Nike Factory Outlet Sale Tricks to Help You Save on Kicks

Why pay full price for Nike products when you can hit up a Nike Factory Outlet sale? When you can save up to 70% on Nike retail prices, it’s so worth the trip to the store.

Nike Factory Outlet stores are packed with made-for-outlet and past-season merchandise for up to 50% off. When there’s a Nike Factory Outlet sale (or a Nike outlet coupon available), the savings get even bigger.

I will say this: Nike Factory deals are only worth chasing if you know what to look for in stores. And if you’re not saving at least 50%, don’t bother.

Stick with me, and I’ll reveal all the Nike Factory shopping secrets you’ve always wanted to know.

Don’t forget to download The Krazy Coupon Lady app to track all the latest Nike deals as soon as they drop.

 

1. A Nike Factory Outlet sale can help you save 20% – 30% on already discounted prices.

Nike Factory Outlet sales happen multiple times a year, where you can take an additional 20% – 30% off already marked-down Nike items. In May 2022 Nike offered an extra 20% off Nike Factory items to honor their 15th anniversary. And in November of last year, Nike gave rewards members early access to Nike Black Friday deals, plus a coupon code for an extra 20% discount.

The key to saving the most money during a Nike Factory sale is to scoop these discounts on clearance items.

 

2. Keep in mind: Nike, Nike Factory Outlet, and Nike Clearance stores are NOT the same things.

Shopping for Nike products isn’t the same at all store locations. There are three types of Nike stores: traditional Nike retail stores, Nike Factory Outlet stores, and Nike Clearance stores.

1. Nike Retail stores

Here is where you’ll find the newest Nike releases, premium products, and premium prices. When new versions or colorways of products are released, past-season items get a brief discount to make room for the new merchandise. Then all the remaining past-season stock gets shipped to Nike Clearance stores.

2. Nike Clearance stores

When Nike Retail stores need to make room for new merchandise, they ship their older inventory to Nike Clearance stores. These stores are where you’ll find past-season premium Nike products for up to 30% off retail prices. There are only about 30 Nike clearance stores in the country, so consider yourself lucky if you live near one.

3. Nike Factory Outlet stores

Nike Factory Outlet stores are different from Nike Clearance stores. This is where you’ll find made-for-outlet Nike items, products that didn’t meet manufacturing standards, and some past-season items.

If you’re looking for Instagram-worthy Nike merch on a budget, Nike Factory Outlet stores are your best bet. Deals are frequent, and new products arrive regularly. Nike Factory prices are up to 50% off regular Nike prices, plus you can save more with a Nike Outlet coupon or promo code.

 

3. Aim to save 50% – 70% on regular Nike prices during a Nike Factory Outlet sale.

Head to a Nike Factory store with a mission — a mission to save at least 50% on regular Nike prices. But when there’s a Nike Factory Outlet sale, you can save up to 70%.

Take the Lunarepic Low Flyknit 2 sneakers (above), for example. These sneakers originally cost $140, but I spotted them on the Nike Hash Wall for $69.97. Since I stopped by during a Nike Factory Outlet sale, they were selling for an additional 30% off, bringing the price down to $48.98. So in the end, I saved 65% on the original retail price.

 

4. Shop the Nike Hash Wall for the best Nike Outlet deals on shoes.

When you walk into a Nike Factory store, make a beeline to the back wall. That’s where you’ll find the Nike Hash Wall, where you’ll find final sale and clearance items, often with an additional discount. You don’t even need a Nike Outlet coupon for deals like these. In the past, I’ve found some deeply discounted Air Force Max and Nike Dunks on the Hash Wall.

 

 

5. Look for the red and green tags at the Nike Factory Outlet store (they indicate further markdowns).

Look for the red (some may call it “rorange”) and green clearance stickers as you walk through the store. When there’s an additional percent-off clearance sale, you can apply the discount to these items as well.

• Red Tags: Clearance markdowns made by management at individual Nike Factory stores. These clearance items usually end in “$0.97.”
• Green Tags: Clearance markdowns directed by corporate. These items are typically found at all Nike Factory stores.

 

6. The best time to shop during a Nike Factory Outlet sale is in the morning.

Most Nike Factory Outlet sales start on select Thursday or Friday mornings and last through the following Sunday or Monday night. Since most Factory stores open at 10 a.m., you’ll find the best selection of sale items as soon as the store opens and avoid the crowds while you’re at it.

Sales are controlled by the corporate office and occur randomly throughout the year, so calling your local Nike Factory store ahead of time is a smart move.

 

7. Become a Nike member and get the app for exclusive Nike coupons AND free shipping.

Want a Nike outlet coupon you can use at Nike Factory stores? Sign up for a Nike Membership online or through the free Nike app. You’ll unlock exclusive coupons like 30% off your entire purchase with the Friends & Family discount. Nike members also get free shipping on all Nike.com orders, plus free returns!

 

8. Don’t expect huge savings on current-season Nike shoes.

Just because a shoe makes the Nike Hash Wall doesn’t mean it’s a great deal.

