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27 Cheaper Versions Of Shoes Just As Good As The Name Brands, According To Reviewers
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We hope you love our recommendations! While every product is independently chosen by our editors, BuzzFeed and our publishing partners may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. You can read more about how our affiliate partnerships work in our Editorial Standards & Ethics Guide. Before you splurge on a new pair of New Balance sneakers or Birkenstocks for summer, you NEED to see these sneakily affordable alternatives. Whether you're a shoe fanatic or just a human with feet that require them, most of us are interested in finding the best shoes that don't sacrifice comfort or style. If you don't have an Emily in Paris–level budget for shoes, shopping for them can feel a bit overwhelming. You see recommendations for brands like Hoka or Rothy's, and your eyes might even be drawn to designer options like Chanel and Hermès...until you see that blinding price tag. But you don't have to settle for less just because you can't afford to spend a month's rent on shoes — these reviewer-beloved alternatives to expensive shoe brands will have you looking on point and feeling like you're walking on clouds, all for a fraction of the price. Unless otherwise specified, all sizes in this post are listed in women's. Promising review: "TikTok brought me here. I saw so many DIYs being done and all the rave about comfortability. I must say, I'm even more impressed in person by this shoe. Buy them! Comparable style and fit to more high-end brands. As a sneaker woman, I'm happy to add these to my collection. I paired them with slouch socks." —anonymous Get them from Walmart for $27 (available in sizes 6–12, including wide sizes, and 12 styles). Promising review: "These surpassed my expectations. So comfy, good quality, gorgeous color. Obviously, these look very much like the Hermès sandals. I have those sandals. These are much more comfortable to wear. I liked them so much, I ordered another pair in yellow. You won’t be disappointed — don’t hesitate." —Duckie SF Get them from Amazon for $39.90+ (available in sizes 5.5–11 and 23 colors). Reviewers recommend sizing up in these! Psst — they don't come with the charms pictured above, but you can buy similar ones separately from Steve Madden if you like, or Amazon has a ton of them in different styles. Promising reviews: "Glad I read the reviews to size up! Usually I wear an 8 or 8.5, but I went with a 9 to be safe, and I am glad I did. Make sure you size up! These are narrow shoes that resemble the Miu Miu ones! Super cute." —Cindy "Bought these on pre-sale. 100% worth the price and the wait! Couldn't wait to wear them the next day!!! I can't afford the Miu Mius, but these are just as exciting to me. Love the shoestrings and the brown is the perfect neutral. They are comfortable and look fabulous on my feet." —Kristena H. Get them from Steve Madden or Amazon for $109.95 (available in sizes 5–12 and 12 styles). Promising reviews: "Amazing. These shoes are so comfortable! I wear them for my daily 3-mile walk. They have a nice, wide toe area and so much cushion on the bottom. I was having some heel pain, but the support in these is amazing, no more pain. I’m considering getting another pair just to wear around the house because they’re more comfortable than slippers." —Sonya Kay "As someone who owns a pair of Hokas, in my opinion, these are better. I have plantar fasciitis and work in a hospital. Believe me when I say this, I HAVE ZERO FOOT PAIN when I'm wearing these! For half the price and comfort, I will 100% recommend these to anyone." —Jennifer Emilien Get them from Amazon for $62.99 (available in sizes 5.5–11 and eight colors). Promising reviews: "Great [swap for] the Reformation flats for a fraction of the price! They are so comfortable and provide great arch support." —Danielle mishin "This is the second pair I purchased. I also have the pink; the colors and quality of the velvet are truly amazing for the price, and it has that soft padding with some cushion. Inserts would be easy to use with these shoes. I wear size 11, and the fit is comfortable. No rubbing, no blisters, and, because they are velvet fabric, there is a slight stretch, but not too loose either." —MG Get it from Amazon for $20.50 (available in sizes 5–13 and six styles). And here's a version of this style as a flat, if you're not into heels! Promising review: "This Chanel [alternative] is very in style right now. I wear them to work a lot with dark denim and a blazer. Or white jeans and a blazer. The heel is not too high, so it gives my 5'4" frame a little lift but not too much to get