We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. Why Trust Us?
The Best Prime Day Running Shoe Deals to Shop During Amazon's Early Access Event
Save up to 56% on Adidas, New Balance, and other great running shoes.
What’s almost as good as nailing a new PR? Scoring a smoking deal on a pair of running shoes. If you’re looking for a new pair of kicks, you’re in luck: Amazon is having a major sale this week. The Amazon Prime Early Access Sale is a golden opportunity to pick up affordable shoes online, but many running shoes are already discounted.
The Prime Early Access Sale began on October 11 at 12 a.m. PDT and runs through October 12. The deals are accessible to Amazon Prime members only. Not a Prime member? You can get access to the savings by signing up for a free trial. You can browse all the deals on the Prime Early Access Sale page, but if you’re looking for running shoes, I’ve highlighted my favorite on-sale pairs below. Read on for the best running shoe deals to shop before the Amazon Prime Early Access Sale.
The Expert: I became a runner in middle school and have covered running and outdoor gear for years, both on-staff at Runner’s World and as a freelance journalist. Running shoes is the category of gear I’ve written about the most, and I have firsthand experience with models from a range of brands. To write this article, I reviewed the full list of Prime Early Access Sale shoe deals and browsed other on-sale shoes on Amazon. I focused on high-quality running-specific models, using previous Runner’s World coverage and my own knowledge of the running shoe industry as a guide.
More Prime Early Access Sale Deals: The Best October Prime Day 2022 Deals on Running Gear • The Best Garmin Watch Deals to Score on Prime Day 2.0 • Save on These 5 Fitbits Before the Prime Early Access Sale
Under Armour Men’s Charged Bandit 6
Pros
- Supportive midsole
Cons
- Firm cushioning, especially in the heel
- Some sizes aren’t available
The Bandit is a versatile Under Armour shoe, and I named it one of the brand’s best offerings for its combo of top-shelf performance at a bargain-bin price. Although it lacks UA’s flagship Hovr foam, the Bandit’s Charged cushioning does a good job of soaking up impact forces, and it comes with a TPU midsole insert to counter overpronation. The full rubber outsole offers great durability and traction, too. Overall, this shoe is a dependable option for daily training.
Key Specs
| Weight | 8.8 oz |
|---|---|
| Drop | 8 mm |
Saucony Peregrine 11
Pros
- Can handle a range of trail conditions
- Lightweight and fast
Cons
- Heavier than some trail running shoes, including the newer Peregrine 12
The Peregrine is a star in Saucony’s lineup, and it’s ideal for speedy efforts on the trail (though it’s versatile enough for just about any trail runner). Muddy trails, rocky singletrack, steep slopes—the Peregrine’s toothy Pwrtrac outsole creates sure grip across a variety of off-road surfaces, and the Pwrrun cushioning offers a comfy ride. The midsole also includes a rock plate for additional protection from rocks and debris.
Key Specs
| Weight | 10 oz (M), 9.5 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 4 mm |
New Balance Fresh Foam Arishi v3
New Balance Fresh Foam Arishi v3
Pros
- Durable construction, thanks to a full-rubber outsole
- Fresh Foam cushioning for comfort
Cons
- Not ideal for longer runs
The Arishi is an affordable trainer that doesn’t look like an athletic shoe at first glance. That makes it a good candidate for wearing casually, too. The main highlight is the midsole, which utilizes New Balance’s plush Fresh Foam cushioning for a soft, comfortable ride. The engineered mesh upper delivers a snug fit and good breathability, and the full rubber outsole lends durability for whatever your run (or the rest of your day) throws at you. Comfortable as it is, the Arishi isn’t supportive enough for long-distance efforts.
Key Specs
| Weight | 9.4 oz (M), 7.4 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 8 mm |
Pros
- Smooth ride
Cons
- Lacks Saucony’s top-tier cushioning foam
The Cohesion is designed for beginner runners, and although it lacks some of the premium features found on Saucony’s flagship models, it serves up a comfortable ride that’ll help you ease into running. Overlays on the heel provide support for your feet and a cushioned midsole lessens impact forces. With its relatively high drop, the shoe helps you roll smoothly through your stride. Generous rubber placements on the outsole ensure you get good grip and durability, too.
