Unless you never leave your house, shoes are an essential part of your life. As the saying goes, “No shirt – no shoes – no service.” But before you run out and buy your next pair, read on to see how you can get free shoes.
And no, I’m not talking about going dumpster diving for shoes – I’m talking brand new, 100% free shoes from legit companies and brands you’ve heard of.
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How To Get Free Shoes
One common way to get free shoes is by becoming a product tester.
Brands want to be sure that the shoes they’re developing will work well for their customers, so they ask those customers to give them feedback about new products.
Most of the time, you’ll wear your free shoes for a month or so, and then send them back to the company. They’ll ask for your detailed feedback so they can make any changes needed before the shoes hit the stores.
Here are some legit companies that will send you shoes for free.
1. New Balance
New Balance sends out free shoes to members of the New Balance Tester Community.
It’s easy to sign up to be a product tester; you just need to fill out their product test profile. Once complete, you’ll be entered into the program.
As New Balance develops new prototypes, they notify certain respondents about new testing opportunities. If they select you and you choose to participate, you’ll receive free shoes sent right to your doorstep!
Once you get your shoes, try them on and log into their testing system for further instructions. Each test period is typically four to six weeks long.
Keep in mind that New Balance wants completely honest feedback so they can make improvements. They want their products tested under real-life conditions, not just a simulated lab environment.
Once the test period is up, you’ll send the shoes back to New Balance (on their dime) for inspection and evaluation…so no, you won’t get to keep them.
New Balance selects testers based on requirements like shoe size, geographic location, and activity/athletic profile.
They also give you a grade based on how well and how often you used the test product, the quality of your feedback, and your ability to stick to a deadline. The higher the grade, the more likely you are to receive free shoes in the future!
Requirements for New Balance product testers:
- Must wear adult men’s size 8-14 or adult women’s size 6-12
- Have a valid email address
- Read and write in the English language
- A resident of the continental U.S.
There is also a junior tester program for children or adults with smaller feet (infant size 3 to grade school size 6).
2. Nike
Nike also gives out free shoes as well as free apparel as part of its Nike Product Testing program.
As you can expect, you won’t be able to keep your free shoes forever, but it’s fun to get to wear free Nikes for a little while, right?
The process is simple: just apply to be a tester on their website. Once Nike processes your application, they’ll select you to participate in product testing opportunities based on your profile.
They won’t just send you free shoes, though. You’ll need to accept the test invitation and receive your test packet. Test out whatever product they send you (shoes or apparel) and submit your feedback via the website.
After the test period is up, you’ll need to return the product you tested to Nike to be eligible for more opportunities. And of course, they want your detailed, honest feedback. So, the more time you take to share your thoughts, the better!
Please note that you may apply to join either or both apparel and shoe testing programs. However, the programs periodically open and close to new applicants.
Current product testing opportunities include:
- Apply for adult testing (18+ years old)
- Apply as a minor (13-17 years old) – currently closed to new applicants
- Parent: apply for a child (12 years or younger)
Besides receiving product tests in the mail, you may qualify for in-person product testing if you live near a Nike test center.
3. Brooks
Are you an avid runner? You’ll be stoked to find out that Brooks Running gives out free shoes to product testers.
Brooks spends a lot of time developing its products in partnership with scientists and researchers to study how the body moves when you run.
After they’ve developed a new design, they consult the experts – the runners themselves! Product testers by the thousands test out Brooks products over hundreds of miles.
Requirements for Brooks Running product testers:
- Agree to return products upon request
- Be 18 or older, or 14 or older with parental consent
- Have regular access to the Internet and an individual email address
- Provide detailed, helpful, and timely feedback via email
- Live in the United States
Note that you may be testing out free shoes and/or free apparel like sports bras. Brooks doesn’t state that all products need to be returned but be ready to send your test product(s) back if they ask.
And if you’re not selected for a product testing opportunity, note that Brooks offers a Run Happy Promise in which you can take their gear for a 90-day test run after purchase. If you don’t love it, return it for free.
