Savvy savings with schuh Imperfects.
Ever brought home a new pair of shoes, only to see them scuffed within the first week? Yep, same. But it's pretty much inevitable — shoes are meant to look well-loved if you actually wear them.
Walk into any high street shoe shop and you'll likely spot a sale rack with discounted shoes, a little worn around the edges from sitting on display. Do they still do the job? Absolutely. So, why not save yourself the heartbreak of marking up your new shoes with Schuh Imperfects — because nothing is ever 100% perfect.
This way, it hurts a little less, because they're already slightly flawed. Plus, they're only a fraction of the retail price.
Staying on top of the latest footwear trends doesn't have to hurt the bank. schuh Imperfects makes it affordable and reduces the amount of footwear heading to landfill.
Genius.
Summer shopping? Have a look at the best picks from schuh this summer.
In this article:
What is schuh Imperfects?
schuh Imperfects is another name for schuh's ex-display or outlet section. You'll find heavily discounted shoes across a wide range of brands, sizes and styles — including children's shoes — though the condition of each pair varies.
At any given time there are 2,500+ ex-display items to browse, from trainers and sandals to boots and heels. All the shoes have flaws, but some damage will be almost unnoticeable, while other pairs may be more obviously imperfect. The price, and the scale of your discount, reflects the condition.
In reference to its Imperfects, schuh says: "shoes that have suffered from a little too much interest come here to find forever homes. We reckon it's all character building stuff — some products here will have scuffs, discolouration and other individual quirks."
schuh Imperfects is the same concept as Office Offcuts, with shoe retailer Office also selling heavily discounted end-of-line, ex-display men's and women's shoes. Generally, the flaws amount to minor wear-and-tear — often only small scuffs and marks from people who've tried the display pair on in-store.
Get your schuh student discount code and don't forget you'll get discounts on all your favourite brands when you download the Student Beans app.
How does schuh Imperfects work?
schuh Imperfects is a chance for the brand's stores to sell (mostly unscathed) last-of-the-line shoes and make space for new stock.
This means there isn't a wide range of each pair to choose from — don't expect multiple sizes and colourways of the same shoe.
That said, you will find a solid range of brands. From UGGs to Dr Martens to Vans to Steve Madden — you'll find a pair for literally any occasion. Even the ever-popular Birkenstock Bostons.
schuh Imperfects operates on a first-come, first-served basis online. The shoes you see on offer are real images of the exact pair available — think of it like eBay, Depop or Vinted, except the shoes are considered new with minor damage rather than secondhand. Any defects are listed clearly in the description so you know exactly what you're getting.
There's also a solid Kids range within schuh Imperfects. Choose from brands like Adidas and Nike, as well as Kickers and Timberland.
Common schuh Imperfects defects
Ex-display shoes commonly have the following issues:
Discolouration on one shoe (often from sitting at an angle in a window display)
Damage to the uppers (the upper is the entire part of the shoe that covers the foot)
Pen marks on some part of the fabric
Scratches or scuffs
How much you can save on schuh Imperfect ex-display shoes
Prices vary depending on the size and notability of the flaw, but you can typically save anywhere from 30% to 70% off the full price — and some pairs go even higher. What's more, students can stack savings with our schuh student discount!
We've seen multiple smart buys across the range. For example, pairs of Timberland boots reduced by around 45% off the original asking price, or white TOMS espadrilles cut to £24.99 from £70 due to a small but irremovable mark.
It isn't just boots and sandals either — trainers, running shoes and sports shoes are well represented. Nike, New Balance, PUMA and more brands are available with prices slashed. We've spotted New Balance 550s and Birkenstock boots reduced significantly, all with clear descriptions of what the issue is.
schuh Imperfects & ex-display brands
schuh has a whole basket of top-name brands to choose from, and the Imperfects section is no different. Granted, you won't have every make and model available, but there's a solid selection that's updated as seasons change and trends evolve.
Brands you can expect to find in schuh's ex-display:
UGG
Converse
Nike
Birkenstock
Dr Martens
Hunter Boots
Kickers
JUJU jellies
New Balance
Steve Madden
Timberland
Our verdict
If you already shop on Vinted, Depop or eBay, you'll be right at home with schuh Imperfects — it's the same buy-what-you-see model, just for (nearly) new shoes.
If you're after something specific, like a particular colourway of Birkenstocks or a specific Dr Martens style, the ex-display section can feel a bit hit-or-miss. Stock is limited, not all sizes are covered, and things sell fast.
But if you approach it with an open mind, the savings can be significant — especially on popular or pricier styles. There's really no harm in trying your luck.
Most shoes will pick up some imperfection after the first few wears anyway, so opting for cheaper offcuts with minimal flaws is a smart way to save cash on something that was never going to stay perfect forever.
schuh Imperfects also makes a lot of sense for parents. With kids going through school shoes and sports shoes at pace, finding a pair with barely noticeable marks at a fraction of the price is a genuine win.
Where else can I get cheap shoes?
Most shoe brands offer a sale section, while Office sells its ex-display models through Office Offcuts — very similar to schuh Imperfects. Other outlets for cheap trainers, sandals and more include ASOS Outlet, Adidas Outlet, Sole Trader Outlet and Clarks Outlet.
For even cheaper finds, sites like Shoeaholics (mainly discounted Kurt Geiger) and secondhand platforms like Vinted, Depop, eBay and Facebook Marketplace are worth a browse.
Student Beans' Shoes Student Discounts page is also worth bookmarking for the latest deals.
schuh Imperfects returns policy
schuh's standard returns policy gives you 365 days to return — very generous. For schuh Imperfects and ex-display, it's different.
Ex-display items can't be returned in-store as they're one-off pairs, and exchanges aren't available. To return schuh offcuts, you have 28 days and can do so via:
Evri
Asda toyou
InPost
Yodel
Other student discount on shoes
At Student Beans, we also offer student discounts at a range of other shoe retailers — including:
Vans (10% student discount)
UGG (10% student discount)
Dr Martens (10% student discount)
New Balance (10% student discount)
Puma (15% student discount)
Timberland (12% student discount)
Office Offcuts
Office Offcuts is a similar idea to schuh Imperfects — except it operates as a separate website to Office (offcutsshoes.co.uk), rather than a section within the main site. The shoes include a mix of ex-display and final pairs of discontinued styles.
Brands you can expect to see on Office Offcuts include:
Birkenstock
Converse
New Balance
Nike
UGG
Veja
The range covers men, women and kids, so there's something for everyone. Like schuh Imperfects, the shoes aren't perfect — but you could easily strike gold and find a pair with barely any noticeable flaws. Worth a look before you pay full price.
Graduation coming up? Check out the best graduation shoes from schuh.
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