A new study has uncovered that approximately 114 million pairs of trainers are gathering dust in wardrobes across the United Kingdom, representing a significant opportunity to promote physical activity. The research, conducted by Vitality Health and Life Insurance, indicates that more than 80 percent of Britons would be willing to donate their unused footwear if they knew it would enable someone else to become more active.
The Scale of Unused Trainers
The poll, which surveyed 2,000 individuals, found that the average Briton owns five pairs of trainers. Alarmingly, nearly 30 percent of respondents admitted to having pairs still in their original packaging that they will never wear. The primary reason for not donating is uncertainty about whether the trainers are in good enough condition for reuse, while 21 percent confessed they had never even considered donating their trainers. Additionally, one in nine people said they do not know how or where to donate them.
The average household owns ten pairs of trainers, spending approximately £66 per pair. With 31 percent of Britons stating they have enough pairs to wear a different one every day, the potential for redistribution is vast. Despite this abundance, half of the population has struggled to afford trainers, with 35 percent admitting that the cost has hindered their ability to exercise or stay active.
Give2Move Initiative Launched
In response to these findings, England rugby captain Maro Itoje has partnered with Vitality to launch Give2Move, a new initiative aimed at improving access to trainers and enabling more people to become physically active. The campaign seeks to remove a key barrier to exercise and the associated health benefits. Even when trainers are no longer used, many are kept: over half of respondents hold onto pairs in good condition, while nearly half keep them "just in case," leaving millions of pairs unused across the country.
Sheffield and Belfast have been identified as the unused sneaker capitals of the UK, with more than three pairs per person sitting idle. Young adults aged 18-24 are the most likely to lose interest in a pair of trainers (41 percent), while those aged 45-54 hoard the most pairs, averaging three. On average, Britons experience "trainer fatigue" after just 15 months and purchase a new pair.
Common Uses and Disposal Habits
The most common uses for trainers in the UK include walking for exercise (74 percent), gym workouts (28 percent), and running (28 percent). However, not all unused shoes are discarded: 39 percent of people donate their used trainers to charity, 18 percent recycle them, and 16 percent resell them online. The main reasons for keeping trainers are the belief that they might be worn again (49 percent) and that they are still in good condition (42 percent).
Factors that would encourage more donations include easy drop-off locations (47 percent) and environmental benefits (28 percent). With the gap in physical activity between the most and least deprived communities widening, Give2Move aims to collect one million pairs of trainers over the next five years to help more people across the UK get moving.
Campaign Launch at Battersea parkrun
Maro Itoje kicked off the campaign at Battersea parkrun, stating: "Staying active should be something everyone can access, but for some people, not having the right kit can be a real barrier. I know first-hand how important regular activity is for both mental and physical health, which is why it's so important we all come together to break down the barriers that exist to getting active. Being part of Give2Move means I can be part of this movement to ensure no one can say that trainers are why they are not moving more."
Dr Milly Marshall, Medical Advisor at Vitality, added: "Regular physical activity is one of the most important things we can do for our overall health, helping to reduce the risk of chronic conditions and supporting our mental wellbeing. But for some people, not having the right kit, including access to trainers, can be a genuine barrier to getting active. Initiatives like Give2Move can play an important role in helping to remove that barrier and make activity more accessible to more people."
Vitality has launched Give2Move in partnership with Shoe Aid and JogOn. Donation points will be available at Vitality Partners across the country.
