Hi Americans, I’m travelling in your lovely country and am about to head to New York having being in LA.

I’be been trying to get a pair of shoes/sneakers for everyday ware however all the shops (including ones like footlocker) seem to cater to sneakers for fashion/street ware, so my question is where do y’all go to get practical shoes?

Thanks?

20 comments
  1. It might be more regional but there’s a chain called Shoe Sensation that sells various kinds of shoes. To be honest, shoes like retro looking Jordans or Nike AF1 are considered practical shoes here.

  2. What kind of “practical shoes” do you want? Foot Locker and other stores at any mall are going to have a range of sneakers from boring New Balances to crazy crap. Discount stores like Rack Room and the like will have even more boring walking shoes. Or if you don’t care about brand names you can go to Wal Mart or whatever.

  3. Those same shapes will sell everyday shoes. Technically, those fashion shoes are also for everyday wear.

    If you want more basic pairs of shoes, find a department store.

  4. What is your definition of practical shoes? Footlocker sells sneakers, as does Famous Footwear, DSW, Dick’s, TJ Maxx, and Marshall’s.

  5. TJ Maxx, Macy’s, Ross, Nordstrom Rack, Target, DSW.

    I still miss Payless. RIP friend.

  6. There is a lot of overlap among the following, but in general: DSW will have a big selection at various price points. Shoe carnival, famous footwear, kohls, rack room shoes are good for cheap shoes but not as cheapIy made as Payless or Walmart. Department stores and independent shoe stores for nicer shoes. Also malls will often have a variety of shoe stores besides just sneaker stores

  7. Sporting goods stores like Dick’s, department stores like Nordstrom or Macy’s. Discounters like DSW or Nordstrom Rack.

  8. I find a decent selection at Kohl’s.

    Ecco is a store that I’ve only seen in malls, and seems to specialize in comfortable walking shoes, including business styles.

    REI is a sporting goods coop that has a variety of hiking, water sports, and athletic shoes.

  9. In LA, look up a WSS for regular sneakers that arent those crazy high end shops for sneaker heads. There should also be a Nike outlet at others at the Citadel Outlets.

  10. You can get modern brands like Allbirds and Rothy’s in the big city. Look for stuff like that, it’s a bit more toned down than athletic sneakers. I am wearing Rothy’s this summer but there’s lots of other brands like that, mid-market casual stuff doing most of their business direct to consumer online.

  11. Dicks is my favorite spot. Mostly all their shoes are for sports or fitness reasons. They have all major brands. Nike, Adidas, Underarmour and tons more.

    I get these “no laces” nikes. and they are the best shoes i’ve ever worn

  12. Sporting, hiking, and work shoes would be Academy or Foot Locker. Dress Shoes I would go for a local cobbler or bootmaker.

  13. I bought my dailies at boot barn, but your case is going to vary depending on what you’re after. Somehow I kinda doubt yours and mine match lol.

  14. You need to narrow down what you’re looking to buy. If it’s a premium branded shoe or something rare then they’ll be both expensive and difficulty to find regardless of where you shop. If you want a boring shoe that gets the job done at a reasonable price you can find something like New Balances at pretty much any major retailer. If you want a more casual shoe, something like Vans for example, you can find them at places like Kohls or specific outlet stores at shopping malls.

    To solicit my unrequested opinion I’d suggest skipping buying sneakers and to invest in a pair of high quality American made boots if you have the ability to break them in.

  15. Depends – Nike gives good gym/running shoes. REI is geared towards hiking and trail running.

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