Best Place to Buy Shoes Online

Want to save money on sneakers, boots, heels and other footwear? These are the 16 best places to buy shoes online.

Searching for a new addition to your stylish wardrobe? Shopping for the fam? Or just updating your gym gear?

You don't need to spend a fortune for high-quality shoes. This guide breaks where to go for lower prices, and sneaky ways to save big on your next purchase.

Where's the Best Place to Buy Discount Shoes?

From hiking boots and performance sneaks, to heels and comfy slides, this list covers it all. Just be sure to stay tuned to the end for need-to-know shopping hacks.

1. Amazon - Best Overall

Amazon is the best option because of their prices, return policy and selection. For footwear, you can browse both major retailers (like Reebok and Adidas), small online shops and Amazon's own products.

Looking for more affordable dupes? The site is awesome for look-alikes of big-name footwear brands.

Their generous return policy also lets you try most shoes before you buy. And if you don't like the item, you can easily return the product at Kohl's or UPS. However, some third-party sellers may have different return policies, so be sure to check before buying.

• Free two-day shipping on all orders for Prime members
  
• Free shipping on orders of $25+ for non-members
  
• Free and easy returns on most items

2. Zappos - For Returns

Owned by Amazon, Zappos is known for their very flexible 365-day return policy.
You can get brand-name shoes for men and women for up to 50% off regular prices.

© Chris Harrison (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr

Zappos tends to favor more mainstream mall brands such as UGG, Steve Madden, L.L. Bean and Birkenstock. Another major perk is their wide selection of clothing and accessories.

• Free standard shipping on all orders (no minimums or exclusions)
  
• Free 365-day returns

3. Foot Locker - For Athletics

Foot Locker is one of the most popular shoe stores in America. They offer sneakers for basketball, soccer and other sports.

© Open Grid Scheduler / Grid Engine (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr

Their niche is fitness footwear, so they don't carry a lot of casual or street-style shoes.

Compared to other stores, they do provide a bigger selection of wide-width running shoes. And if you don't like your purchase, you can quickly return your item in-store or by mail.

To save even more money, join their FLX program. You'll get free shipping (no minimum), rewards on purchases and an top-shelf surprise birthday gift.

• Free shipping on all orders for FLX members
  
• Store pickup at local Footlocker
  
• Free shipping for exchanges
  
• Free return shipping within continental United States
  
• 45-day returns for online orders

4. Overstock.com - For Discounts

Deal hunters, rejoice. Overstock.com has some of the lowest prices in the game because it sells liquidated inventory from other retailers.

Their styles might not be ultra-chic or trendy, but you can get simple running or dress shoes at rock-bottom prices.

Plus, if you sign up for their email alerts, you'll receive 15% off your first purchase and a pipeline of discounts throughout the year.

• Standard free shipping on U.S. orders to the continental 48 states (excludes Hawaii and Alaska)
  
• Most standard orders ship within 1-2 business days
  
• Final shipping cost and estimated delivery time frame provided during checkout
  
• 30-day returns

5. DSW - For Families

Designer Shoe Warehouse (or DSW) is the spot for performance running shoes and athleisure sneaks from major brands like New Balance, ASICS and more. You can also shop for formal footwear with their vast inventory of boots, sandals, oxfords and loafers.

© Mike Mozart (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr

They carry hundreds of formal and casual styles for men, women and children. Plus, they host huge clearance sales throughout the year.

DSW's online shop has a bigger selection and sometimes cheaper prices than their physical stores. But if you walk into one of their locations, you get to try before you buy.

• Shipping costs $7.95 per order
  
• Free standard shipping on all orders of $35+
  
• VIP Rewards members get free shipping on all orders
  
• 60-day returns for a full refund
  
• Able to return purchase via mail or in-store

6. Shoes.com - For Comfort

Are you on your feet all day? Shoes.com has a foot care and wellness section with features like arch support, heel pain relief and medicare approval. You can get competitive prices on wide shoes, crocs, mules and more.

Plus, the online shop carries eco-friendly, vegan, diabetic-friendly and other specialty options in stock.

