For shoe enthusiasts, the thrill of discovering new footwear is undeniable. While traditional in-store shopping offers the tactile experience of trying shoes on, it often comes with the drawbacks of crowded spaces and limited selections. Conversely, online shoe shopping provides convenience and vast choices but can lead to decision fatigue and the hassle of returns.
Regina Popp, Senior Director at Fashion & Trend for Designer Brands (parent company to DSW), emphasizes the importance of a seamless shoe shopping experience. “The best shoe shopping experience is when you feel inspired, can easily explore new styles, and effortlessly try them on to ensure the perfect fit,” she states. “Fit is paramount in footwear, making it crucial to dedicate time to test them out, whether in-store or at home.”
Whether you’re searching for elegant heels, durable boots, or everyday sneakers, the ideal online shoe store offers a blend of selection, convenience, and customer satisfaction. We’ve curated a list of top online retailers, evaluating their product ranges, fit guidance, material quality, support features, and customer feedback, to guide you to your perfect online shoe shopping destination.
Zappos
View on Amazon | View on Zappos
Shipping: Free standard shipping
Return Policy: Full refund within 365 days; free return shipping
Size Range: Women’s 1–20, Men’s 1–20 (wide and narrow sizes available)
Zappos stands out as a leading online shoe store renowned for its vast inventory and exceptional customer service. Now part of Amazon, Zappos maintains its commitment to providing an extensive selection of shoe styles and sizes. The Zappos VIP program enhances the shopping experience with benefits like free expedited shipping, reward points, and convenient UPS pickups, all at no cost to join. For those seeking variety and hassle-free returns, Zappos remains a top choice.
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Shopbop
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Shipping: Free shipping with Amazon Prime
Return Policy: Free returns with Prime
Size Range: Women’s 3–15
Shopbop is your go-to online shoe store for curated selections, particularly from luxury and designer brands. Known for its stylish offerings and attractive sales, Shopbop allows you to easily refine your search by shoe style, designer, heel height, toe style, and more. Amazon Prime members enjoy free shipping and returns, and Shopbop’s rewards program offers perks like early sale access, birthday discounts, and surprise rewards, making it a delightful destination for fashion-forward shoe shoppers.
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Nordstrom
Shipping: Free standard shipping
Return Policy: Lenient, case-by-case basis
Size Range: Women’s 4–14, Men’s 5–20 (wide and narrow sizes available)
Nordstrom is a department store giant with an exceptional online shoe store. Offering a vast selection of both affordable and luxury designer footwear, Nordstrom is a prime location to find your next pair of shoes. Their sale section often features significant discounts, and their customer-friendly return policy is notably flexible. The Nordy Club rewards program extends across all departments, allowing customers to earn points toward future discounts. Associate editorial director Jill Di Donato highlights Nordstrom as her preferred shoe destination, praising its selection of chic casual styles and frequent sales.
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DSW
Shipping: $8 shipping
Return Policy: Free in-store returns within 90 days; varying policies for shipped returns based on VIP membership
Size Range: Women’s 4–13, Men’s 6–16 (wide and narrow sizes available)
DSW (Designer Shoe Warehouse) is a fantastic online shoe store for finding a wide array of styles at accessible price points. They stock popular brands like Birkenstock and offer exclusive celebrity collaborations, often at discounted prices. The DSW VIP rewards program allows members to earn points for every dollar spent, redeemable for gift cards. Joining is free and provides immediate benefits like a 20% off coupon, free shipping (for VIP Gold and Elite members), and birthday perks. Senior editor Lauren Pardee appreciates DSW for its extensive style range, excellent deals, and user-friendly browsing experience.
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Foot Locker
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Shipping: $10 standard shipping
Return Policy: Full refund within 45 days
Size Range: Women’s 5–12, Men’s 6–18
Foot Locker is the premier online shoe store for athletic and sporting footwear at budget-friendly prices. Their robust sneaker collection includes sought-after models like Jordans and Air Force 1s, along with popular styles such as On Cloudnova sneakers. The FLX Rewards program enhances customer value with free shipping, early access to sales, exclusive rewards, and member-only sweepstakes, making it ideal for sneakerheads and sports enthusiasts.
