They have a terrific collection of boots, ankle boots, sandals, athletic shoes, everyday shoes and…read moreshoes for special occasions. You can easily find different collections for women, men and kids. The staff are very helpful and the store is clean.

So, I was driving up the QEW, about 3/4 of the way to Toronto from Buffalo, and I suddenly realized…read morethat I'd left my nice going out shoes at home. Whoops. I really couldn't wear hiking boots with my outfit to the concert I was heading to, so while I was eating breakfast with Lee, I weighed my options. There was Payless, which would be cheap, but maybe not the best selection. I remember hearing that DSW had opened some locations in Canada, so I figured I'd go with a store that I'm familiar with. So this place is precisely what like any other DSW is in the US. Men's shoes on the left, Ladies' on the right, clearance racks in the back, and various accessories and such all over. So if you've been to a DSW in the US, you know what you're looking for. Now, perhaps the expectation for some people is that "D" stands for Discount. This is sort of true and sort of not. If you want a deal, you look in the clearance racks. For the most part what is good about DSW is the variety of options and price ranges. It's not a warehouse full of cheap shoes. I ended up spending a good half hour looking for a pair that would feel good and look good with what I was wearing, and I made it out of the store for under $30 for a decent pair of shoes. So 3 stars for a bog-standard DSW experience. I was a little bit disappointed that my DSW card doesn't transfer across the border, that was a little disappointing considering other cards (like Costco) do. I don't want a separate card, I want the one I have to work!

I'm so glad I went directly to this store to purchase my first "Blundies" instead of another store…read more The nice thing is if you purchase at their store, they will condition your boots free of charge. Who else does that? Dack's never did that let alone remember me as a customer. -- So an update on my boots that I brought six years ago.. The soles have finally worn out and still I wear them. I went back to the store to see if repair was possible since the uppers were still in decent condition given hard, daily wear over the years. Sadly, the Company themselves do not repair the soles given their manufacturing techniques. Okay, fair enough, I thought. They did mention a local cobbler who might be able to bond a replacement lower but it wouldn't be under "warranty" any longer. So I'm tempted to give it a try after I buy a replacement boots first. Hear that Australian Boot Company? I'm coming back for more!

When my buddy purchased his first pair of Bluntstones some years ago, he did nothing but go on and…read moreon and on about how comfy the boots were. Yes, I get it. They have the soft sole, the pull-tab entry, and the chic-kinda-ugly look going on for them. I didn't give them the time of day because at that time I was a Doc Marten Man. Well, ten more friends telling you the same thing and suddenly you find yourself in one of the few places in Toronto that they sell them in asking if they've got your size. The store is a small hole-in-the-wall shop dedicated to the sale of either Blundstones boots or, for the lady that doesn't wish a full-on comfy leather boot, Ugs. Both have come into their own as "the hip apparel" for Toronto and this place is dedicated to them. The staff are tremendously helpful for the uninitiated and will take you through all the benefits of the boot; the comfort, the care, the durability, the guarantee. I've had my first pair for years and they still hold up. The latest pair? An Australian tribute to Canada with the word 'Eh?' on the pull-tab. They were a hit in Melbourne.

The store has a good selection of shows, excellent quality, and, above all, small sizes. Always…read morefind what I am looking for. Stylish, comfortable, affordable. I shop there a lot.

Great sales on high quality European footwear. Excellent selection on new arrivals too.read more

Excellent staff, & help to get shoes for my brother. who is…read more87. I would recommend this place to anyone. Staff very knowledge & patient.

I have a lot of pain in my foot but can't afford a custom orthotic. My chiropractor recommended I…read moreget an insole at New Balance because they have well trained staff and their insoles are a better quality than the ones sold in grocery stores/pharmacies. This location is about a block away from Yonge St and St. Clair Ave. The door is accessible and the St. Clair Station is close by. There are parking garages nearby but street parking directly in front of the store is difficult. The store reps were very helpful and greeted me right away. Since all the reps in the front were busy, one rep called someone from the back. She did 2 measurements of my feet than tried different versions of insoles in my size and different shoe sizes to help me make my choice. It was a great experience and I would definitely recommend this location.