Key Specs
| Weight | 9.1 oz (M), 7.6 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 12 mm |
New Balance Fresh Foam Beacon v3
Pros
- Soft yet lightweight cushioning handles long runs and speed sessions
- Improved upper feels roomy yet secure
- Slightly softer cushioning than the Beacon v2
Cons
- Heavier than Beacon v2
- Outsole shows some early wear
The Beacon is a true do-it-all shoe that excels at everything from long-distance efforts to speedwork (no surprise, it’s one of our favorite New Balance shoes on the market). The midsole utilizes Ground Contact Fresh Foam, which is formulated to provide good cushioning and energy return through high-mileage training. The shoe requires less outsole rubber, so it’s lighter. In addition, the upper locks your foot in place without feeling tight.
Key Specs
| Weight | 9.4 oz (M), 6.8 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 6 mm |
Asics Gel-Kayano 27
Pros
- Breathable mesh upper
- Removable sock liner
Cons
- On the heavy side
The Kayano is a plush stability shoe, but don’t let that label mislead you: It’s an appealing pick for neutral runners as well. Gel pods in the forefoot and heel, FlyteFoam Propel and FlyteFoam cushioning, and a removable EVA sock liner all work to absorb impact forces, and a dual-density midsole and medial plate counter overpronation. The mesh upper offers good breathability, and grooves at the heel and forefoot help the shoe flex with your foot (a trait not often found on stiff stability shoes).
Key Specs
| Weight | 11.1 oz (M), 8.8 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 10 mm (M), 13 mm (W) |
Pros
- Responsive and cushioned
- Durable and grippy outsole
Cons
- Heavy
Perhaps the most well-known running shoe in the Adidas lineup, the Ultraboost is a go-to for a plush, energetic ride. The Boost foam cushions impact while still providing a bouncy feel, and a torsion system in the midsole amps up the energy return. The shoe also boasts a full-rubber outsole for good durability and grip, and the women’s version is specially designed for an improved fit on female feet.
Related: The Best Adidas Ultraboost Shoes
Key Specs
| Weight | 11.7 oz (M), 10 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 11 mm |
New Balance FuelCell Prism v2
Pros
- Lightweight yet supportive
- Moderately soft cushioning feels lively at faster paces
Cons
- Firm
Normally $130, the Prism fills a unique running niche: It’s a speed-training shoe that provides added stability. The FuelCell foam in the midsole saves weight and creates lots of energy return (ideal for fast-paced training), but New Balance also added a medial post to correct overpronation. It’s all topped with a breezy synthetic upper designed to keep your feet cool. The result? A supportive shoe that won’t hold you back on track day.
Key Specs
| Weight | 10.2 oz (M), 7.7 (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 6 mm |
Pros
- Durable rubber outsole
- Supportive and stable
Cons
- Very firm
- Not suitable for runs beyond warm-ups
Need a shoe for the gym? Reebok’s Nano line is designed to handle all kinds of workouts. The X2 features Floatride Energy Foam in the midsole, but the ride is decidedly firm—too firm for any sort of run beyond a warm-up. The X2 excels as a cross-trainer, however. The forefoot is flexible, and with its wide toe box, nearly flat outsole, and heel clip, the shoe creates a solid foundation for working out. The Flexweave knit upper offers a snug fit (especially at midfoot) and good breathability; it also has overlays for added durability. On the bottom, the full-rubber outsole offers plenty of traction for all kinds of movements.
Key Specs
| Weight | 10.2 oz (M), 8.3 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 7 mm |
Columbia Plateau Waterproof Shoe
Pros
- Water-resistant, protective upper
Cons
- Not designed for fast-paced running
Although it’s technically a hiking shoe, the Plateau is a capable pick for slower-paced jaunts on wet trails. The main highlight is the upper, which utilizes a mesh material for breathability, synthetic overlays for support and protection, and a water-resistant Omni-Tech membrane to block out splashes and rain. An EVA midsole provides cushioning, and a full-rubber outsole should offer good durability and grip in the dirt.
Key Specs
| Weight | 15 oz (M), 11.5 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | N/A |
Michael is a freelance writer with years of experience covering gear and the outdoors for Runner's World and other publications; when he's not writing, he's usually biking, hiking, and running in the mountains around Los Angeles, where he lives.
Watch Next
The Best Saucony Running Shoes
Altra Rivera 3: A Minimalist Feel With Extra Cush
Runner’s World 2023 Shoe Awards
Max-Cushion Training Shoes
