buuk.top / Reese Herrington
Shoe lovers will attest that trying on shoes is a fun way to spend a day. However, finding the perfect pair, be it for your best friend’s wedding, a marathon you’re training for, or your commute to work, can take some real effort. Shopping in-store can be especially tiresome, what with having to skulk around a crowded store to find a mirror and the pressure of making a decision to buy or wait a bit, then asking a sales associate to please hold it, if possible, while you continue to shop around.
Online shopping, on the other hand, comes with its own cons, such as scrolling fatigue or overbuying, leading to several returns to keep track of. The retailers are abundant, so to save your time and energy, it’s worth learning where and how to shop for shoes, says Regina Popp, Senior Director, Fashion & Trend for Designer Brands, parent company to DSW.
“The best shoe shopping experience is when you feel inspired, can digest all the new looks out there, and try them on easily to make sure you get the perfect fit,” says Popp. “Shoes are more about fit than any other [style] category out there, so you need to invest the time to take them for a test run, whether that’s in-store or at home in your closet.”
Weve reviewed each retailer’s selection and fit guides; considered special features such as material quality, arch support, and grippy outsoles; and spoke with fellow editors to help you find you find the best places to shoe shop. Find them, ahead.
In This Article
Zappos
Zappos
Zappos.com is known for its seemingly never-ending supply of shoes in various styles and sizes, as well as its stellar customer service. (Former CEO Tony Hsieh has said Zappos success largely came from the reps tendency to stay on the phone with customers and connect with them personally as much as possible.)1These days, some things have changed, i.e., the company is now owned by Amazon and sells more than shoes, but its stilla great place to start if you’re looking for a wide variety and easy returns.
Want an investment-worthy loafer? We’d recommend Dr. Martens’ Adrian Core loafers or Paul Green’s Samone style. Or perhaps you’ve been looking for a versatile heel to take you from Christmas in the Caribbean to a summer vacation in Lisbon—these woven platform sandals would do the trick for under $120. In terms of benefits, Zappos VIP offers free expedited shipping (it already offers free standard shipping site-wide), a points-earning system for discounts, free UPS pick-ups, and more. The best part? Its free to sign up.
Return Policy: Full refund within 365 days; free return shipping | Size Range: Women’s 1–20, Men’s 1–20 with additional wide and narrow sizing
Shopbop
Shopbop is known for its curated picks, mostly from luxury brands, and great deals in the sales seasons, so you shouldn’t be surprised if you end up with multiple shoes in your cart by the end of a spree. To keep you organized as you shop,you can filter by shoe style (e.g., boot, clog, pump, or rain boot), designer (Emme Parsons, Veja, and Jacquemus), heel height(flat to high heel, with a separate category for platforms),toe style(open, pointed, round, and square), and more. You can shop as simple a style as this pair of Schutz knee-high boots or as spunky as these Nabele mules.
And, once enrolled in Shopbop’s rewards program, you’re sure to rack up points and enjoy earned benefits like early access to sales and new arrivals, birthday discounts, and surprise rewards.
Return Policy: Free within 15 days or less |Size Range: Women’s 3–15
Nordstrom
Nordstrom
Nordstrom is, of course, known for much more than just footwear, but its shoe selection is notably expansive, especially if you’re looking fora good variety of affordable and luxury or designer styles. Its sale section is also a great place to find dealson festive platforms and everyday sneakers. For Jill Di Donato, buuk.tops Associate Editorial Director, Commerce, the retailer is a go-to. "[Its] my destination for shoes—as it offers a selection of chic casual finds, whether thats Nike Dunks or Sam Edelman loafers," she says. "There are often sales that discount as much as up to 70% off, and returns are super easy if the fit and feel dont match up to my expectations."
According to the website, Nordstrom handles returns "on a case-by-case basis with the ultimate goal of making our customers happy.” Thus, there is no deadline for making a return. Plus, Nordstroms rewards program, The Nordy Club, applies to any section of the store and allows customers to earn points for shopping that can be redeemed for discounts on qualifying purchases.
