Step into the top shoe shops in the city—whether you’re a sneakerhead, luxury lover, functional footwear fan or all three!
Ready to put your best foot forward for your outfit of the day, festival afterparty or New Year’s Eve celebration? Read on for Toronto’s best shoe stores. But be forewarned: you may have to get creative to fit all your purchases in your luggage… or closet!
Toronto’s best shops for designer shoes
Head to upscale Yorkville for the flagship location of Canada’s luxury department store, Holt Renfrew, where you’ll find Christian Louboutin, Valentino, YSL, Manolo Blahnik and other top labels.
The neighbourhood is also home to chic designer boutiques, including Chanel, Gucci and Prada. Another neighbourhood must-shop? The expertly curated shoe offerings at The Webster, where you’ll find labels such as Rick Owens and Lanvin.
If you’re downtown, fulfill your shoe lust at The Bay. On the second floor, you’ll find the women’s shoe hall of your dreams: it’s 30,000 square feet filled with footwear from the likes of Nicolas Kirkwood, Giuseppe Zanotti and Gianvito Rossi.
Toronto’s best shops for fashion-forward shoes
Support small businesses while you score stylish soles for your collection. Edmonton-based footwear favourite gravitypope serves up Ugg, Camper and Aigle over three floors at the foot of trendy Ossington Village.
Stroll north along Ossington Avenue to pop into Permission, a sleek boutique focused on chic athleisure, where you’ll find shoes from Veja and APL. Then, just a short walk away, you’ll find the brick-and-mortar store of Montreal-based direct-to-consumer shoe brand Maguire, where you can get a pair of the loafers you’ve seen on all of the city’s It girls.
Toronto’s best shoe stores for functional footwear
Every shoe wardrobe needs a few functional pairs. Queen Street West’s Get Outside is the place for tried-and-true classics, including Converse Chuck Taylors, New Balance 550s and Vans Old Skool sneakers.
Queen West is also home to Australian Boot Company, where you can score yet another pair of Blundstone boots, such as the city-meets-country Chelsea style.
Or head to Yorkville for footwear that promises to keep your toes warm and dry through the worst Canadian winter. La Canadienne is known for stylish, fully weather-proof boots designed for our climate.
Toronto’s best shops for trendy shoes
Trust Browns boutiques to keep your fit checks on point. This Montreal-based retailer carries footwear for women, men and kids from brands ranging from Bogs to Frye at locations across town, including the Toronto Eaton Centre and Yorkdale Shopping Centre.
The whole family can shop at Queen West footwear institution Heel Boy, home to Sam Edelman, Cole Haan and Canadian brand Cougar. But if it’s a hot, must-have sneaker you’re on the hunt for, check out the edited selection down the street at Size?—locals in the know go there in search of hard-to-find limited editions.
Toronto’s best shops for quirky footwear
Imelda in Roncesvalles Village is known for its range of whimsical styles—think everything from Sorels with bright orange rubber soles to extra sparkly crystal slingback heels from Shoe the Bear. While you’re there, be sure to check out its selection of accessories, too (delicate earrings by Kari Phillips and candles by Boy Smells make for the perfect gift or treat for yourself).
Another can’t-miss? The king of quirky shoes: renowned Canadian shoe designer John Fluevog. Discover his collection of funky heels in unique prints and colourways at the Toronto flagship boutique on Queen West, where you’ll also find the Vog Vault, a former-bank-vault-turned-anti-gravity photo opp.
Toronto’s best shops for running shoes
Find the best running shoe for your feet at independent running shops across the city. BlackToe Running has two locations in Toronto (Yonge & Eglinton and King Street West), hosts run clubs and training programs, and carries top brands like Nike, Adidas and Saucony, alongside apparel and accessories from Tracksmith, Goodr and Ciele. Similarly, east end Leslieville’s Culture Athletics carries in-demand brands and hosts free weekend drop-in runs.
The Runners Shop in the Annex, however, holds the title of Canada’s oldest run retailer and run club. You’ll find brands including Puma, On and Brooks here, along with essentials like running belts and gels from Maurten and Tailwind.
Running Room has several locations across from Toronto, so you’re probably never far from a shop that has all of your running shoe needs covered. Hoka and Asics are in the mix here, plus specialty track spikes and trail runners.
Toronto’s best malls for one-stop shoe shopping
Optimize your shoe hunt at downtown’s Toronto Eaton Centre and uptown’s Yorkdale Shopping Centre.
At the Eaton Centre, you’ll find affordable, stylish shoes at L’Intervalle, trend-driven styles from Italian brand Geox, all of your Nike shoe needs at the Nike store, plus a wide range of shoe styles and brands at Little Burgundy and B2 (an in-house brand from popular chain, Browns). Make a stop at the OVO store if you’re looking for a pair of Nocta Glides or OVO slides.
You can also score OVO at Yorkdale. While there is some overlap between the city’s two mega malls (with the likes of Little Burgundy, Nike and Browns), Yorkdale also boasts an Allbirds shop (hello, planet-friendly footwear!), plus luxury shoe boutiques from Jimmy Choo and Celine.
