Somewhere in the shoe rack there are the sneakers you bought on sale and never found comfortable, the running shoes you retired after three hundred kilometres because you fancied a new pair, the boots bought for a cold winter that never really came. Selling used shoes online is one of the quickest ways to free up space and get some money back, as long as you put a little care into it. Shoes are a personal item, and the person buying them wants to know exactly what will turn up at the door.
This guide covers what to ask, how to clean them before taking photos, what to write in the listing and how to pack them for the buyer.
Which used shoes sell best
Not every pair has the same market. Branded sneakers, especially models that are hard to find in shops, sell well even after a few months of wear. Running shoes and hiking boots move quickly when the sole still has plenty of life in it. Dress shoes, leather boots and shoes for weddings or ceremonies have a smaller audience, but the people looking for them often want exactly your size and colour, and would rather not pay full price.
The easiest pairs to sell are the ones you barely wore. The shoes you wore to a wedding and put straight back in the box, or the pair you bought half a size too small and kept out of laziness. If you still have the original box, hang on to it. For sneakers it matters almost as much as the shoes themselves.
How much used shoes are worth
The price depends on brand, model, condition and how much demand there is for that size. As a rough rule, a lightly worn pair sells for around half the shop price, while a pair with obvious wear drops towards a third. Collectible sneakers are a different story and sometimes go for more than the original retail price. Here are some rough estimates from the second hand market to use as a starting point.
| Type of shoe | Condition | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Branded sneakers, common models | Good | 30 to 70 € |
| Limited edition sneakers | Like new, with box | 100 to 300 € and more |
| Running shoes | Little sole wear | 25 to 60 € |
| Hiking boots | Good | 40 to 90 € |
| Leather boots | Good | 40 to 120 € |
| Wedding or ceremony shoes | Worn once or twice | 30 to 80 € |
For a more accurate figure, look up the same model in the same size among second hand listings and aim for the middle. If you only wore them twice, say so clearly. Nothing moves the price more than that.
How to clean shoes before you sell them
A clean shoe instantly looks newer, and half an hour with things you already have at home is usually enough. Take the laces out and wash them separately, or replace them if they are frayed. New laces cost a few euros and change the whole look of the shoe. Fabric uppers clean up with a soft toothbrush, warm water and mild soap. Leather needs a barely damp cloth and then some cream. Suede wants its own brush and no water at all.
Yellowed white soles come back with a melamine sponge or a little baking soda. Inside, a sprinkle of baking soda left overnight takes care of smells, and if the insoles come out, wash or replace them. Then let everything air dry away from the radiator, which warps rubber and cracks leather.
Before the photos, stuff the shoes with scrunched up newspaper. They get their shape back, the creases on the toe are less visible and in pictures they look like a pair just taken out of the box.
Photos and a listing that sell used shoes
Shoot in natural light, near a window, on a plain light background with nothing else around. You need a side view, both shoes from above, the toe, the heel and above all the sole, which is the first thing anyone buying used shoes looks at. Photograph the size label inside and any signs of wear too, like a crease on the toe or a scuff on the heel. A flaw shown honestly saves arguments when the parcel arrives.
On Lendmates, listing a pair of shoes takes a few minutes. You take a few photos, the listing practically fills itself in, you check the size and condition are right, set your price and publish. If you want the whole process step by step, read our guide on how to sell used items online.
In the description, size is what matters most. Give the European size and, if it is printed on the label, the US or UK size as well, because sizing varies a lot between brands. Add whether they run large or small, how many times you wore them and why you are selling. Lines like "bought half a size too small" or "got them for a marathon I never ran" reassure buyers far more than a list of features.
How to ship shoes to the buyer
Shoes are among the easiest things to ship, and selling on Lendmates has no distance limits. Your hiking boots can leave Bergamo and reach Lecce without any trouble, which means they get found by whoever is looking for your exact size, wherever they live. For packing you only need a few things:
- the original box, if you have it, placed inside a second carton or a sturdy mailer;
- a bag for each shoe to keep out dirt and damp;
- paper inside the shoes and in any gaps, so nothing gets squashed on the way;
- wide packing tape along every edge of the parcel.
Never ship the shoebox on its own with the label stuck on top. It arrives battered and, with sneakers, part of the value goes with it. For more tips on the parcel and what happens next, see our guide on how to ship an item you sold.
Protected payment and verified profiles
With valuable shoes, sneakers in particular, buyers often worry that the pair is not genuine or not the one in the photos. Sellers worry about the opposite, sending the parcel and never seeing the money. On Lendmates the buyer pays in the app and you receive the money once the purchase has gone through. Sellers and buyers also have a verified identity, so there is a real person on the other side, and that puts both of you at ease.
Questions about fit, or a request to see a detail more closely, go through the in-app chat, so you never have to give out your phone number. If someone asks for an extra photo, send it. For sneakers, a picture of the inside label with the model code clears up a lot of doubts. After delivery you leave each other a review, and next time a profile with a few good reviews sells faster.
If someone suggests closing the deal outside the app, with a bank transfer or a prepaid card top up, walk away. Protected payment only works when it goes through the app. To spot the most common tricks, read our guide on how to avoid scams when selling used items.
Spend what you earn, or rent instead
Often the shoes you sell end up paying for the next pair. With the same account you can sell, buy and rent, so you can look on Lendmates for the pair you actually need, maybe worn twice by someone else and shipped to your door. And if a mountain trip calls for a big backpack or trekking poles, you can rent them from someone in your area instead of buying them. With rentals you pick them up in person, choose the dates on the availability calendar and get your deposit back when you return them.
Frequently asked questions
Can you sell used shoes to other people?
Yes, you can sell them without any problem, as long as they are clean and described honestly. The most wanted are sneakers, running shoes and hiking boots in good condition.
How do I know what my used shoes are worth?
Look up the same model in the same size among second hand listings and see which prices come up most often. A lightly worn pair is usually worth about half the shop price, less if the sole is worn down.
Should I sell shoes with the original box?
Yes, especially sneakers. The box shows the pair has been looked after and for sought after models it pushes the price up. Just remember to ship it inside a second carton.
How do I ship a pair of shoes I sold?
Put the shoes in their box or in two separate bags, fill the gaps with paper and close everything in a sturdy carton. On Lendmates you can ship anywhere in Italy and you receive the money once the purchase has gone through.
Lendmates is coming soon
Soon you will be able to list the shoes you no longer wear in a few minutes, ship them anywhere in Italy and get paid through protected payment.
Meet Lendmates