Should You Buy Your Next Pair of Shoes on Amazon? Here‘s the Low Down…

Hey there! Looking for a new pair of kicks? Want to score a sweet deal with fast shipping?

If you‘re wondering whether Amazon is a good place to buy shoes these days, you‘ve come to the right place.

Let me walk you through everything you need to know to shop smart for shoes on Amazon. I‘ll answer all your questions about counterfeits, returns, and whether Amazon is my top recommendation for shoe shopping in 2024.

Here‘s the short answer:

For most shoppers, Amazon is my #1 recommendation for buying affordable, everyday shoes. The selection can‘t be beat. But you have to be a savvy shopper and follow my tips to avoid fake shoes from sketchy sellers.

Make sense? Keep reading for the full scoop on finding your sole mate on Amazon!

What Kinds of Shoes Does Amazon Have?

Let‘s start with what kinds of shoes Amazon stocks. Unless you‘re looking for some super obscure Victorian-era footwear, they‘ve got you covered.

Seriously, I‘m not kidding about the selection. Amazon sells over 5 million shoe products across every category imaginable:

• Sneakers (Nike, Adidas, Vans)
• Boots (Timberland, Uggs)
• Heels and wedges
• Sandals (Birkenstocks, Tevas)
• Athletic shoes (Asics, Under Armour)
• Dress shoes (Cole Haan, Rockport)
• Clogs (Dansko, Crocs)
• Slippers (Dearfoams, Minnetonka)
• Kids shoes

You name a style, and Amazon has 20 different brands and 100 colors to choose from. Compared to your average shoe store, it‘s mind-blowing.

For example, say I wanted a new pair of black mid-calf boots with a chunky heel. I could find options from Steve Madden, Madden Girl, Circus by Sam Edelman, Journee Collection, DREAM PAIRS, LifeStride…I could go on and on.

So if you have specific criteria for a new pair of shoes, Amazon is tough to beat for giving you choices.

Now, an in-person specialty shoe store will have knowledge, service and the ability to try before you buy. But in terms of sheer selection sitting in your comfy pants, Amazon wins.

Are There Any Shoe Brands Amazon Doesn‘t Sell?

Alright, time for a little myth busting. Despite what you may have heard from your stylish friend Stacy…

Almost every major shoe brand sells on Amazon in some form!

The exception is Nike, who stopped selling directly on Amazon in 2019. But hundreds of other big brands like Adidas, New Balance, UGG, TOMS, Converse, and Vans are available.

Amazon also carries its own exclusive shoe brands like 206 Collective and Goodthreads. And they have deals on harder-to-find brands like Oofos, Vivobarefoot, and Allbirds.

So don‘t believe the hype that Amazon only sells no-name shoes. They have the major brands you know and love.

Here‘s a quick table to summarize which big brands sell on Amazon:

Shoe Brands ON Amazon	Shoe Brands NOT on Amazon
Adidas	Nike
New Balance	Jimmy Choo
Converse	Manolo Blahnik
Vans	Christian Louboutin
TOMS
UGG
Timberland
Dr Martens
Crocs
Steve Madden
Cole Haan
…and more!

Now, some luxury high fashion brands like Jimmy Choo and Louboutin avoid Amazon. But for us non-celebrities, Amazon has all the athletic, casual, dress, and comfort brands you‘d want.

Can You Buy Real Shoes on Amazon? Aren‘t There Fakes?

If it seems too good to be true…there‘s always that lingering doubt, right?

"Wait, how can Amazon have real Nikes and UGGs for cheap? Are they all fakes?"

This concern around counterfeits on Amazon is understandable. Here‘s the deal:

There ARE fake shoes on Amazon sold by sketchy sellers. But there are also 100% real shoes sold directly by the brands and Amazon.

Counterfeits are not as big of an issue when buying shoes shipped and sold by Amazon or authorized sellers.

For example, if the listing says "Sold by Adidas" or "Shipped from and sold by Zappos", it‘s legit.

However, you have to watch out for sketchy third-party sellers with names like "SneakerHutfuncdefabc123". That‘s where counterfeits slip through the cracks.

