Trainers Deals & Offers

Quality Footwear at the Lowest Possible Price: The Best Trainers Deals

Trainers have become part of the fashion landscape, with brands like Yeezy and Golden Goose producing extremely high-end designs for couture-conscious wearers. At the same time, sports shoes are a vital part of kit for people who keep fit, whether it’s through running, working out in a gym or aerobics. The right footwear for you will depend on what you intend to do, as different trainers provide varying levels of support and protection.

Trainers: Sports Gear and Fashion Equipment

Footwear designed specifically for sport has been worn for around 200 years, but the first modern pioneer of trainers was Adolf Dassler. He began producing shoes in 1920 and went on to found adidas, which soon divided to form another company, Puma. By the 1960’s New Balance was using scientific technology to produce comfortable and lightweight trainers, but it wasn’t until the 1970's, when viewers watched Olympic athletes wearing brands like Puma, Nike and Reebok that the market for trainers really took off. Today, trainers are used as fashion accessories as well as athletic items, and there are thousands to choose from.

The Various Types of Trainers

Sport trainers are designed to keep your feet comfortable whilst you run or train. They have absorbing qualities which prevent repeated impacts from having a serious effect on your legs, back and feet. Sports shoes also have special soles with added grip, this gives you traction over various surfaces so you can run fast and remain stable. Some people prefer to buy a good all-rounder that can be used for any activity, but there are trainers for varying needs and forms of exercise.

Motion control – The most controlling and supportive running shoe you can buy, these highly technical trainers are designed to reduce the effect of overpronation. In some motion control shoes, you’ll find medial posts to prevent the runner's weight rolling toward the inner (or medial) area. The inners side will also be supported with higher density materials on the midsole to prevent it from becoming squashed over time. The Asics Gel Fortitude 7 combines comfort with a lighter base, ideal if you overpronate, but want an alternative to thick, heavy soles.

Pros of Motion Control trainers:

• More control for overpronation problems

• Ideal for flat feet

• Durable enough for heavier runners

Cons of Motion Control trainers:

• Some are stacked high and look clumpy

• They can be heavy

• Limited to being a sturdy running shoe

Stability – These blend cushioning with various types of medial support and durability. They are a robust shoe with a dense midsole and medial posts to give the inner edge a firmer surface. If your feet do overpronate, you can buy a pair for road, track and treadmill running. The Asics Women’s Gel Innovate 7 Stability has a gel cushioning system to make each stage of a stride more comfortable, from ground contact to lift off.

Pros of Stability trainers:

• Generous cushioning with added control

• Light weight

• Another choice for overpronators

Cons of Stability trainers:

• Sometimes the supportive foam can feel too firm

• Over-padded versions may feel stiff and less responsive

Cushioned – Also known as neutral running shoes, these suit people who have an even gait or underpronation. They tend to be lighter compared to other trainers, whilst still being supportive. There is extra padding in the soles for the runner’s comfort, but not a lot of extra support for arches. This means they are not suitable for people with overpronation issues. However, if you have under pronation, a cushioned running shoe can help you run on solid ground without feeling any tenderness in the lower foot and will reduce your chance of suffering an injury.

Pros of Cushioned trainers:

• Good for neutral and underpronation

• Shock dispersion is excellent

Cons of Cushioned trainers:

• Less control than alternatives

• Toe can feel boxed in

• Not as durable as other trainers

Minimalist or Barefoot – Without any motion control elements and with just a slight amount of foam in the sole, you’ll need to have a neutral tread and low body weight to wear a minimalist trainer. They tend to have a wider toe box and feel highly responsive, but it can take time to adjust to this and they are probably best suited to experienced runners. The Zakti Touch Base Barefoot Trainers have a breathable outer layer and an ISOGRIP barefoot outsole – ideal for runners who want the freedom of training with nothing on their feet.

Pros of Minimalist or Barefoot trainers:

• Very Light

• A better feel of the ground can help you run faster

Cons of Minimalist or Barefoot trainers:

• Not especially durable

• Won’t greatly reduce stress on joints

• Less experienced runners could risk injury

Feet Types and Pronation

If you aren’t sure what kind of trainer would best suit your feet, you can use an old pair to find out.

