Shopping for Old Soles

There are many people who buy things secondhand at thrift shops, swap meets, and flea markets. These places can be cluttered with previously owned goods such as scarves, coats, hats, jewelry, glasses, records, electronics, and many other items. Many older things are considered vintage items and the vintage market is booming. One thing people might not expect to purchase secondhand are shoes. Shoes made the list in the article "10 Things You Should Never Buy Used," which was recently published on the MSN Money website. Many people are shocked to know that there are people who will actually buy and wear used shoes. They think you're going to get foot fungus or something like that from wearing shoes that have been on some strangers feet.

Ricky Becker, the general manager at Vintage Thrift Shop in New York City believes people buy used shoes for a couple of reasons. For one, not everyone wants everything to look new. Some people prefer the older or worn look of certain items. Another reason is because people want to wear expensive shoes but they don't want to pay the high prices. Vintage Thrift operates as a charity and sells donated items. It has shoes for as little as $10 from popular designers like Kenneth Cole, Stuart Weitzman, Etienne Aigner, and Giorgio Armani. A possible advantage of buying a used pair of shoes is that they are one of a kind. You don't have to worry about your friend going to the same thrift shop the next day and buying the exact same pair of shoes. The reason for this is because most of the items are donated. The majority of thrift stores operate as charities that raise money to help those in need. Shopping at thrift stores also helps to protect the environment by promoting recycling.

For those who find it absolutely disgusting to purchase shoes from a thrift store, they sometimes view buying used shoes with buying used underwear. Clearly the two aren't the same, but such an outlook has limited sales in businesses that are just trying to help people save money. Some people can't afford new shoes so thrift shops are a blessing to them. Others simply don't mind the fact that the shoes have been worn before. When you think about it, we try on shoes at the shoe store all the time without knowing how many people have stuck their feet in them before us. But because these shoes are not in a place that sells used goods, we still buy them without thinking someone could have possibly retuned them after wearing them.

Some podiatrists side with those opposed to buying new shoes. Although the risk from fungal infections can be reduced with anti-bacterial spray, old shoes may not be supportive enough to protect your feet from injury. While they may look great on the outside, if the structure is gone it won't provide your feet with the protection and support they need. If you're going to buy and wear used shoes, you should take certain precautions. Look at the soles of the shoes to make sure they aren't worn too much in any one area. Check the padding of the shoe and make sure the shoe doesn't fold up on itself too easily. If it does, that means the shoe has lost it's structure and it's not good to wear.

Not all shoes at thrift shops or other second hand stores are of poor quality. Many of them are high quality and only gently used. And one of the best parts about it is the low price. Even if the shoes aren't in the best of conditions, you have the option of getting them resoled. Care needed when purchasing old shoes isn't much different from the care you need when purchasing new ones. You should still be educated about your purchase. Just like you look for quality when buying modern shoes, you should check for that same quality when buying used shoes.

While old shoes provoke many new debates on whether or not people should buy them, in the end it's left up to the buyer. Just like with everything else, some will buy them and others won't. But before you turn up your nose at those old soles, don't just consider the "Eww factor," consider the "Ohh, nice shoes" factor as well.