12 Legit Ways To Get Free Shoes
Updated November 2026
The most reliable way to get free shoes is to sign up as a product tester (wear tester) for brands like Nike, adidas, New Balance, Brooks and Saucony. Testers get new shoes to wear and review, and some programs let you keep them. You can also find free shoes in Buy Nothing groups and on Freecycle, and families in need can get free shoes for kids through charities like Shoes That Fit.
Here are 12 legit ways to get free shoes, and what each one expects from you.
Free Shoe Options at a Glance
| Option | Who it's for | Do you keep the shoes? |
|---|---|---|
| Brand product testing (Nike, adidas, New Balance and others) | Active adults; some programs take teens with a parent | Sometimes. Some programs require returns |
| Buy Nothing and Freecycle | Anyone | Yes |
| Shoe charities (Shoes That Fit, local shoe drives) | Kids and families in need | Yes |
| Giveaways and sweepstakes | Anyone | Yes, if you win |
How Shoe Product Testing Works
Shoe companies need real people to wear new designs before they hit stores. You apply with details like your shoe size, activity level and where you live. If you match a test, the company ships you shoes (often prototypes) to wear for a set time, usually a few weeks, and you give feedback through surveys.
Rules vary by brand. Some let you keep the shoes as thanks, while others ask you to mail them back for analysis using a prepaid label. Many also bar you from testing a competitor's shoes at the same time. Read each program's terms before you sign up.
Tips to get picked:
- Fill out your profile completely and honestly, including your gait, foot type and how often you run or train.
- Apply to several brands. Tests depend on matching sizes and locations, so it can take a while to be selected.
- Once you're in, submit thorough, on-time feedback. Reliable testers are invited back.
Ways to Get Free Shoes From Brands
1. Nike (Voice of the Athlete)
Nike's Voice of the Athlete program sends testers footwear, apparel or both to wear and review. There are separate applications by age group, and testers ages 13 to 17 need a parent's permission. After you wear the product for the test period, you share feedback online. If you live near a Nike test center, you may also be invited to test in person.
2. adidas
adidas runs product testing programs for runners, trainers and multi-sport athletes. Fill out the testing survey on adidas.com, choosing footwear, apparel or both. If you're selected, you'll get an email invitation, then the product and instructions. Tests typically last a few weeks, and you return the product afterward with a prepaid label.
3. New Balance
The New Balance product testing program sends prototypes to testers for honest feedback on fit, comfort and performance. Your feedback goes to New Balance's research and development team.
4. Brooks
Brooks looks for dedicated runners to test shoes. You'll typically need to be 18 or older, live in the continental U.S., know your gait and shoe size, run consistently every week, and give detailed feedback.
5. Saucony
Saucony's product testing application asks detailed questions about your running and other workouts. You must be at least 18.
6. Under Armour
Under Armour field testing accepts adults and kids (with a parent's permission). Testers have typically worn products for a few weeks and then returned them at Under Armour's expense.
7. Columbia
Columbia's product testing program looks for testers for footwear and outdoor apparel. Its program information says test products must be returned.
Note: Asics has run tester programs too, but mainly outside the U.S. Check your country's Asics site.
Other Ways to Get Free Shoes
8. Join a Buy Nothing Group
The Buy Nothing Project connects neighbors who give things away for free, with no strings attached. Watch for "gift" posts with shoes in your size, or make an "ask" post explaining what you need. Shoes kids have outgrown come up often.
9. Check Freecycle and Free Listings
Freecycle, the free section of Craigslist, and Facebook Marketplace (filtered to "free") often have gently used shoes and boots. Check often, since good items go fast.
10. Shoes That Fit (for Kids)
Shoes That Fit is a nonprofit that provides new athletic shoes to schoolchildren in need. It works through schools, so ask your child's school counselor or social worker whether they participate.
11. Local Shoe Charities and Shoe Drives
Many communities run free shoe programs for families in need, especially before school starts. A few examples:
- Laces of Love in Naples, Florida, provides new shoes to children in need in southwest Florida.
- Soleloved supports students in the Sugar Land, Texas, area.
- It's From The Sole provides shoes to people experiencing homelessness in New York City.
- My New Red Shoes gives new shoes and clothing to low-income kids in the San Francisco Bay Area.
To find one near you, call 211 or ask local churches, the Salvation Army and school family resource centers. Back-to-school events often hand out free shoes along with supplies. See more ideas in our guide to free school supplies.
12. Enter Shoe Giveaways
Shoe brands and running stores regularly run giveaways on Instagram and in their email newsletters. Sign up for newsletters from your favorite brands and local running stores, and follow them on social media. Only enter giveaways from official brand accounts, since fake "free shoe" giveaways are a common scam.
Free Shoes for Healthcare Workers
Crocs famously gave away free pairs to healthcare workers during Nurses Week for several years, but Nurse.org reports that the free pair program did not return in 2024 or 2025. In 2025, Crocs offered discounts for verified healthcare workers instead.
Many shoe brands offer healthcare worker or first responder discounts, often verified through services like ID.me or SheerID. Check each brand's discount page, and watch for Nurses Week deals each May.
Cheap Shoes If You Can't Get Them Free
- Shop clearance and outlet sections, and see our guide to buying discount shoes online.
- Use cash-back apps and discounted gift cards. See our list of discounted gift cards.
- Check thrift stores for barely worn name brands.
Looking for more freebies? Try our guides to free clothes online and free t-shirts.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I get free shoes from Nike?
Apply to Nike's Voice of the Athlete product testing program. If you're selected, Nike sends you shoes or apparel to wear and review. There's no guarantee you'll be picked, and testing rules vary.
Do shoe testers get to keep the shoes?
It depends on the brand. Some programs let you keep shoes as a thank-you, while others, like Columbia and Under Armour, have required testers to return them after the test.
How can low-income families get free shoes?
Ask your child's school whether it works with Shoes That Fit, call 211 for local shoe drives, and check churches, the Salvation Army and back-to-school events. Buy Nothing groups are also a good source of free kids' shoes.
Do healthcare workers get free Crocs?
Not anymore. Crocs' free pair program for healthcare workers didn't return in 2024 or 2025. Crocs offered discounts for verified healthcare workers instead.
Are free shoe giveaways legit?
Many are, but stick to giveaways from official brand or store accounts. Be wary of anyone who asks you to pay shipping or enter card details to claim "free" shoes.