The best shoe stores in NYC

This beauteous, jewel box of a shop is an offshoot of H&M and a sister store to high-end minimalist brand COS. After peeking at their unique print dresses, bespoke beauty line and cute potted plants, make a beeline for the shoe room, where you’ll find a range of sleek, over-the-knee boots ($345), leather lace-up sneakers ($135) and chunky flatforms ($145–$275).

Originally an ecommerce startup, BucketFeet has since expanded to a brick-and-mortar store in Soho, selling limited-edition artist-designed socks and shoes at accessible price points. Searching for dinosaur-patterned slip-ons for your toddler? Or gold pineapple printed sneaks for yourself? Look no further! In addition, graffiti artists, tattoo illustrators, photographers and more can submit their original artwork for shoe production consideration.

Veer slightly off Bedford Avenue to shop an eclectic mix of leather footwear at DNA Footwear, including preppy-but-pragmatic boat shoes ($78–$95), chic leather mules ($145–$185), and strappy sandals ($70–$100). Comfort-conscious brands like Camper, Birkenstock and Palladium mingle with fashion-forward Sam Edelman, Dolce Vita and BCBGeneration kicks on richly varied displays.

This footwear and furniture shop is the first in the U.S. But don’t get too attached to the 1950s-era furniture since the stock rotates each season. Over on the shoe side, snag kicks crafted with vegetable-dyed leather and vintage fabrics, such as colorful strappy sandals ($400), unisex textured leather boots with zippers ($485–$545), men’s suede loafers ($340) and women’s cowboy-style heeled tall boots ($690), which are part of a collaboration with Anna Sui. You’ll also discover a small assortment of accessories, like thin studded-leather and suede belts ($195), and outerwear, such as velvet jackets ($500–$550).

This airy, brick-walled Union Square shop is stocked to the rafters with rare, bold sneakers, mostly sold on consignment. Find the Nike Air Jordans of your dreams ($69–$25,000) or opt for the classic New Balance 574 ($45–$100). Other on-point styles include Adidas Stan Smiths ($70–$275), Reebok Pumps ($200–$325), and limited-edition Andy Warhol–print Converses ($60–$75).

Dudes, boot up! Engineer-inspired cap-toe boots ($175) and lace-up wing tips ($150) exemplify what this 122-year-old men’s brand is all about: durability, style and comfort. From polished leather pull-ons outfitted with elastic side panels ($120) to casual suede chukkas ($110), there’s a style for every gent at this modern-meets-retro store.

Shopping for sneakers and craving a bowl of cereal? Footwear impresario Ronnie Fieg opened Kith in Prospect Heights to satisfy your dual sugar-and-sartorial cravings in one fell swoop. This is your go-to destination for Cocoa Puffs and Converse, Frosted Flakes and Florsheim. Also, Fieg partnered with Snarkitecture, a Brooklyn-based art studio, for in-store installations that are sure to wow hungry shoppers.

It may not be as glamorous as New York’s other famous stores, but for sheer breadth of stock, the 34th Street behemoth is hard to beat. You won’t find exalted labels here, though—midpriced fashion and designers’ diffusion lines for all ages are its bread and butter, along with all the big beauty names. Fun fact: Herein lies the largest shoe department in the world (63,000 square feet, to be exact) so chances of leaving empty handed are slim. Brave the constant crowd to shop suede and lyrca over-the-knee boots by Kenneth Cole ($159) and equestrian-like rain wellies from Dirty Laundry ($59). While there’s no shortage of trendy options—given tables dedicated to Jessica Simpson, Charles David and Dolce Vita—eternally popular styles, like men’s Timberland roll tops ($120), are just as nice.

Fresh from creating popular footwear for Urban Outfitters, Scoop and Madewell house lines (as well as his own label sold in high-end boutiques), this accessories designer opens his first stand-alone store. Bernson’s friendly vizsla pup greets patrons in the shop, which is eclectically decorated with a salvaged waved-glass register, vintage fossilized-wood stools, surfboards and black dome light fixtures. Take a seat on the leather couch or barrel-back chairs in the lounge, which overlooks the shop. Chic selections include ombré patent-leather flats ($169), cowboy boots embellished with floral cutouts ($335) and Chelsea booties updated with cool, contrast panels ($259).