See these Kyrie 4 BHM 2018 signature shoes above? Their full retail price is $120, and the Nike Factory Outlet price is $119.99. For a discount of just one cent? I’ll pass.

 

9. Nike Factory gets large batches of new merchandise in “transfer shipments” every two weeks.

Shipments to Nike Factory stores happen daily, but they usually don’t have a wide selection of items. These shipments typically contain only kids’ shoes or SUPER limited inventory on a single shoe model.

Call your local Nike Factory store and ask when they receive their “transfer” shipments, which contain better quality shoes and more inventory. Transfer shipments occur about every two weeks.

 

 

10. Ask about Nike Factory storeroom inventory if you don’t see your size.

Sizes and products get mixed up on the Nike Factory floor all the time. If you can’t find your size right away, don’t fret. Just ask an employee if your size is in stock. They can pull up their store’s inventory right from their handheld checker.

 

11. If you can’t find the item you’re looking for in store, you can usually get it shipped to you for free.

Most Nike associates are incredibly helpful. If they can’t find the product you’re looking for in their store, they’ll usually tell you where you can find it or offer to ship it to you for free.

 

12. Ask about returned Nike items behind the checkout counter.

If you’re lucky, you might get first dibs on Hash Wall returns in your size.

Or even better, score items that haven’t hit the Nike Factory store floors yet. You can return any Nike or Converse item to Nike Factory stores (but you can’t return them to Nike Clearance stores). Ask an employee if you can buy the returned item at a Nike Factory discount.

 

13. Negotiate for a better price if you find a scuffed or flawed Nike sneaker.

If you find an imperfect pair of Nike sneakers, ask a Nike Factory associate for a discount. If you find the right person, they might give you a discount of up to 20%.

 

14. If you want a Nike shoe box with a lid, just ask.

Clearance Nike shoes are usually displayed in boxes with their lids sliced off, but if you ask an associate for the full box, they’ll give one to you.

 

 

15. Nike Kids’ discounts are usually double the Nike Adult discounts.

While most adult apparel only gets discounted an additional 20% – 30%, you’ll frequently see Nike youth styles with 40% – 60% in savings at Nike Factory Outlet stores.

 

16. Nike Factory graphic tees are some of the best items to buy for both kids and adults.

Kids’ graphic tees are frequently priced at three for $25, or $8.33 per shirt. Adult graphic tees are usually priced at two for $25, or $12.50 each.

At regular prices, Nike youth graphic tees are $20 – $35 per shirt. Adult tees usually go for $25 – $55 per shirt.

 

17. Women with shoe sizes of 8.5 or smaller can wear youth Nike shoes (and pay less for more colorway options).

Adult women who wear a size 8.5 or smaller can totally fit into Nike youth sizes.

When comparing prices for the Nike Flyknit RN 2017 sneakers, I found out that the youth size was $10 less than the women’s version. You’ll often find more color options in youth sizes.

Take your women’s shoe size and subtract it by 1.5. That’s your Nike youth size.

 

18. Don’t see anything you like in store? Shop for Nike Factory Outlet items online.

Yes, you can shop Nike Factory Outlet online! Just beware — the selection is very slim. Currently, I’m only seeing 25 Factory items available online.

You can also shop for sale and clearance items online, and with a Nike coupon or promo code, you can save an extra 20% – 25% on already marked-down clearance items. You can also check out last-chance sale items for up to 65% off.

Don’t want to wait for shipping? You can buy online and pick it up in store at select locations.

 

19. The Nike Factory Black Friday sale isn’t worth it unless you don’t mind some chaos …

Now, I’m sure not all Nike Factory stores get this trashed on Black Friday, but if you’ve ever been to one on a major sale weekend, then you know how chaotic it can be.

Like other retailers, Nike closes on Thanksgiving and reopens on Black Friday. In 2022 their hours were 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Last year Nike Factory offered a Nike Outlet coupon and promo code for an extra 20% off on top of holiday discounts. This will give you savings of up to 60%.

Note: Hours may vary per region and store.

 

 

20. Return almost anything to Nike Factory within 60 days if you have a receipt OR a Nike membership.

The Nike return policy works the same for Nike Factory returns. You have 60 days to return unworn, unwashed items with all tags attached. If you aren’t a Nike member, you’ll need to bring in your receipt to make your return. But if you are a Nike member, no receipt is necessary. They can easily look up your account info behind the counter. Remember — Nike members can also return purchases by mail for free.

 

21. Get 10% off Nike if you’re in the military or a student.

Not only do military members get 10% off at Nike stores and Nike online, but they also get 10% off at Converse stores nationwide.

If you’re a student, you can also receive the 10% Nike student discount.

 

22. Employees can share their Nike discount with family.

The Nike employee discount is up to 50% off, which is insane! Even better, Nike employees can share their discounts with family members. Families can receive discounts by presenting their loved one’s employee number at checkout.

 

23. Follow your local Nike Factory Outlet for sales and promotions.

Follow your local Nike Factory Outlet store on social media to see what kind of savings are happening.

On social media (like Facebook and Instagram), search for “Nike Factory (your location)” to bring up their social pages.