Best Time to Buy Shoes

The Best Months to Buy Shoes

January-February -- Winter Clearance (Rating: 5/5)

January and February deliver the deepest shoe discounts of the year. Retailers must clear fall/winter inventory (boots, cold-weather shoes, leather dress shoes in dark colors) to make room for spring arrivals. Expect 40-60% off at Nordstrom, DSW, Macy's, and brand websites.

This is the absolute best time to buy boots. Dr. Martens, Timberland, UGG, Sorel, and Cole Haan all participate in winter clearance. A pair of Dr. Martens 1460 boots that retailed at $170 in October regularly drops to $100-$120 in January. UGG boots see 30-50% off. Luxury boot brands at Nordstrom hit their deepest markdowns during this window.

Presidents' Day in February extends the clearance with additional promotional events at major retailers. If you missed the January deals, February is a second chance at similar pricing.

July -- Nordstrom Anniversary Sale + Summer Clearance (Rating: 5/5)

July is the best month for premium shoe shopping. The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale (typically mid-July for cardholders, late July for everyone) offers 30-40% off on brand-new fall shoes, boots, and accessories -- not leftover inventory, but upcoming season styles at pre-season prices. This is the one event where you can buy new-season boots at a discount before they hit full price in September.

Simultaneously, summer clearance marks down sandals, open-toe shoes, and summer styles by 30-50% at every retailer. The combination of the Anniversary Sale and summer clearance makes July the most versatile shoe shopping month of the year.

November -- Black Friday and Cyber Monday (Rating: 5/5)

Black Friday offers 30-50% off across all shoe categories and retailers. Cole Haan runs 40-50% off sitewide. Clarks discounts 30-40%. DSW stacks VIP member discounts on top of sale pricing. Nordstrom, Macy's, and Zappos all participate with aggressive promotions.

Black Friday is the best time to buy dress shoes and work shoes because these categories rarely have end-of-season clearance (they are not as seasonal as boots or sandals). If you need a pair of oxfords, loafers, or professional flats, Black Friday is your best annual window.

When to Avoid Buying

The worst times to buy shoes are April and September-October. April is when spring/summer lines arrive at full MSRP with no promotional pressure. September-October is when fall boots and shoes debut at full price -- retailers bank on the excitement of "boot season" to drive full-price sales. Wait until Black Friday (6-8 weeks away) for fall styles to discount, or until January for deep clearance.

March is also weak for non-clearance items. The winter clearance is winding down, spring arrivals are full price, and no major sale event fills the gap until Memorial Day in May.

Secondary Windows

• May (Memorial Day): Nordstrom, DSW, and Zappos run 20-30% off sitewide events. Good for sandals and spring shoes. Solid if you need shoes for a summer event.
• August: End-of-summer clearance on sandals and casual shoes. Back-to-school drives promotions on kids' shoes and family footwear.
• June: Father's Day drives promotions on men's dress shoes and loafers at Cole Haan, Allen Edmonds, and department stores.

Best Time to Buy Boots

Boots follow the most predictable pricing cycle of any shoe category because they are purely seasonal.

• Best prices: Late January through February (40-60% off). Winter boots are being cleared aggressively. This is when to buy UGG, Dr. Martens, Sorel, Timberland, and designer boots.
• Best selection of new styles at a discount: Nordstrom Anniversary Sale in July (30-40% off new fall boots before they hit stores at full price).
• Good prices: Black Friday (30-50% off current-season boots with full size availability).
• Worst time: September-October when fall boots launch at full MSRP. Never buy boots at launch unless it is a limited edition that will sell out.

Where to Buy Shoes for the Best Deals

Nordstrom

The best retailer for premium shoes. The Anniversary Sale in July is unmatched for new-season footwear at a discount. End-of-season sales in January and July offer deep markdowns. Free shipping and free returns (no time limit) make it low-risk. Nordstrom Rack is the clearance outlet with 30-70% off past-season styles year-round.