achy feet. I like the sling back because it stays on without blistering or moving around, and adds extra interest other than my solid black or nude pumps I wear to the office every day. I’m a size 6 with a narrow foot, and these were true to size. I’m sure I’ll get many years out of these shoes. They are a staple for the wardrobe without the hefty Chanel price tag. Love them!" —ND Get it from Amazon for $42.74+ (available in sizes 5–11). Promising reviews: "This shoe is so incredibly comfortable, it makes you feel like you’re wearing a soft glove on your feet. The padding feels like you’re walking on a cloud, not to mention they are so stylish. I highly recommend!!!" —AJ "I couldn’t be happier with these flats! As a result of them dropping in price, I purchased four pairs in varying colors to wear with jeans and sweaters. Not only do they look cute, but they are also decently padded and comfortable. I have been buying Vivaia flats for over $100, and these look just as good and are more comfortable to wear." —PSK Get it from Amazon for $32.99 (available in sizes 6–10 and 14 colors and patterns). They also offer other styles in the same washable knit material, including one with bows, one with straps, and one with a round toe. Promising review: "These are perfection. So so comfy, the soles are very cushioned!! They're an exact lookalike to the brand Alohas that originally designed these shoes but are way more expensive/never in stock so these are PERFECT! Comes with regular laces too that aren’t ribbon." —Morgan Eberly Get them from Amazon for $56.99 (available in sizes 6–11, including wide sizes, and three colors). Promising review: "I wear these at work as an alternative to regular canvas Converse because I need them to be nonslip and waterproof. They're functional and pretty cute for work shoes, which is all I ask. Good for rainy days, too. They don't take long to break in, either. I'll probably put in some gel insoles because they're super flat on the bottom." —cassie Get them from Amazon for $33.99 (available in sizes 5.5–11 and four colors, including low-top and high-top options). Promising review: "I bought these sandals before a three-week trip in Europe; I didn't want to pay for Birks but did want something in a similar style with good arch support. I was a little skeptical about the low price, but I gave them a shot...and they were the MOST comfortable sandals I've ever owned. I walked over 120 miles in them in three weeks on our trip and never once had foot pain. They broke in so quickly and were very supportive from the get-go — and still are! Highly recommend." —Han Lin Get them from Amazon for $34.99 (available in sizes 5–12, including wide sizes, and 20 styles). The seller recommends checking the size chart, which details the best size for your foot length. The back strap is also adjustable! Promising review: "I have a pair of EVA Birkenstock Arizona sandals, which are the same style as these but cost about $30 more. I got these in a size 7 for my 11-year-old as a more affordable option (we have the same size foot and I figured when he grows out of them, I can have them). Well, I want my OWN pair. These feel great on my foot, every bit as comfy as the Birks, but as a bonus they [look way better] on the foot — nowhere near a giant, clunky, clown shoe as the Birkenstocks." —Sarah Get them from Amazon for $18.99 (available in sizes 6–10 and two colors). Promising review: "These are super cute! And they look like the real thing, too! I've had these for two years now, and they've held up perfectly, and they're wayyy cheaper than real Birks! They are not waterproof, unfortunately (learned that the hard way lol), but I did buy a suede waterproof spray that works very well and kept these from getting stained! Super comfortable too, I wear them alllll the time! Highly recommend!" —Alyssa Brown Get them from Amazon for $32.99+ (available in sizes 5.5–14 and 11 styles). Promising review: "I bought four of these ballerina mesh flats on Amazon from different brands and had to return all of them! They were so uncomfortable and hurt my feet or hurt my heels so bad — BUT when I was going to give up, I found these ones that are soft! The leather is kinda stretchy around your feet, not rough edges or anything like that!!! Plus, these look like the Alaia ones but at a very affordable price!" —AngelV Get them from Amazon for $28.99+ (available in sizes 6–10 and five colors). Promising review: "I bought these beautiful shoes to wear to my 50th wedding anniversary brunch. They looked really beautiful and elegant. They are really comfortable; I wore them for at least 5–6 hours, and I had no achy feet or tired legs. I’m over 70 years old, and I’m not in 3-inch heels too often. Also, I saw