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AIBU?

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Original poster

To refuse to buy second hand shoes?

28 replies

Fifi0 · 02/05/2023 10:23

Light hearted argument with MIL. I get pretty bad foot pain (plantar fasciitis ) i spent £130 on trainers I got 2 pairs so £260 she said I can't believe you spent that much you should have gone on vinted and got them second hand. I do buy a lot on vinted but I balk at buying second hand shoes especially with foot pain. Don't shoes mould to the owners feet?

OP posts:
Thelondonone · 02/05/2023 10:25

I wouldn’t buy second hand running shoes but other shoes are fine and I also have pf. Running shoes-you don’t know their mileage.

LaLaLaNotListeningNotListening · 02/05/2023 10:26

YANBU.
Shoes tend to wear differently depending on the owners foot. If you tried second hand shoes on the indents in the insoles would be very different to where your feet/toes would sit. Feet are too important to wear badly fitting shoes imo.

Cazs818 · 02/05/2023 10:26

Sometimes your lucky enough to find brand new on vinted / ebay

I personally wouldn’t by worn , always looking for a bargain couldn’t afford full price

defi · 02/05/2023 10:28

I love vinted for shopping. I do buy good condition trainers and the brand fitflop from there

Catsmere · 02/05/2023 10:28

You’re right, shoes do mould to your feet and buying secondhand ones is a bad idea - especially if you have foot problems (flat, pronated, early bunion and former plantar fasciitis sufferer and wearer of custom orthotics here). I’ll happily buy my clothes at op shops ($3 jeans! Whoot!) but shoes have to be new and suitable for my godawful feet.

RudsyFarmer · 02/05/2023 10:30

I do buy second hand shoes but I can’t think of one I’ve bought that was so worn it had moulded to the previous owners feet.

They’re the kind of shoes we all have sat at the back of the wardrobe that we’re never comfortable or half a size too small. Having said that how much you choose to spend on shoes has nothing to do with anyone else. If you’re happy and they’re comfortable then that was a great use of your money.

Charlottewebsbabies · 02/05/2023 10:49

My dad is the king of second hand for entertainment reasons-hes a huge eco warrior
(And he's also tight as hell)
He draws the line at second hand footwear-its moulded to the first owners feet,you don't know the mileage of them and its unhygienic
I'm the same-i draw the line at footwear/underwear
Anything else is fair game

TheApplianceofScience · 02/05/2023 10:51

The only footwear I entertain is second hand boots and even then they have to have lightly worn soles.

mogsrus · 02/05/2023 10:53

People walk differently, just line up a few pairs & notice the difference on the heal, then put your too them Second hand shoes! no way

JoshLymanIsHotterThanSam · 02/05/2023 10:55

You wouldn’t want my second hand shoes…I walk with my left foot sticking out so they wear oddly. YANBU op, new shoes are important…you spend a lot of time on your feet.

DIYandEatCake · 02/05/2023 11:02

I’ll buy anything secondhand that can go through the washing machine - and buy all my clothes from Vinted. I wouldn’t buy shoes secondhand though (except fully washable ones or ones that are new with tags), as someone else’s sweaty feet would have been in them, it would be grim if they smelled of someone else’s feet. I’m with you.

Pencilsaremylife · 02/05/2023 11:04

Fellow plantar fasciitis sufferer here, special shoes do cost a fortune I buy from Vionic. I wait for sales and have bought BNIB from EBay at a reduced cost over the years I absolutely wear them to death as well. I love a charity shop found and buy second hand clothes online there is No Way I would buy second hand shoes and risk a flare up and barely be able to walk again.

Riverlee · 02/05/2023 11:07

I wouldn’t buy second hand shoes either. Not bothered about the smelly feet aspect, more they mould to the shape of your foot.

There’s a saying, always buy decent shoes and a bed, because if you’re not in one, you’re on the other. Shoes (and coats) are always worth investing in.

Catsmere · 02/05/2023 11:15

There’s a saying, always buy decent shoes and a bed, because if you’re not in one, you’re on the other.

That is such sensible advice!

potniatheron · 02/05/2023 11:21

I've bpought second hand shoes a few times but always found them uncomfortable as shoes tend to mould themselves into the foot shape of the previous owner IYKWIM. Also I have MAD bunions so I definitey need new shoes so I can mold them into my foot shape lol

mrsmacmc · 02/05/2023 11:24

I'll only buy new second hand shoes as the footbed of the shoe moulds to the wearer

thesugarbumfairy · 02/05/2023 11:27

I don't mind buying second hand shoes but not for everyday wear unless they're obviously barely worn. I don't think I would ever buy second hand trainers. For fancy shoes I don't really have an issue with it especially as they are usually way cheaper and I'd rarely wear them myself.

Kaaplumff · 02/05/2023 11:27

The only time I buy second hand shoes is if they're in amazing condition and have hardly been worn. With exercise shoes I would never buy second hand though.

Lcb123 · 02/05/2023 11:28

That's incredibly expensive for trainers. But I wouldn't buy 2nd hand trainers - I would buy lightly worn other shoes like heels or boots

Wexone · 02/05/2023 11:30

i have no issue buying second hand shoes. I love designer shoes - have bought a good few pairs of Golden Goose runners ( they cost about 400e to 600e) second hand for about 200e each, all in excellent condition. Just bought a fab pair of loubatians only worn once for a quarter of their original price for a wedding i am going to. More than likely will sell them on after. Sell a good few of my own shoes, all in excellent condition or brand new. As long as they are in good condition i have no issues, it also means i can afford to buy some i love that couldn't afford at original price

OneRingToRuleThemAll · 02/05/2023 11:32

Your MIL might not realise that the price of shoes have rocketed recently and £130 isn't outrageous.

I bought DD a pair of converse yesterday. Nothing special (to me) and they were £85!

MidgeHardcastle · 02/05/2023 11:42

My dds and I have the same size feet and I have all their cast-offs. Uggs, walking boots, Nike trainers etc. I'm incredibly lucky that I don't have feet problems because it's saved me a fortune. I've bought sparkly sandals and wellies from a charity shop before, probably wouldn't buy normal shoes although have sold loads myself on marketplace.

Luhou · 02/05/2023 11:57

When you buy worn second hand shoes you take on any potential issues that the previous wearer has had with gate etc. You'd be better to buy a £70 pair of decent shoes IMO than these particular ones second hand. You've obviously got the money to buy them, tell her to do one.

Sphagnummoss · 02/05/2023 12:07

Another person with PF experience and heel spurs. I wouldn't rule out lightly used second hand shoes if I could try them on with my inserts before buying. Getting footwear is a nightmare for me , needing soft heels, a generous toe box and room for inserts. Ruling out second hand in a charity shop would limit me more. Definitely not scuzzy down at heel well worn footwear though!

OneTC · 02/05/2023 12:15

I would sooner wear second hand underwear.

I love second hand everything except boots and shoes, unless they're basically brand new and essentially unworn

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