7 Legit Ways to Get Free Shoes Online

Free shoes online sound too good to be true, right? What if we told you there are seven ways to legitimately get shoes for free, no scams, including name brands like Nike, New Balance, and Adidas?

Keep reading to learn how!

How To Get Shoes for Free – 7 Ways

There are many ways to get shoes for free, including joining a product testing program, taking surveys, joining VIP programs, or using rewards apps to get free shoes.

1. Become a Product Tester for Free Shoes

Companies like Nike, Adidas, and Reebok need people to wear their new shoes, provide feedback, and return them. So while you don’t get to keep each pair, you can wear them for a while, and it’s like getting a new pair of shoes frequently.

If you sign up for enough companies, you can continually rotate where you get new shoes from and almost always have new sneakers!

Nike Product Tester

To join the Nike product testing program, you must apply to Nike. If selected, you’ll receive a notification that you’re eligible to test. When an opportunity is available, you’ll accept the test and receive information on what’s required.

Next, you’ll receive the free shoes by mail to test. Follow the timeline to wear, review the shoes, and do whatever activities they request. For example, if they send you a pair of basketball shoes, they’ll expect you to play basketball in them.

After the testing period ends, submit your feedback and return the products to start another test.

Adidas Product Tester

If you love Adidas shoes, join the Adidas product testing program and wear Adidas shoes for free! Like the Nike testing program, you must apply and prove you qualify based on their requirements. You’ll receive emails inviting you to participate in a test if chosen. If you agree, you’ll receive the product. The testing program usually lasts 2 – 4 weeks and sometimes has a specific time or mileage you must wear the shoes.

Once complete, you send back the shoes and provide your feedback. At the end of the program, you’ll complete a questionnaire, so it’s best to keep a daily log of your experience with the shoes to provide the most helpful feedback and to be chosen again.

Columbia Product Tester

Columbia offers a product testing program that isn’t just for shoes. They may choose you to test a variety of products, including clothing. Columbia’s testing program is quite popular, so if you apply and are accepted, accept your invitation quickly.

Like Nike and Adidas, if you are eligible for a test, you’ll test the product for the specified time, provide your thoughts, and return it.

Saucony Product Tester

Saucony offers a product testing program for running shoes that’s longer than most programs. Most reviewers keep the shoes for six to eight weeks. The one strict requirement they have is that you must wear the shoes for 40 to 50 miles per week, so this program is for serious runners only.

New Balance Product Tester

The New Balance product testing program offers free shoes to many types of athletes, not just runners. Each of their tests has specific requirements that you’ll know before accepting the offer.

To qualify, complete your profile and provide as much information as possible about yourself, including your exercise routines. When a prototype that fits your demographics is available, they’ll invite you to test the shoes.

It’s essential to follow the instructions in the testing portal to ensure you provide the necessary information and get invited back for more tests.

Allbirds Product Tester

Allbirds is always looking for product testers and fit models. To apply, you must complete a profile with information about yourself, your lifestyle, and your hobbies. They’ll invite you to test shoes when your profile meets their needs.

Like most companies in this list, you’ll receive specific instructions on what to do in the shoes so you can report back, helping them create the products consumers want.

Puma Product Tester

Puma’s product testing program isn’t as popular as other programs, like Nike, so there’s less competition. But this also means you may not get as many opportunities to test products.

To apply, you’ll complete an application, like the other testing programs. If accepted, they’ll send you free shoes when a test that matches your qualifications opens. Follow the instructions, and wear the shoes doing the required activities; provide your feedback and return the shoes.

Redwings Product Tester

Redwings sells rugged shoes meant for hard and dirty work. They request testers in specific sizes, both men and women, to test new boots and shoes Redwing intends to sell to determine their durability. They ask you to wear them in the most rugged and dirty situations and provide feedback.

Redwings uses the information testers provide to revise the shoes, ensure they fit, and offer the most comfort.

The nice thing about Redwings testers is you often get to keep the boots; if not, Redwings may compensate you.

2. Take Surveys to Earn Giftcards for Free Shoes

Taking surveys is an excellent way to earn free shoes, but there’s a catch.

You won’t directly earn free stuff by answering surveys. Instead, you earn points or cash to redeem for gift cards to your favorite stores, potentially getting free athletic shoes or other products.

It can take a while to earn enough money or points to redeem for free items, but you can do surveys in your spare time and earn points or cash.