a designer version of this shoe in a department store, and they were over $250." —Beverly Triplett Get it from Amazon for $35.99 (available in sizes 6–11 and in seven colors). Promising review: "I've had my eye on a pair of Stella McCartney platform oxfords but could never justify the outrageous price for a 'trendy' shoe that I will likely not wear in a year or two. I'm very happy to have found these on Amazon. Although I had somewhat low expectations given the price, the shoes are actually super comfortable and appear to be very well made! The insole is cushiony and the shoe itself is lightweight. I had no problems walking in them, even though the platform outsoles do not 'bend' with your steps. I am always a size US 5 / EU 35 in every shoe, and the US 5.5 fit very comfortably, so I would say go up half a size for the most comfortable fit." —LittleSammy Get them from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in sizes 5–10 and 11 colors). Some reviewers suggest going a half-size up so these will fit well over socks! Promising reviews: "I bought my sister a pair of Bogs and really liked them but was not impressed with the price. These feel identical for half the cost. Totally recommend." —Giselle "I paid for tickets to the Bronx Zoo for me and two of my friends. Turns out when the day came to go, the weather was nasty and we were forced to attend in the rain or lose the money for the tickets. I originally purchased these boot for walking the dog when it was wet or drizzling out but did not intend to use them for long walks. Turns out, they are great for long walks. We walked about four miles around the zoo and not once did my feet hurt. They are warm and comfortable and I highly recommend them." —Michelle M. Get them from Amazon for $24.95+ (available in sizes 5–11 and in six colors). Promising reviews: "A perfect [swap] for the Hunter boots even the tread is the same but for a fraction of the price. Super cute and comfy and amazing quality. I’ve worn them like every day since I got them." —Hailey "These are comfortable and sturdy. It’s no problem wearing them all day. I like them so much that I am buying a second pair in a different color. They were a great value and are a great product!" —Kit Splan Get them from Amazon for $32.99+ (available in sizes 5–12 and 12 colors). The brand recommends going up a half size for this style. Promising reviews: "I added a Superfeet 1/2 orthodic insert for support for my flat feet and post-surgery knee. I could walk all day in these. Feels like a $200 Vince or a Samba. So cute!" —WS "I love these for fashion sneakers. I have them in two colors and both are cute and comfortable. They are on the flat side and don't have much arch support, but are fine for everyday walking, errands, etc. If you need a lot of arch support or are going to walk all day, I would suggest adding inserts. I found them true to size and fit well for my average to narrow foot." —Live2Learn Get them from Amazon for $29.90 (available in 25 colors). Promising review: "Such cute shoes that are maybe even better than the designer inspiration! I ordered a 37 and usually am a 6.5. They fit perfectly. The footbed is more padded than the designer version. Leather is soft and comfortable on the foot. Sole is not slippery." —Emily Wilson Get them from Amazon for $49.89+ (available in sizes 5–12 and in 11 colors). Promising reviews: "Purchased to test as a [swap] for the Madewell Gemma mule. I absolutely love the shoes! I feel like they will stretch when I wear them a few more times, which my narrow feet can’t really afford, but for the price of these compared to Madewell, I’ll live with." —Briana Favors "I really love these shoes. I’ve been eyeing the Madewell Gemma mules for months, but stumbled upon these and decided to take a chance. These are super comfortable and easy to walk in." —Hannah Newsome Get them from Amazon for $34.97+ (available in sizes 5–12 and two colors). Promising reviews: "I’m obsessed with these boots; they're super cute and stylish. They remind me of my Givenchy Shark boots. I got them in white, and I'm so glad I did. Will be ordering again." —sassyn "FAVE BOOTS I’VE EVER OWNED!!!! This is my second time ordering these. The last pair I had lasted almost two years before they started looking torn, and eventually, I lost one. BUT I love these so much, I ordered another pair. Love that they’re nice for any season! I also get so many compliments on them!" —Bailey Skinner Get them from Amazon for $47.49+ (available in sizes 6–12 and 24 styles). Promising review: "The pink looks great on my skin tone. I have very wide feet, and these sandals stretch as you walk, which is wonderful, but they also don’t slip out. Will buy in other colors!" —Marline Pena Get