17 Best Shoe Affiliate Programs to Step Up Your Commissions

Posted by Coty Perry, in Affiliate Programs

Shoes are a universal need. People may care deeply about fashion and style when picking their footwear, but at the end of the day, everyone needs shoes. That’s why the shoe industry rakes in over $300 billion globally each year.

With people spending so much on shoes, it’s no wonder affiliates flock to shoe affiliate programs. The commissions might not always be sky-high, but the transaction volume makes up for lower rates.

In this article, we’re highlighting 17 of the top shoe affiliate programs. Ranging from big brands like Nike and Converse to niche dance shoe sites, these programs offer solid earning potential.

Let’s review them:

1. Zappos

As one of the largest online shoe stores, Zappos needs no introduction. They carry over 1,000 big-name brands and all types of footwear. With free shipping and returns in the US, Zappos makes shoe shopping easy.

What sets Zappos apart is its exceptional customer service and loyalty incentives. All orders over $49 come with free expedited shipping, while returns are always free as well—even for extended one-year return windows. The VIP loyalty program provides members with surprise upgrades, early access to sales, and free two-day shipping on every order.

For affiliates, the Zappos program has consistently ranked as a top revenue generator on Commission Junction (CJ). With an above-average 7% commission rate across all products, affiliates stand to earn substantial payouts, especially given the hefty $150 average order value. On average, affiliates earn about $10 per referral sale.

• Commission Rate: 7%
• Cookie Duration: 14 days

2. Indestructible Shoes

Catering to tradespeople and anyone wanting durable, comfortable work shoes, Indestructible Shoes fills an important niche. Their shoes really live up to the name and stand up to years of wear and tear in demanding jobsites and conditions.

Indestructible Shoes are designed to be the longest lasting work shoes on the market. With replaceable parts and sturdy construction, they aim to reduce the costs and hassle of constantly replacing worn out work boots.

Affiliates earn 10% commissions on sales, with an average order value around $66. So you’ll pocket about $6.60 per transaction.

• Commission Rate: 10%
• Cookie Duration: 30 days

3. Shoes.com

As one of the few online shoe retailers to survive the dot-com bubble bursting in the early 2000s, Shoes.com has been in the footwear sales business since the earliest days of ecommerce. 

After being acquired by Walmart in 2021, Shoes.com now operates under the Walmart Inc. umbrella but maintains its own distinct branding and site.

With access to Walmart’s extensive distribution network, Shoes.com boasts impressive depth of selection across over 150 shoe brands for men, women and kids. 

From everyday casual styles to specialty performance shoes, Shoes.com stocks virtually every major athletic and fashion brand alongside more affordable private label options. This diverse selection ensures nearly every shoe shopper can find footwear matching their needs and budget.

While Shoes.com’s base 2% affiliate commission rate seems low compared to other niche footwear retailers, their high lifetime customer value (LCV) and order volumes drive overall affiliate profitability. 

Between impulse shoppers and seasonal turnover of kid shoe sizes, Shoes.com tends to foster repeat business. On top of this, high average order values (AOVs) exceeding $160 plus free shipping and returns in the US sweeten the value proposition for shoe shoppers.

• Commission Rate: 2%
• Cookie Duration: 3 days

4. Puma

Known for athletic shoes and apparel, Puma has been around since the late 1940s. Their brand holds worldwide recognition in sports and fashion circles.

Puma focuses primarily on soccer gear but produces shoes and clothing for various sports. They have a long list of sponsorship deals connecting fans with brand ambassadors across leagues and teams.

Affiliates can sign up with Puma’s program through Pepperjam to access a 5% commission rate. So with an average order value of $100+, you can expect to earn around $5 per sale.

• Commission Rate: 5%
• Cookie Duration: 14 days

5. Yami Dance Shoes

Switching gears to a more niche market, Yami crafts high quality dance shoes. Their heels absorb shock, provide padding, and aim to improve dance technique. Yami meets an important need among dancers who require specialized footwear.

Yami employs professional dancers to test their prototypes and ensure the shoes provide proper support. This attention to design and real world testing sets their products apart from basic dance heels.

Their affiliate program pays a 10% commission rate on referred sales. With dance shoes selling for $60 to $150+, affiliates stand to earn $6 to $15 per transaction.

• Commission Rate: 10%
• Cookie Duration: 30 days

6. Shein

Fast fashion ecommerce giant Shein sells ultra affordable apparel, accessories, shoes, and more. With new inventory daily, Shein draws visitors wanting the latest trends at low prices.