Here are the top sites to take surveys to earn gift cards to your favorite places to shop.

Swagbucks

Swagbucks is a get-paid-to-site that pays members to answer surveys, play games, shop online, and do other simple tasks. They pay members in ‘SBs’ or Swagbucks which you can redeem for gift cards.

You’ll make the most money answering surveys and shopping online, earning cash back. But again, you won’t get rich doing this, but if you answer surveys consistently and shop through the Swagbucks portal when you shop online, you can easily earn enough for brand-new shoes.

Survey Junkie

Survey Junkie is a survey-only website that pays points for each survey you answer. Each point is worth one penny. You can cash in your points for gift cards to stores like Foot Locker or other popular retailers to get free sneakers.

Survey Junkie is one of the most popular survey sites, so be sure to respond to invitations quickly because surveys can fill up fast.

MyPoints

MyPoints is another get-paid-to-site that pays members to answer surveys, shop online, and play games. As their name suggests, they pay in points, but again, you can redeem the points for gift cards or PayPal cash to buy your favorite Nike or other name-brand shoes.

InboxDollars

InboxDollars started as a get-paid-to-site that paid members to read emails. This was their way of pushing out advertisements to target audiences.

They’ve since evolved into paying members to read emails, answer surveys, watch videos, and play games. Their threshold to cash out is high, at $30, but you won’t find many pairs of shoes for much less than $30, so it forces you to save so you have enough to get shoes for free.

3. Join VIP Programs

Many retail stores offer VIP programs that give members early access to new releases, exclusive sales, and opportunities to earn points to redeem for free shoes.

Become a Footlocker VIP Member

Foot Locker’s VIP program is called FLX. It’s free to join, and members get free shipping and 100 XPoints for every $1 spent. Rack up enough points, and you can get pricey shoes for much less. Members also have access to exclusive deals and fun prizes.

Join Shoe Carnival Shoe Perks

Join Shoe Carnival’s Shoe Perks program and earn one point for every $1 spent. When you’ve accumulated 200 points, you get a $10 certificate to spend on anything in the store, including shoes. Members can also access special sales, rewards, and birthday surprises. It’s free to sign up; the only information you must share is your name and birthday.

Join the DSW VIP Program

The DSW VIP Program rewards members with one point for every $1 spent, but they also have tiers, so the more you spend, the more you earn. Every shopper starts as a “Club” member, but if you spend $200 in a calendar year, you become a “Gold” member, and two days a year, you can earn double the points for every $1 spent, getting you closer to free shoes. Plus, if you spend $500 in a calendar year, you become an “Elite” member and get one day per year to earn triple the points, making it even easier to earn cheap or free shoes.

4. Get Free Shoes for Caregivers

Healthcare workers and caregivers work hard and are often eligible for company perks, including free shoes. This program began during COVID but is still going strong. Other companies that offered opportunities to caregivers and healthcare workers ended, but Caregiver Kicks is still legit.

Caregiver Kicks

Each year Caregiver Kicks gives caregivers one free pair of slip-resistant shoes. They have a catalog of over 70 pairs of shoes to choose from, including brands like Skechers and Reebok.

5. Use Rewards Apps to Get Free Shoes

Rewards apps are another great way to get free shoes online. While they aren’t specifically meant for this purpose, you can use your rewards however you want, making them a good option to earn free shoes, including free Crocs shoes or sneakers.

Ibotta

Ibotta is a cashback app for groceries and online shopping. You can shop at hundreds of national retailers in-store, activating offers before shopping and uploading your receipts to earn cash back. You can also link your store’s loyalty program to your Ibotta app to earn cash back instantly. If you shop online, you shop directly through your Ibotta app to earn cash back.

When you’ve reached $20, you can redeem your rewards for PayPal cash or a gift card to your favorite shoe store to get free shoes.

Dosh

Dosh is a cashback app that requires little work from you. After signing up and linking your most used debit or credit cards, Dosh does the work for you. Each time you shop at an eligible store, you earn cashback. When you’ve accumulated at least $15, you can cash out via PayPal or Venmo, using the cash to help you earn free shoes.

Rakuten

Rakuten works with 3,500+ online retailers to reward you for shopping online. They’ve rewarded over $2 billion to members so far, and it’s easy to use! Just browse the Rakuten app for the hottest deals, including cashback and money off your purchase, and you’ll instantly earn rewards.

