How can you tell if Nike shoes are in good condition?

A used sneaker is not necessarily a worn-out sneaker.

Some Nike shoes may have been worn several times but remain in excellent condition. Others can look good in a single photo while having significant wear on the sole or heel.

When buying Nike second hand, inspect the entire shoe.

Nike and the idea of giving products a second life

Nike began as Blue Ribbon Sports in 1964 and later developed into the global Nike brand. Bill Bowerman's experiments with running shoes and the waffle sole are examples of Nike's early focus on innovation.

Nike also operates a Refurbished program in which selected products are inspected, cleaned and graded according to condition. Nike uses categories such as Like New, Gently Worn and Cosmetically Flawed.

The principle is simple:

A used sneaker can still have plenty of life left.

8 things to inspect

1. Outsole

Look for:

• worn tread
• uneven wear
• cracks
• damage
• excessive heel wear

2. Heel

Check both the outside and inside of the heel.

3. Toe box

Creasing is normal on many sneakers and does not automatically mean poor condition.

Look instead for:

• cracks
• deep creasing
• damage
• discoloration
• material separation

4. Upper

Look for stains, tears, discoloration, cracks and excessive abrasion.

5. Insole

Check the level of wear, discoloration and any damage.

6. Laces and details

Check laces, stitching, logos, heel tabs and other construction details.

7. Cleaning

Cleaning can improve the appearance of used sneakers, but it does not repair structural damage.

Sneakershyllan cleans used sneakers before they are listed for sale. Read more about it here.

8. Photos

When buying online, look for photos showing:

• side
• front
• back
• top
• outsole
  

The more information you have, the easier it is to assess condition. Read more about how we photograph here.

All of these parts gets inspected by Sneakershyllan when we buy in sneakers. All the flaws or defects gets documented and mentioned when adding the products online so you know what conditions the sneakers are. 

Want to learn more about Sneakershyllans Buy in process read here.

How should second hand Nike be graded?

A clear condition system makes buying easier.

For example:

Like New

Little to no visible signs of wear.

Very Good

The item is lightly used and very well maintained. 

Good

The item may have wear to material but is overall well maintained.

Well-Worn

The item has been worn frequently and has visible defects and signs of wear.

VIntage

The item is 19+ years old which can impact the lifetime of the item.

The exact terminology matters less than consistency and accurate product photos. Read more about Sneakershyllans conditions here.

Frequently asked questions

Is it OK to buy used Nike shoes?

Yes. A used pair can still be in excellent condition. Check the outsole, heel, upper and other details.

Can you tell how many times Nike shoes have been worn?

Usually not exactly. Condition is assessed through visible wear rather than an exact number of uses.

Are creases a sign that Nike shoes are in bad condition?

Not necessarily. Creasing is normal on many sneakers. Cracking or structural damage is more important.

Are cleaned Nike shoes better?

Cleaning can improve appearance and freshness, but it does not remove structural wear or damage.

Does Sneakershyllan clean used Nike shoes?

Yes. Used sneakers are cleaned before being listed for sale.

What does "very good condition" mean?

It should generally mean that the item has been used but has limited visible wear and no major damage. The exact definition should always be based on the retailer's own condition grading system. For Sneakershyllan this means "The item is lightly used and very well maintained. Any defects will be specified in the description."Read more about Sneakershyllans conditions here.

Can I return Nike shoes if the condition is not right for me?

Sneakershyllan offers a 14-day return policy for online purchases. Read more about how to shop secondhand safetly here.

Conclusion

When buying Nike second hand, don't simply ask:

"Do they look good?"

Ask:

How is the outsole? How is the heel? Are there cracks? How does the upper look? Is the insole worn? Are there stains? Have the shoes been cleaned?

That gives you a much more accurate picture of the product.

Explore second hand Nike at Sneakershyllan and find your next pair.