it from Amazon for $21.98+ (available in sizes 6–11 and 11 colors). Promising review: "I absolutely loved these shoes. They were perfect for the festival I went to. I wanted shoes that would get dirty, and I didn’t want to wear my Docs for that reason. Honestly, I prefer these to my Dr. Martens. I walked in these for three days straight, eight hours a day, and they honestly didn’t feel like normal boots; they were pretty comfortable. They also performed well when it rained or when walking through puddles. And when people stepped on my feet, they held up very well lol. 10/10 recommend." —CathyKindle Customer Get them from Amazon for $36.79+ (available in sizes 5.5–10 and three styles). Promising reviews: "Dolce Vita [lookalike]! Super cute and half the price as the 'original.' True to size and comfy for the most part. A little slippery at first because the sole is kind of slick but they wear better once they're broken in!" —Karina Rodriguez "These are one of my better purchases on Amazon. They are cute and comfortable, like walking on a cloud. They are not heavy or clunky. They are light but sturdy. They can be worn with so many outfits because of their neutral color." —Lynette Robotti Get them from Amazon for $39.98+ (available in sizes 5–10 and eight colors). Reviewers recommend going up a half size if you want to wear socks with your shoes. Psst — if you're looking for a swap for the Ugg Ultra Mini boots, check out this reviewer-fave option. Promising reviews: "The fur fleece lining is a game changer. It provides a level of coziness that turns these mini boots into a warm hug for your feet. The plush lining extends to the entire interior, ensuring that every step feels like walking on clouds. It's the perfect remedy for chilly days and cold floors." —Amanda Root "These are so cute and perfect! They are comfortable and true to size! I have been sharing the link to these with so many people already!!!! I have returned my Tazz Uggs (not true to size and expensive) and will buy more of these instead!" —Lineth L. Get them from Amazon for $22.98+ (available in women's sizes 5–10 and in two colors). Promising reviews: "I’ve been wanting the Versace ones, but obviously can’t afford them. I saw a TikToker share these, so I snatched them up immediately. I’m in love!!! I’m a 5.5 in heels, so I got the 5, and they fit perfectly. They are pretty comfy too, which is nice. I’m thinking about getting them in different colors now." —Courtney Van Court "Baby goooorl... March yourself into the checkout browser because these are so so so good!! They're really comfortable, which I wasn't expecting all except for the ankle strap, but I think that's because I'm sensitive??? The height was something I was a little scared of, but they're so easy to walk in, I suppose the platform cancels out a portion of the heel. Obviously they're not perfect, but if you want that, you should probably go talk Versace with $1,800 in your pocket." —Anika Get them from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in sizes 4–10.5 and three colors). Reviewers note that these run small and recommend sizing up a half size or full size, especially if you plan to wear thick socks. Promising reviews: "When I was a kid, I had a pair of lavender Moon Boots that were so warm and comfy and kept my feet so dry that I wore them for 20 years until they disintegrated. These are the next best thing. I wore them out in the snow, and my feet stayed warm and dry, and they are so bright and cheerful. I love them." —Mysticclam "If you're a child of the '80s, these are going to be right up your alley! I got the hot pink, and I love them! Always get compliments and fun stories." —E. Lay Get them from Amazon for $42.39+ (available in sizes 4.5–11 and eight colors). * Shoes Reviewers Loved So Much, They Came Back For A Second Pair * Chunky Pairs Of Heels For Anyone Looking For Extra Height Without Losing Their Balance * Pairs Of Shoes Basically Made To Be Worn With Spring Dresses * Comfortable Pairs Of Shoes Reviewers Say They’ve Walked Miles In Without Pain Plus, shoes reviewers over 50 love, pairs with a server's stamp of approval, travel-ready sandals, and finds from Amazon, DSW, Nike, and Nordstrom. Note: Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity. BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: Our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way. Jenae Sitzes is a shopping editor with over a decade of experience working in online media, covering everything from affordable beauty and unique home finds to genius pet products, and she's constantly saving interesting finds on TikTok (in *very* organized folders, mind you) to share with BuzzFeed readers.
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