Best Nordstrom Shoes in 2026: Every Category I Trust (Plus the 4 Pairs I Took to Europe)

The honest answer to “what are the best Nordstrom shoes”: shopping there for 41 years, and now as a mom of 5, plus a recent trip to Europe that put 4 pairs to the actual real-world test, these are the shoes I trust across every category. Walking shoes that need zero break-in, the everyday sneakers I wear with everything, sandals that don’t blister, loafers and ballet flats worth investing in, boots, heels, and the designer splurges that earn their price tag. I update this post a few times a year, with sale callouts when Nordstrom runs their big events.

Shop my best Nordstrom shoes picks at a glance

If you came here to shop and skip the deep dive, here is the fast list of every shoe I cover in this post. Click any pick to shop it directly at Nordstrom.

• Dolce Vita perforated ballet flats, my pick of the year for flats, sold out twice already
• Coach white sneaker, the do-everything travel shoe, around $100
• FitFlop sandals, the flip-flop I walked 35 minutes in with zero blisters
• Cole Haan loafers, the travel loafer that lasts years
• New Balance white sneaker, the workout-meets-cute neutral
• Adidas Sambas, the most-worn sneaker in my house (needs break-in)
• Dolce Vita Jellies, the trending summer shoe that keeps selling out
• Havaianas, my non-negotiable beach and pool flip-flop after 13 years at the beach
• Quince Birkenstock Boston dupe, the $74 dupe I prefer over the original
• Sam Edelman nude pumps, the comfortable-as-Nikes closet staple
• Classic UGG boots, the timeless cold-weather pick
• UGG Tasman slippers, the Bella Hadid favorite
• UGG Ultra Minis, the popular short style
• Christian Louboutin red bottoms, the designer splurge that elongates your legs

If you can only buy one Nordstrom shoe right now

Get the Coach white sneaker. It is the shoe I reach for most often in real life, the one I packed for Europe and wore on every 15,000-step day with zero blisters, and one of the rare designer pieces that lands around $100 and looks like a much more expensive shoe. It pairs with dresses, jeans, slacks, shorts, basically anything you would put on in a normal week. If you only have budget for one new pair of shoes this season, this is the one that will get the most wear.

Best Nordstrom shoes by price

Under $50

• Havaianas, the only beach and pool flip-flop I buy

Under $100

• Quince Birkenstock Boston dupe, $74
• FitFlop sandals
• Adidas Sambas

$100 to $200

• Coach white sneaker, ~$100, designer for the price
• New Balance white sneaker
• Dolce Vita Jellies
• Dolce Vita perforated flats
• Sam Edelman nude pumps
• UGG Tasman slippers
• UGG Ultra Minis

Over $200

• Cole Haan loafers
• Classic UGG boots

Designer splurge

• Christian Louboutin red bottoms, the most beautiful 5-minute shoe ever made

Best comfortable travel & walking shoes at Nordstrom (the 4 pairs I just took to Europe)

If I have strong opinions on one shoe category, it’s travel shoes, because I just took 4 pairs to Europe and got real-life feedback. Cobblestones, 15,000–20,000 step days, walks to church, days that started in a museum and ended at dinner. The shortlist of travel-ready shoes that need zero break-in time:

1. Coach white sneaker, the do-everything shoe of the trip

This Coach white sneaker is the “goes with everything” travel shoe. Around $100 (designer for that price is a steal), zero break-in time, and pretty enough to wear with a skirt or dress, but equally great with jeans, slacks, and shorts. I put in 15,000-step days in these in Europe, walking all over with no blisters and no problems. The shoe I reached for the most.

Shop the Coach white sneaker at Nordstrom →

2. FitFlop sandals, the only flip-flops I’ll travel in

I had a previous flip-flop pair I packed and they were… just flip-flops. The FitFlop pair I swapped in is different. Cute and minimal enough to look like any nicer sandal brand, but truly comfortable with zero break-in. I walked 35 minutes to church in them and several other long days with no blisters and no problems. The easy-to-throw-on summer Euro travel shoe.

