Risk-Free Online Shoe Shopping: Stores with excellent return policies

Published June 11, 2009

Of all the apparel items you can buy, shoes are probably the most tricky. You have to try them on, feel for the toe, take a short walk through the store (at least you do if you're shopping with my mom). So, buying footwear online can be a bit risky, since you can't "try before you buy." Thankfully, several online retailers offer excellent shipping and return policies to limit, if not eliminate, the risk of sight-unseen shoe shopping.

Though we don't think it needs to be said, it might be worth pointing out that the shoes you return need to be in an unworn condition. (No one wants to take back your ratty, smelly, used shoes.)

	Shipping Rates	Return Policies	Time Frame
Amazon.com	free shipping on $25+	free exchanges standard return shipping rates deducted from refund	up to 30 days
Endless.com	free shipping via overnight	free return shipping	up to 365 days
Famous Footwear	$4.50 shipping	free returns in-store (otherwise, standard return shipping rates paid by customer)	up to 90 days
FinishLine	$7.99 shipping	free returns in-store (otherwise standard shipping rates deducted from refund)	up to 45 days
OnlineShoes.com	free shipping	free exchanges (otherwise $6.99 deducted from refund)	up to 90 days
Payless	$5.95 shipping	free returns in-store (otherwise, standard return shipping rates paid by customer)	not specified
PiperLime	free shipping	free return shipping	up to 45 days
RoadRunner Sports	$7.99 shipping	free returns in-store for online purchases (otherwise, $9.49 deducted from refund)	up to 30 days
Shoebacca.com	free shipping	free return shipping	up to 90 days
ShoeBuy.com	free shipping	free return shipping	up to 60 days
ShoeMall.com	free shipping	$6.95 deducted from refund	not specified
Shoes.com	free shipping	free return shipping	up to 60 days
Zappos.com	free shipping	free return shipping	up to 365 days

Jeff Somogyi is dealnews' Media Editor. He can't remember the last pair of brick-and-mortar shoes he's bought.

Please note that, although prices sometimes fluctuate or expire unexpectedly, all products and deals mentioned in this feature were available at the lowest total price we could find at the time of publication (unless otherwise specified).

We love comments and feedback. Please be respectful and add comments that aren't mean-spirited, offensive, abusive, inaccurate, or misleading. Please don't post affiliate links or links to sites that use affiliate links. dealnews reserves the right to remove content as it sees fit and makes no representation as to the accuracy of information, opinions, claims, or advice shared here by dealnews readers. Thank you!