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Amazon
Shipping: Free with Amazon Prime
Return Policy: Typically free within 30 days of delivery
Size Range: Women’s 3–16, Men’s 4–20 (wide and narrow sizes available)
For expedited shoe shopping, Amazon’s online store is an excellent option. Byrdie writer Caitlyn Martyn highlights Amazon as a go-to for quick purchases and significant discounts, especially for Prime members who enjoy free two-day or overnight shipping on numerous items. Amazon’s vast selection includes popular brands like Ugg, Allbirds, and Olukai, and even extends to designer options like Aquazzura, ensuring you can find shoes for any occasion with rapid delivery.
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ASOS
Shipping: Free over $49
Return Policy: Full refund within 28 days, voucher for returns from 29–45 days
Size Range: Women’s 4–15, Men’s 10–14 (wide and narrow sizes available)
ASOS is a top online shoe store for trend-driven styles at affordable prices. Featuring the latest fashion trends alongside popular brands like Converse, Puma, and Dr. Martens, ASOS provides a wide variety of fashionable footwear. While they lack a traditional rewards program, ASOS offers unlimited two-day shipping for an annual fee, which can be beneficial for frequent shoppers seeking trendy and budget-friendly shoe options.
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Road Runner Sports
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View on Amazon | View on Roadrunnersports.com
Shipping: $10 standard shipping
Return Policy: Full refund within 60 days for new, unused items
Size Range: Women’s 3–15, Men’s 5–18 (wide and narrow sizes available)
Road Runner Sports specializes in running shoes, offering a wide selection at competitive prices. They carry sporty sneakers and sandals, including popular models like Hoka Cliftons. Their Family VIP Rewards program provides significant savings for running enthusiasts, offering benefits like discounts, cashback rewards, free shipping, and a 90-day “perfect fit promise,” allowing returns even after running in the shoes, ensuring customer satisfaction.
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McMullen Boutique
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Return Policy: Exchange or refund within 10 days of delivery for full-price items
Size Range: EU35–EU42
McMullen Boutique offers a carefully curated online shoe store experience, featuring high-end designer fashion from brands like Rachel Comey, Victoria Beckham, and Khaite. Founded by Sherri McMullen, this Oakland-based boutique is known for its impeccable taste and runway-ready selections. Benefits include free standard shipping and a “try before you buy” service, allowing customers to sample items at home before committing to a purchase, perfect for luxury shoe aficionados.
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What to Consider When Shopping for Shoes Online
- Utilize Filters and Read Reviews: Regina Popp advises leveraging filters to narrow down choices and thoroughly reading customer reviews for sizing and style insights. Customer feedback often provides valuable details about fit and comfort that can guide your purchase decisions.
- Assess Fit Carefully: Try on new shoes multiple times upon arrival, ideally not after a long day when feet might be swollen. This ensures you accurately gauge the fit and comfort in a neutral state, helping avoid returns due to improper sizing.
- Prioritize Style and Comfort Balance: Choose shoes that align with your lifestyle and personal style while ensuring comfort. Features like cushioning, arch support, and a roomy toe box are essential for comfortable wear. Select styles that empower you to feel your best without causing discomfort or restriction.
FAQ About Online Shoe Shopping
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Can you return shoes after wearing them? While trying shoes indoors to test fit is expected, wearing them outdoors can affect return eligibility. Always test shoes on clean surfaces and review the retailer’s specific return policy before purchasing to understand their guidelines on returns for worn footwear.
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How to measure your shoe size at home? Measuring your shoe size at home is straightforward with a ruler, paper, and pencil. Online guides and video tutorials can assist you through the process. Alternatively, inexpensive foot measuring devices are available for purchase online, or you can visit a physical shoe store for professional measurement.
Meet Our Expert
Regina Popp is the Senior Director, Fashion & Trend for Designer Brands, the parent company of DSW. Her extensive experience in fashion trend forecasting and footwear expertise provides valuable insights for shoe shoppers.
Why Trust Byrdie
Byrdie contributor Olivia Muenter, along with Associate Fashion Editor Hayley Prokos, have meticulously researched and updated this guide to the Best Online Shoe Stores. Their evaluation process included analyzing customer reviews, return policies, inventory variety, and overall shopping experiences, ensuring reliable and helpful recommendations for our readers.
