In this guide, I’ll show you how to get free shoes. From insider tips to exclusive deals, discover how to step into style without spending a cent.
Humans have been wearing shoes for thousands of years.
The oldest pair of shoes documented was found in the Western United States and is believed to have existed sometime between 7,000 – 8,000 BCE. The shoes were made from sagebrush bark.
Nowadays, there are tons of footwear brands and all sorts of styles from sneakers to pumps to heels to boots.
I love shoes. I like high heel boots, and high heel shoes (also known as “Pumps”) in general really! I’m also quite a fan of flat sandals. Even though I’m not really the type of person to buy a lot of stuff, I do have more pairs of shoes than I care to admit!
While I love shoes, and recently bought a new pair of boots for walks, I do think they can get quite expensive – particularly when buying them from a name brand.
That’s why I like trying to get shoes for free. In fact, I enjoy getting lots of things for free, like socks, and other types of clothes.
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How to Get Free Shoes
If you want to save money on footwear, I have 23 places to get free shoes or at least a discount!
Whether you are looking for free high heels, flats, sneakers, boots, sandals, wedges, loafers, boots or any other kind of shoe, using the methods below, you have a good chance of getting them for free.
Be a product tester
Companies want to make sure that they’re making quality products that customers will have a good experience with. One of the ways that they ensure that their products are up to the right standard is to use product testers.
They mail out free products to customers who test them out and provide feedback. Often, you don’t get to keep the shoes, but you at least get them for free for a set period of time.
Here are a few companies that offer product testing opportunities that could get you some free shoes.
1. Adidas
Adidas has a product testing program where you can get some of its products, including athletic shoes, for free.
If you are selected for a test, you’ll get an email inviting you to participate.
If you decide to participate, then the test product will be mailed to you with instructions.
You’ll then need to test the product for a required amount of hours/mileage per week for the length of the test period. This is generally two to four weeks.
Now, it’s important to note that you need to mail back the test product.
This means that, unfortunately, with the Adidas Product Testing program you don’t actually get to keep what you’re trying out. You can get some free shoes for a period of time though.
Adidas does provide you with a return label. You will need to keep detailed logs of your daily activities. At the end of the testing period, you’ll need to answer a simple online questionnaire.
2. Nike
Nike has a product testing program you can join to get free Nike shoes and apparel. You’ll be sent a pair of shoes that you’ll need to wear and test out for a set period of time. Then, you will need to share your feedback on the shoes.
3. New Balance
New Balance is another brand that offers a product testing program that could get you a new pair of shoes for free!
Simply sign up and tell New Balance about yourself in its product test profile.
Once you’ve completed that, you will be entered into the New Balance Tester Community, and you’ll help to improve the company’s products. You’ll have New Balance prototypes sent right to your doorstep.
You’ll need to try out the products you receive and provide your feedback.
4. Under Armour
Under Armour is another brand that has product testing opportunities. You can sign up as a product tester.
Once you’re signed up, the company will send you shoes that you’ll need to try out for a set period of time. You’ll need to send the shoes back once you’ve tested them out.
5. Saucony
Saucony is another company that offers product testing opportunities. You can try out free athletic shoes and apparel. The company is looking for active people to try out its products.
6. Brooks
Brooks makes running shoes, gear, and apparel. You can get some free running shoes by being one of the company’s product testers.
7. Columbia Sportswear
Columbia Sportswear is a company that makes outdoor clothing, sportswear, and outerwear. It offers footwear and clothes.
The company says that it’s seeking a broad variety of enthusiasts to help test its products. You could be sent some free shoes from the company to test out.
Join Rewards/Loyalty Programs
Many footwear brands have loyalty programs that you can join. These give you points when you shop, which you can redeem for cash rewards. This can get you shoes for free or at least a great discount. They often provide other benefits, such as a reward on your birthday and free shipping.
Here are some stores that have rewards/loyalty programs that can get you some free stuff.
8. Vans
You can get some free shoes from Vans or at least a discount by joining the company’s loyalty program.
It’s called Vans Family, and with it, you can get 10 points for every dollar that you spend in-store at Vans and at Vans.com.
You can then redeem these points for rewards:
- 500 points = $5 reward
- 1,000 points = $10 reward
- 1,500 points = $15 reward
- 2,000 points = $20 reward
You can also get additional Family-Only discounts and access to product and brand experiences.
9. Famous Footwear
Famous Footwear has a reward program that you can join to earn points that you can redeem for cash rewards.