• Start by standing them upside down on a flat surface and take a good look at the sole.

• People who overpronate will have feet which lean inward slightly, so the inner part of the shoe will be worn from the toe area toward the middle of the sole.

• If you have a lot of wear near the heel, it is more likely to be caused during a workout and doesn’t really suggest a type of pronation.

• When you underpronate your foot won’t roll enough and this causes an outward lean in your trainers. Look for wear on the outer mid-section of a trainer.

• People who have neutral feet should not see any signs of leaning in their shoe.

• Bear in mind that if you already wear support footwear, it may be harder to spot signs of overpronation, as they are correcting your gait.

Why is Pronation Important?

Pronation describes the way in which a foot rolls inward, absorbing the shock caused by each stride. To some extent, all feet pronate, but for some people, it’s more pronounced and can become an issue.

• Underpronation – Underpronation, or supination as it’s also known, can be a problem for people with high arches. When the outside of the heel hits the ground, the foot does not roll in enough. Therefore, as the runner pushes off again, the shock is absorbed by the outside of the foot and the smallest toes. Aches and pains can occur because the impact is not spread over a wide enough surface area, and this leaves the lower leg taking a proportion of the shock. It sounds worrying, but underpronation can often be corrected effectively by using stability trainers with firmer soles, like the Asics Men’s Gel Galaxy 9s.

• Neutral Pronation – When a person has averagely sized arches, they are more likely to have a neutral pronation. In this instance, the heel hits the floor, the foot rolls inward and the impact is spread evenly as it pushes away again. When it comes to buying a shoe, people without any pronation problems have the widest choice. Some cushioning is fine, but you can also go for a trainer which encourages a natural running style, like the Nike Air Zoom Elite 8.

• Overpronation – Sometimes linked to having flat feet or fallen arches, overpronation describes the heel impacting with the ground, then rolling toward the inside foot. When the foot pushes away from the floor, the toes are taking most of a person’s weight. This can lead to problems further up the leg, in the hips and knee area. People with this gait will benefit from wearing a well-cushioned shoe with plenty of side support, like the New Balance M 1260 v6 Men’s trainer.

When to Replace a Pair of Trainers

Your trusty black trainers should cover a distance of five hundred miles before they need replacing. If you are experiencing pain in your joints after a run, it may be that they’ve already worn out and you could do with a new pair. Another way of testing your shoe is to hold it by the front and see if it folds in easily. When you can’t feel any resistance, your shoe may be losing its supportive structure.

If your shoes feel comfortable and you’re just using them casually, you can get away with wearing older trainers. When it comes to running or working out however, your trainers are a critical part of your kit. Training regularly and distance running can wear through footwear fast, but you can always find cheap trainers online or shop in a sale to save money.

Trainers Brands to Watch

In recent years, fashion and sportswear have reached an intersection. The resulting style is referred to as leisurewear, a dressed-down look which celebrates branded trainers and those with a luxury edge. That doesn’t mean classic labels are forgotten, however, as many of the old-school names are enjoying a renaissance. Here is a selection of labels which have progressed from a sporting past to include a fashion future.

• Nike – The iconic swoosh is a symbol which identifies the Nike brand across the globe. It’s an American company that’s still considered one of the world’s best shoemakers, favoured by athletes and runners as well as fashion-conscious wearers. Behind each collection is a team of in-house designers and developers who also work on coordinating ranges of apparel, accessories and sports supplies. The brand is famed for collections like Nike Air Max, Nike Lunar, Nike Roshe or the Nike Huarache, all of which have entered into the sports and fashion vernacular. Whether you’re looking for a pair of shoes for racing, training or wearing to the gym, Nike has a pair of innovatively designed trainers to suit your style.

• Adidas – Originally added to give their trainers more stability, the Three Stripes are now an iconic logo. Adidas has put time into working on the fashion side of their product, collaborating with stars like Stella McCartney on bags and Kanye West on their Yeezy 750 Boosts. Whilst they still create limited edition shoes, they haven’t forgotten about classics like the Stan Smiths white trainers, adidas Superstars, adidas ZX Flux and the adidas Originals range but also move forward with new concepts, like the cloudfoam adidas Neo.

