How To Shop For Running Gear Within a Budget
One of the great things about running as a sport is its simplicity. While it’s certainly enjoyable and even recommended to surround yourself with like minded training partners, at its basic element, running is something you can do for yourself and by yourself.
There isn’t a lot of equipment required, but having good gear makes a big difference in your comfort and enjoyment of the sport. One of the best innovations for runners in the last 20 years has been the advent of moisture wicking fabrics. For runners who run in cold weather, staying relatively warm and dry on a run is much easier with fabrics such as Gore-Tex and polypropylene which wick moisture away from the body while providing a barrier to keep moisture from the outside from getting in.
The other main requirement in terms of equipment is your running shoes. A runner’s shoes are like a tennis player’s racquet, a hockey player’s stick or a baseball player’s glove. It has to fit just right and provide the comfort and feel you’re looking for, otherwise you just don’t feel right on the road.
Fortunately, these items don’t have to be expensive. There are plenty of places online where you can find some great deals and get some great equipment without breaking the bank. Here are some ideas:
Where to get Great Deals on Running Gear
There are a ton of great deals on running gear to be had if you know where to look. If your preference leans toward online buying, Sierra Trading Post, 6pm and Roadrunner Sports are excellent choices.
Sierra Trading Post: The Sierra Trading Post website offers discounted outdoor gear including many running and fitness accessories, such as shoes, track suits, shirts and hats. Items are discounted by about 25-60% and each item has several customer reviews you can click on to see the experience other customers have had with the various products.
6pm: 6pm doesn’t have quite the same range of running apparel, but they have a wide range of discount offers on shoes. There are currently over 1,000 different shoe brands in their catalogue and all of the major brands are well represented.
Roadrunner Sports: Roadrunner Sports has the most comprehensive catalogue of running gear of the three sites, but also tends to be the most expensive but typically offer free shipping. One of the neat things about the Roadrunner Sports online experience is the Shoe Dog running shoe finder. You enter data on the type of shoe you want, your foot type, the amount of running you do and the Shoe Dog lists running shoe choices that fit your profile.
If you’re old-school and prefer to shop in an actual brick and mortar store, you have a wider variety of options.
Thrift Stores: While not the most glamorous place to shop, you can find some fantastic deals on running gear at local thrift stores. Items like windbreakers, track suits, hats and gloves, and even sweat shirts for cold winter days can be bought for a fraction of the original cost.
Outlet Stores: Outlet stores are great places to get deals. Stores such as UnderArmor, Nike, Brooks and many others offer significant discounts on all sorts of running gear from shoes to sweat suits and pretty much everything else you could want.
Target: Target has some cheap options for running gear, such as running shorts and tights, gloves, and a surprisingly large array of jogging strollers. Target carries the C9 brand which is very affordable and highly rated by runners that use this brand. Their shoe brands are probably better suited to fitness activities rather than serious running, but if you do a lot of cross-training, the Champions brand of shoes is inexpensive and functional.
Ross: Ross Stores offer discounts of up to 60% compared to regular department store prices. Ross is another favourite amongst runners for discount running gear. Their selection of running-specific gear can be somewhat limited, but the discounts are worth checking out if you’re a bargain hunter.
One final point I want to emphasize; while it’s great to get a bargain, make sure that you buy quality merchandise that you’re completely comfortable with and that suits you well. Buying cheap gear just to save money can backfire. Either the merchandise doesn’t fit well, you don’t really like it or it doesn’t last, forcing you to return it or buy new gear soon after your original purchase. Your better to hold out for a great bargain on quality gear and when you find exactly what you want at a great price, don’t hesitate to jump in and get it.
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