What clothing do you turn to for ease of movement, moisture-wicking, breathability, and just plain comfort? Odds are, you thought of the good old staples of sports bras, leggings, sneakers, shorts, swimsuits, sweatpants, and tank tops.
Ok, but the thought of buying any of these secondhand might seem unappealing at best. Even if you’re on board in spirit, is it really sanitary to wear some stranger’s sweated-in clothing?
Fortunately, through extensive research combined with trial and error, I've developed a helpful guide to how and when to buy secondhand activewear.
Behold!
Never Buy Secondhand
Above: The secondhand shirt is great, but the Thinx leggings are a No-Go for secondhand.
- Underwear
- Socks
- Safety gear of any kind
- Period clothing including pajamas, panties, leggings, shorts, swimsuits, etc.
- Running shoes: The stakes are high for running shoes, with joint and foot pain on the line as well as injury. Used running shoes have conformed to another person's foot/ gait/ stride/ etc., and have an undetermined amount of cushion remaining, which makes them outright dangerous. Unused or barely used running shoes, like anything I've found on the secondhand market, are often irregular, shelf pulls, knockoffs, or discontinued styles. Again, the risk is just too great. Invest in a high-quality pair of new running shoes that an expert has helped determine are optimal for you, and wear them for 250-350 miles or until the cushion falls below 50%.
- Walking, tennis, basketball, soccer, or other high-impact sports shoes, for the same reasons as above.
- Padded bicycle shorts, as the padding absorbs sweat and smells etc. much more than regular fabric. Major ick factor also.
Buy Unworn or Barely Worn Secondhand Only
Above: Modeling a new sports bra and secondhand workout leggings
This group is for tightly fitting activewear pieces subject to stretching, pilling, and conforming to another person's shape. All lower-impact active shoes that don't rely on cushioning and conforming to the foot also fall into this category, as wear on shoes affects their protective benefits (like stiff ankles or cleats) and of course, their longevity.
- Leggings
- Unpadded bicycle shorts (yoga shorts)
- Sports bras
- Swimsuits
- Tank tops with built-in bras
- Shorts with built-in underwear
- Bicycle shoes
- Cleats
- Skateboarding, boxing, martial arts, bowling, and other low-impact shoes
- Gym bags, waist packs, or other carrying implements for things you wear: These can harbor a lot of dirt, fungus, bacteria, and other microbes, and can be overlooked for a normal wash/dry cycle.
- Bags used only for rackets, balls, boards, etc. can be purchased in slightly used condition but should be checked for smells and visible stains and disinfected before use.
Above: Jacket, shirt, and pants are all secondhand; shoes, sports bra, and (in this case) waist pack all purchased new
Buy Any Secondhand in Good Condition
The last group is for activewear pieces you can wear forever, as long as they're in good condition- even if others have worn them before.
- Activewear jackets
- Tank tops
- Jerseys
- Shorts
- Workout tees
- Sweatshirts
- Sweatpants
- Warmups
Hope this guide helps! What rules do you have when selecting potential secondhand activewear?