There used to be a poster here who was a foot doctor; he always warned about the dangers of purchasing used shoes. For health and aesthetic reasons, I would never do it. Besides, there are so many great brands of shoes at various price points, there’s no need to buy used shoes. FYI: Crockett & Jones prices have dramatically increased over the past couple of years. My Chiltern chukka boots were purchased three years ago for under $400; they are now $650!

What’s your price range? No doubt we’ll be able to supply you with a list of really good shoe manufacturers in that range.

 

Thank you Tiger that’s useful. I guess if the price has gone up and the quality stayed the same, the value proposition has declined.

I am in the market for a pair of dark brown Oxfords: plugging a gap in my wardrobe. I’ve been eyeing a pair of TLB Mallorca but at €390 it’s just a bit too much. I’d prefer to pay less than EUR 300 (I guess less than USD 350).

I currently own one pair of Carlos Santos and three Loakes. Preference for EU brands I can get without paying customs charges.

 

Carlos Santos and Loake are absolutely fine. So are Sanders and especially Berwick 1707. Sons of Henrey are superb, but the selection is limited right now. All are in your price range, and TLB Mallorca’s main range (not Artista) are pretty darn close as well. Check Herring Shoes, too - they sell their own branded line of shoes made by fine manufacturers, as well as other brands.

Forgot to add Skoaktiebolaget!

 

Before anyone says Meermin, I’ve bought and returned two pairs of theirs! Both too narrow, and I also felt the quality was disappointing.

 

Do a search on ebay for Allen Edmonds. TONS of folks get used shoes on ebay for screaming deals. And then do a search for Air Jordans. MILLIONS AND MILLIONS of sneakerheads buy, sell and trade used sneakers like crazy.

I have a pair of awesome Allen Edmonds cordovan cap toes that I never would have sprung for at the $$$$$ new price. But at 15% of the new price, sure. I get so many compliments on them, I'll probably wear them for my daughter's upcoming wedding.

I also bought a pair of great black tie shoes for next to nothing. At full new price, it wouldn't make sense for me to get a rarely worn specialty shoe like that. My current quest is for a pair of #8 cordovan PTBs -- AE, Florsheim Imperial or Alden (the Grail shoe). I'm never paying $1k for a new pair of Aldens, but I probably can get some used for a couple hundred.

There's a lot of good content on Youtube/web about buying and restoring worn shoes. Check out The Elegant Oxford and The Hanger Project (aka Kirby Allison) for all kinds of tips on removing wrinkles, fixing nicks and scuffs, etc. One method for getting rid of wrinkles, for example, is to submerge the shoes in water for like an hour, then dry them over several days with shoe trees in. Incredibly effective. And kind of fun to do.

 

Thanks for the tip on 'The Elegant Oxford'.

 

You win some and you lose some.

I have been buying used/second hand shoes for years. Most of my purchases have been major victories with very few disasters. The few failures were almost all cemented or blake stitched shoes. The main issue I have run into is not the footbed being comfortable and conforming to my foot it has been the padding in the heel (insole) being worn down to nothing. If you are not buying them too small there is usually no problem in buying a gel insole with a good amount of heel cushion and voila. I have 3 pairs of Allen Edmonds and 4 pairs of various handmade/benchmade European shoes in very gently used condition in my closet from a willingness to take a small risk. Wish you the best.

 

Thanks both. Any tips on what to look out for in photos of used shoes? I’m guessing the inside heel?

 

Leather uppers, outsole, & lining. Make sure the heel is not worn down. Your instincts will tell you most of what you need to know at first glance. If they do not appear to have been taken care of like a well loved Ferrari then move on.

 

Tons of good videos on youtube on what to look for and avoid.

Biggest thing is the fit. Lots of online sellers offer liberal returns so long as you pay the return shipping. Which makes it easy to try something out to see if it is a fit.

Look out for deep nicks and actual cracks. Wrinkles and scuffs can be fixed-- cracks and tears not so much. And make sure you understand if the soles and heels will need replacement, so you can factor that cost into your buy decision. My cordovan cap toes were still a screaming deal even though the heels (but not the soles) had to be replaced.

 

Tons of good videos on youtube on what to look for and avoid.

Biggest thing is the fit. Lots of online sellers offer liberal returns so long as you pay the return shipping. Which makes it easy to try something out to see if it is a fit.

Look out for deep nicks and actual cracks. Wrinkles and scuffs can be fixed-- cracks and tears not so much. And make sure you understand if the soles and heels will need replacement, so you can factor that cost into your buy decision. My cordovan cap toes were still a screaming deal even though the heels (but not the soles) had to be replaced.

Thanks!

 

I do miss that Consignment store, some customers bought shoes on line, tried them on, and flipped them there. How brand new is that.

 

I can't think of many things that are sartorally more disgusting than wearing someone else's shoes by choice rather than necessity.

 

I have been eyeing a pair of Alden cordovan wingtip bals. The uppers show minimal rolling or other issues. I also look at the soles both to estimate usage and to assess that they were not wearing unevenly.

 

eBay has a great selection of Allen Edmonds shoes. Search for the seller Dabondo. Great deals.

 

I have purchased several pairs from Dabondo. All were in like new condition at a very good price. Highly recommended.

 

Although I have obtained several items of apparel from eBay over the years (overcoats mostly) I'm afraid that I would never consider purchasing used shoes - or underwear!

The insole of a goodyear welted shoe is designed, via the cork filling beneath, to begin molding itself, almost immediately, to the foot of the wearer.

 

Great selection there, thank you.

 

Used shoes are fine if new or lightly worn

A nice approach is to look carefully for resoled shoes which have been remade by the original maker.

A well resoled and remade shoe is good if remade by the original maker although it’s difficult to tell unless the soles are stamped and some resoles by other makers are very good

If shoes have had a hard or neglected existence then they become a different story.

Dried out shoes are difficult but can be dealt with with patience and leather treatment yet the heavily worn ones are often best left alone.

I’m aware of Abbotts and they seem fair priced and as a business have to make a profit.

Other outlets exist and with some searching bargains can be found.

Off brand options do exist where Northampton quality and technique can be had for less.

Hoggs of fife for example although their range has decreased over the years.

My view is get best one can afford and wear lightly and look after buy shoe trees and decent polish.

Cycle through ones shoes one pair a day and well made ones will last and last.