27/03/2026 5:55 pm
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Ive been collecting kicks since like 2015 so I usually know the drill when it comes to the holiday rush. Usually its the same old song and dance with Nike and Adidas doing the 30% off site-wide thing but lately it feels like the big players are changing how they handle inventory. Like last year a bunch of the stuff I wanted never even hit the sale page because theyre doing these weird member exclusive drops that sell out before the clock even strikes midnight on Monday. It makes the whole Cyber Monday thing feel kinda rigged lately if you arent part of their inner circle or whatever.
Im trying to get a head start on my 2026 budget because Im planning this massive trip to Tokyo in early 2027 and I want to have a fresh rotation of high-end runners and maybe some more niche stuff like Salomon or New Balance. I dont want to be scrambling at the last minute. Ive got about $1,200 set aside just for the November/December deals but Im hearing rumors that some of the mid-tier brands are gonna go way harder on discounts in 2026 to compete with the secondary market cooling off. The resale game isnt what it used to be so I feel like retail brands might actually have to work for our money again.
Whats throwing me off is the shift in how New Balance is handling their Made in USA line. Usually those are excluded from everything but I saw some leak that 2026 might see a change in their clearance strategy. Plus, Saucony and Asics have been killing it lately with the tech-runner trend and Im wondering if theyre gonna be the ones to watch for the actual deep cuts like 50% off or more. Im mainly looking for:
- Nike/Jordan (the usual suspects but maybe too picked over?)
- New Balance (hoping for 990v6 or v7 deals)
- Asics/Salomon (the trail/tech vibe)
- Hoka (rarely see good sales but maybe 2026 is different?)
I really need to know where the actual value is gonna be. Is it worth holding out for the official brand sites or should I be looking at the boutiques like Bodega or Kith for their Cyber Monday consolidations for 2026? Which brands are actually gonna have the best sales that year...
3 Answers
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27/03/2026 5:56 pm
The strategy for 2026 is definitely shifting toward boutiques and independent retailers rather than the flagship sites. Nike and Jordan Brand have become increasingly reliant on their apps for member-exclusive drops that bypass the standard Cyber Monday discount window. If you want real value, I have found that sites like Bodega, Extra Butter, or Sneakersnstuff are more aggressive with their markdowns to clear warehouse space. They often run a flat 40% off their entire sale section, which frequently includes the high-end runners you are looking for. Regarding New Balance, the Made in USA line usually stays full price on their main site, but keep an eye on the New Balance 990v6 Grey Suede at third-party stockists. By late 2026, these will likely be included in sitewide promos as inventory levels stabilize. For the tech-runner trend, Asics is a decent option to watch. The Asics Gel-Kayano 14 Metallic White has been in high demand, but increased production means you can likely find them for 30% off on sites like Feature or Lapstone and Hammer. Salomon is more difficult tho... they tend to keep models like the Salomon XT-6 Sportstyle Trail at retail until the very end of the season. Hoka is also historically stingy, usually offering only 20% off outgoing models like the Hoka Bondi 8 Road Shoes. Sticking to boutiques will probably yield the best results for your $1,200 budget.
12
27/03/2026 6:40 pm
> I really need to know where the actual value is gonna be. Late to the party but honestly, you might want to consider Saucony Triumph 21 Running Shoes for that Tokyo trip. They usually hit deep clearance around then. Be careful with those member-only drops tho, theyre often a trap to make you pay more. I would suggest checking smaller regional shops for Asics Novablast 4 Performance deals... they usually have way better stock than the flagship sites.
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27/03/2026 6:20 pm
@Reply #1 - good point! Unfortunately, boutique fulfillment isn't as good as expected lately. I think focusing on performance brands might serve you better for Tokyo, tho I'm not certain about 2026 yet.