4. Reebok
Reebok offers free footwear and free apparel for its product testing community. This is a great fit for people who have a passion for sport, fashion, and the Reebok brand…and who love getting free shoes, of course!
To apply, simply fill out the survey. They’ll keep your information on file and let you know when you have been selected for a test.
Testers must fit one of their product sizes and meet minimum weekly activity requirements for their sport. Reebok selects testers based on shoe/apparel size, demographic profile, geographic location, sport, and athletic profile.
If you’re selected, you’ll receive an email inviting you to participate. Once you accept, they’ll mail you the test product along with instructions.
Test the product for a required amount of hours/mileage per week for the length of the test period (typically 2-4 weeks), then mail it back for inspection and evaluation.
Be sure to keep detailed logs of your daily activities and answer their online questionnaire once you’re finished.
Requirements for Reebok product testers:
- Living in the United States
- Internet access and a valid email address
- Read and write in the English language
- Be at least 18 years old
- Provide body measurements
Note that Reebok product testers also may not test any competitor products.
RELATED: 16 Companies That Will Send You Products to Test for Free
5. Red Wing Shoes
You may have heard of Red Wing Shoes and their durable work boots. If you happen to live within a 60-mile radius of the Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota area (I do!), you can apply to become a Red Wing Shoes product tester.
Note that they only test Men’s sizes 9M, 11M, and 13M and Women’s sizes 8M and 10M.
The Red Wing Shoe Company wants product testers to wear their boots in the toughest, dirtiest, and hardest-working situations, then report back about how well the boots held up.
Red Wing Shoes covers all costs for the testing, including shipping, and will compensate you for your efforts if you do an excellent job. In most cases, they’ll even let you keep the boots!
They may or may not have you send the boots back first for them to inspect and examine. Either way, it’s best to be detailed and thorough with your feedback.
6. Saucony
Saucony is another running shoe company that sends out free shoes to runners that are willing to put these shoes to the test.
They accept product testers nationwide (lower 48 states of the United States) to wear test their shoes and apparel. You’ll receive their latest products and give feedback as to how they can be made even better.
Saucony specifically states that you don’t have to be a pro runner to test out their products, but you do have to run at least a little bit on a regular basis. Beginners, recreational runners, and marathoners alike are all welcome to apply.
If you run a weekly average of 40-50 miles, Saucony is more likely to select you for their wear test program in which you’ll run with their products for a certain amount of time (typically 6-8 weeks).
Those in the Boston area (within a 50-mile radius of Waltham, Massachusetts) may be selected for in-person testing.
For in-person testing, their lab technicians may study your biomechanics as you run on the treadmill in their lab, or they’ll meet you on the banks of the Charles River to see how you run outside.
With all these opportunities, you’ll get to try out free shoes and/or apparel, but you’ll need to send them back to Saucony for further testing.
However, you may earn other Saucony footwear or apparel to keep if you’re a frequent tester.
7. Under Armour
Under Armour engages athletes in the product development process through its Field Testing program. As a field tester, you’ll try out free shoes and apparel and give feedback that can impact the final design and construction.
The company is specifically looking for athletes who will put their products through aggressive testing and provide honest, constructive feedback.
Test periods are typically 1-2 months long, and testers must provide feedback – both good and bad – on the product’s fit, comfort, performance, and durability.
Depending on the test, you may need to return the product to Under Armour. Otherwise, they may let you keep it.
Be ready to give feedback via online surveys, onsite interviews, photographs, video, and phone/email communication.
If you’re interested in signing up your child as a product tester, you as a parent/guardian must have an account and then sign up a minor as part of your account.
Unlike most of the other companies on this list, Under Armour does work with product testers outside of the United States as well as United States residents.
8. Columbia
My family loves Columbia products, so I was excited to see that they have a Global Performance Testing program.
The application process is simple and takes less than ten minutes to fill out. Once Columbia accepts your application, you’ll be eligible to test products.
Columbia tests several types of outdoor and fashion products throughout the year, so you won’t just get free shoes. Besides footwear, they also sell jackets, pants, tops, vests, and more.
As Columbia generates tests, they’ll invite you to participate in tests that fit your profile. Be sure you respond quickly as capacity is limited!
