Black Friday Tips for trail and ultra runners

Let’s be real, one the surface Black Friday is kinda gross. It’s big business and retail stores taking advantage and using sneaky tactics to get us to buy shit we don’t need.

It’s bad for our wallets and bad for the environment.

But, that doesn’t mean we can’t use it to our advantage and make the most of the deals available, without going into debit (gross) or buying stuff we just don’t need or won’t use.

Make a list

I have an album on my phone of things I’ve seen that I would like to buy. Shoes I know are coming out, cool gadgets, etc

As a way of stopping me over spending, I never buy things when I first see them. If I still want it or am thinking about it in a few days, I’ll go back and re-assess.

I’ve had a rule this year to only buy what I need. If something breaks or is worn out, fine, just because something is cute, not fine.

Sad 2XU tights. I won’t be replacing because they didn’t last long enough

It also captures the website and the price, so you’ll know if you go back during a sale if it is actually discounted or if the company are just using dodgy marketing to say it is.

Try to stick to the list.

Stock up on essentials

Now is the time to look for deals on the stuff you buy regularly throughout the year and if you can afford to ( debt = bad!) stock up for the year of running ahead. I’m talking anti chafe, race day nutrition, socks, things you will no doubt be looking to buy again in the next six months so you may as well get a good deal.

Re-assess your mandatory gear

For some reason, the topic of mandatory gear seems to set people off. It’s too heavy, they don’t want to carry it, it’s too expensive, blah blah blah

Here’s the thing, it’s there to save your life if Mother Nature decides to shit on your day in the mountains. In that vein, you want to have the best gear you can afford.

Lots of people when they first start out, get whatever random gear, usually the cheapest, and hope they don’t have to use it. Now is the time to get out the gear, and look for gear that will actually do the job if needed.

Look for quality materials and as light weight as possible. Don’t waste your money on something that is better but that you think you will upgrade again later on. You are investing in your future in the sport and your safety.

Don’t get sucked in

Don’t add stuff to your cart “because it’s so cheap”, if you wouldn’t buy it full price, don’t buy it. Don’t add stuff to your cart “to try it” unless you were genuinely, at full price, going to. Don’t add any extra deals at checkout!

Watch out for shipping

Usual online shopping caution applies to Black Friday. Retailers are looking to make money any way they can, including increasing shipping costs. It’s worth comparing stores before checking out to make sure you aren’t getting stung extra in shipping for no reason.