Shoes, especially good ones, are so very expensive when they're new that it's no surprise they're a hot ticket item at many secondhand stores. As Buffalo Exchange New York area manager Alyson Lutynski told Footwear News in a 2019 interview, "Shoes are in high demand for us year-round, from current dad sneaker trends to comfort-focused styles," adding that "sales show no signs of slowing down."
While podiatrist Dr. Diane Koshimune, also speaking with Footwear News, said, "Gently used shoes that have been properly cleaned and deodorized should not negatively impact the foot health of a new owner," there is one reason why you might want to think twice before purchasing a pair. Certain types of shoe materials, particularly leather, tend to mold themselves to the original wearer's foot, so those shoes may never fit your feet quite right even if they are the right size.
What's more, Koshimune said that pumps and heels can stretch out so they no longer hold your foot in while you walk. As she explained, "This can cause the tendons and muscles to compensate, resulting in overuse injuries such as tendinitis." If you do fall in love with a pair of gently used, not-too-worn shoes, though, they may be salvageable with the use of arch supports or insoles that use heat to mold to the shape of your own feet.