• New Balance – Launched from New England in the United States during 1906, New Balance has worked its way to leading brand status. The company is known for adding stylish flourishes to their running performance footwear, along with technologically advanced features which add flexibility and strength. New Balance aims to get wearers as close as possible to a barefoot experience, and with their 1080 series and the Minimus Road trail shoes, they’ve attracted plenty of attention from the running community.

• Asics – The Japanese multinational running shoe giants Asics were formed in 1949 by Kirachiro Onitsuka. The name is an acronym, inspired by the Latin phrase ‘Anima Sana in Corpore Sano’, meaning ‘A Healthy Mind in a Healthy Body’. In 1990, the Research Institute of Sports Science in Kobe was opened by Asics with the intention of sportspeople, coaches and scientists working together to make better trainers. Using the research data available, they design running shoes with a global following, including the comfy cushioned Nimbus, the Kayano stability shoe and the GT series which combines the strengths of both.

• Puma – With a reputation for innovation, this German offshoot of adidas has been making accessories, clothing and sports shoes since 1924. Pumas have been a regular in sports including golf, rugby and cricket, with stars like Usain Bolt acting as a brand ambassador. Shoes like the Puma Mobium Elite Speed are superb for half marathons and training, but when it comes to casual wear, they also excel. Ever since athletes like Tommy Smith popularised Puma Suedes, they’ve become a legendary shoe, available in all kinds of shades, from baby pink to classic black.

• Yeezy – Straight from the imagination of rapper, Kanye West, Yeezy trainers are probably one of the most hyped items of apparel in recent years. Their massive popularity has continued despite a high price tag and low levels of availability. Aside from having a famous designer, the Yeezy phenomena has been driven by celebrity fans like J Lo, Gigi Hadid and Kylie Jenner. Kanye West collaborates with adidas to make this footwear collection, but in the past, he has also designed for Nike and Louis Vuitton. Although the original Yeezy Boosts from 2015 were limited to a run of 9000 pairs that sold out in minutes, later releases were available in much larger numbers. You can find out about future collections by signing up on the adidas Yeezy page.

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What to Think About When Shopping for Shoes

We’ve all bought ill-fitting footwear that seemed great in the shop, but you can avoid this by following a few simple rules:

• There may be a trainer for every activity, but the ones which feel most comfortable on your foot are likely to be the best for your joints.

• Avoid any shoes that fit too snugly. Ideally, you should be able to place a thumb into the space between the heel and your foot. This takes into account any possible swelling as your feet warm up during exercise.

• When it comes to trainers, you may need a size bigger than normal; this allows for some movement as you run.

• Shop during a quiet period if you can – you’ll need plenty of time to get the shoes on both feet and move around to test them out. With fewer people, you can make a choice without feeling rushed.

• Afternoons are a great time to shop as your feet will have swollen slightly during the day, so you can be sure of getting a true fit.

• If you wear orthotics like insoles, you should take these along with you and put them on so you can ensure they will work with the new shoe.

The Latest Trainers at a Good Price

To shop the latest casual or streetwear trainers, you can visit the online storefronts of fashion brands like Office, Schuh and KickZ. For specialist cushioned, minimalist or supportive trainers you can browse shoes by type at Up and Running, Alton Sports and Runners Need, where you can also find distance running accessories. To be sure of getting the latest releases, shop direct from your favourite labels by visiting the adidas store, Nike store or Puma store online, they also have branded clothing, accessories, bags and sports equipment to coordinate with their trainers. A more general selection is available from retailers like JD Sports, Sports Direct and Amazon, where discount trainers are easy to find.

Retailers know that consumers often make New Year's resolutions which involve losing weight and getting fitter. That’s why so many stores have a sale on athletic gear around the Christmas and January Sales period. You can shop for discount trainers during this time of year at Debenhams, Argos and Very along with many other stores. Another key time of year for buying cheap trainers online is spring, as people want to get out and exercise when the weather improves. You can also pick up some fantastic bargains during the Black Friday sale, most UK retailers take part and savings of up to 75% have been on offer at shops like the Foot Asylum, MandM Direct and House of Fraser.

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