Maya RichardsonFinding the right footwear makes a huge difference in your daily routine, whether you need reliable sneakers for your morning run or stylish heels for a night out. Tracking down the best shoe store in Columbus is the first step to keeping your feet happy.
Columbus’s shopping scene has it all, from unique boutiques to massive warehouse stores. We searched for places that carry top brands and deliver excellent customer service.
Keep reading to discover our top picks; these stores will save you time and make shoe shopping a breeze!
How much does buying footwear cost in Columbus?
The cost of buying footwear in Columbus ranges from $25 to over $200 per pair, depending on the brand and store type you visit.
| Store Type | Price Range |
| Discount & Budget Stores | $25 – $60 |
| Mid-Range & Department Stores | $40 – $120 |
| Athletic & Performance Gear | $100 – $160+ |
| Boutique & Streetwear Sneaker Stores | $120 – $200+ |
1. Famous Footwear
Website: https://www.famousfootwear.com/stores/oh/columbus/43212/lennox-town-center-02101
Address: 1665 Olentangy River Road
Contact: (614) 591-6732
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM | Sunday, 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Finding sneakers for the whole family is simple at Famous Footwear because they carry countless popular brands under one roof. You can easily compare options from Nike, Crocs, and Birkenstock without driving across town.
They also offer a flexible return policy that looks up your receipt digitally if you lose the paper copy. You can even use same-day delivery if you really need shoes in a pinch.
Our colleague actually bought his last pair of running shoes here and loved how fast the same-day delivery worked!
The free Famously You Rewards membership adds nice perks like bonus points and birthday cash.
A major downside is the frequent lack of cashiers during busy hours. Some shoppers report long lines and occasionally spotty communication from the floor staff.
Customer Reviews
Great selection of shoes
Great customer service! I had to do an exchange for an online order and the employee was very kind, polite, and prompt with service. He quickly found my correct item I ordered and I was out the door in about 5 mins. Aside from that situation, overall this store I would recommend for their prices! They always have good prices and great selections of shoes, and have good deals most of the time!
- Angel Kraut | Google Review
Provided excellent customer service
I contacted this store and had a pair of Nike shoes put on hold. When I went in to pick up I was greeted by a young lady named Tia who told me about a great deal on the app that would save me 15% plus my $5 rewards coupon. She provided excellent customer service to me and another customer who was in line. Management – she definitely deserves a raise or promotion!
- Miss Christy | Google Review
2. Fleet Feet Upper Arlington
Website: https://www.fleetfeet.com/s/columbus/
Address: 1344 West Lane Avenue
Contact: (614) 486-0301
Hours: Monday-Friday 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM, Saturday 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM, Sunday 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Runners will appreciate Fleet Feet Upper Arlington because they focus exclusively on performance footwear and active gear. When you visit, an expert outfitter walks you through the entire sizing process.
The staff spends serious one-on-one time with you instead of leaving you to browse alone. Then, they use specialized 3D foot scanning and dynamic pressure mapping to find your ideal fit.
The store even partners with medical professionals to address common running injuries. Plus, they host local running clubs and training programs to support the community.
However, a few visitors have complained about dismissive attitudes from certain employees during the fitting process. You might feel rushed if the store gets too crowded.
Customer Reviews
10 out of 10
Customer service is top notch! Despite the store being full of people, the wait wasn’t too bad and when it was my turn, I didn’t feel rushed. Ella was fantastic and really helped me find the best shoe for me. Her knowledge base was above and beyond anything I expected from a running shoe store. 10 out of 10. I am a repeat customer and now am a loyal customer forever!
- Meghan McGill | Google Review
Excellent outcome
Upper Arlington was the closest store to Cincinnati that had a shoe in the size and color I wanted. My drive was well worth it. I asked to try on pairs available in my size and color interest. Juan was very knowledgeable about details about each brand. He was kind and patient, not at all pushy. I left with shoes that felt great and Juan located another pair from a different location that were shipped to me. Excellent outcome.
- Yvette | Google Review
3. Sole Classics – Short North
Website: https://www.soleclassics.com/
Address: 846 N. High St.
Contact: (614) 299-2290
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM | Sunday, 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Sole Classics – Short North has a curated selection of limited-edition footwear and exclusive streetwear. You can easily score rare drops from premium brands like Jordan, HOKA, and Nike Sportswear.
