If you’re wondering how to resell sneakers online, the key is to research the right pairs, source them wisely, and crosslist across multiple marketplaces to maximize profits.
Sneaker reselling is one of the most lucrative niches in resale because demand often outweighs supply, especially for limited releases. With the right strategy and tools like Vendoo, you can grow sneaker flipping into a serious business or at least make some extra cash!
Main Takeaways
- High demand: Limited-edition sneakers consistently resell above retail.
- Research is key: Use sources like StockX, eBay Product Research, and marketplace comps for sales data.
- Multiple sourcing methods: Retail drops, thrift stores, sneaker groups, and resale marketplaces all provide opportunities.
- Crosslisting maximizes sales: Vendoo helps you list sneakers across multiple marketplaces with just a few clicks.
- Profit margins vary: Understanding fees, taxes, and authenticity risks is crucial for sustainable growth.
Why Resell Sneakers?
Sneakers are one of the most profitable resale categories! Foremost, they’re popular amongst all ages and genders. They’re also expensive, making secondhand resale particularly appealing. Further, supply is intentionally restricted. Brands like Nike and adidas release sneakers in limited quantities, creating instant scarcity and strong aftermarket demand. A pair of Jordans that costs only $200 at retail might resell for $500 or more within days. 😲
adidas Yeezy Boost 350 V2 in Carbon Beluga from StockX
Limited editions like Yeezy 350s or Travis Scott collaborations have been known to sell out in seconds, with resale prices skyrocketing hours later.
Sneaker reselling is a lucrative hobby or side-hustle, and can even scale into a full-time income. Even lesser-hyped sneakers, such as popular Nike Dunks, consistently sell for 20% to 50% above retail when supply is tight.
Some sellers specialize in high-demand releases and scale their businesses with bulk purchases, sometimes using sneaker bots to secure multiple pairs. Others build steady profits sourcing gently used sneakers from thrift stores, outlet malls, or local sellers. The opportunities are wide-ranging, and you can choose a strategy that fits your budget and lifestyle.
💡Tip: You can often find sneakers at great prices on resale marketplaces like eBay and Poshmark, especially from sellers who underprice items that are perfect for a flip.
The best sneaker sellers crosslist to multiple marketplaces. Tools like Vendoo ensure your sneakers reach buyers on marketplaces like eBay, Poshmark, Grailed, Depop, Vinted, and Mercari, giving you more chances to make a sale quickly and at the best price.
Getting Started: Sneaker Research and Trends
Reselling sneakers begins with knowing what’s in demand. If you do not know what sneakers buyers want, you risk losing money or sitting on dead stock that ties up your cash flow.
Where to Research Sneakers
- Sneaker blogs and news sites like Hypebeast, Nice Kicks, and Sole Collector announce upcoming releases and spotlight trends before they hit the mainstream.
- StockX and GOAT show real-time resale values and price charts for specific models, making them a reliable way to gauge current market demand.
- eBay Product Research shows sales analytics and powerful data to check what buyers are actually paying, not just what sellers are asking.
- “Comps” (Comparables) refers to browsing sold listings on various marketplaces to learn comparable sale prices and what is selling.
- Social media communities on Instagram, TikTok, X (Twitter), and Reddit (such as r/Sneakers) are hubs for sneaker culture. These communities often share restock rumors, tips for securing drops, and discussions about trends and upcoming styles.
Sneaker Slang: Learn the Language of Sneakers
Sneaker reselling has its own terminology. For example, those who love sneakers are often self-proclaimed “Sneaker Heads.” Knowing the difference between GRs (general releases), retros, collabs, and grails will help you spot value faster.
Buyers often search for sneakers by their exact model names and numbers, such as “Nike Dunk Low Retro Panda DD1391-100.” Including these identifiers in your listings improves visibility.
Photo Source: The SneakerHead Dictionary
Sourcing Sneakers to Resell
Finding good inventory is half the battle. Each sourcing method has unique pros and cons, and most successful sneaker resellers use a mix of these methods.
Sneaker Retail Drops
One way to purchase popular sneakers is the good old-fashioned buying them when they’re released. Often, with limited edition drops, it simply isn’t that easy, as they can sell out within seconds.