DSW

Best for everyday shoe shopping and clearance hunting. VIP members (free) get an additional 20% off during clearance events. In-store clearance racks offer 60-70% off finds for patient shoppers. Strong on brands like Cole Haan, Clarks, Steve Madden, and Dr. Scholl's.

Zappos

The best return policy in online shoe retail: free returns with no time limit. If you are unsure about sizing or style, buy from Zappos for the peace of mind. Prices are competitive during site-wide sales and they carry a massive selection of brands.

Cole Haan / Clarks / Allen Edmonds (Brand Direct)

Brand websites run their own promotions independent of retailers. Cole Haan frequently offers 40-50% off sitewide during Black Friday and Memorial Day. Allen Edmonds runs semi-annual sales in March and September with 20-30% off. Clarks participates in all major sale events with 30-40% off.

Macy's / Bloomingdale's

Strong during Friends & Family events (typically 25% off, occurs 3-4 times per year) and Black Friday. Best for mid-range brands and a wide selection to try on in-store. Macy's credit card offers additional 20% off during select events.

Shoe Buying Tips

Timing Strategies by Shoe Type

• Boots: Buy in January-February (clearance, 40-60% off) or during the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale in July (new season at 30-40% off). Never buy boots at full price in September-October.
• Sandals: Buy in July-August (end-of-season clearance, 30-50% off). Buy early in the season during Memorial Day sales if you need them for specific summer events.
• Dress shoes: Black Friday is the best annual window (30-50% off at Cole Haan, Clarks, Allen Edmonds). These are not highly seasonal, so clearance is less predictable.
• Work shoes: Black Friday or brand-specific sales. Dr. Scholl's, Dansko, and Clarks all run professional footwear promotions during November.

Smart Buying Strategies

• Buy boots at the end of winter, not the beginning. A pair of boots bought in October at full price ($180) will be $90-$110 in January. You get to wear them for 2-3 months of winter remaining, then for the full following winter -- 14+ months of use at half the price.
• The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is worth planning for. It is the one event where new-season boots and fall shoes are discounted before they hit full price. Nordstrom cardholders get early access (typically 1-2 weeks before public access). The best sizes and styles sell out during early access, so the card is worth considering if you shop at Nordstrom regularly.
• Know your size before buying online during flash sales. Sizing varies between brands. A size 9 in Cole Haan may be different from a size 9 in Clarks. Use the brand's sizing guide, and when in doubt, order from Zappos (free returns, no time limit) or Nordstrom (free returns) rather than risking a non-returnable sale purchase.
• Invest in quality for daily-wear shoes. A $200 pair of Cole Haan dress shoes that lasts 3-5 years costs less per wear than a $60 pair that falls apart in 8 months. For shoes you wear 5+ days a week, buy the better shoe at a sale price rather than the cheap shoe at full price.

Pro Tips for Maximum Savings

• Stack Nordstrom Rack with end-of-season timing. Nordstrom Rack carries the same brands as Nordstrom at 30-60% off year-round. During their "Clear the Rack" events (every 6-8 weeks), already-reduced prices get an additional 25% off. Shoes that were $180 at Nordstrom might be $90 at Nordstrom Rack and then $67 during Clear the Rack.
• Check Birkenstock sales timing. Birkenstock rarely discounts on their own website. The best Birkenstock deals come from Nordstrom, Zappos, and DSW during their sitewide sales. The Anniversary Sale in July regularly includes Birkenstocks at 20-30% off, which is as good as it gets for this brand.
• Allen Edmonds Rediscover America Sale. Allen Edmonds runs a semi-annual "Rediscover America" sale (March and September) with 20-30% off and additional factory seconds at 40-50% off. Factory seconds have minor cosmetic blemishes that are invisible once worn. This is the best time to buy premium men's dress shoes.
• Use Zappos for sizing, then price-shop. Order 2-3 sizes or styles from Zappos using their free returns, find your perfect fit, then check if a better price exists at DSW, Nordstrom, or the brand's website. If the price difference is small, keep the Zappos pair for the convenience.