San Francisco's Best Comfortable Shoe Stores

San Francisco is a walking city, and you're going to need a pair of shoes that are comfortable enough to walk up Nob Hill, and yet stylish enough to enter the Top of the Mark Hopkins when you reach the top. To maneuver this chic, weather-friendly city by the bay in your new footwear, look no further than this guide for the best in walking, running and fashionable (yet comfortable) shoes.

Fleet Feet Sports

2076 Chestnut Street
(between Mallorca Way & Steiner St)
San Francisco, CA 94123
Neighborhood: Marina/Cow Hollow
(415) 921-7188
Fleet Feet Sports

Fleet Feet is an anathema to an era of impersonal service, online ordering and corporatized business practices. Not only will store employees measure your feet, they will ask you to walk barefoot so they can analyze your gait before outfitting you with the proper shoe. Fleet Feet primarily carries running shoes, although serious walkers and hikers can find some good options as well, especially when it comes to the Bay Area's favorite brand, Brooks.

Shoes N Feet

2398 Lombard St
(between Pierce St & United States Highway 101)
Neighborhood: Marina/Cow Hollow
(415) 931-2400
Shoes N Feet

Unique selection, open layout and attractive shoes that are both comfortable and healthy for your feet are the hallmarks of Shoes and Feet. The store offers many unique, hard-to-find walking shoe options, including Finn Comfort, Naot and Ariat. Shoes and Feet also carries narrow and extra-wide sizes.

Rabat

2080 Chestnut St
(between Mallorca Way & Steiner St) 

San Francisco, CA 94123
Neighborhood: Marina/Cow Hollow

4001 24th St
(between Noe St & Castro St) 

San Francisco, CA 94114
Neighborhood: Noe Valley
Rabat

Rabat offers more stylish alternatives to the pure walking or running shoe, while still placing value on functionality and comfort. Designers include the always-beautifully crafted, fashionable Coclico, as well as unusual picks from Giraudon and Frye.

Ria's

301 Grant Ave 
(between Harlan Pl & Sutter St)
San Francisco, CA 94108
Neighborhood: Union Square
(415) 834-1420
Ria's

While every other store might be out of the latest Ugg fad of the season, Ria's has it – in your size and even on sale. The store carries an enormous selection of comfortable, cute boots, as well as walking and running shoes and dressier options.

Gimme Shoes

416 Hayes Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
Neighborhood: Hayes Valley
(415) 864-0691
Gimme Shoes Hayes

2358 Fillmore Street
San Francisco, CA 94115
(415) 441-3040
Gimme Shoes Fillmore

If you're a shoe lover, you simply can't miss Gimmie Shoes. The buyers at Gimme Shoes scour the world for the most clever, fashionable designs out there. There are some hits and misses, and you can expect to pay a pretty penny, but Gimmie Shoes is one of my favorite shoe stores not just in San Francisco, but in the entire United States. The hard-to-find brands include Giruadon, Coclico, Fiorentini + Baker, Rahcel Comey and Rag & Bone.