Devoted sneaker heads often have multiple devices refreshing pages continuously and trying to secure checkout the second the sneakers drop for sale. Limited supply and maximum order quantities are intentional devices by brands to keep shoppers engaged and retain brand value.
Some brands like Nike, adidas, and New Balance release sneakers via online raffles and apps such as SNKRS, adidas Confirmed, or Finish Line. Entering these is free, but the odds of winning are slim due to high demand. When successful, profit margins can be 50% to 200% per pair.
Some resellers use sneaker bots, which automatically enter raffles or buy pairs online. Bots can improve your chances, but they come with costs and risks, including being banned by retailers. Exercise caution when using third-party software that may jeopardize your ability to shop with brands.
Thrift Stores
There is no shortage of sneakers at thrift stores, and there is a market for lightly-worn sneakers. While you’re unlikely to find the newest and most coveted sneakers at Goodwill, retro sneakers and older styles often appear. Thrift store prices are low, often leaving more than enough room to flip for a decent profit. Always check for condition issues like sole separation, excessive creasing, or odors. Even with flaws, rare sneakers can hold strong resale value.
💡Tip: When thrifting, snap a quick picture of sneakers to run comps quickly. Use the Google Lens tool on the Google Photos app to reverse image search and learn what you’re looking at and its potential resale value.
Sneaker Outlets
Outlets are a great way to get recent, NIB (New in Box) sneakers for a great price, often a small fraction of retail. Outlets generally don’t limit buyer quantity, which often means you can purchase multiple pairs. Multi-quantity listings save time as you only have to create a single listing to sell multiple pairs.
Facebook Marketplace and Facebook Groups
People often sell sneakers through FBMP or local Facebook Groups for a small fraction of the resale value. Commonly, Facebook attracts casual consumers who simply sell their own items rather than formal, professional “resellers.” While deals are possible, counterfeits are common. Always be sure to ask for proof of purchase or have sneakers authenticated. As a general rule, if a price seems too good to be true, it just might be.
Resale Marketplaces
Many resellers buy sneakers directly on the resale marketplaces to flip on the same resale marketplaces. Browsing for listings on eBay and Poshmark can be a great way to find under-priced listings to purchase and sell for a profit. Some casual sellers simply don’t know resale value, and you would be surprised how many under-priced listings you will find.
While profits might be a bit lower than methods like thrifting, the margins are still healthy and lucrative. When sourcing online, be sure to do so from marketplaces that offer buyer protections, which mitigate the risk of scam and inauthenticity.
Sneaker Conventions
Passionate and devoted sneaker sellers might consider attending sneaker conventions. Events like Sneaker Con, Dunkxchange, or local sneaker swaps allow you to see sneakers in person. You can verify authenticity, network with other resellers, and sometimes buy in bulk.
The downside is that vendors know their sneakers’ resale values, so deals may be slimmer. However, conventions often provide opportunities to secure rare pairs that are difficult to find elsewhere.
Best Marketplaces to Resell Sneakers
There are so many places to sell sneakers, and each marketplace has its own advantages. Let’s explore some of the marketplaces for selling kicks.
eBay
The largest resale marketplace with global reach. Sneakers of all styles, from Jordans to vintage Adidas, sell here. eBay’s authenticity guarantee covers most sneaker sales, which increases buyer trust and allows you to sell at premium prices.
International reach also helps if you are selling rare sneakers popular overseas. eBay has an unparalleled audience with the most advanced seller tools and promotional opportunities.
Poshmark
Poshmark is the largest resale app dedicated to fashion with a built-in, curated audience seeking style. Poshmark attracts not just collectors, but casual buyers who want sneakers for lifestyle wear. Poshmark is a great place to sell all types of sneakers for all ages and styles. Poshmark has the best integrated shipping, with all sales (under 5lb) shipping via priority mail for under $10. Poshmark selling fees sit at a flat 20% per sale, which is higher than some marketplaces, but many buyers on Poshmark are willing to pay for convenience.
Grailed
Grailed is for the grails, and arguably the best place for rare, limited edition, collab, streetwear, and sneakers. While Grailed has a smaller audience, it’s a curated, global audience for men’s fashion.
Sneakers, especially hype releases and collaborations, perform best and sell for the highest prices. Grailed attracts serious collectors who understand sneaker culture, which means you can often command higher prices if your listings are well presented. Their fee structure is competitive at around 9%, making it a strong choice for rare or luxury kicks.
