Trying to Save Money? Purchase Your Running Shoes Online

If you’re a runner, the only things you need are a good pair of sneakers and the open road. While exercising outside is free, a pair of supportive, sturdy shoes can sometimes cost you well over $100. However, a new study reveals that you can save dramatically on running sneakers by simply skipping brick-and-mortar stores and buying them online.

According to The Washington Post, independent review aggregator RunRepeat.com recently analyzed 183,911 online purchases of running shoe prices—including more than 2400 shoes across 36 brands—and compared them with their in-store sticker prices. They discovered that runners save a staggering 38.1 percent, or about $46.20 per pair, when they purchase their shoes from an Internet retailer.

RunRepeat explained why shoppers receive significant savings online: “Running shoe brands ensure high retail prices through cartel-alike price structures,” they concluded in their study. “Their contracts ensures that brick and mortar stores keep prices at the manufacturer’s suggested retail prices (MSRP). If a store does not obey the dictating brands, they will shut down the partnership. Luckily to the consumer, prices on the Internet are a bit harder to control.”

The study revealed a few more interesting findings. For example, if you’re not hung up on owning the latest sneaker design, you can score another 19.36 percent ($14.50) off your purchase by tracking down last year’s model online.

Not as interested in the shoe’s model as you are its maker? Rest assured, 86 percent of all running shoe brands—including Nike, Brooks, Asics, and Adidas—can be bought at a discount online. (Fifty-six percent of these running shoes are available at a 30- to 69-percent discount.)

Curious which brands and retailers will bring you the best savings online, or why some online shoe purchases cost more than others?  Learn more via RunRepeat's infographic below—and run, don’t walk, to the nearest computer the next time you decide you need a new set of kicks.

[h/t The Washington Post]