You get $5 Reward Cash for every 100 points. You also get access to other benefits like free shipping and a $5 birthday reward.
You can even combine your Reward Cash with a coupon, bonus point offer, and sales for the best savings. And, each year, you can enjoy extra buy one get one half off and extra Bonus Points Day Rewards to use when you choose.
10. DSW
DSW has a rewards program called DSW VIP. With it, you can get 1 point for every $1 that you spend and a $5 reward for every $100 you spend (or 100 points you earn).
It also offers many other benefits, such as free shipping and $5 off for your birthday.
You can also become a VIP Gold or Elite member and earn more points. VIP Gold and Elite Members get 2x points days each year. So, you can get a $5 reward for every $50 you spend.
VIP Elite members get one 3x points day each year. So, you can get a $5 reward for every $25 you spend.
Earn Free Shoes with Reward Websites
One of the best ways that you can get shoes for free is to do tasks on reward websites or get paid to (GPT) websites as they’re also known.
That way, you can earn free PayPal cash and gift cards to footwear brands and retailers. You can use your PayPal money or gift card to get shoes for free or at a discount.
These sites make it pretty easy to make money as well. Sure, it takes some of your time and effort. But, the tasks are really simple. They include things like watching videos and taking surveys.
Here are some reward websites that you can use to earn yourself some free PayPal cash and gift cards that you can use to get free or at least discounted shoes.
11. Swagbucks
Swagbucks is a reward website. It basically rewards you for doing a bunch of easy online tasks.
This includes things like:
- Taking surveys
- Playing games
- Shopping online
- Browsing the internet
- Watching videos
- Completing offers
- Uploading your receipts
For doing tasks on Swagbucks, you get points, and you can redeem these points for PayPal money or gift cards.
This includes gift cards to many footwear brands and retailers that sell shoes, such as:
- Nike
- DSW
- Zappos
- Adidas
- Kohl’s
You can use the PayPal money that you make or your gift card to get free shoes or at least a discount on them.
12. instaGC
InstaGC is a reward website that pays you to do easy online tasks, including:
- Taking surveys
- Shopping online
- Searching the internet
- Watching videos
InstaGC will give you points for doing these tasks. You can redeem your points for money to your PayPal account. You could use your PayPal cash to get shoes for free.
Points can also be redeemed for gift cards. What’s great about InstaGC is that it has gift cards available for a ton of different brands.
This includes many footwear retailers and brands, such as:
- Adidas
- Amazon
- DSW
- Zappos
- Nike
What’s great about instaGC is that it pays really fast. The site processes all first time PayPal requests within 1 to 7 business days. And, when you have at least one processed PayPal payment, PayPal payments are instantly processed.
Gift cards are digitally delivered, so there’s no wait. You can use your gift card code immediately online or in-store, depending on the card.
13. PrizeRebel
PrizeRebel is a Get Paid To website that gives you points when you do tasks online.
This includes tasks, such as:
- Watching videos
- Taking market research surveys
- Signing up for brand name offers
You can redeem points for money to your PayPal account. Then you can use this free PayPal money to get shoes for free or at least at a discount.
Points can also be redeemed for gift cards for footwear brands and retailers that sell shoes, such as:
- Amazon
- Zappos
- DSW
- Famous Footwear
- Nike
What’s great about PrizeRebel is that you can get paid fast. Processing of all reward claims is completed around 24 hours from the time of your reward redemption.
Charitable Organizations
Those who’re struggling to afford shoes may be able to find help from charitable organizations. There are charitable organizations that help those on a low income, those experiencing homelessness, and others in need.
Here are some places that may be able to assist you with getting free shoes:
- The Salvation Army
- Catholic Charities USA
- Shoes for School Foundation, Inc.
- Shoes that Fit
- My New Red Shoes
- Laces of Love
- It’s From The Sole
- Shoes 4 Kids
- Shoes for the Homeless
23. Local churches
For those who are struggling financially and can’t afford shoes, local churches can be a good option.
They may be able to help you with finding some shoes for free, and any other clothing you may need, such as hats or gloves.
Contact churches near you to see if they would be able to help you out.
Sole-ful Savings: Wrapping up Your Journey to Free Shoes!
Whether you want to save some money by getting shoes for free, or you can’t afford them so need some assistance, there are many options for getting free shoes.
With the options on our list, you could get yourself a new pair of shoes without having to spend cash, or you can at least get a discount on a new pair.
Follow the tips on our list and enjoy your discounted or free shoes.