Shoes at the Goodwill Bins: Brands to Target, What to Inspect, and What They Sell For
Ask most new resellers what to focus on at the Bins and they’ll say clothing. Ask an experienced reseller, and a surprising number will say shoes.
Shoes are small, they photograph well, and the gap between what you pay at the scale and what they sell for online is often bigger than clothing - especially once you know which brands to look for.
This guide covers everything you need to shoe-hunt properly at the Bins: the brands worth grabbing, what to check before you buy, the margin math, and where to sell once you’re home.
If you haven’t read our category breakdown yet, start with The Best Items to Resell from the Goodwill Bins - shoes are covered briefly there. This guide goes much deeper.
1. Why Shoes Are an Underrated Category at the Bins
A few reasons shoes deserve more attention than most beginners give them:
- Low weight, high value - an adult pair of sneakers weighs 1.2–2 lbs, which costs very little per pound compared to what the right pair resells for
- Fast to evaluate - unlike vintage clothing, brand and model are usually visible at a glance, so you don’t need years of pattern recognition to start
- Compact and easy to store - shoes stack easily in totes, unlike bulky coats or cookware
- Consistent demand - running shoes, boots, and sandals sell year-round, not just in-season
The catch is that shoes take more damage than clothing during their donation life. A pair that looks fine from three feet away can have a blown sole or a destroyed insole up close. That’s exactly why inspection matters more here than almost any other category.
2. Brands to Target
Not every pair in the bin is worth grabbing. These are the brands that consistently resell well.
Running shoes:
- Hoka - one of the strongest resale brands right now; even used pairs in decent shape sell reliably
- New Balance - especially the 550, 990, and 9060 lines
- Brooks - reliable seller in the running community, particularly Ghost and Glycerin models
- ASICS - Gel-Kayano and Gel-Nimbus move well
- On Running - Cloud series has strong demand and holds resale value
Lifestyle sneakers:
- Nike Air Max, Air Force 1, and Dunk - broad demand across platforms
- Adidas Samba and Gazelle - currently some of the highest-demand lifestyle sneakers on the secondhand market
- Converse Chuck Taylors - reliable seller, especially unusual colourways or collabs
Sandals:
- Birkenstock - Boston clogs are the standout; even worn pairs sell well once cleaned
- Teva and Chaco - strong demand from the outdoor/hiking crowd
Boots:
- Timberland - classic yellow boots hold value even used
- Dr. Martens - especially older, made-in-England pairs
- Blundstone - growing resale demand, particularly in good condition
Jordan and Nike SB: these can be extremely valuable, but counterfeits are everywhere in donation streams. Only buy if you can verify authenticity through stitching, box labels, or a size tag check - if you’re unsure, scan and research before you commit rather than assume.
3. What to Inspect Before You Buy
This is the step beginners skip - and it’s the one that separates a profitable flip from a pair that sits unsold.
| Check | What to look for | Deal-breaker? |
|---|---|---|
| Sole wear | Even wear is fine; worn through to the midsole is not | Yes if worn through |
| Midsole cracking | Common on older EVA foam soles, especially light-coloured ones | Yes if cracked or crumbling |
| Insoles | Flattened, stained, or missing insoles | No - replaceable cheaply |
| Odor | Strong, embedded odor that doesn’t lift with airing | Depends - treatable, see below |
| Upper condition | Tears, heavy scuffing, water stains on suede/leather | Depends on severity |
| Structural integrity | Squeeze the heel and toe - should hold shape, not collapse | Yes if collapsed |
On odor specifically: baking soda left inside overnight handles most cases. For anything persistent, a light OxiClean wipe-down on the interior (not a full soak) usually works. Our guide on how to wash and decontaminate clothes from the Goodwill Bins also covers shoe cleaning and insole treatment in more detail.
The 10-second test: flex the shoe at the toe. If the sole cracks, splits, or feels brittle, put it back - no cleaning fixes structural failure.
4. Quick Flip Math at $1.49/lb
Here’s what the numbers actually look like once you factor in sourcing cost, fees, and shipping:
| Item | Weight | Source cost | Typical sold price | Est. profit after fees/shipping |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hoka running shoes (used, good condition) | 1.6 lbs | ~$2.40 | $55–$85 | ~$35–$60 |
| Birkenstock Boston clogs | 1.3 lbs | ~$1.95 | $35–$55 | ~$20–$38 |
| Nike Air Force 1 | 1.8 lbs | ~$2.70 | $30–$50 | ~$16–$32 |
| Dr. Martens boots | 3.0 lbs | ~$4.50 | $60–$110 | ~$38–$78 |
| Timberland boots | 3.2 lbs | ~$4.75 | $50–$90 | ~$28–$60 |
These are indicative ranges - always confirm with your own eBay Sold Listings comps before buying, since condition swings the price a lot with shoes specifically.
For a broader look at how weight translates to checkout cost across categories, see Goodwill Bins Pricing by Category.
5. Best Platforms and Photography Tips
Where to sell:
- eBay - the widest reach, best for running and outdoor brands, and the easiest place to pull comps before buying
- Poshmark - strong for lifestyle sneakers and fashion-forward brands (Adidas Samba, Converse, Dr. Martens)
- StockX - worth using for anything verified and collectible (Jordan, limited Nike SB) since it handles authentication for you
- Depop - good for a younger buyer base on trend-driven sneakers and boots
Photography tips that actually move shoes faster:
- Shoot both shoes together and each one individually - buyers want to see the pair, not just one angle
- Photograph the sole and heel wear honestly - it builds trust and reduces returns
- Use natural light - a window with indirect daylight beats any indoor bulb for showing true colour
- Include the size tag in at least one photo - saves you from repetitive size questions
- Stuff shoes with paper before shooting - keeps their shape and looks more presentable than a collapsed upper
The Lowdown
Shoes reward the resellers who take inspection seriously and punish the ones who don’t.
- Target the right brands - Hoka, New Balance, Birkenstock, and Dr. Martens consistently outperform generic footwear
- Inspect before you buy - soles, midsoles, and structural integrity matter more than surface dirt
- Odor and dirty insoles are fixable - don’t pass on a good pair over something cleanable
- Run the margin math - shoes often out-earn clothing per pound once you know your brands
- Photograph honestly and clearly - it builds buyer trust and reduces returns
Once you’ve built a habit around shoes, you’ll find yourself checking every bin’s footwear pile within seconds - and walking past the pairs that aren’t worth your time.
For the full sourcing-to-listing workflow that ties every category together, check out Best Tips for New Resellers at Goodwill Outlets and How to Make Money at the Goodwill Bins.
