IF YOU’VE got a pair of old trainers in the back of your wardrobe then now is the time to check how much they could be worth.
This year several pairs of trainers have been sold for record-breaking prices as so-called “sneaker heads” race to get their hands on the collectable shoes.
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A pair of rare Nike trainers fetched £68,937 on one luxury resale website.
Meanwhile, a set of six Air Jordan trainers worn by Michael Jordan himself fetched £6.3million at auction in February.
While a pair you may have at home is unlikely to fetch that much, you could make several thousand pounds.
Trainers that have not been worn tend to increase in value the most, said Drew Haines, director of merchandising at trainer resale website StockX.
He said: “The resale value of coveted models tends to appreciate steadily over time when kept in a new and unworn condition with original packaging.
“One thing to also remember is that a large number of people purchase trainers to wear rather than to sell.”
This means that there is a lower number of trainers in circulation which can be sold to collectors or investors.
The brand of trainers is also important as not all types increase in value at the same pace.
The top most searched for trainer brands this summer were Adidas, New Balance, Sketchers, Nike and Converse, according to eBay.
If you have a pair from one of these brands then you could be in for a windfall.
Other lesser-known brands including On Running and HOKA have also become more popular, eBay said.
Keep an eye out for seasonal trends, which could increase how much you can sell a pair for.
For example, eBay saw running shoes gain popularity before marathon season.
Searches on eBay globally for “mesh runners”, a type of jogging shoe, were up 75% year-on-year in February.
Most popular trainers sold in the UK
Here are the most popular trainers sold in the UK on StockX this year:
- Air Jordan 1 Mid Light Smoke Grey – £99
- Nike Air Force 1 Low White 07 – £68
- Air Jordan 4 Retro Military Blue 2024 – £146
- Nike Air Max Plus 25th Anniversary – £125
- Air Jordan 4 Retro Bred Reimagined – £129
As more people want to buy this type of shoe, it could mean that you can put up your asking price.
What should I do if I have an expensive pair?
Regular maintenance is important to preserve the value of your rare shoes.
Invest in some specialised shoe cleaning products to keep them in top condition.
It’s also important to store your shoes carefully to prevent them from deteriorating.
Proper storage and keeping them away from harsh weather conditions will preserve their quality and resale value.
Keep them in a cool, dry place and away from direct sunlight to help avoid any discolouration or material degradation.
You can store them in their original box or invest in clear shoes boxes to help them stay in mint condition.
The shoe box itself is a large part of the resale value of a pair of trainers.
Never throw the box away and make sure that it does not get crumpled, damaged or discoloured.
How do I sell my trainers online?
First you should check to see how much similar pairs of trainers have sold for to assess how much yours could be worth.
Check several resale websites such as eBay, StockX, Depop and Vinted to see how much others have sold their pair for.
EBay has a function which allows you to search for the item you want to sell and then filter the results by sold items.
How to look after a valuable pair
If you are planning on keeping your trainers as an investment then you need to take special care of them.
Here Drew Haines, director of merchandising at StockX, shares how to look after them:
Do not wear them.
In order to resell them for their full value at a later date, the trainers need to remain new and unworn, along with their original packaging.
Use shrink wrap as it keeps your trainers in top condition by keeping the dust and humidity out.
Put the original box inside of a plastic box to make sure it doesn’t get damaged as this will affect any future resale price.
Always store them in a cool, dark place so they’re not affected by sun damage.
This will allow you to view the price the item has previously sold for and get an understanding of how much other people listed it for.
StockX has a price guide which shows the full price and past sales of different models of shoe.
Once you know how much your shoes are worth you can choose to sell them online or by auction.
If you sell your trainers through a resale website then you will need to create an account and set up a profile.
To do this you will need to go onto the website and enter a few basic details such as your name, mobile number and email.
Next you should take pictures of your trainers and their box.
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Make sure to take a photo of any damage or wear on the surface, sides and base of the shoe.
Go onto the manufacturer’s website and find a professional photo of the trainers.
This will help anyone interested in your shoes to visualise what they looked like when they were first bought.
Next upload your photos to the resale website and begin to build a listing for the shoes.
You will need to write a description of the item and should include the make, model and name of the trainers.
If you have any proof of the authenticity of the trainers then you should say that this can be provided.
You can prove that your trainers are genuine with a receipt, bank or credit card statement.
You may also be asked to complete a few questions on the condition, size, style, colour and type of shoe.
If you sell trainers using certain retail websites then they may need to authenticate the shoes before your buyer receives them.
For example, eBay has an authentication centre where items are physically inspected by experts before they are sent to the buyer or returned to a seller.
Items that have passed an authentication test will be marked with a blue tick.
How can I sell my trainers at auction?
If you have very valuable trainers then it could be worth selling them at auction to make sure you get as much as you can for them.
Specialist auctioneers including Sotheby’s and London Auctions will sell your trainers by auction, marketplace or private sale.
You do not need to live near the auctioneer to sell with them.
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To start the process contact the auctioneer and send them a photograph of your shoes.
A specialist will then review your submission and you should be sent a free estimate of how much the trainers could be worth.
If you agree to go ahead then the auctioneer will be able to guide you through the process of selling your trainers.
They may sell them one client, list them online or include them in an upcoming auction.
Selling an item through an auctioneer may mean that you have to pay other fees such as storage, commission and buyer’s premium costs.
Check how much the fees are before you agree to a sale.
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