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 | £100 (~$133) | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | £85 (~$113) | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | £65 (~$87) | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | £45 (~$60) | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | £25 (~$33) | 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 trainers is worth what is being asked:
- Creased toe boxes and collapsed heel counters
- Midsole yellowing, which is hard to reverse
- Sole separation on older stored pairs
- Generic own-brand trainers, worth very little
And the things worth paying more for, because they hold their value:
- Sought-after models and colourways with a following
- Clean, unyellowed midsoles
- Original box, spare laces and inserts
- Common sizes that fit the widest pool of buyers
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 trainers, and the answers tell you most of what you need:
Convert and state both if you can, and mention if the model runs large or small. This single answer prevents most trainer disputes.
Photograph both soles flat. Buyers judge remaining life from the tread, and a clear picture answers it better than any description.
Say either way. Original boxes add value on collectable models and make postage safer on all of them.
Also worth establishing before you commit:
- Find the style code on the label inside the tongue
- Photograph the soles, toe box and heel in daylight
- Search sold listings for that style code in your size
Photographs to ask for
If the listing does not already show these, ask — a seller who has the item will send them in minutes:
- Both trainers side on, laces tied, plain background
- The soles side by side, showing tread and heel wear
- The size tag inside the tongue, legible
- Any crease, scuff, yellowing or sole separation
Details to confirm before you commit
- Brand, exact model and official colourway name
- Size with the sizing system stated
- Sole and midsole condition, including yellowing and creasing
- Whether the original box, spare laces or receipt are included
Live trainers listings
There is 1 live on WishThrift right now:
When to buy
Steady year round with a Christmas lift. Popular models in common sizes sell within days; unusual sizes take longer but attract determined buyers.
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 trainers 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 trainers for what to photograph and how to price, or what trainers are worth at each condition grade.
Frequently asked questions
What should I pay for used trainers?
Around £12 to £65 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 trainers 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 trainers 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 · trainers value guide · selling trainers · Shoes & Footwear · condition grades.