Best of Toronto
The Best Shoe Stores in Toronto
The best shoe stores in Toronto offer a surprising selection of eco-friendly footwear, minimalist style and outrageous options to please any foot fetish. Prices vary, but expect to find pairs that will keep you light on your feet, instead of in your wallet.
My own smaller-than-average size 5 feet have led me to do a lot of sole searching for that perfect Cinderella fit. Despite all of us sharing a need for this much-loved accessory though, I can do without the snobbery that higher-end boutiques package with their pairs.
Quirky types and girly girls can shoe shop to their heart's content as these shoe stores offer a diverse collection to suit many tastes. Take a quick step on over to these shops, the 12 best shoe stores in Toronto, if you're looking to save grace in a new pair of precious peepers.
Previously: The best sneaker shops in Toronto
Writing by Anna Cipollone. Photos by Tomas Giniotis
Chasse Gardee
This airy boutique, with exposed brick and hardwood floors, offers a clean canvas backdrop to showcase their lovely soles. The store is eclectic, with shoes by YMC and Tiger of Sweden nestled next to a bulging bookshelf. The stunning space and high-quality shoes come with an inviting ego-free ambience. More »
Left Feet
This Kensington hippie hot spot is the go-to place for environmentally-conscious consumers. Stocking only vegan footwear, this ethical shop is dedicated to supplying animal alternatives without sacrificing style. Moccasins from Manimal for ladies ($160) and men’s dress shoes by Novacas ($140) are within a reasonable price point, with plenty of footwear for both veggie-vowing sexes. More »
Heel Boy
This Queen West shop has finds like men’s leather Minnetonka moccasin loafers ($80) and a kaleidoscopic selection of Hunter wellies. Steve Madden faux-worn cowboy boots ($140) and Dolce Vita electric blue woven flats are also on offer, amid the variety of men’s and women’s styles. More »
Imelda
A welcoming Roncesvalles boutique housing shoes by Vancouver designer Erin Templeton, Dolce Vita, El Naturalista and Fly London, where earthy types can find solace. Specializing in chunky heels, comfort shoes and eco-friendly designs, this shop boasts a well-edited roster of merchandise. More »
Plum Shoe Boutique
At this underground Yorkville shoebox, the blinding white lights and sterile atmosphere are a bit hard to stomach. The space is uninviting but the shoe selection is fancy. With Duccio Del Duca leather loafers ($99) and Rupert Sanderson bright blue strappy sandals ($399), the prices at this swanky shop are borderline expensive. More »
Balisi
The soft chandelier lighting of this shoe haven spotlights Vivienne Westwood + Melissa eco-friendly veggie kicks ($165) and Melissa + Campana flats ($85), as well as pricier pumps like peach patent Firetraps ($260). A good men’s selection features Penguin runners and imports from Neosens. More »
David's
This quintessential high-end boutique has been getting our feet fancy since 1951. The usual suspects are on display, including Valentino heels ($1095) and a delightful pair of mint snakeskin pumps by Christian Louboutin ($1095). The shop is swanky, the staff is helpful, but look elsewhere if you’re starved for designer goods at consumer prices. More »
Original
The recent reincarnation of F/X resembles an oversized Crayola box lined wall-to-wall with shoes. If the rainbow of colours doesn’t cheer you up, the welcoming atmosphere will. With yellow floral peep-toes from Betseyville ($135) and satin Steve Madden heels in seafoam ($75), this store’s shoe motley is flashy (think rhinestones, feathers and clear hooker heels) yet affordable. More »
Trove
The staff is beyond helpful at this store's Annex and Bloor West Village locations. With its inviting atmosphere and chartreuse decor, modern arts and crafts types will flock to the hard-to-find Portuguese line Eject with hand-painted leather boots from $330 to $610. For enviroholics on a budget, the Groundhog line teeters at a price point of $100. More »
Ron White
A collection of names like Cole Haan and Thierry Rabotin fill the shelves of this high-end shoe stop in the Manulife Centre, with its mix of elegant pairs and simple sheik. The house line starts at around $355, not too shabby for hand-made Italian shoes that pride themselves on joining comfort with style. More »
John Fluevog Shoes
This is the ideal backdrop to display the classic Fluevog style, with contrasting colours, bizarre shapes and stitched leather, against a minimalist black and white tile floor and stainless steel countertops. Styles range from everyday wear to obscure designs, and the quality craftsmanship means these shoes should last. More »
119 Corbo
This high-end Yorkville boutique caters to prissy missys with a love for labels. Yves Saint Laurent patent leather sky-high heels will run you $318 and black motorcycle boots by Miu Miu are $795. An extensive, well-tailored collection of only the highest-end designers and the most sought-after shoes. More »
Discussion
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I cant tell you how happy I am that C-Squared did not make this list. Had a terrible customer service experience there, and I don't think I'm the only one.
