What a fair price looks like
Condition on WishThrift is described by the seller against five grades, and nobody inspects them on your behalf — so the description and the photographs are what you are buying on.
| Condition | Typical | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| New with Tags | £110 (~$147) | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | £94 (~$125) | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | £72 (~$95) | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | £50 (~$66) | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | £28 (~$37) | Not working or incomplete, sold as seen |
Sterling guide ranges with an approximate US dollar equivalent at £1 ≈ $1.33 (July 2026). Sellers set their own asking price; these are a starting point for judging an offer. All five grades explained.
The checklist before you pay
Sizing again, made worse because it varies between a brand’s own lines. Beyond that it is the midsole: polyurethane crumbles with age even on shoes that were never worn.
Run through these before money changes hands — they are the things that decide whether knee high boots is worth what is being asked:
- Cracking at the ankle flex point
- Broken or split full-length zips
- Slouched or misshapen shafts
- Very narrow calf fittings
And the things worth paying more for, because they hold their value:
- Supple leather with no cracking at the ankle
- Shafts that stand rather than slouch, if the style intends it
- Working full-length zips
- Recognised makers with a following
Common faults and fakes
Fakes usually show in the stitching regularity, the finish on the branded hardware, and a box label whose style code does not match the shoe inside.
Ask for the insole length in centimetres rather than the size, plus photographs of the sole, the heel counter and the inside of the shoe.
WishThrift does not authenticate, inspect or grade anything, and no marketplace check replaces your own. If a seller will not answer a direct question about condition or origin, that is the answer.
Questions to ask the seller
These are the three that get asked most often about knee high boots, and the answers tell you most of what you need:
Give it in centimetres, measured around the widest point with the boot zipped. It is the reason knee high boots get returned more than any other footwear, and you cannot accept a return.
Run them fully and answer honestly. A cobbler can replace a boot zip, but the buyer should be choosing that rather than inheriting it.
Measure from the floor to the top of the shaft at the back. Shorter buyers care about this as much as calf width and it is equally rarely stated.
Also worth establishing before you commit:
- Measure the calf circumference and shaft height
- Work the full-length zip several times
- Flex the ankle and check for cracking
Photographs to ask for
If the listing does not already show these, ask — a seller who has the item will send them in minutes:
- The pair standing upright, full height, side on
- A tape measure across the calf at the widest point of the shaft
- Both soles and heel tips
- The zip full length, the inside label, and any crease, scuff or scratch
Details to confirm before you commit
- Size as marked, with UK, EU and US equivalents
- Calf circumference and shaft height in centimetres, measured flat
- Heel height and type
- Material, zip condition, and whether the shaft is stretch-panelled
Live knee high boots listings
Nothing matching is listed at the moment. Browse shoes & footwear for what is live now, or everything on the site — stock changes daily and new listings are free to post, so it is worth checking back.
When to buy
Autumn and early winter carry this category almost entirely. Listed in September or October a good pair sells quickly; the same boots in April will barely be seen.
Prices move against that cycle for a buyer: the cheapest time to buy is when sellers are listing most, not when demand peaks.
Paying and collecting safely
WishThrift does not process payments, hold funds or offer buyer protection — you agree the price and the method with the seller directly, which is what keeps the platform free on both sides. Meet somewhere public where you can, inspect before you pay, and keep the conversation on the site so there is a record of what was agreed. Be wary of any seller who wants to move the conversation elsewhere before you have agreed anything.
Selling one instead?
If you already have knee high boots sitting unused, it is free to list and there is no commission — the price you agree is the amount you keep. Read how to sell knee high boots for what to photograph and how to price, or what knee high boots are worth at each condition grade.
Frequently asked questions
What should I pay for used knee high boots?
Around £16 to £72 in good condition, more for barely-used examples and less for anything with a described fault. Compare against the seller’s photographs rather than the grade alone.
How do I check knee high boots before buying?
Ask for the insole length in centimetres rather than the size, plus photographs of the sole, the heel counter and the inside of the shoe.
Is buying knee high boots second hand safe?
Yes, with the ordinary care any private sale needs. WishThrift does not authenticate, inspect or hold funds, so inspect before you pay where you can, meet somewhere public, and keep the conversation on the site. Sizing again, made worse because it varies between a brand’s own lines. Beyond that it is the midsole: polyurethane crumbles with age even on shoes that were never worn.
See also: all buying guides · knee high boots value guide · selling knee high boots · Shoes & Footwear · condition grades.