It’s been said that the best things come in small packages.
For it’s size, Gastown is a little place with a very large footprint in clothing, fashion and accessories. And we have shoes – lots and lots of shoes!
An obsession by some, a passion of many and a necessity for all – shoes say a lot about the wearer.
Here’s where you can find the best footwear in Gastown.
The Great Gastown Shoe Meister himself, John Fluevog, is a success story worth reading over and over again. A true entrepreneur, Fluevog shoes are recognized and loved the world over. From small beginnings in 1970’s Gastown with the first store – Fox and Fluevog to an surefooted empire of 25 locations; if there was ever a shoe that said, “ I am Gastown – hear me roar!” it was and is, a Fluevog. Adored by celebrities, rock stars and plenty of us normal folk, you’ll find the best shoes Fluevog has to offer at the flagship store here on Water Street.
New to Gastown, Native Shoes now calls Water Street home with it’s first brick and mortar location.
The shop stocks the brands full line of men’s, women’s, and children’s shoes, that includes slip-ons, sneakers, and boots. Many of the products are constructed from a lightweight material called EVA—short for ethylene-vinyl acetate—which is shock-absorbent, waterproof, and odor-resistant. All shoes from Native are totally vegan or what they like to call “beast free”. The brand uses absolutely no animal hair or hide in any of its products. Super lightweight, long lasting and airy, Native Shoes are a must have for hot summer days and warm nights.
Cast away your socks to the neither regions of the wardrobe and step daintily into a pair of any of their Spring/Summer line – there are seasonal pastels and floral shades in the current collection that are hard to find anywhere else.
One of the neighbourhood’s most popular shoe stores, Rowan Sky stocks footwear for men, women and children with dress, causal and sporty styles. There is an abundance of accessories on hand – shoe care, belts, bags, socks, umbrellas, sunglasses and wallets. Brands include: Anthology Paris, Blundstone, Camper, Cole Haan, Fred Perry, John Varvatos, Native and Sully Wong. The owners are awesome, so is the service and there are cute dogs here. Can it get any better?
Stores like Six Hundred Four are what make Gastown great. Not a shoe store but a Sneaker Gallery that makes limited runs of local artist designed shoes (604 of each design) along with displaying the artist’s work that inspired the footwear. The store is very much like an art gallery and these are shoes you would be proud to wear. The artists are fairly compensated and a percentage of sales are donated to various charities. Unique, comfortable, mindful, rare and stylish – these are little works of art that you can take with you each time you put them on.
La-Differencia is a European inspired fashion boutique specializing in shoes and boots from Italy, Portugal, Spain, France, Denmark and Germany. Think Mad Max meets John Varvatos meets Salvatore Ferragamo. Yes – the shoes here are very unique and hard to find anything like them outside of Gastown.
STR/KE MVMNT is an athletic footwear and apparel brand that merges technical performance with a classic aesthetic. The brand celebrates motion and mobility and strives to promote a community of all ages that is healthy, fit and productive. Styles are simple yet durable, well made and comfortable. Perfect for active BC lifestyles or if you just like to walk everywhere.
Giddy up shoe loving pardners and head down to the OK Boot Corral. This is probably the best place in Vancouver for real cowboy boots. The selection is extensive and the store stocks lots of fun western themed accessories like big belt buckles, leather belts and cowboy hats.
Boutique Amimoc heralds from Montreal, bringing century old craftsmanship that’s steeped in tradition and history. Here you’ll find Moccasins made the traditional way with styles for women, men and children. Amimoc also makes boots, slippers and other styles of shoes along with leather bags and wool toques.
Nika Design is a tiny shop offering a large selection of women’s & men’s leather goods with a focus on shoes and boots from Europe along with a few styles made in-house. Nika is the neighbourhood’s foremost in-store shoe/leather repair service.
A hot spot that could be easily overlooked, Army & Navy in fact sells a large supply of brand name women’s and men’s shoes and boots. Each April, the store holds their famous Legendary Shoe Sale – a week of shoe shopping madness with big names like Betsey Johnson, Nine West, Steve Madden, and Neiman Marcus, among others on offer at super discount prices.
