Honestly dont expect high-end carbon shoes to hit 50% off unless a new version just dropped. Nike and Adidas usually have better deals on flagships than Brooks.

• Nike Vaporfly Next% 3 Road Racing Shoes often gets 30% off during BF.
• Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3 Marathon Shoes usually drops under $180 with codes. New Balance is okay but Nike usually goes way harder on the clearance stuff...

Saw this earlier but just getting to it now. I've been tracking midsole degradation data for years and you gotta be careful with Black Friday deals on carbon shoes. One time I snagged a pair of racers at 40% off. They were old stock. The PEBA foam had basically lost its rebound. Felt like running on bricks. For 2026, I would suggest looking at Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 Carbon Plate because Saucony usually clears out inventory aggressively. The PWRRUN PB foam is stable but I would suggest checking the manufacture date on the tag inside. Also, consider the ASICS Metaspeed Sky Paris Racing Shoes if you find a coupon code, tho ASICS is stingier with the FF Turbo tech. Quick tip: Ignore the discount percentage and focus on the release cycle. If a new version drops in fall, the previous flagship will hit that $200 mark easily.

Just curious, whats your weekly mileage looking like? Be careful with Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 2 Racing Shoes tho, since the narrow last can cause hotspots during a marathon if your feet swell.

@Reply #2 - good point! Tho i have to disagree about the foam degradation. Unless they're stored in a greenhouse, modern PEBA is actually pretty stable for at least 24 months. If you're looking for the best tech/price ratio for BF 2026, keep an eye on these specific models instead of just chasing the Nike hype:

• Hoka Rocket X 2 Racing Shoes
• Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro 2 Running Shoes
• Altra Vanish Carbon 2 Road Racing Shoes Hoka usually gets aggressive with 30-40 percent off on flagship racers when the next version is about to drop. The energy return on their specific PEBA formulation is top-tier. Mizuno is seriously underrated tho... they use a glass-fiber infused plate and that aggressive heel cutout. Because they're a niche pick, retailers often slash prices to move inventory. In my experience, tracking the midsole durometer and stack height data is more useful than brand loyalty. New Balance is fine, but their BF deals usually focus on lifestyle gear, not the high-end racing line. Stick to the performance brands clearing out stock for the spring 2027 releases...

Saving this whole thread. So much good info here you guys are awesome.