The Best Time of Year to Buy Shoes (by Type)
When shoe prices tend to drop for running shoes, boots, sandals and kids' shoes, how retail seasons work, and how to plan purchases so you never pay full price in a hurry.
The most expensive time to buy shoes is when you need them right now. Running shoes that have worn out the week before a race, boots bought on the first cold day, sandals bought the day before a holiday: all of these force you to pay whatever the price is. A little planning around retail calendars can save a lot.
This guide describes general patterns. Exact timing varies by retailer, brand and region, so treat it as a planning tool rather than a guarantee.
The basic principle: buy at the end of the season
Retailers buy stock ahead of each season and need to clear it before the next season's stock arrives. That means:
- Winter footwear tends to be discounted late in winter and into early spring.
- Summer footwear (sandals, lightweight canvas shoes) tends to be discounted from late summer.
- Seasonal colorways of athletic shoes get discounted when the next season's colors arrive.
Buying at the end of a season means buying ahead for next year. For things that do not go out of style quickly, such as a plain pair of boots, that is a very effective strategy.
Running and athletic shoes
Athletic shoes follow model cycles more than seasons. When a new version of a model launches, the previous version gets marked down. That makes it the best time to buy, often much better than any seasonal sale. Our guide to buying last season's running shoes explains how to take advantage of this.
Secondary opportunities:
- Major sale events such as late-November holiday sales often include athletic footwear.
- New-year promotions sometimes target fitness resolutions.
- Colorway changes within the same version can trigger discounts on the outgoing colors.
Boots
Winter boots and waterproof boots are generally cheapest near the end of the cold season, when retailers are clearing space for spring stock. Buying then means buying for next winter, so make sure you know your size and check that the boots fit with the socks you will actually wear. Work boots are less seasonal; look for discounts on previous models instead. See our guide to budget work boots.
Sandals and summer shoes
Sandals and summer casual shoes are typically discounted from mid-to-late summer onward. If you can plan a year ahead, buying then is far cheaper than buying at the start of the season.
Kids' shoes
Back-to-school season brings promotions, but it also brings demand, so popular sizes can sell out. Buying a little before the rush, or watching for clearance on last season's colorways, can be better value. Children's feet grow, so do not buy too far ahead. Our kids' shoes guide covers sizing and growth room.
Tools that help
- Price history. Some browser extensions and price-tracking sites show the price history of products on large retailers. This tells you whether a "sale" is genuinely low or just back to normal. We cover this further in reading Amazon shoe listings.
- Price alerts. Many tools let you set an alert for a target price. Set one for the model and size you want, then forget about it.
- Wishlists. Some retailers notify you when items on your wishlist drop in price.
Avoid the "need it now" trap
The best way to make seasonal timing work is to keep track of how worn your current shoes are. If you know your running shoes have done a lot of miles, start watching for deals before they are completely worn out. Our guide on when to replace running shoes helps you see it coming.
A simple habit: keep a note with the date you bought each regularly used pair. When a pair is nearing the end of its life, start watching prices for its replacement.
Do not chase discounts on the wrong shoe
A big discount on a shoe that does not fit is not a saving. Prioritize the right size and type, then use timing to get it cheaper. If a deal is only available in a size you are unsure about, check the return policy before buying, using our returns checklist.
The bottom line
Buy at the end of the season for seasonal footwear, at model changeover for athletic shoes, and before you desperately need them. Use price history and alerts to separate real deals from normal prices, and never let a discount talk you into the wrong fit.
This guide is general consumer information, not medical advice. If you have foot pain that does not settle, see a podiatrist or doctor. Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we will fix it.