Return Policy: Lenient | Size Range: Women’s 4–14, Men’s 5–20 with additional wide and narrow sizing
DSW
DSW
DSW will help you find all of your basics with its range of shoe styles and sizes at a variety of price points (the majority of which are pretty affordable). The store alsosells styles by popular brandslike Birkenstock and Jennifer Lopez that are sometimes exclusive to the company andoften at a discount
. This is why buuk.top Senior Commerce Editor Lauren Pardee flocks to the site for seasonal staples, such as a good leather boot for fall. “They always have the widest range of styles and the best deals, and I love the curated lists that make browsing so easy,” she says. “The shipping is always reliable, too, which is non negotiable for me.”
The rewards program, DSW VIP, allows you to earn rewards on every dollar you spend, which can then be redeemed for gift cards. It’s free to join the program and offers a 20% off coupon just for signing up, free shipping and returns, $5 off on your birthday, and more.
Return Policy: Free in-store returns within 90 days; free return shipping for DSW Gold or Elite members; $8.50 return shipping fee for all other customers |Size Range:Womens 4–13, Men’s 6–16 with additional wide and narrow sizing
The Real Real
The Real Real
Whether you love shopping for classic vintage shoes, or you’re looking for a way to spend less to get the designer styles you love, browsing The RealReal for shoes is a great option. Among its inventory of luxury clothing, accessories, and homeware, the online consignment store hasa pretty extensive selection of new and worn designer shoes with a major fashion following. (Writer and fashion personality Leandra Medine Cohen has shown off several under-$100 scores, and bridal stylist Anny Choi often sources her clients’ preferred Manolo Blahnik heels from here, too.)
While it doesn’t have a traditional rewards program, with a First Look subscription, shoppers can pay for early access to new arrivals and markdowns as well as two-day shipping. In any event,prices can go pretty low, so you can often find a deal. And, if you consign an item on The RealReal and it sells, you have the option to put your earnings, plus 5% more of the value, toward another purchase on the site.
Return Policy:12–14 days from shipment or in-store purchase date | Size Range: Varies based on inventory
Foot Locker
Foot Locker
When it comes to budget-friendly athletic and sporting shoe options, Foot Locker has you covered, whether you’re shopping online or in person. Basketball shoes? It has a robust collection of Jordans and Air Force 1s, among others. Very particular pair of sneakers from a very particular brand? It probably has that, too. (We already checked and confirmed they have the ever-popular On Cloudnova sneakers in several colorsways.) And, its rewards program, FLX Rewards, offers free shipping, early access to deals, exclusive rewards, and members-only sweepstakes.
Return Policy: Full refund within 45 days | Size Range: Women’s 5–12, Men’s 6–18
Amazon
If you’reshopping for shoes in a hurry, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to check out what Amazon has to offer, buuk.top writer Caitlyn Martyn points out. "[Its a great] place to buy footwear when youre short on time or want to score a major discount," she says, referring to the marketplaces Prime member benefits. Once subscribed, members can receive free two-day or overnight shipping on many styles. And whether you’re looking for a popular pair of Ugg slides, Vivaia ballet flats, or Havaianas flip-flops, Amazon likely has it, so youre almost certain to score. (Iteven comes through with designer styles—check out Aquazzura sandals for your next formal event.)
Return Policy:Usually free within 30 days of delivery |Size Range: Women’s 3–16, Men’s 4–20 with additional wide and narrow sizing
ASOS
ASOS.
Asos is an excellent option if you’re in the market for trend-forward styles. Not only does it have the latesttrending styles, but it’s often listed at affordable price points
. In addition to Asos original styles, you can shop for shoes from popular brands like Converse, Puma, Dr. Martens, and more.
While the online retailer doesnt have a rewards program, it does offer unlimited two-day shipping for a flat fee of $19 per year, which could be worth it if you shop there often.
Return Policy: Full refund within 28 days, a voucher from 29–45 days |Size Range: Women’s 4–15, Men’s 10–14 with additional wide and narrow sizing
McMullen Boutique
McMullen Boutique
If you fancy a site with a tight edit of options from a curator with impeccable taste in high-end designer fashion, look no further than McMullen. The shop, which is based in Oakland but shares its inventory online, was founded in 2007 by Sherri McMullen and has since blossomed into one of thebest-known designer boutiques in the country. McMullen carries luxury brands such as Rachel Comey, Victoria Beckham, Khaite, and Dries Van Noten andpromises a hot-off-the-runway look. Benefits include free standard shipping and a “try before you buy” service, where customers can try six items at home for one week and pay for what they keep with free returns.