Shop the FitFlop sandal at Nordstrom →

3. Cole Haan loafers, the well-made travel loafer

Cole Haan just makes really high-quality, well-made shoes that are always extremely comfortable. A loafer is such a great piece for travel because it dresses up jeans, slacks, or a dress equally well. The pair I packed was an older pair that was already broken in. I wouldn’t pack brand-new loafers for travel, but Cole Haan has held up beautifully for years. I did 20,000 steps in one day in these. No blisters, no problems. I’ll link this year’s version below.

Shop the current Cole Haan loafer at Nordstrom →

4. New Balance, the workout-meets-cute travel sneaker

These New Balance are the perfect double duty travel + workout shoe. Comfortable enough to walk a ton in (think long sightseeing days or working out), but cute enough to pair with most of my outfits, anything from casual to moderately dressy. (Not the right pick for very dressed-up nights, but for everything else, yes.) They’re a neutral I wore a ton in Europe and will keep wearing at home. Zero break-in time.

Shop the New Balance white sneaker at Nordstrom →

Best everyday sneakers at Nordstrom

Beyond the Coach + New Balance I just covered, the sneakers I rotate at home year-round:

Adidas Sambas, the most-worn sneaker in my house right now

Adidas Sambas are one of the most popular trending sneakers on the market right now, and for good reason. They go with everything, teenagers love them, adults love them. My daughter has literally worn them to school every single day this year. I wear mine constantly too because they’re so versatile.

One real-world heads up though: they take some breaking in, particularly the heel. The back edge of the heel can dig into your upper heel if they’re not well worn yet. So I would NOT take a brand-new pair on a Disneyland day or a European vacation without breaking them in first. Wear them around the house and on shorter outings for a couple weeks before any all-day commitment.

Shop the Adidas Sambas at Nordstrom →

[More everyday sneaker picks coming. Nike Air Force 1s, Dolce Vita, P448, etc.]

Best sandals for spring + summer at Nordstrom

Beyond the flip-flop above, my favorite Nordstrom sandals for warm-weather wear:

Dolce Vita Jellies, the trending summer shoe that keeps selling out

These Dolce Vita Jellies are SO cute and so versatile, they go with virtually everything. Delightfully neutral, easy to throw on, and exactly the kind of shoe I’ll be wearing all summer. The one caveat: they’re brand new in my closet and I didn’t take them to Europe, because I always like to break new shoes in before any all-day commitment. So I’ll be wearing them around home first.

Heads up on the urgency: these already sold out once and just came back in stock. If you want them, I’d grab them sooner rather than later.

Shop the Dolce Vita Jellies at Nordstrom →

Havaianas flip-flops, the only beach/pool flip-flop I’ll buy

Havaianas are an absolute non-negotiable, must-have. I’ve lived at the beach for 13 years now, raised all my babies here, and these are the one and only pair of flip-flops I would never take a beach or pool vacation without. Period.

They’re neutral enough to look good with anything, they wash off, they don’t give me blisters. I wear them with outfits. I wear them to the pool. I wear them to the beach and get sand all over them. I’ve even gotten tar from the sand on them and scraped that right off. They just last forever. I recently replaced a pair in Hawaii for the first time ever, and that was after wearing them to death for more than a decade. My husband swears by them too (he’s wearing his in this photo).

Shop Havaianas at Nordstrom →

[More sandal picks coming, slide sandals, strappy heel sandals, espadrilles, raffia/woven sandals]

Best slip-ons, mules & slides at Nordstrom

The lowest-effort, highest-payoff shoe category. The Birkenstock Boston has obviously taken over this space, but I actually prefer Quince’s $74 dupe (honest review of the dupe vs. the real Boston here). For Nordstrom slip-ons specifically:

Birkenstock Boston, the slip-on that took over (plus the dupe I actually prefer)

The Birkenstock Boston is the slip-on that took over the entire shoe market, for good reason. They go with jeans, with dresses, with shorts, with athleisure. Wear them to errands, brunch, travel days, school pickup. Once you have a pair, you wear them constantly.

The honest take though: after wearing the $165 Bostons side-by-side with Quince’s $74 Water Repellent Suede Clog Mule, I actually prefer the dupe. Lighter, water-repellent, zero break-in, and 55% less. Here’s my full honest review of the dupe vs. the real Boston, including the side-by-side photos and why I reach for the dupe daily.

