How to Sell Damaged Sneakers

Damaged sneakers are still worth selling — typically £5 to £30 at For Parts, against £20 to £120 undamaged.

Can you sell sneakers that are damaged?

Yes. Damaged stock has its own buyers: people who repair and restore, people who want the material rather than the object, and people who want a cheaper one and do not mind a flaw. Nobody should be surprised when it arrives.

The damage buyers look for on sneakers

These are the flaws that move sneakers down the grades, and the ones a buyer will check first:

Creased toe boxes and worn heel counters
Midsole yellowing, which is difficult to reverse
Sole separation, common on older stored pairs
Missing box on releases where collectors expect it

Grading it honestly

Fair covers something heavily used, or with a described fault or missing part: around £9 to £54. For Parts covers something not working or incomplete, sold as seen: roughly £5 to £30. Grades are seller-declared and nobody inspects them for you, so grading up does not raise what you get — it produces a buyer who arrives expecting something else. All five grades explained.

Working out what you actually have

Establish the flaw properly rather than guessing at it:

Find the style code on the label inside the tongue
Photograph the soles and toe box honestly in daylight
Search sold listings for that exact style code and size

Photographing the flaw

Photograph the damage directly and in focus — it is the evidence that the rest of the description is honest:

Both shoes side on, laces tied, on a plain background
The soles, side by side, showing tread and heel wear
The inside size tag, legible
Any crease, scuff, yellowing or separation, close up

What to state in the listing

Alongside the flaw itself, buyers of damaged sneakers want these confirmed:

Brand, exact model and colourway
Size, with the sizing system stated explicitly
Sole and midsole condition, including creasing and yellowing
Whether the original box, spare laces or receipt are included

Brand, model and size with the sizing system: “Nike Air Max 90, UK 9, White/Grey”. Sneaker buyers search by model name and colourway, so both belong in the title. Always state whether the size is UK, US or EU — the commonest cause of a returned pair is a sizing system mix-up.

What buyers will ask

Answer these in the listing rather than waiting to be asked:

“What size are they really?”

Give the size and the system, and mention if the model runs large or small. This one detail prevents most sneaker disputes.

“How worn are the soles?”

Photograph both soles flat. Buyers judge remaining life from the tread and heel, and a clear photo answers it better than words.

“Do you have the box?”

Say either way. The original box adds real value on collectable models and makes postage easier on all of them.

Is it worth repairing first?

Only where it is cheap and visibly well done — a clumsy repair costs more than the flaw it hides. What lifts the price:

Deadstock or barely-worn condition with the original box
Sought-after colourways and limited releases
Clean midsoles with no yellowing
Original laces, inserts and any spare set

If the work would cost more than the gap between £30 and what sound ones fetch, sell them as they are damaged and let the buyer decide.

When to list it

Steady all year with a lift before Christmas. Popular models in common sizes sell within days; unusual sizes take longer but attract determined buyers.

Getting it to the buyer

Cheap and easy to post. Use the original box inside a mailing bag if you have it, and stuff the toes with paper so they keep their shape in transit.

WishThrift does not process payments, arrange delivery or hold funds. Confirm the money has cleared before the item leaves your hands, and keep the conversation on the site so there is a record of what was agreed.

Ready to list them? Free to list, no commission, and neither side pays a buyer-protection fee — create a free account, or read the full sneakers selling guide if yours turns out to be sound.

Frequently asked questions

Can you sell damaged sneakers?

Yes. Damaged sneakers typically are worth £5 to £30 against £20 to £120 undamaged, and there is a real market in repair, restoration and craft stock. Creased toe boxes and worn heel counters

Is it worth repairing first?

Only where the repair is cheap and visibly done well. What buyers pay for is deadstock or barely-worn condition with the original box — a repair that draws attention to the flaw can leave you worse off.

How should I describe the damage?

Precisely, with a photograph of the flaw itself. Give the size and the system, and mention if the model runs large or small. This one detail prevents most sneaker disputes. Vague wording is what produces the message asking for a refund.