They also carry their own unique store collaborations that you can’t find anywhere else. You can even use their dedicated mobile app to secure fast checkouts on release days.
A friend of mine snagged a rare pair of Vans here and praised the seamless app experience.
The shop also places a huge emphasis on supporting local artists and hosting neighborhood events.
Sadly, customer support can be frustratingly slow if you have a problem with your order. Several buyers have struggled to get clear answers regarding returns or exchanges.
Some online shoppers also mentioned that product descriptions occasionally missed the mark.
Customer Reviews
Unique shoe store
Shopping here often is always a pleasure staff is knowledgeable. Staff is willing to help. It’s always a smile on their face and their eager to hear what you’re looking for. I would definitely recommend this boutique/unique shoe store to anyone in the area and outside of the area shop Sole Classics you won’t regret it
- Harry Ward | Google Review
Huge selection of beautiful shoes of all designs
The only shoe store I will go to from now on. Absolutely amazing service and super kind and patient staff. Takes no time at all to cash out, not to mention their huge selection of beautiful shoes of all designs.
- Lauren Sherwood | Google Review
4. DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse
Website: https://stores.dsw.com/usa/oh/columbus/dsw-designer-shoe-warehouse-easton.html
Address: 3710 Easton Market
Contact: (614) 428-9030
Hours: Monday-Thursday, Sunday, 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM | Friday-Saturday, 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
If you’re looking for a serious variety, you’ll love the massive selection of designer and athletic styles available at DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse. This huge warehouse format offers hundreds of popular brands for men, women, and kids under one roof.
You can take advantage of their cool in-store extras like shoe repair and kids’ foot scanning. The store also features self-checkout stations to speed up your exit.
Another great thing is their VIP rewards program. If you’re a member, you’ll get instant discounts and free shipping perks. Plus, they frequently run big clearance events and promotional deals throughout the year!
Unfortunately, we’ve noticed that finding an employee to help you on the floor can feel impossible on busy weekends.
Also, some guests have noticed mistakes during checkout, like employees grabbing mismatched pairs from the back room. Customer service issue resolution tends to be fairly inconsistent as well.
Customer Reviews
I truly love this shoe store
😊Oh My Goodness! I truly love this shoe 👟👠👞👢👡 store. They always have the latest styles and awesome prices. I recently had to exchange my Christmas 🎄☃️🎁 gift (MIA BOOTS) because they were 2 sizes too big, however the customer service person was so sweet and nice, she made the transaction extremely smooth and problem FREE. I will definitely be a returning customer. Keep up the wonderful work DSW. Thank you so much 😘♥️.
- Lady V | Google Review
Best customer service I have received in a long time
The store was under staffed, so we had to go to the front desk to ask for a kids shoe size 4.5. Josey was there and was extremely helpful. Not only did she get another employee in the back to find the size my son needed she was able to discount it as well. Though it took longer, her attention to detail was much appreciated! Best customer service I have received in a long time!
- Wendy Ferguson | Google Review
5. 614Sole
Website: https://614sole.com/
Address: 20 S Front St.
Contact: (220) 238-1056
Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM
614Sole specializes in buying, selling, and trading highly sought-after streetwear and accessories. You can easily browse over a thousand in-stock items available for immediate purchase.
Everything is neatly organized by shoe size and budget category to make browsing simple. They even post new inventory daily to keep the selection fresh for returning buyers.
For online orders, you can easily pick up your purchases the same day. If you’re ordering from out of town, they usually process and ship orders within 48 hours.
The main drawback revolves around occasional shipping delays for those online purchases. A few customers have reported waiting longer than expected to receive their tracking numbers.
Customer Reviews
Best shoe and clothing store ever
Best shoe and clothing store ever. Owner Hawken and his team provide an incredible shopping experience that feels both welcoming and comfortable. Their selection is also ever changing so you can always find something new and unique every visit. Come shop here!
- Finn H | Google Review
Shipped the shoes in a timely manner
Can’t recommend them enough. The owners worked on the price and shipped the shoes ti me in a timely manner that I can’t complain about. Highly recommend as they have great customer service and an inventory that will appeal to anybody. You’ll definitely find something you’ll like and leave satisfied 👍👍👍
- Riyan Hashmi | Google Review