So the key is vetting each seller closely, which we‘ll get into next…

Follow These Tips to Avoid Buying Fake Shoes on Amazon

The main downside of shopping for shoes on Amazon is you have to be savvy to avoid counterfeits from third parties. It‘s an extra step brick-and-mortar stores don‘t have.

But it‘s not hard once you know the tricks! Here are my top 7 tips for ensuring you get authentic shoes on Amazon:

1. Buy from Authorized Sellers

I can‘t stress this enough – only buy from "Sold by [BRAND]" or official sellers like Zappos and 6pm. Never buy from sketchy sellers you don‘t recognize.

2. Stick to Amazon as the Seller

If the listing says "Shipped from and sold by Amazon.com", it‘s a guaranteed legit pair of shoes. Amazon gets inventory directly from the brands.

3. Beware of Prices That Seem Too Low

If the price seems unrealistic, walk away. Fakes have crazy low prices to bait you in.

4. Carefully Read Negative Reviews

If you see complaints about poor quality or durability, it‘s likely counterfeit shoes.

5. Research the Third-Party Seller

Google the seller name. Check online forums for mentions. Red flags include zero online presence or accusations of selling fakes.

6. Inspect Photos Closely

Look for differences between product photos and brand photos, like logos, text, materials, etc.

7. Verify Authenticity When Shoes Arrive

Carefully inspect stitching, materials, branding, weighting, smell, etc. before accepting the order.

I know it takes a little extra effort. But ultimately, Amazon makes it easy to get your money back if a pair of shoes shows up and they are clearly counterfeit. Just use their free return process.

So what it comes down to is carefully selecting who you buy from. With a little detective work, you can shop Amazon for shoes with confidence.

How Easy is it to Return Shoes on Amazon?

Say the shoes arrive and they fit terribly or just aren‘t your style. What then?

No worries, Amazon has your back. Returns are effortless with their free return policy and prepaid shipping labels.

Just log into your Amazon account, go to Your Orders, select "Return or Replace", print the label, and drop the box at a UPS location.

Once the return is scanned by UPS, Amazon will process your refund in 1-2 business days. Pretty smooth!

Some specialty shoes may have shorter return windows, so always check the policies. But for most standard shoes you get 30 days.

This hassle-free return experience is a major perk to buying shoes online from Amazon. There‘s less risk since you can easily send ill-fitting shoes back.

At a brick-and-mortar store, you‘re stuck with a purchase if it doesn‘t work out at home.

Weighing the Pros and Cons – Is Amazon the Best Place to Buy Shoes?

We‘ve covered a ton of ground on Amazon shoes. Let‘s recap the key pros and cons:

Pros of Buying Shoes on Amazon:

• Browsing selection of 5+ million shoes beats any store
• All major athletic and casual brands except Nike
• Deep discounts and deals year-round
• Fast 1-2 day Prime shipping
• Free returns up to 30 days for most shoes
• Easy refunds if you receive counterfeits

Cons of Buying Shoes on Amazon:

• Counterfeit risk from third-party sellers
• No expert fitting advice or try on
• Some high-end brands unavailable
• Must be proactive checking for fakes
• Shorter return window for some shoes

For most people buying affordable, everyday footwear, the pros of selection, deals, and convenience far outweigh the cons. But it depends on your priorities.

In-person shoe stores provide an experience of trying shoes on with an expert. If fit and feedback are most important to you, physical stores may be best. You pay more but reduce risk.

For online shoppers open to free returns and proactively vetting sellers, Amazon simply can‘t be matched for endless options at discount prices delivered fast.

There‘s no universally right answer here. You have to look at the pros and cons and decide what matters most for your shoes purchase.

The Bottom Line – Shop Smart and Amazon Delivers for Shoe Shopping

Let‘s bring this home…

My verdict is Amazon is by far the best option out there for buying affordable, everyday shoes online.

The selection blows other retailers out of the water. But you have to educate yourself on spotting sketchy sellers to get authentic shoes.

As long as you follow the tips in this guide, you can shop Amazon for shoes with total confidence.

I hope this breakdown helps you make the best choice for your next shoe purchase. Never hesitate to reach out with any other questions! I‘m always happy to help.

Now go forth and explore those millions of shoes to find your perfect pair!