CAPEZIO SHOES SHOULD BE ON YOUR LIST NEXT TO DAVIDS THEY ARE THE BEST IN THE CITY FOR AFFORDABLE FASHION FOOTWEAR....capezioshoes.ca
I think Browns Shoes should also be included in this roundup. It's a Canadian owned company that has been around for a very long time and has stock which caters to most people's budget.
I'm not a fan of the C-Squared's Queen St. location, but I did pop by the Yonge Street store (north of Eglinton) and I found the clerk to be exceedingly helpful and nice (and with better shoe selection.)
I am, however, glad to see Get Outside NOT on the list. Horrible, unfriendly sales staff. I once had two sales people bicker right in front of me, arguing over who was going to get the commission from my purchase. "OMG! You took my customer! I saw her first! You can't fucking do that!"
(Oh, and I discovered Balisi for the first time last week - they're having a HUGE sale right now - 50% off! I bought myself a pair of beautiful coral-colored flats. :)
Trove (as far as i know) is the only Canadian retailer to carry Remix Vintage shoes!
http://www.remixvintageshoes.com/index.html
Can anyone recommend a store that has some nice rainboots? I need to invest in a pair.
A cool store if you're looking for some nice new kicks is goodfoot. http://www.goodfoot.ca/store/1/toronto
Lu Galasso
As the only vegan shoe store in Toronto (maybe even in Canada), Left Feet has the advantage of being original and therefore deserves mention, certainly. But their selection is extremely limited, they never have many sizes, and the owner has put me and most people I know off for months and months by saying that he'd be getting more shoes in "next week" - and that "next week" shipment almost never arrives. I don't know why this place is still in business, much less why it garnered such a high ranking on this list.
Nice! i love these "Best Of" articles. I never would've heard of LEFT FOOT without reading this.
thanks again! :)
Where exactly are those red shoes from the far right pic at the beginning of the article from? They're not attributed to a particular store and I think I need them...
Alison, the red ones on the far right are definitely Fluevogs. I have a pair of those in green.
I completely agree with Jen. They only seem to have a couple of pairs in at a time, and they never have my size (8.5). I did buy one pair of shoes that were like fake Birkenstocks called "Vegetarian Shoes." They were pretty awful. For 80 dollars, I wouldn't think the lining of the shoes would roll up after two weeks. Plus, the support of the shoes was horrible.
I really would like to support this store, but it becomes difficult when the shoes are either not in stock or of poor quality.
Your list is horribly incomplete without Goodfoot and Livestock.
This list covers shoe stores NOT sneaker stores.
I have seen the Ron White shoe store in the manulife centre and just find their shoes to be hideous, ostentatious and yes over priced who the hell is ron white???
Alison, they are Fluevogs. Good eye Sandy!
Any recommendations for women's shoes in anything beyond a size 10?? Many of these stores have awesome stuff but the clerks look at me like Im a freakazoid for even bothering to ask for a size 11! Any recommendations (please don't say Tall Girl) for a tall lady looking for good shoes?
