Shop clearance sales at sporting goods stores
Looking to get your hands on the latest Kevin Durant shoes but don’t want to pay full price? I feel you. As a longtime sneakerhead and baller on a budget, I’ve learned a thing or two about scoring deals on kicks. Let me walk you through some of my tried and true tips for finding discount KD shoes so you can stunt in style without breaking the bank.
First things first – clearance racks are your best friend. Brick and mortar sporting goods stores like Dick’s, Hibbett, and Academy Sports often have past season KD models marked down significantly once new ones drop. I’m talking 50-75% off in some cases. Scope out the clearance section in person or online to find heat for the low. Selection will be limited, so pounce when you spot something you like in your size.
Sign up for newsletters and promo emails
Another pro tip – get on email lists from footwear brands like Nike and Under Armour. They’ll occasionally send out discount codes and notify you about upcoming sales. I’ve saved a bunch of cash by using promo codes to lower the price on new KD shoes by 20% or more. They also give you early access to new releases which helps you snag coveted colorways before they sell out.
Buy previous model years
Since Nike drops new KD models every year, last year’s iteration gets marked down substantially once the latest one hits shelves. If you aren’t too picky about having the absolute newest tech, you can save big by buying the older model. Performance-wise they are usually still solid. Visually you may not get that cutting edge style, but hey – a deal’s a deal.
Along the same lines – don’t sleep on team colorways once the new model drops. They’ll hit outlets and sale sections once hype dies down. I recommend downloading apps like NikePlus to track price drops on various KD shoes in real time. Put what you want on a wishlist and buy when the numbers make sense for your wallet.
Search resale platforms
Apps like GOAT and Poshmark can also yield major deals on KD kicks, both new and used. Sellers list discounted shoes to move old stock. Plus you can find collectors selling rare colorways below average resale prices just to free up funds for their next purchase. Throw in offers 20-30% below asking price – you never know who will accept. Just be sure to thoroughly vet sellers for authenticity.
EBay is another resale marketplace worth perusing. Look for listings with plenty of pics from sellers with high feedback scores. Sort by lowest price + shipping and be patient. Eventually you’ll find lightly used or new KDs priced way below retail.
Enter raffles and giveaways
One last tip – enter every raffle and giveaway you can find for a chance to cop exclusive KD releases at retail. Sneaker boutiques often hold raffles for big drops. Follow them on social or check their launch calendars. Enter as many as you can and hope the luck of the draw shines on you! I hit on a super limited KD collab last year – still one of my most hyped wins to date.
Same goes for giveaways run by sneaker YouTubers and Instagram influencers. It only takes a few seconds to enter, and they can hook you up with hard-to-get KDs that instantly elevate your whole collection. Turn on post notifications so you never miss an entry window for in-demand drops.
Hopefully these tips help you secure some sweet discounted Durant heat! Let me know if you have any other questions. Happy hunting and may the sneaker gods bless you with a bounty of budget KDs!
Check discount retailers like Ross and TJ Maxx
As any savvy shopper knows, you can’t beat discount retailers like Ross, Marshall’s, and TJ Maxx for scoring deals on designer brands. While you may not think to browse their aisles for sneakers, these stores can yield some serious gems – including Kevin Durant’s signature Nikes for way under retail.
Here’s the thing – to keep their prices low, discount stores purchase excess inventory and overstock merchandise. This includes plenty of footwear. Nike produces so many KD shoes annually that overruns inevitably end up at off-price spots. With some dedicated digging, you can uncover previous season KD models marked down significantly.
I’ll never forget the time I found a pair of KD 10s buried in a pile of boxes at my local Ross – easily $40-50 below what I would’ve paid at Foot Locker. The box was a bit battered but the shoes themselves were pristine. At that price, I didn’t hesitate to cop.
The key is persistence and frequently checking back. New merchandise arrives daily at these retailers. Don’t be afraid to dig through tightly packed shelves and ransacked boxes to find diamonds in the rough. Pay close attention to sizes, as you might uncover a lone pair of Durant sneakers tucked away that happen to be your size.
Search strategically
Be methodical in how you search. Look high and low – popular sizes get snapped up fast. I’ve found marked down pairs stuffed in random spots nowhere near the normal shoe section. Sometimes they’ll keep basketball sneakers behind the register. Don’t be shy – ask an associate if they have any KDs in the back.
Check both mens and kids sections too – you can often score youth sizes on the cheap for a mini-me flex. For maximum savings, go later in the day or end of the week when stores slash prices to clear old product. Early morning weekend trips have yielded some epic finds for me.
Inspect carefully
As with any discounted merchandise, inspect KD shoes closely for defects, wear and tear, and other flaws. Make sure stitching is intact, soles aren’t cracked, and insoles are clean. Try them on to ensure a proper fit. Check out the tread to determine overall wear. Nothing worse than excitedly buying discounted KDs only to find they aren’t wearable.
Know that selection will be very hit or miss – you may have dry spells without any KD sightings. Don’t get discouraged. Persistence and regularly checking back pays off. When those perfectly pristine KDs emerge unexpectedly on the shelves, all that legwork hunting for deals will feel worth it.
At the very least, if you strike out on KDs, you can shop for budget-friendly athletic wear and casual kicks to rock off the court. Expand your searches to include any Nike basketball models. Mambas, LeBrons, Kyries – with some luck one of these stars may bless your discount shopping spree!
Search eBay and Poshmark for used pairs
If you want maximum savings on Kevin Durant shoes, you need to expand your search beyond retailers and look at resale platforms. eBay and Poshmark in particular can yield major deals on used KD kicks in great condition.
Here’s why – sneakerheads are always looking to clear closet space and raise funds for their next big purchase. When the hype dies down on older KD models, people list them on resale sites below retail just to sell. With some persistence, you can capitalize on these let-go-of-last-season-for-cheap prices.
For example, when the KD 14 dropped recently, I saw a flood of barely worn KD 13s hit eBay auction starting at 50%+ off. Even brand new pairs were listed under retail just to move the now outdated stock. Same goes for rare colorways that sat on shelves – those hit resale soon after release looking for any takers.
Vet thoroughly before buying
As with anything secondhand, you need to thoroughly vet listings and seller feedback before purchasing. Require plenty of high resolution photos from all angles to assess wear and tear. Ask questions if details seem unclear or suspicious. Legitimate sellers will have no issue providing what you need to feel confident.
Check out the seller’s rating and reviews too. Look for those with longstanding histories of positive feedback selling authentic sneakers. Avoid any red flags like negative reviews claiming items were fake or not as described. Do your due diligence and you’ll feel way more confident in the purchase.
Negotiate for lower prices
One great thing about resale sites is you can negotiate! Especially if a pair has been listed for awhile with no takers, offer 20-30% under asking price. The seller may counter, but you might get lucky with an accept if they want to just move the kicks.
Even brand new pairs tend to go for under retail after sitting for resell. Throw out reasonable offers and see what sticks. Worst they can do is decline or counter. It never hurts to try – you miss every shot you don’t take.
At the end of the day, if the price is right for your budget, hop on it. Lightly used KDs for 30%+ off retail are a steal in my book. Expand your searches too – sometimes even non-KD Nikes get mislabeled, so keep an eye out for hidden gems.
With some persistence and negotiation finesse, you can land amazing deals on eBay and Poshmark. Happy digging – may your hunt for discounted Durants be bountiful and your wallet much relieved!
Buy last year’s model – new KD shoes get released every year