Compare Prices at Online Retailers
Searching for cleats online can uncover major bargains compared to prices at brick-and-mortar stores. Online retailers have lower overhead costs, allowing them to offer reduced prices on top brands. Use price comparison sites to find the best deals across numerous stores with just a few clicks. Sign up for email alerts so you’re notified immediately when prices drop on styles you want. And don’t forget to factor in any applicable shipping costs when deciding where to purchase online.
Check for Coupon Codes and Promos
Before completing an online order, always look for available coupon codes and current promotions. Retailers frequently provide percentage discounts or dollars off for first-time customers, email list subscribers, or large-quantity purchases. Sites like RetailMeNot aggregate codes across thousands of stores. And directly visiting coupon sections on retailer sites can surface exclusive deals you won’t find anywhere else. A little research could shave 10-20% off your cleat purchase.
Sign Up for Email Lists to Get Exclusive Deals
Getting on brand and retailer email lists will alert you to special offers and sales before the general public knows. Keep an eye out for signup popups during online checkout processes. Or visit brand websites and provide your contact info to get on their mailing list. You’ll then gain early access to flash sales, free shipping promotions, and first looks at new product arrivals to get your cleats at the deepest discounts.
The key is being proactive about seeking out deals rather than waiting and paying full price. Do you have any other tips for securing low cleat prices? Let me know in the comments!
Check for Coupon Codes and Promos
Don’t just assume you’ll pay full price when buying cleats online. Retailers offer numerous coupon codes and promotions to incentivize purchases. For example, signing up for email newsletters or following brands on social media can unlock exclusive discounts. Third party sites like Honey and Rakuten aggregate coupon codes across retailers to display available savings all in one place. And directly visiting the “Promotions” page on brand sites surfaces any current deals you may have otherwise missed.
Around major holidays and sporting events, be on the lookout for limited-time percentage discounts or dollars off up to a certain amount. For instance, Nike offered 20% off all purchases around Black Friday last year. Under Armour gave $20 off orders over $100 during back to school season. And smaller niche brands will provide first-time shopper promos for joining their community. Maximizing these rotating deals across retailers throughout the year could save you hundreds on your cleat purchases.
My brother stacks coupon codes on top of sale prices to get his soccer cleats for crazy cheap. What coupon strategies have worked for you when buying cleats? Share your tips in the comments!
Sign Up for Email Lists to Get Exclusive Deals
One of the best ways to score discounts on cleats is to subscribe to brand and retailer email lists. This gives you insider access to sales and promotions that the general public may not be aware of. For instance, Nike sends exclusive coupon codes to email subscribers for 20% off or free shipping on large orders. Puma provides first looks at new product releases and advance access to shop before items sell out. And niche brands offer special discounts to build loyalty among their followers.
Often you can sign up right during the checkout process by checking a box or providing your email address. Other times you’ll need to actively visit brand websites and submit your contact info. But it only takes a few seconds and opens the door to periodic discount opportunities. Around big sale events like Black Friday or Father’s Day, email subscribers tend to get the best coupon codes before anyone else.
My brother only shops cleat sales that he hears about through email lists. What’s your preferred way to find the best cleat deals online? Let me know in the comments!
Look for Special Offers Around the Holidays
Mark your calendar for major shopping holidays throughout the year when cleat deals abound. Retailers compete for customer purchases with promotional discounts around events like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, President’s Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, and back-to-school season.
For instance, Adidas offered 30% off all footwear around July 4th last summer. Under Armour provided free shipping sitewide for Cyber Monday orders. And niche brands will often create holiday-specific coupon codes as well. Subscribing to email lists is the best way to learn about these secret sales in advance.
Timing your cleat purchase around key holidays and sale events can maximize the discounts. My brother likes to buy several pairs at once around Black Friday to stock up for the next year. What’s your favorite holiday to shop for cleat bargains? Let me know in the comments!
Shop Previous Season Models
Once new versions of cleats are released each year, retailers deeply discount remaining inventory of older models. While the technology and design may be slightly outdated, the performance and durability differences are often negligible. You can save big by focusing your search on prior season cleats.
For example, the Adidas Predator model from two years ago can be found for 50%+ less than the newest 2022 version, while still offering nearly identical features. Sites like Sierra and The Clymb specialize in selling previous years’ sporting goods inventory. And all major retailers like Dick’s and Academy Sports will mark down older cleats to make room for new arrivals.
Unless you must have the absolute latest tech, shop last season and you’ll still get top brands at fraction of the price. What’s your strategy for finding marked-down prior year cleats? Share your insights in the comments below!
Buy Discounted Factory Seconds
Shopping for factory seconds can net huge savings on top cleat brands. These are shoes that may have minor cosmetic defects or failed final inspections at the manufacturing plant. The flaws are often unnoticeable, like a small scuff on the heel or a slightly uneven logo stamp.
Companies like Nike and Adidas sell factory seconds directly through their website outlets for discounts up to 60% off retail pricing. You can find even deeper discounts if you shop in-person at physical factory store locations. The products are structurally sound and offer the same performance as first-quality shoes.
