What to do with used shoes?? Help!

D

dmlys

Active Member
What in the world do you guys do with your used workout shoes?? I now have three or four pairs of perfectly lovely Rykas that I cannot use for workouts any more because they make my knees ache. They look pristine because I never go outside in them (I have sneakers designated for outside wear already). Lately I've been noticing a ton of VERY used Rykas popping up on Ebay but I cannot imagine why anybody would want to buy shoes that I've been sweating in for six months, even if they look new... Just the thought makes me want to gag! I suppose I feel the same way about donating them to Salvation Army. Do you just throw them away? Do you donate them to underpriveledged fitness-minded people? Or, like me, do you just let them stack up in your closet?? Please help me out here and let me know what you do with your used shoes!

Thanks!
Dorie
 
Hey, let someone else decide if they want to purchase used workout shoes or not. Give Ebay a try. And if that doesn't work out donate them to your local Good Will. Keep in mind that not everyone is able to afford new shoes so that is why they shop at stores like Good Will. If you were in that situation you would be grateful for a pair of used shoes if your current ones were falling apart on your feet.
 
I recently heard that there are pregnancy centers, mainly for young women who really don’t have much, that take all kinds of donations. I remember being told walking is very good while your pregnant.
Susan C.M.
 
I use a consignment store. If my shoes are white (usually) I run them through the wash with a bit of bleach and put the original liners back in (I use Spenco liners instead of what the shoes come with). I get 40 percent and I don't have to concern myself with selling them. It's worked out great!

CinDee
 
Goodwill will take shoes, even used ones. I take everything there that we no longer use, or that my daughter used to grow out of when she was younger. I take used workout shoes there, because "used" to me simply means the insides are broken down to the point where the cushioning is no longer giving me adequate support. But since I don't wear them outside, they still look pretty new.

Carol
:)
 
Thank you so much for your answers!! And, you know, this got me thinking that there must be an organization somewhere that collects usable fitness shoes and distributes them to women in need. Kind of like the Career Closets for underpriveledged women who want interview wear. With obesity being such a hot topic right now, I can certainly see how good quality shoes that can be used for walking would be useful (even if they have been sweated in). I did a quick web search and found groups that want workout shoes for kids and a group that is looking for running shoes, but nothing about general fitness for women. Anybody out there know of any organizations like this?
 
RE: Nike Reuse a shoe.

Try checking the Nike website to find a drop off location. Nike will use the shoe to make other shoes. www.nike.com
They don't have a drop off location here in Minnesota, so I can't use this program, but if you live in a state that uses this program maybe that would be helpful for you.

Kathy
 
RE: Nike Reuse a shoe.

My fitness shoes get demoted to walking around casual shoes, and for work too, since I work in a place where I can wear sneakers. When they get too gross for this purpose, they become lawn care and volunteer work with animal rescue or invasive plant removal shoes. Or they're for art class or gardening, so many uses for old sneakers in my world!

If I need to donate a shoe, I give them to the thrift shop. They have shoes for sale that look way more disgusting than mine.
 
RE: Nike Reuse a shoe.

Hey, that's a very cool program! They turn the shoes into sports surfaces for schools and community centers. They do have several drop off locations here in Washington State, so I will definitely take my most worn out shoes there. Thank you!! I'm surprised more of the big shoe makers don't have similar programs...
 
You may check into a church that does missions. Our church goes to Mexico several times a year to work at an orphanage down there. We collect bags and bags of any used clothing, but most precious are shoes. People come from amazing distances just to line up for shoes. You have to work so fast that you literally just hold their foot up to the bottom to get as close to a size as possible. It is heart breaking to see kids who literally live in cardboard homes and have no shoes. They could honestly care less about sweat:)

A lot of good options have been suggested, I just wanted to add one more.
 
Wow, that's an excellent idea. I remember taking a bunch of stuff down to leave with the nearest church I could find when I went to Honduras. It was very much appreciated.
 
Thanks Mogambo! I don't know who may have watched the Oprah show where she went to Africa to bring Christmas to the people there. She set up tents, and brought all sorts of things, and it was a very well done event. She described seeing people just walking towards where they were, and had no idea how they knew, or where they came from. Some folks walked from miles away. I can say we have this similar sort of response, and I was tearing up watching the Oprah show because of how real the need is in the lives of people.
 
I just donate them. There are a lot of people that would be glad to HAVE shoes... I really don't want to make money on it (i.e. Ebay) esp when it's worn (the padding/absorbency is gone eventhough the outside still looks nice). I know people without much money would be really greatfull to have a pair of shoes. Have you been to a thrift store? If you visit one, you realized there are some badly used shirts that people willing to buy just to have a shirt on their back. Same goes with shoes. It makes me feel to good to help a little.
 
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