Community Thrift & Vintage has a ton of cool stuff and of course – they sell shoes! 80’s neon flats, rustic cowboy boots and platform shoes – these are all one-of-a-kind shoes. While there, you can also find a nice t-shirt, a pair of high waisted jeans or big and loud shades to compliment the look.
Swedish line COS sells a small selection of flats, casual dress shoes and sandals for men and women.
E:CLE – a women’s boutique focused on Korean brands of clothing & accessories that sells limited edition Puma sneakers, including brands like Yuul Yie from Korea and boots from ILSE JACOBSEN.
The Plus Shop on Abbott sells Nike (and off white) and rare Supreme sneakers. For streetwear sneaks Plus Shop is one of the best sources in the city.
Filson is a Seattle based outdoor clothing and accessory supplier (since 1897). They sell a small but well made selection of rugged boots for men & women.
Montreal based Frank & Oak is largely a men’s store with a small selection of items for women. The store sells sneakers made by Reebok, Saucony, Vans and also their own in-house line along with suede boots made by Frank & Oak.
HAVEN is the Gastown brick-and-mortar destination for exclusive Men’s Japanese and Globally recognized apparel, footwear & accessories. Haven stocks colab originals by Adidas X Pharrell Williams as well as Nike, Vans Vault and Wings & Horns.
Menu Skateboard Shop is the neighbourhood’s go-to place for skate shoes. Lines include HUF and Lakai.
Neighbour and Neighbour Women both carry a healthy selection of footwear – James Coward, Our Legacy, Robert Clergerie, Erkn, Trademark, Woman by Common Projects, Eytys, Acne Studios.
NiftyDo supplies men with North American, Korean and Japanese made, quality selvedge denim, cotton tops and leather accessories. Here you’ll find a small selection of leather boots by Viberg.
Nouvelle Nouvelle stocks shoes for women & men by brands including: Wood Wood, Sessun and Opening Ceremony.
OAK + FORT is an original Gastown brand that sells only its own line. Shoes for men and women are minimalist and simple. Carefully crafted with vegan leather, find your favourite from ankle boots, micro suede heels, flat mules and slip ons.
One Of A Few is a Gastown favourite – a women’s boutique specializing in small run designs in clothing, footwear and accessories, with many items being made in North America as well as in Europe and Japan. Brands include: Marais, Maryam Nassir Zadeh , LOQ, Rachel Comey and Martiniano.
The Latest Scoop, now at 305 Water Street, is set within a beautiful open floor that was once a gallery. Here you’ll find pastel rain boots, suede shoes and an assortment of sneakers including styles from Lacoste.
Poppy & Rye is a woman’s boutique with a focus on the latest in European trends. With shoes designed by some of the world’s leading architects and designers and constructed with the softest leather, you’ll quickly find the perfect fit. From boots to flats, and slip-ons to heels, Poppy & Rye has your tender footsies covered.
Roden Gray is an exclusive men’s store carrying high-end brands in clothing, footwear and accessories. Shoes, sneakers and boots from brands like Visvim, People Footwear, OAMC, Alden, Common Projects, Nonnative and an extensive selection of VANS exclusives.
Secret Location Concept Store carries some incredibly beautiful, artistic and unique pieces of footwear. Both women and men are catered to here with shoes from Jean Michel Cazabat, Aperlai, Giannico, Dear Frances, N3M, ETQ, Scarpe Di Bianco and Pop Shoes.
For a good selection of colourful VANS – head to Stussy. 
The Block has been in Gastown for over 18 years and when you go here, you’ll see why. An exceptional store for both women & men – you’ll find shoes and boots from A Detacher, Anne Thomas, H by Hudson, A.P.C, Garment Project, Eastland and Filippa K.
Wardrobe Apparel is a women’s boutique where you can find high-end designs in boots, heels and flats by Chelsea Paris, Havva and Terry De Havilland.
Angel Vancouver carries the largest selection in Vancouver of Barcelona-based brand Desigual, most notably, Desigual items designed by Christian Lacroix. You can find a variety of Desigual shoes styles including short/tall boots, rainboots, sneakers and flats – all with patchwork designs, bold colours and printed details.