Aiming to make fashion accessible to all budgets, Shein produces immense variety but in limited quantities per style. This scarcity tactic compels buyers to grab items before they sell out.

Their affiliate program offers a competitive 10% commission rate. Shein’s average order value exceeds $40. So affiliates typically earn $4+ per sale from this high volume retailer.

• Commission Rate: 10%
• Cookie Duration: 30 days

7. Just Shoes For Kids

Finding well-fitting, durable kids shoes often requires trying multiple pairs. Just Shoes For Kids simplifies the process by selling quality children’s shoes online. They offer free returns in the US to ensure a proper fit.

Just Shoes For Kids sources designs from Europe, where regulations and testing requirements often exceed US kids shoe manufacturing standards. This ensures better support and durability.

Commissions sit at 10% for their affiliate program. With the average order over $75, affiliates make around $7.50 per transaction.

• Commission Rate: 10%
• Cookie Duration: 45 days

8. Spring Step Shoes

Specializing in European-crafted comfort, orthotic, and therapeutic footwear, Spring Step Shoes has been perfecting their shoe designs for over 30 years. Their focus on quality materials and construction promotes customer loyalty.

Many Spring Step shoes feature removable footbeds to accommodate custom orthotics. Their shoes also utilize layered cushioning and shock absorbing materials to reduce joint stress.

Their above-average 8% commission rate makes Spring Step’s affiliate program stand out. Average order values reach up to $175 as well, meaning solid earning potential.

• Commission Rate: 8%
• Cookie Duration: 30 days

9. Nina Shoes

In business since the 1950s, Nina builds their brand on fashionable women’s shoes at accessible price points. They sell about 10 million pairs annually across major retailers.

Nina Shoes are carried by department stores, specialty boutiques, and online retailers. This wide distribution and variety of styles contribute to their impressive sales year after year.

Nina Shoes pays a 5% commission rate on referred sales. With average order values around $80, affiliates typically earn around $4 per transaction.

• Commission Rate: 5%
• Cookie Duration: 30 days

10. Public Desire

Fast fashion footwear brand Public Desire targets style-focused women. With a website and app, Public Desire makes shoe shopping convenient for their mobile-first demographic.

Public Desire shoes lean trendy over timeless. So while turnover is high as styles come and go, repeat business helps drive continual sales volume month over month.

Their affiliate program offers an 8% commission rate across over 2,500 shoe styles. Average order values fall between $50 to $100. So affiliates can expect to earn $4 to $8 per sale.

• Commission Rate: 8%
• Cookie Duration: 30 days

11. Nike

With its iconic swoosh logo undoubtedly one of the most recognizable brand symbols worldwide, Nike has thoroughly dominated the athletic footwear industry since bursting onto the scene in the 1970s. 

Since then, the company has greatly expanded its footwear offerings while also growing its apparel line into a fashion powerhouse far beyond just sportswear.

When it comes to athletic shoes specifically, Nike reigns supreme with over 60% market share in the US and remains the undisputed leader globally.

As an affiliate, Nike offers a fairly straightforward 1% commission rate across all products. Now this may seem low at first glance, especially compared to other shoe retailers. 

However, Nike’s strong branding and resulting ability to command premium pricing with average order values over $150, helps offset the lower relative earnings per sale.

One notable advantage to Nike’s affiliate program is that it’s run in-house instead of on a dedicated affiliate platform. While Nike provides somewhat limited creative assets compared to other brands, the centralized control typically equates to quicker payments and better tracking compared to scattered third-party platforms.

In summary, while Nike’s 1% commission rate seems paltry compared to other shoe sellers, the brand’s prestige pricing and industry-leading reputation drive higher order values that help affiliates maximize earnings.

• Commission Rate: 1%
• Cookie Duration: 7 days

12. Chamaripa Shoes

On the more novel side, Chamaripa sells height-enhancing shoes for men and women. Ranging from dress shoes to sneakers, their shoes discreetly add 2 to 5 inches of height.

Chamaripa’s elevator shoes feature carefully designed elevating insoles to keep the pitch natural while walking. This helps minimize detection that the shoes increase the wearer’s height.

Chamaripa offers the highest commission rate in this list up to 20%. With shoes selling for $100 to $200+, affiliates can earn $20-40 per sale.

• Commission Rate: ~20%
• Cookie Duration: 60 days

13. Shoeaholics

UK-based Shoeaholics focuses primarily on women’s shoes. They offer discounts up to 60% off retail prices. Such steep discounts attract bargain and brand-conscious shoppers.