Rakuten pays out cash earned quarterly, so you can earn a check or PayPal four times a year to help you earn free shoes.

Fetch Rewards

Fetch Rewards is the perfect cashback app for those who don’t like to activate offers before shopping. Fetch allows users to upload receipts to any store, making it a small way to earn cash back. Receipts pay a minimum of 25 points, but if you purchase any ‘bonus items’ noted in the app, you can earn more points. You can then redeem for cash or gift cards to shoe stores.

6. Get Free Used Shoes

People give away free used shoes often. You just have to know where to look. Sometimes the “used” shoes are barely worn. For example, people who bought shoes for a special event may have worn them once and then give them away.

Here are the best places to find free shoes.

• Craigslist – You’ll find many posts for free shoes on Craigslist; just be careful, as there are many scams on Craigslist. It’s best to meet the person giving the shoes away at the local police station or another central and public location.
• Facebook Marketplace – You may find people giving away shoes in your area on Facebook Marketplace. Again, like Craigslist, consider meeting somewhere safe, like the local police station. Many cities’ police stations have a special area for these transactions.
• Local groups – Many local groups form specifically to sell or giveaway items. Many people may give away free shoes, especially kids’ shoes, as we all know how fast kids grow!

7. Free or Low-Cost Shoes for Low-Income Families

There are also many ways to get low-cost shoes for low-income families. Some are local to certain areas, and others are nationwide.

Laces of Love

Laces of Love provides shoes to kids from needy families in Southwest Florida. They’ve provided over 250,000 free shoes to kids. The shoes are almost always free sneakers, but occasionally are other types of shoes, and always new.

Soles4Souls

Soles4Souls helps get new sneakers to kids in need across the United States. They also help people in crisis get shoes and clothing and assist people in developing countries sell shoes and clothing.

Shoes That Fit

Shoes That Fit distributes new athletic shoes to kids in need nationwide to help build self-esteem, behavior, and school attendance. They’ve operated since 1992 and have given away 2,600,000+ free shoes.

3 Ways to Get Shoes Cheap

If you can’t get free running shoes or other shoes, there are ways to get cheap shoes and apparel with the methods below!

1. Join Loyalty Programs

Many stores have loyalty programs that allow you to earn cash back, points or have exclusive access to special deals. It’s usually free to join the programs, and you can save up your points or rewards to save the most money on shoes.

2. Look for Coupons

Before shopping in-store or online, look for coupons on the Internet. It’s free, and as long as you use legit sites, like Retailmenot or each store’s website, you’ll likely save money when you’re unable to get free shoes.

3. Wait for “Buy One Get One Free Shoes” Sales

This is one of our favorite ways to get cheap AND free shoes, including free running shoes and other sneakers. Many stores like Foot Locker, Shoe Carnival, and Kohl’s run buy-one-get-one-free sales. This means you may get two pairs of shoes for the price of one.

FAQs

Free shoes are possible; you just need patience and to know where to look. Sometimes you have to wait a few weeks or longer to earn them, or you may only use the shoes for a few weeks and have to return them, but they are still free!

Is There a Free Shoes App?

Technically, there isn’t a free shoes app. Instead, there are many opportunities to earn free kids’ shoes, running shoes, and other shoes from name brands, including Nike and New Balance. Some apps allow you to wear shoes for a specific testing period, while others provide details on getting free shoes.

Are There Free Nike Sneakers?

You can get free Nike shoes if you join their testing program and are accepted. You won’t keep the shoes, though. You wear them for a testing period and then return them, but you can try another pair when available!

Can You Really Get Name-Brand Free Shoes Like Free Nike Shoes?

It sounds ridiculous, but there are ways to get free shoes online, including free Nikes. The key is understanding how to get free Nike shoes and others, what you must do, and how to spot fake offers so you don’t get caught in a scam.

Are Free Shoes Possible – Final Thoughts

Here’s some good news; you can, in fact, get free shoes! Imagine opening a fresh box of shoes, knowing you paid nothing for them. It’s possible! Sometimes, you won’t keep them, and you may have to meet specific requirements, like being an active runner or participating in another sport, but it’s still a fun way to try new sneakers and have fun! Better yet, there are ways to save money at your favorite retailers or use cashback apps to earn shoes for free.