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I test running shoes for a living and you don’t need to buy the latest models — these 5 last-gen shoes are just as good and often on sale
I’ve been testing running shoes for more than a decade, and during that time, there have undoubtedly been some incredible developments in the tech and materials used in the best sneakers.
Carbon plate racers have helped set world records, while max-stack cushioned shoes have brought more bounce and fun to daily training.
That’s why, in my running shoe reviews, I not only say whether a sneaker is actually good, but also if it’s a significant upgrade on the previous model, because the older shoe is more likely to appear in sales and save you money.
There are a lot of excellent running shoes out there right now that I simply wouldn’t buy, because the older model is just as good as them, and in some cases even a little better. Here are five great last-gen shoes I’d be looking for in sales.
Hoka Mach 6
I absolutely loved the Hoka Mach 7 when I tested it earlier this year, but when I did a run with it on one foot and the Mach 6 on the other, I struggled to tell them apart.
Both are lightweight, versatile daily trainers with a smooth, rockered ride, and the only real changes to the new shoe are a tweaked upper and outsole, neither of which really made a huge difference to me on the run.
The Mach 6 has been a regular feature in the Hoka and REI sales over the past few months, but stocks are starting to get low, so if you spy it for less than the Mach 7, I’d grab the deal while it lasts.
Brooks Glycerin Max
The Brooks Glycerin Max 2 is a perfectly good cushioned running shoe, but it’s heavier than the original model and didn’t really improve the performance on the run in any way I noticed in testing.
That makes opting for the Brooks Glycerin Max a no-brainer in my view, especially as the Glycerin Max 2 is an expensive shoe at $200, and the older model has been available for $149 fairly regularly in the past few months.
Keep an eye out for a deal if you’re a runner who loves to use as cushioned a shoe as possible, and want a comfortable, rockered option for your daily training.
Saucony Hurricane 24
Another cushioned cruiser, the Saucony Hurricane 24 is also a shoe that offers stability thanks to the dual-density midsole it uses, with a softer, bouncier foam surrounded by a firmer frame that supports the foot on both sides.
If you’re a runner who overpronates or has flat feet, it’s a highly comfortable option for racking up the miles in, and the Hurricane 24 is just as good as the Saucony Hurricane 25 for this job, in my opinion.
I’ve run a lot of miles in both shoes, and while the Hurricane 25 is a little lighter, there’s not a lot in it, and they both perform the role of comfortable, stable cruiser just as well, so I’d scoop up the Hurricane 24 if you see it in a deal for less than the latest model.
New Balance Rebel v4
I gave the New Balance Rebel v5 a glowing review when I tested it last year, but in that review, I noted that it’s a similar shoe to the Rebel v4, and the older model is usually available on sale somewhere.
Both are lightweight but well-cushioned daily trainers that have a wide base to offer stability for easy and long runs.
They’re simple, good-looking, and good value shoes in my opinion, and there’s not enough of a difference between them to make paying more for the Rebel v5 worthwhile, if you can make a saving on the Rebel v4.
Saucony Endorphin Speed 4
The Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 is a plated training shoe that offers a fast, rockered ride for workouts and races, but is also comfortable enough for easy daily training runs as well, even if it’s not as comfortable as a dedicated cushioned shoe like the Brooks Glycerin Max.
I’ve loved every model of the Endorphin Speed, going back to the original, which I ran over 300 miles in, but it’s fair to say Saucony hasn’t hugely changed the shoe ever since the first model came out.
The Endorphin Speed 5 certainly felt very similar to the Endorphin Speed 4 in my testing, and with it being an expensive shoe, any discounts you see on the Speed 4 would make it the smarter buy.
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