Shoeaholics obtains excess inventory and overstock products from major brands to provide deeply discounted pricing. This level of savings coupled with trendy styles makes Shoeaholics a popular stop for deal hunting shoe lovers.

Their affiliate program pays 4% on first-time purchases and 2% on repeat purchases. Average order value tops £40. So affiliates earn around £1.60 to £3.20 per transaction.

• Commission Rate: Up to 4%
• Cookie Duration: 30 days

14. Nashville Shoe Warehouse

Tapping into the wholesale shoe market, Nashville Shoe Warehouse sells major brand shoes at discounted prices. They also design and manufactures their own line of men’s and women’s footwear.

Nashville Shoe Warehouse’s in-house artisans handcraft leather dress shoes, boots, and other premium lines. Along with name brand shoes, this combination provides extensive choice.

One of the highest rates around, Nashville Shoe Warehouse offers an 11% commission. Average order values vary greatly based on shoe type. But expect to earn $5+ per transaction.

• Commission Rate: 11%
• Cookie Duration: 30 days

15. AllSole

Popular UK shoe ecommerce store AllSole stocks big name brands like Vans, Timberland, Dr Martens and more. By buying in bulk directly from manufacturers, they sell shoes for 20-60% below retail.

AllSole maintains distribution agreements directly with major shoe companies, allowing them to bypass middlemen and keep pricing low. They pass these savings to customers seeking brand name shoes at discount prices.

Their affiliate program earns an 8% commission through Awin. Average order value is £50+. So affiliates can bank around £4 per sale.

• Commission Rate: 8%
• Cookie Duration: 30 days

16. Converse

Renowned for their classic Chuck Taylor All Star sneakers, Converse has reached icon status in the shoe world. Now a subsidiary of Nike, Converse remains dedicated to its roots while expanding its clothing line.

Converse Chuck Taylor sneakers represent a rare example of fashion stability with essentially the same design since the early 1900s. This consistency combined with brand appeal drives consistent sales.

Converse affiliate partners earn commissions around 6-8% per sale. With average order values varying greatly based on product type, earnings range widely. But expect approximately $5 to $15 per transaction.

• Commission Rate: Up to 8%
• Cookie Duration: 7 days

17. Brooks

Focused specifically on high performance running shoes and apparel, Brooks leverages research and athlete testing to engineer top rated shoes. They’ve won multiple industry awards for their designs and technologies.

Brooks participates actively in running communities and sponsors over 60 professional athletes. This genuine involvement paired with innovative technology earns them loyal brand followers.

Brooks offers affiliates up to an 8% commission rate across average order values from $100 to $150+. So affiliates typically earn $8 to $12 per sale from Brooks’ loyal customer base.

• Commission Rate: Up to 8%
• Cookie Duration: 30 days

Choosing the Best Shoe Affiliate Program

With countless great shoe affiliate programs available, narrowing down the options can prove difficult. But paying attention to these key evaluation criteria helps identify the best programs:

Commission Rates

Commission rates vary widely, ranging from 1-2% at massive brands to over 10% at smaller niche sites. Sometimes high volume makes up for lower rates. Other times larger payouts outweigh smaller transaction counts.

Consider size of commission versus expected conversion rates and order values when comparing programs. Programs with the highest earnings per sale provide the best return on your efforts.

It’s important to keep in mind that there is a direct correlation between commission rate and order value. Since the order values are high compared to some other niches like outdoor products, you can opt for a smaller commission if you’re selling premium items. 

Cookie Duration

The cookie duration dictates the window for crediting affiliates for a sale after referring a customer. Shorter cookies increase the risk of losing out on commissions if customers don’t buy right away.

30-45-day cookies are ideal for shoe sites. But be mindful of extremely short 7-14-day cookies from major brands – these require buyers to purchase very quickly after clicking your link.

Target Audience

The affiliate site and products must align closely with your website or audience. Mismatched targets lower conversion rates.

Evaluate site trust factors, brand recognition, product selection, pricing, shipping costs, returns policies, and other aspects that influence buyer decisions when reviewing programs.

Choosing shoe affiliate programs catering to your audience sets you up for the most success. Programs too tangential to your market likely disappoint.

Final Thoughts

Shoes remain a consistent purchase year after year, making them a stable affiliate niche and a great choice for beginners. While individual program earnings fluctuate based on seasonality and other factors, shoes as a whole promise reliable commissions long term.

Evaluate each program carefully based on your audience, conversion potential, cookie duration, and other key aspects. Choose programs strategically aligned with your assets and traffic sources.

With the right programs and promotion strategy, shoes can step up your earnings month in and month out.