So the recommendation in this section is the dupe, not the original, same look, more comfortable, water-repellent, half the price:

Shop the Quince Birkenstock Boston dupe (under $75) →

Best loafers + ballet flats at Nordstrom

Beyond the Cole Haan covered above, my Nordstrom go-tos in this category:

My pick for ballet flats this year, perforated + neutral, goes with everything

These are my pick for ballet flats this year. They’re beautiful, super comfy, and extremely on-trend with the perforated look. The neutral color goes with everything all spring and summer long. I’ve worn them a few times now with no blisters, no problems, even out the door the first time I wore them.

Heads up: these have already gone in and out of stock due to popularity. If you want to add them to your spring/summer wardrobe, I’d grab them sooner rather than later.

Shop my pick for ballet flats at Nordstrom →

[More loafer + flat picks may be added, penny loafers, raffia flats, pointed-toe flats]

Best boots at Nordstrom (booties, tall, Western)

The boots I reach for from October through April:

UGGs, the timeless winter warmth boot (3 styles dominating right now)

UGGs are just the most timeless way to keep your feet warm during freezing cold months. Different styles have rotated through waves of popularity over the years, and here are the three that are dominating right now.

Classic UGG boots

The originals. The reason the whole brand exists. Nothing keeps your feet warmer than a pair of classic UGGs in actually-cold weather.

Shop classic UGG boots at Nordstrom →

UGG Tasman slipper (worn as a shoe, thanks to Bella Hadid)

The Tasman is technically a slipper, but thanks to Bella Hadid wearing them as shoes everywhere, they’ve become one of the most popular UGG styles on the market. Cozy enough for inside, polished enough to wear out.

Shop UGG Tasman slippers at Nordstrom →

UGG Ultra Mini (the print that almost came home with me)

The Ultra Mini is the other UGG style having a real moment right now. Last year I almost bought them in animal print and I’m still asking myself why I didn’t, they’re so cute. (Still thinking about it today, honestly.)

Shop UGG Ultra Minis at Nordstrom →

[More boot picks coming, ankle booties, tall boots, Western boots, kitten heel booties]

Best heels + dress shoes at Nordstrom

For date nights, weddings, and events:

Sam Edelman nude pumps, comfortable as Nikes, every-closet staple

These Sam Edelman nude pumps are the closet staple every woman needs. I’m not exaggerating when I say they’re as comfortable as wearing Nikes. I can be out all night on a date night in these and my feet don’t hurt. They make longer jeans look incredible and pair with literally any dress. This is the “I don’t have time to think about what shoes. I’ll just grab these” pair.

This is also the pack-ONE-pair-of-pumps-for-an-entire-vacation-and-wear-them-with-everything shoe. Date nights, dinners, weddings, work events, they go with all of it. To call them a closet staple is an understatement.

Shop the Sam Edelman nude pumps at Nordstrom →

[More heel + dress shoe picks coming, block heels, strappy heels, pointed-toe pumps, wedding-guest options]

Designer shoe splurges at Nordstrom (actually worth it)

The designer shoes I own that have earned their price tag in cost-per-wear:

Christian Louboutin red bottoms, the most beautiful 5-minute shoe to ever exist

If you’re going to splurge on one designer shoe, Christian Louboutins are it. The most beautiful 5-minute shoe to ever exist! These red bottoms will elongate your legs like no other shoe in history, they’re my favorite designer splurge shoes I own.

The honest caveat: they’re very impractical at the very-high-heel heights. If you’re getting a pair with extremely tall heels like these, only plan to wear them for situations where you literally walk from the car to your seat, date nights with valet, weddings where you sit most of the night, photos. If you go with a more reasonable 3-ish inch heel, you can wear them much longer. Let the reviews be your guide, they’re the most useful data on which exact style and heel height works for real life.

Shop Christian Louboutins at Nordstrom →

[More designer splurges may be added. Tory Burch, Stuart Weitzman, Manolo Blahnik, etc.]

Let’s be real, the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is, hands down, the very best time to grab a new pair (or two or three pairs) of shoes!! As we’ve been browsing all the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale shoes, we’ve basically started counting down to the first day of fall, because, “Hello, booties!!” Luckily there are also some cuuute kitten heels that is really in this year and flats that are trending and can be worn all year round. These are truly the best pairs of shoes we could find from the sale, and we know you’re going to be obsessed, too!