After you accept the invitation and receive your package, you’ll test the product, submit feedback, and return the test product back to Columbia.
Tests vary in length and scope from one day (if you’re able to make it to their facility in Beaverton, Oregon) to two months. Incentives are available for product testers, but it’s unclear what you’ll receive.
RELATED: 35 Stores That Offer Free Shipping with No Minimum Spend
9. adidas
adidas has product testing programs in both America and Europe. Those who are passionate about the adidas brand as well as sports and fashion are encouraged to apply.
All you must do is fill out their survey and choose apparel, footwear, or both. Be sure to be accurate in your application so they can match you with the correct opportunities.
You’ll receive an email inviting you to participate in a test. Once you accept, adidas will mail you the test product along with instructions.
Be prepared to test the product for a required amount of time and/or mileage for the length of the test period (typically 2-4 weeks). Once you’re done, you’ll mail it back with the provided return label.
Requirements for adidas product testers in America include:
- Living in the United States
- Internet access and a valid email address
- Read and write in the English language
- Be at least 18 years old
- Provide body measurements
Of course, you’ll also need to fit one of their test product sizes and meet minimum weekly activity requirements for your sport.
And just like the Reebok program, adidas won’t allow you to participate if you test competitor products.
Other Ways to Get Free Shoes
While product testing is a common way to receive and try out free shoes, you typically can’t keep them for long. If you’re not interested in giving feedback and just want free shoes to keep, here are some other options.
10. Join a Buy Nothing Group
One of the best ways to get free shoes is by joining the Buy Nothing Project. This is a gift economy platform with a mission to build community by connecting people through hyperlocal gifting.
Buy Nothing primarily operates through Facebook, but they’ve recently created a mobile app and will have a web app coming in Spring 2022.
In your Buy Nothing group, you can create a post that fits one of these three categories:
- Gift Post – give away things others can use
- Ask Post – ask for things you can use
- Gratitude Post – express gratitude in your community
Everything is exchanged completely free with no strings attached. Once you join your group, keep tabs on other members’ Gift posts to see if they are giving away free shoes, or create your own Ask post to request shoes.
You would be amazed at how many people give away shoes in these types of groups, especially free kids’ shoes!
11. Enter the KURU Giveaway
Did you know Free Shoe Friday was a thing? It is for KURU Footwear, as they’ve been giving away free shoes to five winners every Friday for a long time now.
It’s easy to enter their Free Shoe Friday giveaway – just subscribe to their email list and create a free account using that same email address.
Every Friday, KURU will randomly select five people from their list and deposit $120 worth of KURU Cash in their online account. This KURU Cash will never expire and can be used toward a future KURU order.
12. Enter the Geckoman Giveaway
Geckoman has a mission to help you walk in comfort in all aspects of your life. They create footwear products designed to alleviate the symptoms associated with plantar fasciitis, arch pain, heel pain, and foot pain.
Sign up for their email newsletter to receive 15% off your first order and be entered to win a $69.95 voucher!
Each Friday, Geckoman will select one winner from their list to receive a voucher for shoes (no expiration date). Geckoman will announce the winners on their Facebook and Instagram pages.
13. Earn Free Gift Cards
It takes a little work to earn free gift cards, but this is a way you can get the exact pair of shoes you want for free. You won’t have to wait around for a company to choose you as a product tester or to win a giveaway.
It’s surprisingly easy to get free gift cards – you just need to know how to start.
We’ve rounded up 12 Easy Ways to Get Free Gift Cards with ideas like:
- Browse In Stores with Shopkick
- Shop and Earn Swagbucks
- Scan Your Grocery Receipts
- Get Cashback Through Honey
- and more!
Once you have your gift cards in hand, be sure to maximize their value by buying discount shoes online.
Summary
If you love shoes that are made for a specific purpose, like running, sports, or working outside, you’ll want to sign up for one or more product testing programs to share your thoughts and test out some free shoes.
Or with a little bit of effort and ingenuity (and a little bit of luck, too), you can nab free shoes for yourself and other members of your family.
