Buying Used Shoes & Footwear: What to Check

24 guides to buying shoes & footwear second hand — what to check, what a fair price looks like, and the questions to ask before you pay.

What goes wrong buying shoes & footwear used

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.

Misrepresentation 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.

How to verify before you pay

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 does not hold funds. You are buying on the seller’s description and photographs, so ask directly — a seller who has the item will answer in minutes.

What you should expect to pay

Across this category, guide prices run from about £4 to £120 (approximately $5 to $160) depending on the item and its condition. Grades run New with Tags, Like New, Good, Fair and For Parts — what each one means.

Sterling guide ranges with an approximate US dollar equivalent at £1 ≈ $1.33 (July 2026).

What each one typically costs

The most-searched items in this category, with the guide range a buyer should expect:

Item	Good condition	Full range
Sneakers	£13–£78	£20–£120 (~$27–$160)
Trainers	£12–£65	£18–£100 (~$24–$133)
Boots	£13–£58	£20–£90 (~$27–$120)
Running Shoes	£10–£46	£15–£70 (~$20–$93)
Knee High Boots	£16–£72	£25–£110 (~$33–$147)
Work Boots	£16–£72	£25–£110 (~$33–$147)
Chelsea Boots	£16–£65	£25–£100 (~$33–$133)
Hiking Boots	£16–£58	£25–£90 (~$33–$120)

Every shoes & footwear buying guide

Frequently asked questions

What should I check before buying shoes & footwear second hand?

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.

What goes wrong most often?

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.

Does WishThrift check the item for me?

No. WishThrift does not authenticate, inspect or grade anything, and does not hold funds or offer buyer protection. Condition is described by the seller against five grades and the photographs are what you are buying on — which is why these 24 guides exist.