Goodwill.
• As in bins and bins and bins of brand new tech shirts and half-zips...
• And I may have gone back a couple of times to stock up on more. 

This is also a great source for throwaway items for chilly race mornings.

Before my last race...
 

• I was able to pick up some great throwaway layers for just $2.50 each
• So I wouldn’t feel bad about tossing one of my favorite hoodies to the side of the road when I started warming up.

👉TIP: Find a Goodwill in your area HERE.

This straight-from-China shopping website/app is my new obsession. There is just so much running gear to be found here. 

• Want to pay a tenth of the price for a knock-off version of the tumbler that everyone is spending a fortune on? 
• Fun motivational stickers for said tumbler? 
• Cushy cloud sandals for recovery? 
• Some $2 compression socks? 
• A light-up running vest? 
• A foldable case for your goodr sunglasses collection? 

Yep—these running gear items and accessories are all there, and it’s usually ridiculously cheap.

 A few more examples of running gear I scored on Temo... 

• A tote bag (which is where I store off-season gear). Price: $1.50
• Massage balls (great for sore feet!). Price: $1.00
• Sunglasses case for my goodrs). Price: $2.00
• Mini-massage gun. Price: $10. (Though I actually got it for free with my discounts when I placed my first order) 

👉Tips for shopping with Temo

• Of course, these things don’t show up overnight
• But, shipping is free
• Your order will arrive within about 10 days
• And if they’re late, they’ll give you $5 in credit to make up for it

And if you know other people who are looking for a good deal on pretty much anything, you can share your link (here’s mine:
https://temu.to/k/usqxZ53xWQGOWRv) and earn discounts in exchange for referrals. 

It’s totally win-win!

If you’re always on the lookout for a deal on running shoes and gear, you never know where you’ll find one. 

For example...

• I never know when my mom will pick up a great shirt or jacket from TJ Maxx…or a garage sale.
• I’ve found some great everyday workout socks from Five Below. 
• And I have a friend who buys all of her gently-used leggings at an online thrift store. 

Here's the thing about running gear deals...

If you save on gear, you can probably afford to sing up for an extra race or two! 

I hope these tips and places to shop help you find some great deals on running shoes & gear.

Share your best tips and places to find running gear in the comments.