In a hurry? Slide to shop more picks below!

When can I shop the sale?

CATALOG: TBD, typically late June!

ICON early access: July 14-17

Ambassador early access: July 15-17

Influencer early access: July 16-17

Open to the public: July 18-August 9

Sale ends: August 9

*each level of access opens at midnight ET (so 9 p.m. PT the night before if you’re west coast!)

Stay informed with our EXCLUSIVE text + email

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale shoes, shoes, & more shoes!

These shoes were the best picks from the 2025 Nordstrom anniversary sale. This is a great reference point if you’re wanting to build a mental list and get ready for the 2026 Nordstrom anniversary sale that starts in July!

1. Pointed toe bow mule

How darling are these bow mules?! They’re slide-on easy but still feel super polished, aka your new go-to when you want to add a little extra *spice* to an outfit. They’re available in four beautiful colors and currently on sale for $39.99 ($65 after sale)! SUCH a great price point for something this cute.

2. Bow slide sandal

Can you tell we’re fully embracing all of the bow details?! A match made in girly girl heaven. This bow slide sandal is the cutest way to stay comfy while still feeling totally put-together. Grab a pair while they’re on sale for $69.99 ($110 after sale)!

3. Raffia ballet flat

This raffia ballet flat is everything we didn’t know we needed for summer. Ballet flats are still HOT in 2025 fashion trends and they’re not going anywhere anytime soon, but we love how this one is elevated with the raffia texture and round toe! These are also on sale for a great price at just $49.99 ($89 after sale).

4. Dolce Vita sneaker

We’re obsessed with these sneakers right now! They’re comfy enough to wear all day but stylish enough to level up any outfit. Mom’s need a good pair of everyday sneakers, and these are a new, unique pick she’ll love! TTS, five stars from us. The exact color combination Corrine is wearing is currently not on sale, but you can get them in other colors for 35% OFF!

5. Kitten heel bootie

This bootie is so beautiful and yes it’s a splurge, but also the kind of bootie you’ll be able to get an insane amount of wear out of with everything from jeans to skirts to dresses, all fall and winter long. If you want your shoes to be the frosting of your outfit, these will come in clutch over and over again. And if you want a similar look for less, these are a super affordable lookalike, also included in the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale!

• Pricier booties, Corrine’s top pick and pictured first below!
• More affordable booties that look super similar, pictured second below

6. Nike Air Force 1s

A little less pricey and SO TRENDY! Corrine’s brother (a TOTAL authority in the sneakerhead community) talked her into buying her first pair a while back., and they just had a deep discussion a week prior about how Nike AF1s will forever be a timeless shoe. Zero trendiness risk purchase. She got the classic white first and loveees them. She can bring 1 pair on a vacay and wear them with basically every outfit. You seriously can’t go wrong with these sneakers as a staple in your wardrobe! Just $79.99 (reg $115) at the Nsale right now.

7. Adidas SL 72 sneaker

Here’s your warning that these pink adidas will FLY off the shelves this year!! If your size is still in stock when your access opens, don’t hesitate to checkout ASAP. They are such a good price too!

8. Western boot

Western boots are STILL in for 2025 fashion and these are incredibly cute!! They’re a little less of a strong western boot, more subtle, but they go so well with jeans or skirts or dresses. And while we love the short cowgirl booties, this tall version is just so much fun. They were very comfy too! Get them during the sale for only $159.99 (reg. $240)!

9. UGG tazzette slipper

Thanks to Bella Hadid, we can all pretend we’re running from one NYFW runway show to the other in our UGG slippers disguised as street style shoes. Never have we ever regretted an UGG slipper purchase and these are going to be our go-tos for carpool runs every morning this coming school year!
Sizing: Since your heel can kind of hang off the back of these, Corrine actually suggests going up a 1/2 size if you’re in between sizes like she is at an 8.5 (she wears a 9).

10. New Balance “dad sneaker”

Can we just take a moment for THE dad sneaker of the Nsale?! The New Balance 530s are giving major retro vibes in the best way, chunky but not clunky, sporty but still totally wearable with your everyday momiform. Whether you’re chasing kiddos, heading to Target, or styling them up with a blazer + jeans (so cute!), these sneakers do it all. And of course the comfort gets a 10/10. Over two thousand nearly perfect reviews and an amazing deal rn!