They host end of the year clearance with up to 70% off. And you can catch 25% off site-wide sales a few times during the year.

For even more exclusive deals, subscribe to Shoes.com's emails. If you sign up for the ShoeFan Rewards program, you'll get a $5 reward and 1 point per $1 spent.

• Free UPS ground shipping on all U.S. orders
  
• Hassle-free 60-day returns via mail (prepaid shipping label)
  
• Exchanges are free but returns incur a $7.95 restocking free
  
• Excellent customer service

7. Famous Footwear - For Loyalty Program

Famous Footwear is a fan favorite in outlet malls - and for good reason. It's easy to find great deals on name-brand athletic and casual shoes.

© Mike Mozart (CC BY 2.0)via Flickr

Famous Footwear has a limited range of children's shoes, so this is a better option for adults.

This St. Louis-based chain has over 1,000 retail stores nationwide where you can make in-store returns. And their prices are generally discounted from the manufacturer's suggested prices. Make sure to shop their clearance section for Buy One, Get One 50% discounts.

• Free shipping for all Famously You rewards members
  
• Free shipping on orders of $75+
  
• Free 60-day returns
  
• Return merchandise in-store (free) or by mail (shipping fee)

8. thredUP - For Thrifting

thredUP is a huge online clothing resale marketplace. You can find your favorite brands for up to 90% off.

The store has very strict guidelines about the shoes they buy. In fact, the site only accepts items in like-new or great condition. Think of them as a very chic and convenient consignment store.

thredUP carries over 50,000+ products from brands like Everlane, Reformation and Cole Haan.

• All orders $79+ get free standard shipping
  
• Flat fee of $5.99 for shipping
  
• Returns must be sent back within 14 days from the date of delivery
  
• All items are subject to a $1.99 restocking fee
  
• Original shipping is not refunded when returning items

9. Tradesy - For Luxury Designers

Got expensive taste? Tradesy is here for it. Tradesy is a peer-to-peer online fashion marketplace that caters to women's designer brands. This means you buy directly from the current owner (similar to Poshmark).

You can find contemporary, high-end styles from Prada, Balenciaga and more at a huge discount. The company's smart technology automatically detects and removes fake listings with 99.7% accuracy.

If you don't feel confident about an item's authenticity, just send it back to Tradesy's HQ (roundtrip shipping included). They'll inspect the product and if determined fake, you get a full refund. If it's confirmed as the real deal, you can decide to keep it or swap for Tradesy site credit.

• Returns must be requested within 4 days of delivery to receive Tradesy site credit
  
• Free shipping on all orders

10. Zumiez - For Alternative Styles

Another popular mall retailer, Zumiez carries tons of skate and snowboarding gear. Keep an eye out for sales events like Buy One, Get One Free (or 50% off), and 70% off closeout deals.

© Mike Mozart (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr

Zumiez caters more toward teens and young adults. They carry classic skate shoes from Vans, Nike, Converse and more. And their apparel features cool graphic designs and artwork.

If you sign up for the Zumiez Stash program, you'll have a chance to win grand prizes and VIP events with musicians, and artists.

• Free shipping on all orders
  
• 30-day returns
  
• After 30 days, returns are issued a gift card for the full amount
  
• After 90 days, returns are issued a gift card for the current promotional price

11. Lucky Feet Shoes - For Foot Pain

Lucky Feet Shoes specializes in comfortable shoes for foot pain, arch support and wider feet.

Browse their selection of walking shoes, custom orthotics and other specialty footwear at lower prices.

You can filter by style, width, problem (like fallen arches, calluses, bunions, diabetes, etc.) and more. Unlike most other stores, they offer a price match guarantee, so you know you're getting the best deal available.

The Lucky Feet Shoes rewards programs gives you $10 credit per referral, $5 credit for a Yelp review and $10 credit for your birthday month.

• Free shipping on all orders $100+ (excludes sale items)
  
• 30-day returns
  
• Price match guarantee

12. Shoe Carnival - For Kids

If you're shopping for back-to-school attire, check this place out. Shoe Carnival has an extensive array of children's footwear. Plus, their prices are pretty darn low, so growth spurts won't break the bank.

