I really hate having to buy new running shoes as they are just so expensive, and I choose to wear mine until DEATH. I had to leave my last pair behind in Greece on holiday as they literally fell to pieces. Like a lot of us, I am really aware of how much I consume, given how we all need to consider our impact on the planet.Here is a great calculator which we all did at work and totally shocked ourselves: footprint.wwf.org.uk/#/
So, with REDUCE, RE-USE and RECYCLE in mind, one of my New Years resolutions is to only buy secondhand clothes, shoes and underwear. Yes- I know, I know, dirty knickers come to mind, but hear me out on this....
here are a few facts:
🌎 Textiles production uses around 93 billion cubic metres of water annually and an estimated 1.2 billion tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions from production per year. This is more than all international flights and maritime shipping combined.
🌎 It is expected that clothing consumption will increase globally by 63% by 2030, from the current 62 million tonnes to 102 million tonnes by 2030.
🌎350,000 tonnes, that’s around £140 million worth of used but still wearable clothing goes to landfill in the UK every year.
So- to kick this off, I have bought myself some much needed new runners- secondhand Salomon's from Ebay, 30 quids PS I had just completed a muddy trail run in the pic!!
So- back to the dirty knickers dilemma..... I am a huge Ebayer and I often buy second hand 'unused' or 'label attached' items, which I will aim to do for my knickers ( I will keep you posted on this 👙). I have bought a full set of underwear in the RSPCA charity shop in the past ( label attached) and it was absolutely fine.
I will keep you updated on how I am doing during the year, and share some of my bargains. Please share any of your ideas too
Happy Panthering,
Juju
xx
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ju-ju-
Marathon
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I love a good secondhand clothing bargain. My pal always laughs at me, because my wardrobe falls into two categories—amazing £1 thrifty finds, or stupidly pricey small production artisan things (many less of those! Mostly hand-loomed tweed). There's nothing much in between, because quality, longevity and impact have always been my focus for clothing and shoes (also appliances and furniture).
My first running shoes were a bit of an uncomfortable departure for me as I hate to buy anything that can't be reheeled or soled 😂 A couple of pairs of my trainers since then have been secondhand, and the others are old stock so that makes me feel a little bit less guilty. I do find it much, much harder to shop ethically and with longevity in mind for sportswear than anything else though, and admittedly most of the principles I hold elsewhere have gone completely out the window in my running life. 😣
Love this, we are very similar. I buy alot of my clothes, shoes and furniture already from Ebay and other outlets. I LOVE a bargain and Im not a fan of 'new' furniture anyway. I also really struggle with the running stuff and I am trying to manage with what I have as I have built it up for all seasons now. However i find it gets worn out really quickly ( holes that chafe in leggings etc) which is a right pain.
I'm convinced that my Dreaded Capris would survive a nuclear strike! I have fallen twice while wearing them, and they have helped save my knees from major trauma, yet have remained pristine themselves. I got them from Amazon 4-ish years ago, I hate them and only wear them in the dead of winter, so I reckon they'll last forever 😄
It's funny really, because if the second hand knickers have been washed then they won't be dirty!
I like to wear my shoes to death too. I resent being given some arbitrary kilometerage to dictate the destruction date of a perfectly good pair of shoes 😊😊😊
I wore my brooks cascadias to bits. I nearly cried when I had to bin them
My shoes live on as gardening or dog walking shoes 🙂.
I’ve got some bomb proof Ron Hill leggings, which are too big for me and look dead Norah Batty but I wear them in winter in the dark 😎👀. I can’t see them ever wearing out 😁
I don’t think I could bring myself to buy second hand shoes, I hate buying them at the best of times, I hate my feet, so I tend to wear mine til they fall apart. I’m going to buy new trainers this weekend so that they’re worn and comfortable for my half marathon in March. But I don’t feel so bad about doing this because I know I’ ll have them for years to come 👣👣
I too hate my feet so when I find a comfy pair of shoes I wear them and wear them. I also go in to a shoe shop and come out again without buying anything because of my foot embarrassment - which can only benefit the planet right? 🤣
I've had 2 pairs of 2nd hand trail shoes lately 1 from eBay and 1 from a friend £15 each😊 I was brought up on jumble sales and have loved charity shops since teenage years! And get lots id compliments on things I find and also get lots of running/cycling gear! My bargain this week was muddyfox long cycling leggings on £1 rail!😊xxx well done juju !
I am trying my best with reducing my footprint, but draw the line at the drawers!
I was talking with someone at parkrun about the number of running shirts we end up with after entering races. They said that their running club has a collection box and that all surplus kit , including running shoes, is sent to a charity that distributes them in Africa. Isn’t that a great idea?
I’ve been thinking about this a lot how much clothes and shoes I own and the last 3 years my approach has been to ban any clothes and shoe shopping and force myself to pull together outfits with what I already own! I done really well.
The only exception has been this last year when I brought lots of running kit and running shoes! I did however shop at decathlon for most of it as it’s good value and you have long life guarantees
Admire your dedication. There does seem to be a much better selection of ladies clothes in charity shops though. I would do eBay but not based in the UK so a bit difficult. At 56 and a newish runner I worry about impact and joints. I have 3 pairs running shoes. The oldest has done about 500k and has now become my gym pair. I have a pair on about 200k and a new just run in pair. The oldest will eventually be used for casual wear then outside/garden etc till they fall to bits. The others will feed into the cycle. Clothes are the same. Wear for good, then to casual then for workshop then eventually for rags/dusters. It may not reach your ideal level but I use everything till it has had it.
I do look for good shoes/boots on eBay and in charity shops when in UK. Got some nice Jeffrey West ones (Not the outrageous ones) on eBay and also a pair in a hospice shop for about £30. Timeless classics that I can resole/reheal that will likely see me out!
I am not a massive greenie but I have made a lot of simple changes that help.
I love the changes you have made, its just about being more mindful about what we do buy I think? Bit concerned about what you wear for world wars...?!!!
My first running shorts were cut off jeans, til I knew I was going to stick it it. I have now invested in Lycra, but will wear it for years and then take it to the 2nd hand sports clothing shop. I have a tiny wardrobe, but it still contains things I never wear. We are very privileged in this country.
Hey, I had a go at looking for used running shoes on eBay after reading this post. I have today received a nearly-new pair of Saucony Breakthru 3 - same model that I have had for the past year or so, but a whole size bigger!!!! I took a punt 😊 The ones I have are a little snug so I don't like to run much more than 10K in them, but these eBay ones seem like they will be perfect for longer distances, much more room at the front. They cost less than £25, and at size 8 are the biggest shoes I have ever owned 😄
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PS I had just completed a muddy trail run in the pic!!
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