Ethical Shoe Shopping: Is the Real Cost of a New Pair Worth It? Here’s 6 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Adding to Cart…

It’s that time of year when we’re told to buy, buy, buy – there are so many sales right now! – but, what’s the real cost of all these things we’re buying? It turns out shoe shopping is where a lot of us end up over-consuming – and, ethical shoe shopping can be difficult to achieve. So before you hit “add to cart,” ask these six questions to sustainably shop for shoes.

How many pairs of shoes do you actually own?

For someone who doesn’t shop so much, I was shocked by the number of shoes I’ve collected over a decade – 25 pairs!

Gosh, I DO NOT need that many shoes! I own a few pairs of heels that I rotate for events, but I can certainly donate some sneakers and work shoes I haven’t touched in years.

While there’s no data on how many shoes the average NZer owns, in the UK, the average woman owns between 24-35 pairs of shoes, and British men own about 18, reports Footwear Magazine. 

In other research reported by DailyMail, it found one in eight British women owned more than 100 (!!!) pairs of shoes. 

The Burden of Ethical Shopping

The fashion industry being responsible for polluting and exploiting the global south isn’t exactly breaking news.

It’s no secret that garment workers and communities are negatively affected when businesses operate with little to no transparency of their supply chains.

So how do we, as consumers, shop with certainty when we aren’t sure which information to trust, or if corporations are greenwashing us?

According to a recent survey commissioned by Tearfund, 95% of New Zealanders say the burden of shopping ethically shouldn’t fall on the consumer and 63% want the Government involved in holding companies accountable.

Australia and the UK already require companies to report on modern slavery risks to their supply chains, so what’s the hold up, New Zealand?

Currently, there are two modern slavery bills on the parliamentary ballot. But for as long as legislation actually doesn’t exist, workers are exposed to more risks and less protections.

It also leaves us consumers, who want to do our part to shop ethically and sustainably, in the dark.

The report found 64% of New Zealanders say uncertainty is their biggest barrier to shopping ethically, more than affordability.

Forty-nine percent of respondents also don’t know which brands to support.

Ask Yourself These Six Questions Before Buying New Shoes

There’s an a 80% chance you’ll buy new shoes in 2025 – yet there’s a nine out of 10 chance those brand new shoes will come from countries with unsafe factories, low wages and child labour, says Tearfund.

In a perfect world, we wouldn’t be worrying about exploitation, animal cruelty or pollution.

But capitalism is a well-oiled machine. So here’s something we can do to signal to big corporations that real accountability and ethics in their business practices should be a priority.

Before purchasing another pair, ask yourself:

#1: Why am I buying this?  

Is it because I genuinely need a new pair of shoes, or am I getting caught up in the moment? I personally used to love retail therapy, but it is possible to move past it! (Also, it doesn’t help that I used to work in malls, okay?) Retail therapy does give you that hit of dopamine you might need when you’re having a bad day, but the feeling is fleeting! So, before you hit “Buy Now” when you’re doomscrolling on a retail shop at midnight, leave those on the cart for a few days. Give yourself time to decide if you really need it. Who cares if it’s a sale? The amount of shit I’ve bought in the past just because they were on sale and yet, have gathered dust in the closet… Not worth it!

Hot tip: A friend used to go on midnight online shopping sprees that wrecked her budget and cluttered her home. I told her: Check the total, don’t hit buy. Move that amount into a savings account instead. Watch that balance grow and use it for something more meaningful, maybe for a trip, a spa day, a home deposit!

#2: Do I already own something that works or can I borrow from a friend?

Have you checked your current collection of shoes if it can fit your outfit? And if you only need it for a one-off event, maybe consider borrowing from a friend? (You better return it, though, ha!) It can help you save space, time and money. More importantly, each pair you decide not to buy eases the environmental burden of overproduction. 

#3: Can I buy it second-hand?  

If you really need to buy a new pair, check out op shops, Trade Me and Facebook Marketplace. They’re filled with quality barely- or never-worn shoes at a reduced price! I probably sound like a broken-record at this point, but buying second-hand means you save an item for the landfill, and you get to extend its life. 

Tip: Here’s our list of Op Shops in Tāmaki Makaurau.

#4: What values matter most to me? 

There is rarely a perfect ethical choice in this day and age, as perfectly illustrated by Netflix series The Good Place. Every ethical choice unfortunately has its own trade-offs, so figure out what values are most important to you. It could be workers rights and living wages, animal rights, cutting carbon emissions or protecting oceans and rivers. Others also choose durability and quality so they can own fewer pairs for longer.

#5: Can I support a brand that’s doing better?  

It’s not all doom and gloom, because there are some shoe companies that make more ethical and sustainable decisions than others. They could have more transparent supply chains, pay a living wage or design durable shoes that lasts for years. While quality sustainable footwear could cost more upfront, you could also be buying less in the long run.

Hot tip: If you’re wondering which brands to support, check out this guide from Tearfund. I’ve just downloaded the Good on You app.

#6: Will I always wear this – what’s the cost-per-wear?

The most sustainable shoes are the ones you LOVE to wear. (I’ve got a few shoes I bought because they were pretty, but after a few uses, they were so uncomfortable for my flat feet! Alas, they have barely been used and will be donated very soon.) 

So really ask yourself, will you wear these shoes at least 30 times? (Yes folks, cost-per-wear is our bestie!) Will you also put in the effort to clean, polish or repair them? Maintaining your shoes, like replacing insoles or resoling boots, extends their life dramatically and cuts waste. Drop by local shoe repairs shops – and it’s a great way to show small businesses some love too.