Mercari
A great middle ground for resellers. Mercari’s lower fees and active sneaker community make it appealing for everyday flips. Sneakers under $150 move quickly here, especially brands like Nike and Adidas. Mercari also allows shipping through their prepaid labels with multiple carriers available, simplifying logistics.
Depop
Depop is a global marketplace devoted to style, particularly popular with Gen Z buyers. Top-sellers on Depop include designer, streetwear, and vintage, making it perfect for sneakerheads. Depop is excellent for trendy sneakers, retro pairs, and lifestyle models. Creative photography and styled outfits help sneakers sell on Depop, since buyers are influenced by aesthetics and social trends.
GOAT and StockX
GOAT and StockX are marketplaces that specialize in sneakers and guarantee authenticity. These marketplaces are not for everyday sneakers, but are devoted to the most rare and coveted kicks. GOAT allows used sneaker sales, while StockX is limited to new or “deadstock” pairs. Fees are higher, but these marketplaces attract serious collectors and global buyers. If you want to sell a hyped pair fast, these are great options.
Facebook Marketplace
Ideal for local sneaker sales and lower-value flips. As more of an online yard sale platform for local meetups, FBMP has no selling fees and no shipping hassles. This is perfect for bulky or mid-tier sneakers where fees would otherwise eat into profit. Be sure to exercise caution and meet in public places, as safety is important for in-person deals.
Sell Sneakers Online with Vendoo
The most successful sneaker sellers crosslist to multiple marketplaces to maximize exposure and increase sales. Use Vendoo to list sneakers to multiple platforms at once. This helps you test demand, compare how sneakers perform on different marketplaces, and avoid limiting yourself to a single audience.
Vendoo’s photo-editing allows sellers to enhance images and remove backgrounds for fresh, clean cover photos. Plus, automation helps to send bulk offers and share listings. Vendoo’s delist and relist tool also helps refresh old sneaker listings, giving them a boost in search results.
Selling Strategies: Reselling Sneakers for Profit
Sneaker reselling is a competitive market. Here are some tips and tricks for flipping kicks. 👟
Photograph Sneakers in Good Lighting
Looks matter. Take great cover shots of your sneakers. Buyers want to see detailed images of sneakers, including the box, tags, insoles, and soles. Natural lighting works best, but a lightbox can create a professional look.
💡Tip: When photographing sneakers, be sure to include the front, back, top, bottom, sides, insole, and tag in your images. Sneaker shoppers want to see every inch clearly.
Optimize Your Listings for Sneakers
When listing sneakers, titles should include the actual title for the sneakers. Instead of “Black Yeezys,” write “adidas Yeezy Boost 350 V2 in Carbon Beluga Size 11 Black Sneakers.”
Descriptions should include title, style, color, size, SKU or model number, release year, colorway (brand’s name for the color), and condition details. Keywords like “DS” (deadstock), “VNDS” (very near deadstock), or “OG box” (original box included) are commonly searched by sneaker shoppers.
Price Appropriately
If your sneakers are underpriced, shoppers might assume that they’re flawed or inauthentic. If your sneakers are overpriced, they simply won’t sell quickly. Pricing is a science, and you want to price competitively in comparison to other available pairs.
Check resale values on StockX, GOAT, and the eBay Product Research Tool before you list. Undercutting the market slightly can help sneakers sell faster, while holding steady can yield higher profits if supply dwindles. Factor in marketplace fees and shipping when setting your price.
Crosslist with Vendoo
Vendoo’s bulk listing feature lets you post sneakers to multiple marketplaces with just a few clicks. Beyond crosslisting, Vendoo offers listing templates, AI listing tools, photo-editing and background removal, inventory management, seller automation, bulk relisting, and more. By managing all listings from one dashboard, you save time and avoid duplicate sales.
Stay Consistent
Resellers who succeed treat it like a business. Consistency with sourcing, listing, and marketing separates long-term success from quick flips. Most marketplaces are not “list it and leave it,” but instead require management like refreshing listings, sending offers to likers, relisting regularly, responding to buyer inquiries, and spending time managing your online store. Track your numbers so you know which methods and marketplaces are most profitable.