Fluevog goes up to women's size 12. I have also found size 11's at Browns, depends on the style / brand.
Fleuvog goes to size 12?? I am heading over there right now!
Thanks guys!
Specchio - they give Holts or Davids run for their money. Watch out for their sale season. Great finds: Dries, Balmain, Viktor Rolf
Which shoe store is that in the first picture with the assortment of Hunter boots?
That's Heel Boy
I love CAPEZIO,
Browns has too much product and is confusing to shop,
Capezio always has the best picks:)
I'm so glad I found this site...Keep up the good work
I've read a lot about the Vivienne Westwood/Melissa eco-friendly shoes and was about to order a pair from a store in NYC. Now I've discovered Balisi, thanks to BlogTO. You guys are great!!!
You forgot about Town Shoes! It's not just in Toronto, but it is a Canadian company. It has the best customer service, and amazing shoes. I love how it supports Canadian designers, David Dixon and Philip Sparks. Also, it's own exclusive lines, Kate and Mel and Barbie.
Great site and photos! Stick with the unusual and unique entries. We can find the chain stores in any mall. It is these rare treasures that are such fascinating and useful pieces of info. I found you by searching for stunning tall Miu Miu boots. I will be wearing those puppies soon!
Hey there...I found the forum from a suggestion by dreamwalker over on another blog. I had asked him if he knew of some tuts I could look at for Blender and he
pointed me this way.I've been lookin around and some of the thread are old? So then I thought I would avoid the guest play and becoming a member instead.
I wouldn't want to embarrass myself by asking silly questions or posting something stupid but I will contribute as much as I can.
You folks are awesome..
I think you should also consider The Boot Master as being the only place in town that sells high end cowboy boots.
I'm looking for a pair of Christian Louboutins...Does anyone know where I can purchase a pair from..BESIDES DAVIDS?
left feet isn't that great. no selection i guess if you had a list of the best vegan shoe stores' in the city.
Does anyone know where I can get Melissa in toronto?
Try buying woman's shoes smaller than size 5. It's impossible! I take a girls size 3. Size 5 is too big. I need comfortable, dressy shoes to wear to work. I've tried every shoe store east of T.O. Can someone tell me where to shop.
Okay, you've covered all the eco/vegan/canadian shoe nonsense. Now, where do I get some real classic men's dress shoes, like stacy adams or florsheims?
Definitely need to include Town Shoes on this list. All my fav brands at reasonable prices. And they welcome the fact that IM A SHOE-AHOLIC...love that! Can never have too many shoes :)
Town Shoes carries both brands, was there yesterday, most shoes are on sale too! Should also check out Johnson & Murphy and Ted Baker comparable classic brands.
O.K. Some help please. I'm looking for womens size 11 boots in Toronto or Mississauga for my daughter. Little heel is ok, but not too much. I'm looking for something under $120.00. Can anyone help?
Susanne Shoes on Yonge St north of Eglinton about four blocks carries tons of size 11.
I know I know but if I was a good enough person at the time we met the least I would have given you the respect you deserved before I just vanished. You may have heard but one never know what the real story is from one of us urban souls to another. Generally we all seem to prefer the bad and shocking stories in stead of ones of fresh starts and happy endings, (once that person has shown what a massive difference they have made,) then perhaps ones wronged would consider forgiveness and that is where I end my little note but not before I write these words;
You were a fantastic person during a time I was trying to re-invent myself therefore I wasn't able or capable of revealing Dylan..... 100%. I wasn't to into that guy so it was murder trying to be me so I could have developed a killer relationship/friendship what ever the case may have been.
I think of you from time to time and even find myself at my phone calling your store......... This will have to do but I hope you will accept my apology for being a real dink w/ small percentages of the real me..... bloody hell!
Hope this finds you well!