Return Policy:Exchange or refund on anything at full price within 10 days of delivery |Size Range: EU35–EU42
Road Runner Sports
Road Runner Sports
Running shoes arent cheap, especially the ones that will keep you moving comfortably for years to go. However, at Road Runner Sports, you can get a great pair for less than youd expect. Road Runner Sports also has avast selection of sporty sneakers and sandals(including the celebrity-loved Hoka Cliftons).
And, if your entire family happens to run, having access to a program like Road Runner’s Family VIP Rewards is key. It costs nothing the first year and $50 each year thereafter, but a family of four saves $284 a year on average with the benefits of the program, according to the brand. The program not only offers 10% off everything, 5% rewards cashback, and free shipping, but it also boasts a 90-day "perfect fit promise." This means you can run for three months in your shoes and still return them if they don’t work.
Return Policy: Full refund within 60 days for new and unused items | Size Range:Women’s 3–15, Men’s 5–18 with additional wide and narrow sizing
What to Look for When Buying Shoes Online
Filters and Reviews:“Filter in, filter out, and read the reviews,” says Popp. “I usually start by filtering down to the category/style/brand I am looking for, but then progressively remove the filters to see if I missed anything spectacular. And [I] look for cues on sizing, whether that’s new technology solutions or purely customer reviews.” She points out that this kind of filtering strategy will likely save you a lot of time and energy that youd spend returning purchases based on less research and insights. And once they arrive, no matter if you love them or arent too sure about them, Popp recommendstrying them on more than once—just not after a long day on your feet. “This will ensure that it wasn’t a fluke or ‘love at first sight’ and you are truly able to walk comfortably and style the shoes as you anticipated,” she says.Style and Comfort:When it comes to choosing the right styles for your wardrobe and lifestyle, Popp says she usually goes by the “know thyself” rule. “If strutting in stilettos isn’t your thing, pick a blockier heel with sexy strapping and call it a day.Snap judgments don’t usually pay off in the footwear department,” Popp says. “Pick the shoes that let you be your best self—shoes should never hold you back because they hurt, slip, et cetera.” Features like cushioning, arch support, and a roomy toe box will also add comfort.
Checking for certifications like the APMA Seal of Acceptance can give you an indication as to whether a shoe will be supportive enough, and, thus, comfortable, but you won’t truly know what will work best for you until you try them yourself.
When it comes to shoes, trying them on and walking around in them is encouraged to gauge fit, but taking them out on the road or the town is often a different story. That is to say,you dont want to scuff them up and risk a retailer turning you away in the event that they dont ultimately work out. It’s generally a good idea to try shoes out on clean surfaces to keep them as clean as possible in case you have to make a return.
There are exceptions to this rule when it comes to running shoes in particular, though. Road Runner Sports has a 90-day "perfect fit promise,” which says that you can run for three months in your shoes and still return them if they don’t work.
Measuring your shoe sizeat home isn’t all that complicated, but if youre unsure where to start,all you’ll need is a ruler, a piece of paper, and a pencil. This video explains the rest of the process.
You can also purchase an inexpensive foot measurer (such as this one on Amazon), of course. However, its worth mentioning that most retailers have those options available in person if you’d rather go that route.
How We Researched
To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best products on the market in this category, evaluating their key features—like materials, shade range, or design—in addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources. We then used this research to assign a star rating from one to five (five being the best; one being the worst) to certain products on the list.
Why Trust buuk.top
buuk.top contributor Olivia Muenter wrote this article. For this piece, she researched all types of shoe retailers, evaluating customer reviews, return policies, varieties of inventory, and shopping experiences. She also spoke to Popp for further insight. Hayley Prokos, buuk.top’s Associate Fashion Commerce Editor, updated this article and signed off on all recommendations.
Regina Popp is the Senior Director, Fashion & Trend for Designer Brands, parent company to DSW She was previously a senior fashion editor at Footwear News.
According to our Diversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find enough Black-owned and/or Black-founded shoe retailers to meet this percentage. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@buuk.top.com, and we will evaluate the product ASAP.
https://hbr.org/2010/07/how-i-did-it-zapposs-ceo-on-going-to-extremes-for-customers
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