Don't know where to start? Check out our Ultimate Cheat Sheet for Sneaker Resellers
Avoiding Counterfeit Sneakers
Counterfeits are a serious issue in sneaker reselling. High-value sneakers like Yeezys, Jordans, Nike, adidas, and Travis Scott collaborations are heavily replicated. Some replicas are convincing, and it is not always easy to detect inauthenticity.
Selling counterfeit items can lead to account suspension, harm your reputation, and even expose you to legal consequences. Selling inauthentic merchandise is a federal crime to be taken very seriously.
For this reason, it’s important to be sure that the sneakers you’re selling are authentic. It’s truly best to get them professionally authenticated.
👀 Did you know that some marketplaces offer authentication services, including eBay, Grailed, Mercari, and Vestiaire Collective.
A resource comparing authentic and replica Jordan 1 Retro High University Blue Sneakers by Legit Grails.
Tips to spot fake sneakers and replicas:
- Inspect stitching, logo placement, and materials.
- Compare SKU numbers on the box and tags.
- Check shape, details, fonts, spacing, and label placement against authentic examples.
- Ask sellers for receipts, tagged photos, or purchase confirmations.
- Use third-party authentication services or apps that verify sneakers.
💡Tip: There are tons of videos on YouTube that teach how to authenticate specific sneakers.
Managing Fees and Taxes
Be mindful of seller fees when sourcing and listing sneakers. Almost every marketplace charges fees, and they affect profitability.
eBay's Sneaker Fees sit at 10-20% of the sale price, Poshmark charges 20%, Grailed fees are approximately 9%, and StockX and GOAT take 8% to 12%. These are rough estimates, as various factors influence fees. Be sure to research seller fees when pricing and consider them before accepting incoming offers from buyers.
When you sell items online, you will also pay taxes on your resale profit. In the U.S., marketplaces issue 1099-K forms once you hit reporting thresholds. Track your expenses, such as shipping costs, boxes, and supplies, to “write off” at tax time and reduce taxable income. Consulting with an accountant is wise once you start reselling regularly.
Vendoo’s profit-tracking tools simplify this by tracking your costs, fees, and earnings across all marketplaces in one place. Vendoo even generates CSVs for reseller tax preparation.
Learn more about marketplace fees in The Reseller’s Guide to Marketplace Fees.
Grow Your Sneaker Reselling Business with Vendoo
Vendoo is the ultimate tool for sneaker resellers. With features like importing, crosslisting, photo-editing, inventory management, bookkeeping, AI listing, automation, bulk relisting, and analytics, Vendoo helps sellers save time and increase sales.
With Vendoo’s sale detection, Vendoo detects sales and removes sold listings from other marketplaces for seamless selling.
Vendoo also offers sales analytics that track profits by item and marketplace, giving you the insights you need to scale.
For sneakerheads and resellers of all kinds, Vendoo streamlines your workflow so you can focus on sourcing and selling instead of tedious business admin.
Kickstart Profits: Flip Kicks Like a Pro
Sneaker reselling thrives on scarcity, demand, and timing. Success comes from researching trends, sourcing wisely, and crosslisting across multiple marketplaces to maximize visibility. With Vendoo, you gain the efficiency, automation, and reach needed to turn sneakers into a consistently profitable category of your resale business.
Start with just one pair, refine your process, and scale strategically. The sneaker resale market is competitive, but for sellers who stay informed and consistent, it’s also one of the most rewarding niches in online reselling.
With the right strategy and the right tools, you can transform sneaker flipping into not only a side hustle but a scalable, lucrative business. Level up your sneaker game—list smarter, sell faster, profit bigger with Vendoo.
How to Resell Sneakers FAQs
Is sneaker reselling still profitable?
Yes. Limited releases and consistent demand make sneakers one of the most profitable resale categories.
Is it legal to resell sneakers?
Absolutely. Buying sneakers at retail or secondhand and reselling them is legal. While some brands discourage it, it’s entirely legal as long as they’re authentic and you use your own images.
Where do resellers get their sneakers?
Resellers source from retail drops, thrift stores, online marketplaces, sneaker groups, and conventions.
What is the best resell site for sneakers?
There is no single best marketplace. eBay, Poshmark, Mercari, Grailed, Depop, StockX, and GOAT are all strong choices. Using Vendoo lets you crosslist across multiple marketplaces at once.