They carry family favorites like Crocs, Adidas, Pumas and more. To quickly scan deals, go to their Coupons and Promotions page.

Shoe Perks rewards members get 1 point per $1 spent, $5 birthday bonus and exclusive sales events. Plus, you can get $10 off your purchase just for joining their email list.

• Free shipping on orders of $75+
  
• 60-day returns

13. 6pm.com - For Hard-to-Find Styles

As the outlet division of Zappos, 6pm.com offers much cheaper prices than their parent company. They're mostly known for closeout and discontinued items at low prices.

It's common to find popular brands at 70% off the manufacturer's suggested retail price. Inventory is limited so if you see a deal, jump at it.

• Free shipping on orders of $50+
  
• All other orders have a shipping fee of $3.95
  
• 30-day returns

14. Poshmark - For Discovering New Trends

Poshmark's marketplace works a bit like Facebook. Users can join communities, "like" items and "follow" fashionistas you admire.

You can also attend virtual buying and selling parties to browse a variety of themes and brands. Their curated looks will help you complete any outfit.

With Poshmark, you can find a pair of higher-end designer shoes at a fraction of the regular price. Plus, buying secondhand is good for your wallet and the environment.

• Shipping is sometimes covered by the seller
  
• 3-day returns

15. Zulily - For Flash Sales

Zulily is known for selling name-brand shoes at super-cheap prices for a short period of time.

The online shop buys up excess inventory for other stores and sells it for 2-3 days at 70% off the original price. Just note that styles do sell out fast.

They set up new sales every day so you should check the site or download the mobile app for latest updates. Zulily isn't known for a large selection, but you'll definitely save a bundle on a pair of shoes here.

• Shipping costs between $5.95 and $24.95
  
• Some orders qualify for free shipping
  
• Long wait time for deliveries
  
• 30-day returns

16. Onlineshoes.com - For Outdoors

Onlineshoes.com is perfect for heading to the mountains, beach or lake. Even if you're just looking for comfortable walking shoes, this site is worth a look.

They offer a variety of outdoor and waterproof footwear at lower prices. You'll find work boots, running sneakers, sandals and boots that fit your budget. They carry brands like Hushpuppies, Merrell, Saucony, Sperry and more.

• 30-day returns (minus $5 shipping fee)
  
• Free shipping on orders of $25+
  
• $3 shipping fee on all other orders

You're almost ready to start shopping. Next, let's a dive into best practices for finding a deal online.

How to Save Money on Shoes

Shopping online is much cheaper than buying in-stores. If you know where to look, you can save between 40% to 70% on your new pair of shoes. To help you out, here are a few quick hacks:

1. Join a Loyalty/Rewards Program - In exchange, you'll get the hottest deals, free shipping and points on your purchase. Most stores even offer discounts or a cash bonus for your birthday month.

2. Earn Cash Back with Rakuten - You can earn even more points with cash-back apps like Rakuten. You can earn up to 20% cash back on over 2,500 specific brands and retailers.

3. Compare Prices on Honey - This coupon app automatically looks at the items in your cart and searches for relevant promo codes. You'll get a discount without any work at all.

4. Discounted Gift Cards on Raise - You can buy gift cards (up to 15% cheaper) on this site and use them on your favorite shoe stores.

5. Try Resale Apps - If you've already got tons of shoes, you can sell your extra inventory on apps like Poshmark, thredUP or Tradesy. Or, if you want to buy a specific style, search these apps for gently used items at a fraction of the original cost.

6. Use Google Shopping - To save time, the search engine can scope the lowest regular price online. Note, Google doesn't show you special offers or coupons on deals sites.

7. Buy from the Kids Sections - This is great news for people with small feet. A kids' pair is $10 less than an adult woman's for the same style and size.

Bottom Line

Whether you're looking for formal dress shoes or new hiking boots, shopping online is your best bet for low prices.

To amplify your savings, compare prices online, use cash-back apps and opt for free shipping to get the most bang of your buck.