While Martin Luther King Day may not immediately seem like an opportunity to go shopping, the holiday weekend, like many others, has become a huge time for sales. This is especially true for running shoes, which, during treadmill season, can make the difference between cabin fever and sanity during these cold winter months. Throughout the long weekend, running shoes from popular brands, including Brooks, Hoka, Altra, and Lululemon, are on sale.
Most of the shoes we chose to feature for this article are not just on sale for a good price. While tons of shoes are offered at a discount, we tried to select only shoes that we have tested, reviewed, or written about before. For any shoes we have previously reviewed in-depth, we’ll link to the full review so you can dig a little deeper before making your decision. As always, check through the different colors and sizes as the sale price may change.
We also chose shoes that fit various needs and price points. So, whether you’re looking for kicks built for the trail or the road, these on-sale selections are for you.
Men’s Road Running Shoe Deals
If you’ve been looking for the super shoe to wear on race day, this Vanish Carbon from Altra comes with the propulsion of a carbon plate while still offering the same wide toe box that the brand is known for. While the shoes are not exactly zero-drop like many other Altra options, they have a drop of just 4 millimeters, which is not very noticeable.
After racing in the Boston Marathon in the shoes, Test Editor Amanda Furrer wrote, “Vanish’s ride felt incredibly light despite weighing more than its competitors (the Endorphin Pro+, for example, is a half ounce lighter). But the best surprise was how fresh my legs still felt post-race, especially after having run another marathon just 50 days prior.”
The Guide 15 from Saucony works by balancing its stability technology with a lighter overall frame for speedier runs. The new lightweight foam is notably springy and has enough bounce to keep you moving forward. At the same time, the shoe has a subtle guidance feature on the side of the frame that keeps your gait straight and maintains balance as you move. So, the shoe works for speed, recovery, daily runs, and everything in between.
Our testers particularly liked the stiffer feel of the sole for stability and the grippy feeling on slick surfaces like ice and wet pavement.
These Lululemon running shoes are the first pair engineered for both men and women. They are slightly heavier than other similar options, but they have a thick bed of cushioning in the midsole that improves comfort and makes them great for everyday runs.
While the run length is always up to you, many testers noted how the shoe feel continued to improve the longer the run went on, with most opting for them on slower, distance-focused jogs instead of speedwork.
Considered to have the best cushioning of any Hoka shoes, the Bondi 8 stands out for the plush feel of its midsole even compared to some of the most comfortable shoes we’ve tested. while this may have you thinking the shoe might drag, the breathable upper mesh keeps your foot fresh, and the midsole foam is actually lighter than previous iterations.
While you shouldn’t expect the shoes to break any speed records, they’ll make you feel comfortable every mile.
The Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23 is a perfect choice for anyone looking for a trainer that offers stability, comfort, and speed over long distances. The shoes have guide rails on both sides of the footbed, which keep the foot better aligned and promote a more straightforward running gait.
The shoes also have a relatively high drop, which may be cumbersome for runners who are not used to them, but they should also keep you moving forward. This means there’s significant cushioning around the heel, reducing every stride’s impact.
Women’s Road Running Shoe Deals
Lululemon Blissfeel 2 Running Shoe
A running shoe built specifically for women, the Blissfeel 2 is designed to fit a woman’s biomechanics and running stride. The shoes have a thick, supportive midsole that reduces the impact on hard roads. The neutral feel of the shoe also makes it great for recovery runs.
While you aren’t likely to break any speed records in the pair, many testers acknowledged that the ride had a noticeable pop and responsiveness that helped propel them forward.
If you’re looking for a new pair of daily trainers to wear for every morning run or weekend shakeout, the Saucony Triumph 20 is the pair for you. The shoes come with a thick bed of cushioning that is comfortable on hard running surfaces but not too squishy that you lose momentum on grass.
The shoes also feature a rocker design that propels the foot forward with every stride, even on slight inclines. Testers particularly liked the shoe’s versatility, using it for speedwork and slow recovery runs alike.
The Clifton 9 is built for comfort and cushioning above all else, yet its lighter feel in comparison to previous models means that all that extra padding never feels plodding or clunky. In fact, the pair have both a higher stack height than the Clifton 8 while also weighing less.