11. Birkenstock sandal

BIRKS! In the NSale! We were so thrilled to see these shoes as part of the Anniversary Sale for a 3rd year in a row! They’re a killer deal AND they’re in a very cute color – black and gold? Yes please!! Corrine has worn her birkenstocks for YEARS and years after buying them. In fact, her first pair she bought 10 years ago right after she moved to SoCal and they’re still going strong. What we’re saying is these are a great investment and the comfiest sandals. At $109.99 instead of $170, your feet (and your wallet) with thank you. This one’s already sold out but we found a similar pair on sale too here!
Sizing: Corrine wears an 8.5 in regular shoes but a 39 (equivalent to size 9) in birks!

12. Leather ballet flat

These ballet flats are an absolute must-try during the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale! The delicate strap and sleek silhouette make them versatile enough to pair with anything from a cute summer maxi dress to your favorite jeans in the fall. Don’t miss out on scoring these for only $59.99 (reg. $89.95) – your feet will thank you!

13. New Balance everyday sneaker

These New Balance 574 sneakers are SUCH a win! Corrine picked them up in the “boulder” color which will go with everything. Total everyday shoe that feels amazing right out of the box. If you’ve been hunting for that go-with-anything sneaker, this is it!

14. Hidden gem sandal

Corrine really loved these, the price point, fit, versatility, all of it. If you’re needing a neutral go-to sandal that feels elevated without breaking the bank, these are IT!

adidas in the Nordstrom Anniversary sale

You already know that we’re avid Nordstrom shoppers, so trust us when we say that adidas stock NEVER lasts long. We’ve seen so many adidas go live and sell out just hours later. So if you’ve been wanting to hop on the adidas sneaker trend for summer AND fall, don’t hesitate one second to grab your size and checkout!! We also love that these ultra-popular shoes are also some of the most affordable sneakers at the Nsale.

• adidas Italia 70s sneaker (silver pictured below): $84.99 (reg $110)
• adidas BRMD sneaker (purple pictured below): $84.99 (reg $110)
• adidas gazelle: $94.99 (reg $120)

The BEST Nordstrom Anniversary Sale shoes

We hope your feet are doing a happy dance over all of these fun options. Don’t miss out on these killer shoes at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale – the prices are simply unbeatable right now! From trendy sneakers to kitten heel bootie, there’s something for everyone to love. Hurry and grab your favorites before they’re gone!!

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Best Nordstrom shoes FAQ

Are Nordstrom shoes good quality?

For the major brands they carry. Cole Haan, Coach, New Balance, Sam Edelman, Tory Burch, Birkenstock, Stuart Weitzman, etc., yes, very. Nordstrom’s curation skews higher-quality than typical department stores, and their return policy means you can try at home with no risk.

What is Nordstrom’s shoe return policy?

Nordstrom has one of the most generous return policies in retail, no time limit on most returns, including shoes. If you’ve worn them and they’re not working for you, they’ll generally still take them back. (Their full policy is at nordstrom.com/customer-service-returns.)

What are the best Nordstrom shoes for wide feet?

New Balance, Cole Haan, and Sam Edelman all run noticeably wider than average. Brands like Vince and Veronica Beard tend to run narrow. Nordstrom also carries wide-width options across most major brands, filter by width when shopping their site.

What are the best Nordstrom shoes with arch support?

For supportive everyday wear: Vionic, Birkenstock, Naot, and New Balance are the gold standards Nordstrom carries. For dressier supportive options, look at Cole Haan’s Grand Series and Sam Edelman’s Loraine loafer.

When does Nordstrom have shoe sales?

The biggest Nordstrom shoe sales are the Anniversary Sale (typically July), Half-Yearly Sale (May/June and December/January), Cyber Monday/Black Friday, and Memorial Day. The Anniversary Sale historically has the deepest shoe discounts of the year.

Does Nordstrom price match shoes?

Nordstrom will price match identical items from select competitors at the time of purchase. If a price drops within 14 days of your purchase, they’ll typically credit the difference if you reach out. Their customer service has been famously generous on this, it’s worth asking.