Inspect any factory seconds thoroughly upon arrival and return them if you notice any defects that would truly impact wearability or comfort. But in most cases, the discount far outweighs the small aesthetic issues. Share your tips and favorite factory second sources in the comments!
Search for Liquidation and Clearance Sales
Keep an eye out for liquidation and clearance sales both online and in-store to find deeply discounted cleats. Retailers need to offload extra inventory quickly at end of season to make room for new products.
Sites like Sierra Trading Post and 6pm.com have dedicated clearance sections where products are marked down up to 75%. Local sporting goods stores will also have sales racks and clearance sections to browse for budget friendly deals. Sign up for newsletters and social media alerts so you’ll be notified when liquidation sales are announced.
The selection may be limited as popular sizes/styles sell out quickly. But visiting liquidation sections routinely can help uncover amazing cleat bargains if you aren’t set on a specific model. Where do you look for the best clearance and liquidation deals? Share your top sources in the comments below!
Find Budget Styles and Lesser Known Brands
The major brands like Nike and Adidas command premium pricing for their cleats. But you can find great deals on lesser known labels that offer comparable technology and performance.
Stores like DICK’s Sporting Goods have entire sections dedicated to lower cost cleat brands like Ascis, Diadora, and Lotto that can save you 50% or more. Smaller brands also frequently run sales and promotions to attract new customers away from pricey alternatives. Don’t assume paying more translates to better quality.
Do your research, read reviews, and don’t be afraid to take a chance on brands outside the usual suspects. The savings can be substantial without sacrificing comfort or durability. What under-the-radar cleat brands have you discovered? Share your recommendations below!
Buy Used or Pre-Owned Cleats
Consider buying used or pre-owned cleats to save big on your purchase. Sites like eBay, Poshmark, and Mercari connect you with sellers listing gently used shoes at fraction of retail pricing.
Obviously, inspect the cleats closely before buying. Look for significant wear, odors, or damage. But often you can score practically new cleats for 50-70% discounts. Cleats are also commonly found at second-hand sporting goods stores like PlayItAgain Sports if you want to evaluate condition in person before purchasing.
As long as you thoroughly clean and sanitize used cleats, there are incredible deals to be found extending the life of shoes already out in the world. Where have you found great success shopping pre-owned cleats? Share your top tips in the comments!
Join a Team Buying Group or Co-op
Leveraging group purchasing power can help secure bulk cleat discounts unavailable to individual buyers. Many youth sports teams and clubs organize team buys or purchasing co-ops to get better pricing.
Rather than each family buying gear separately at retail prices, the team aggregates their collective needs. Coaches then work with brands and retailers to negotiate discounted bulk order pricing. This allows families to save significantly, often 40% or more below normal costs.
Ask your coach if they coordinate team buys. If not, suggest they look into it before next season’s gear purchase. The upfront work orchestrating the buy is rewarded through major savings across the entire team’s cleat purchases. What creative group buying strategies have you leveraged? Share your tips below!
Negotiate with Independent Sellers
Don’t be afraid to negotiate prices with independent cleat sellers you discover on sites like eBay, Craigslist, OfferUp, and Facebook Marketplace. Private individuals are often more willing and able to accept lower offers compared to big retailers.
Browsing local classifieds sites allows you to source cleats being sold directly by their owners. Politely message sellers asking if they’d consider a 10-20% discount on the listed price. More often than not, motivated sellers will accept reasonable offers to complete the sale.
You can also build negotiation room into your initial bid price on auction-style platforms. Start with a lower bid and see if the seller accepts. With patience and persistence, negotiating with individual sellers could shave meaningful dollars off your next cleat purchase.
Repair Rather Than Replace When Possible
Before discarding and replacing damaged cleats, consider if minor repairs could extend their life. Replacing torn laces, smoothing overworked leather, or re-gluing separated soles are all easy DIY fixes.
YouTube has endless tutorials for cleat maintenance tips. With a few inexpensive supplies, you can often address fraying, holes, loose parts, and more. Don’t simply trash cleats with fixable wear and tear issues.
Repairing your current cleats rather than constantly buying new pairs is also better for the environment. I’ve gotten 2-3 extra seasons out of shoes using basic cobbler techniques. What cleat repair wisdom can you share? Post your best tips in the comments!
Stick to Your Budget By Avoiding Impulse Purchases
It’s easy to get carried away when shopping for new cleats, even when you start with the best intentions. Shiny new launches, flashy designs, and pressure to match your teammates can lead to overspending.
Create a cleat budget beforehand and stick to it no matter what. Avoid getting swept up in the moment. Don’t buy on a whim just because you found a cool looking pair. Remember, patience and smart shopping will uncover deals on any cleats you have your eye on.
Focus your search only on what you need within your set budget. Make a list of must-have features and preferred brands. Filter out and ignore temptations outside your parameters. Saving money requires discipline – resist impulse purchases!