Nike Return Policy: FINALLY Get ALL Your Questions Answered

January 6, 2020 by Kyle James
Updated: September 4, 2024

“Just Do It” has been a popular Nike slogan for years. But what happens when you DON’T want to “Do It” and would rather return your Nike shoes, apparel, or workout gear? Like most return policies, the Nike return policy has some caveats and quirks that need to be answered which is what I’ve done below. Hope this helps you out so you can “just do your return” and get on with your life.

Nike Return Policy: Get Your Questions Answered and Your Money Back

How Many Return Days Does Nike Allow?

60 days.

You have 60 days to return items you bought from a Nike Store or from Nike.com.

You can get receipt-less returns by registering to become a NikePlus member for FREE.

What If I Lost My Receipt?

If you don’t have your receipt you still have options, especially if items are not worn or laundered.

Just bring them back and you’ll get store credit for the current selling price.

Keep in mind that manager’s approval will be necessary so be sure to give yourself ample time to make the return happen.

See Also: Here’s Exactly How the Zappos Return Policy Works

Can I Return Shoes That I’ve Worn?

YES.

As a matter of fact, Nike encourages you to take your shoes for a “trial run” and if you’re not completely satisfied they’ll give you a FULL refund.

This applies to ALL items, not just shoes.

What Happens After 60 Days?

You can still return stuff to Nike after 60 days but it must NOT be worn or washed.

So the question then becomes how much longer than 60 days is allowed?

Well, according to this Reddit thread some shoppers have returned stuff that was over a year old.

Keep in mind that your mileage will vary by store and it comes down to the discretion of the manager if they’ll accept the return or not.

Be polite and you stand a great chance for success.

See Also: Here’s How to Score the 10% Nike Student Discount

Should I Return Nike Stuff to Store of Purchase?

If you didn’t buy from Nike.com or a Nike Store it’s highly recommended that you return items to where you bought them.

This is because many stores have a return period longer than Nike’s standard 60 days.

See Also: Cabela’s Return Policy: How to Return Firearms and Outdoor Gear

What About Stuff Bought at Nike.com?

To initiate a return for an item bought from Nike.com you’ll want to visit their online Return Center.

You’ll essentially use the return label that came with your order, box up your stuff, and drop it off at a UPS location.

If you don’t have a return label you can have one emailed to you or you can even download it.

If you want to exchange an item you’ll have to call them at 1-800-806-6453 or take the item to your local Nike store.

Who Pays Return Shipping Fees?

You’ll be stuck paying the return shipping charges UNLESS you’re a Nike Plus Member in which case Nike pays them.

Any Return Policy Exceptions?

Yes there are 3 exceptions to this policy:

  • Gift Cards – All sales are final.
  • Items Marked as “Nonreturnable” – Self-explanatory.
  • Items with Specific Guarantees – Some Nike products have guarantees or warranties that are item specific.

Check the label, hang tag, or warranty card for details if you’re unsure.

See Also: The Nike Military Discount: An Easy Way to Save 10%

Is Their a Holiday Return Extension?

Yes, and it’s fairly generous.

All orders placed between November 1st and January 6th come with an extended 60-day return window.

What About Items Bought at The Nike Factory Store?

The same return policy exists at Nike Factory Stores and manager’s approval will be needed when returning items without a receipt.

Be aware that some Factory Store items could be marked as final sale and cannot be returned.

BONUS: Don’t Forget About Nike’s 2-Year Manufacturer Warranty

Nike Manufacture Date

If your Nike shoes are starting to fall apart within 2 years of the “manufacturer date” you stand a great chance of getting a FREE replacement via the Nike warranty.

To check when your shoes were made take a look at the tag and you’ll notice 2 dates.

The date on the left is when they were ordered by the retailer, and the date on the right is when they were actually manufactured.

It’s the date on the RIGHT that determines your 2-year return eligibility.

Keep in mind that normal “wear and tear” does not make you eligible for a new pair of Nike kicks.

There has to be what Nike deems a defective shoe.

They keep their warranty language fairly vague on what the consider defective on purpose as they don’t want consumers gaming the system.

But it’s definitely worth a shot if you feel your Nike shoes should have held up better.

Ask the Reader: What’s been your experience with the Nike return policy? Anything else I should add to this post? Let me know in the comments, thanks.


By Kyle James

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Mookie

What if you buy NIKE products online and it takes over a month for you to receive your package? 1st attempt – “it was delivered to the wrong place – left with doorman (no doorman in building)” 2nd attempt – they sent it to a FedEx location far from me for pick up. 3rd attempt – they gave it to the same carrier from the 1st attempt and they’ve had for the past week and I’m still waiting for it. Basically I’ve been waiting on these items for over a month.

Assil

I just received nike socks but I cut off the tag to try them and noticed that they’re too small. Can I still return them if tags aren’t attached to it anymore (I still have them) ?

Sunny

Nike/Nike shoe RETURN policy:

Ordered from stockx: try your luck at selling for lowest asking bid immediately OR wait and list for sell, wait for it to go to up (or down) in bid.
Ordered from nike/Snkrs: return for purchase price to any Nike store usually outlets are your best bet, for 100% price you paid including tax, shipping, processing. Up to 2 years, no matter condition.
Bought on eBay: list your own, DS (never tried on, never even messed with laces) at current retail price at that time. The more pictures the better.
Bought from Nike Outlet: final sale, you gotta do eBay or StockX or GOAT (read below)
Third party sites: Their return policy, and if passed the date, eBay or list on stockX.
Fun fact: not many people know about stockX and eBay usually lists and gets you more. It’s like people losing YouTube over Twitch. YouTube is the eBay and Twitch is the stockx, in this example. (I know, people still don’t know about twitch, hi GenX…)
Purchased from GOAT: also return listed on bidding on GOAT or sell it now. You have to always be honest on all of these sites. If you even tried it on and are selling it for DS (dead stock) they will know as EBay, GOAT, and StockX have verifiers for real as listed description or fakes. So be honest, or get banned.

Never buy a shoe from a friend unless you know it’s real. If it is real, any options mentioned besides Nike direct/outlet are your options.

(Fun fact: EBay verifies real/fakes as well, as I have mentioned. However check out their new TOS as far as shipping fees for seller over 100$ and weight and what shipping box you should use. YouTube explains it. If you don’t have a printer for sales, they also send a QR code any fedex office can print for you for under a dollar, also look at media mail.)

TLDR: you cannot get your full money back 100% from at the time, unless it’s purchased from Nike, within the 2 year, and returned to Nike, or and Outlet near you.)

No box needed, but extremely helps worth, even if damaged, take pics. No box is significantly lower.

isabella

How do u know that it is a return do they have a certain box for that bc what if its fake?

Arvindkumar

hi im facing same issue my shoe have two dates left side date crossed two year and right side date didn’t crossed two year i have checked the store for warranty they told the left side date was manufactured date can you share me some proof and additional information about these dates, please