etzee

How sneaker condition is described

Deadstock, VNDS, and the honest middle. What each term commits you to.

The Metzee team13 Oct 20261 min read

The trade has a short vocabulary and it is worth using precisely, because these words carry price.

The terms

Deadstock (DS) — never worn, with the original box. Not "barely worn". Never.

VNDS — "very near deadstock". Tried on, or worn once or twice, with no meaningful wear. The honest use is narrow.

Used, with a description — everything else. This is where most pairs live and where precision pays.

Beaters — worn hard, sold as such. An honest category, not an insult.

What to describe, specifically

Creasing — where, and how deep.

Sole wear — even, or on one edge.

Yellowing — on the midsole, the outsole, or the upper, and under what light you are judging it.

Heel collapse.

Repairs or replacements — a re-glued sole, replaced laces, aftermarket insoles. All of these must be said.

Why precision pays

A bidder reading "good condition" prices the uncertainty. A bidder reading "light creasing on both toe boxes, soles even, no yellowing" prices the shoe. The arithmetic.

What the box state is worth saying

For a deadstock pair, say whether the box is intact, has a label, or is damaged. It is part of the item and leaving it vague invites a dispute.

Questions people ask

Is "VNDS" a real grade?

It is trade shorthand, not a graded standard. Describe what you mean by it.

Does a replaced insole matter?

To a collector, yes. Say it.

What if I do not know whether they were worn?

Say that. An unknown described as unknown is fine; an unknown described as deadstock is a dispute.

More: condition words across every category, describing condition.

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