Many testers pointed out a certain springiness in the foam which kept them light on their feet despite the cushy stack. That said, these are certainly leaning toward easy rides over speedy ones.
Brooks continues to be a leader when it comes to stability shoes with the Hyperion being no exception. That said, the stability of the pair, while important, takes a back seat to the speed they are designed for. The lightweight, responsive foam and breathable upper help make the pair great for speedy runs and marathon trainers trying to bring down their pace.
This pair is the lightest shoe Brooks has made to date. Testers liked this pair for the lightweight feel, responsive cushioning, and, more than anything else, its quick pace that helped multiple runners reduce their overall pace.
Named as the best overall daily trainer that Altra has to offer, the Escalante 3 replaces the traditionally high stack cushioning that the brand is known for with a more moderate base for a slightly lighter, less clunky feel. The shoes work great as a middle ground between the stiffer, peppier speedwork choices and the slower, chunkier recovery shoes.
In fact, our testers have used the shoe as a marathon trainer, track runner, and on quick morning jogs, with most reporting positive experiences regardless of the type of run.
Men’s Trail Running Shoe Deals
The Lone Peak 8 is the follow-up to one of the most popular trail running shoes our team has tried. It stands out for its deep lugs and zero-drop design. The shoes also come with Altra’s signature wide toe boxes, which allow your toes to splay out for better grip on different surfaces.
The upper is made of a ripstop mesh for better security when running through trails surrounded by low brush, and the MaxTrac outsole keeps the shoes from falling victim to minor abrasions on gravel or rocky trails.
This Saucony trail running shoe features a carbon plate that springs your foot forward and improves your overall speed even on multiple surfaces. It is paired with a rocker design that propels your momentum forward as you run.
The shoes also have a rock guard that protects the foot from potential injury. Many testers also noted how grippy the tread was over dirt, grass, rocks, and even mossy or slippery surfaces.
This all-terrain trail runner from Hoka has a Vibram sole for better grip on wet and slippery surfaces. Thus, you can freely run through puddles, climb over boulders, or get your run in on a rainy day. The shoes have the thick cushioning that Hoka is known for but pair it with a level of durability that very few other options from the brand have.
The Catamount 3is the right choice for a firm and quick feel. The shoes are lightweight and ride quick, but still offer a relatively thick cushioning stack that reduces impact on hard dirt or gravel.
The shoes also have a midsole plate, which is great for providing an additional jump on uphill areas of your run and adding a spring to your step on neutral ground. Testers loved this extra boost while also noting how grippy the outsole felt.
Women’s Trail Running Shoe Deals
These trail shoes come with the same responsive midsole that the road version of the Blissfeel is known for but add a grippy set of rounded lugs across the bottom for better traction on all terrains.
While some testers did not enjoy the stiffness of the shoe compared to softer options, most found the ride to be pretty smooth and liked them for slower-paced jogs or moderate-level hikes.
For a brand with as many high-stack options as Altras, the Olympus 5 stands out for its incredible comfort and cushioning. Evenn on the trail,s, this is combined with very toothy, grippy lugs on a Vibram outsole that provides some of the best traction of any trail runners we have reviewed.
Similar to the Lone Peak series, these trail running shoes also come with a wide toe box that gives you a better feel on land and much more room to spread out.
Rated the best trail running shoes Saucony offers, the Peregrine 13 is lightweight and offers solid arch support. The shoes have a lightweight midsole foam that keeps you comfortable while still offering solid responsiveness across the entire foot.
The five-millimeter lugs are also deep enough to give you a solid grip on muddy surfaces or wet gravel alike without risk of slips or stumbles.
Brooks Catamount 3 Trail Running Shoe
Like the men’s version, the Catamount 3 is great for speed work. It is lightweight and supportive while offering enough grip to use on any terrain without fear of losing traction.
The interior plate provides a solid jolt of momentum, so you’ll keep moving forward no matter the incline. If you want to improve your times on the trails, this is the model for you.
Tom Price is a Reviews Editor for Popular Mechanics and Runner's World while also contributing to Best Products and Bicycling. Prior to his work here, he previously covered product reviews, startup news, pop culture and even professional wrestling. In his free time, he enjoys watching pretentious TV, low-brow movies, and exercising for beauty, not health. If you are interested in exploring more of his work, check out his website.