Walk by this place everyday. Finally took the plunge. Ivor is extremely knowledgeable and friendly…read more No high pressure sales tactics. He ensures the shoes fit perfectly. There should not be a break in period. As I wear orthotics, it's hard for me to find perfect fitting shoes. I have many different brands including Dacks, Allen Edmonds, Church, and even Crockett Jones. The Loake Laxford that I bought fit like a glove. They are classic and stylish. Ivor knows a lot about shoes, and always has time for a chat. The shoes are not cheap ($400+) but all are premium brands from England, made with the finest calf skins and crafted by skilled shoemakers in Northampton England. Shoes can last a lifetime. So invest in a few good pairs. Have Ivor start you off.

This is a great spot for some high-end men's dress shoes! They carry some quality English brands…read morethat can't easily be found elsewhere in the city. The owner knows his stuff and has always been very helpful when I've stopped in.

If you know me fairly well, you'll know that I like wearing sandals in the summertime. I will wear…read morethem as long as I can into autumn until it's too cold or I get weird looks from people who have pulled out their Ugg boots when the temperature is still above freezing. I tend to wear Birkenstocks. However, my favourite sandal brand is Naot. The brand hails from Israel. They are equally as comfortable. However, you don't need to break into your sandals like you do with Birkenstocks. The other cool thing about Naot footwear is that they last for years. The quality is superb. It's the main reason why I haven't been back to this store in years. My purchases a few years go keep going and going. I passed by Naot Footwear and was so happy to see it from afar. I own a pair of leather slider sandals. They are comfortable. I wore them whenever I went on cruises and warmer climates (trips to Florida and California come to mind). It feels like eons since I last took a tropical vacation. The downside to this pair of slider sandals is that they don't have a backstrap. I remember walking along Steeles Avenue West near Dufferin Street with a friend. One of my sandals went flying in front of us as we were casually walking about. No one was injured. We laughed hard afterwards, though. This store is known for its seasonal sales. I hope that there's still a basement. You do get rock-bottom sales in the basement. The same friend and I went there years ago. She got six (!) pairs of footwear, including thigh-high boots. Everything was heavily discounted. To this day, she gets compliments whenever she wears them. I have a pair of ankle boots and my sandals. I absolutely love them. The other cool aspect of Naot is sizing. Women's sizes range from sizes 4 (European 35) to 11 (European 42). I am a size 11 and was in heaven seeing so many styles. I do need to drop by and check the store out the next time I'm in the neighbourhood. I would like to get a new pair of sandals with a backstrap, so I don't do my flying sandal routine again. I used to get the Naot foot cream and it was awesome! We parked in a parking lot when we were last there. Due to the Eglinton Crosstown construction project, this parking lot has disappeared. However, I saw lots of parking on Eglinton and side street parking. (183)

ordered a pair of shoes online. Got them 2 days later. I'm very happy with the quality of their…read moreshoes. They were on sale, so, a good value.

I hate shopping for shoes but when I have to, I seem to always find myself in this store. The…read morestaff are helpful and friendly and the store carries a wide variety of popular and well made brands. I have a 10% discount from an employee perks program so we came in here the other day when my husband was in need of new shoes. The girl that helped us was quite knowledgeable and even went through the care instructions with us. I walked away having learnt two things that day: 1) SoftMocLeatherAll 365 is pretty amazing stuff; and 2) My husband sure can buy shoes faster than I can.

I was visiting from the states and mentioned to my friend I was thinking of getting Birkenstocks…read more She mentioned she had a great recommendation for a store with expertise in Birkenstock and that she could use a new pair herself, so we paid a visit to The First Step. Peter was incredibly knowledgeable and helpful, not just about Birkenstocks but even about feet. He made a very helpful assessment about my feet and recommended both the size and style that would work for me, also helping me learn more about preventing some potential challenges with my toe alignment. While I didn't end up leaving with a pair, mainly because I was indecisive about the style and color, I did leave with much more knowledge about Birkenstock and what to consider about footwear that would be best for me. My friend and her partner both left with a pair and also got fantastic help to determine the right size and style. I was particularly impressed how much service they provide around repairs and care. It's very rare to find a business with such personal service but also a mind for sustainability and quality. Highly recommend The First Step!

This was my first purchase of Birkenstocks. My chiropodist recommended this store. I called, left a…read moremessage and received a call back within 10 minutes from Peter. I made an appointment. Well, this was quite a wonderful experience to be properly fitted with genuine good old fashioned service. No rush, no pressure sales just the best quality and service that I have ever experience purchasing footwear in 65 years. I will not go anywhere else.