We Tested the 11 Best Shoe Racks for Durability and Style

When Digital Designer Soumi Sarkar needed an extra shoe rack for her closet, she searched for months before finding this pick. The two-tier mango wood rack is perfect for small spaces, yet sturdy and spacious enough for her heavier shoes. "I managed to fit four sets of shoes on each tier, with enough room for each, and none of them sticking out," Sarkar says. "The bottom rack is tall enough to hold ankle boots comfortably. I also really love the way it looks, and feel almost sad to hide it away behind a door. Who knows, maybe someday I'll purge the extra pairs, make cushions for the top, and repurpose this as an entryway bench!"

Tester Janelle Askew's pick for a shoe rack doubles as her decompressing space. The Lucy Mango Wood & Steel Storage Bench features a soft bench cushion atop a steel rack, so you can sit down comfortably to tie your shoelaces or slip your feet into your brand-new pair of (tight-fitting) loafers. "It was bigger than I expected, but the easy assembly and solid build totally won me over," Askew says. "It’s now the perfect spot to sit, unwind after work, and keep my five go-to pairs of shoes organized and out of the way!"

Just like many New Yorkers moving into a new apartment, Lifestyle Editor Madison McGee had to trade storage space for perks like in-unit laundry and an extra bathroom. On the hunt for adjustable storage solutions, she chose this tiered shoe rack. "I love how the shelves on this Joseph and Joseph shoe rack can be positioned to accommodate taller shoes, like my cowboy boot collection, and are deep enough to house multiple pairs on one shelf," McGee says. "It fits inside my (rather small) closet, but I currently have it tucked in a corner near my entryway, so I can toss my most-used bags on top when I get home."

Finding a shoe rack chic enough to double as decor can be quite the hunt. Digital Editor Meghan Shouse found her pick in this rack with bright red, shiny shelves. "As someone who runs a strict shoes-off household but is also lazy about putting my shoes away, I've been on the hunt for a unique, sturdy shoe rack that I can have displayed at the front entrance of my apartment," Shouse says. "Well, this Blu Dot one, called the Shoegaze, really fits the bill. The red aluminum shelves are very striking and fit well into my aesthetic, and the built-in catchall tray is very intriguing, almost a conversation starter, if you will. I also love the sturdiness and the luxe look that comes from the walnut shelves."

McKenzie loves a multi-purpose piece in her apartment, so this stacking shoe rack that doubles as a plant stand is one of her favorites. "Some of my plants are picky about their window placement, so I love being able to add more storage beneath them," McKenzie says. "The slotted shelves fit together easily, no tools required. They also allow for airflow around both my plants and my favorite pairs—no stinky feet here. I can stack a small shelf on top of a larger one for a fun asymmetrical look, and it adds some major zen to my bedroom."

When McKenzie was looking to level up her entryway, she fell in love with this acorn wood bench. The mid-century-inspired tapered legs gave it a look that was more chic than a typical shoe rack.

"This is the prettiest piece in my entryway," McKenzie says. "The warm wood finish is so inviting, and the shelf has enough space for my hats, gloves, and any other accessories I need to grab on my way out the door. Honestly, it's so cute that I wouldn't put my messiest shoes on it, but it's the perfect drop zone for my mail and bags when I come through the door."

McKenzie loves this shoe rack so much, it's followed her from her undergraduate years to New York City apartments. "This is a small-space diva through and through," McKenzie says. "It's super easy to assemble and disassemble, which is why it's followed me from dorms to shoebox apartments. The chic bamboo wood is smooth, and keeps my favorite pairs of shoes easy to access. Plus, it fits well on the floor of my coat closet, so my taller boots don't flop over in the entryway. Plus, you can snag a two-pack for under $100."

If you have a shoe collection Carrie Bradshaw would be jealous of, this is your perfect fit. The 10 tiers can fit up to 45 pairs of shoes, and social media editor Bianca Bonetti finds it one of the best purchases she's made for her apartment. "I used to throw all of my shoes into a cube organizer, which meant that I was often running late, digging through bins to find the shoe I needed. Not only did that make my mornings chaotic, but it also damaged my shoes over time. Since purchasing this rack, I can immediately find the pair I need, and my shoes actually stay on it without falling off, unlike on other shoe racks. You can remove shelving tiers to fit taller shoes like boots, but my favorite touch is the hook it came with to hang bags and umbrellas on the side."

Liao is a fan of Yamazaki storage products, loving their minimalist feel and durability. This shoe rack is no exception; its slender profile fits virtually anywhere. "I bought this shoe rack for our old apartment because we needed one with multiple tiers to hold all of our shoes by the entryway," Liao says. "When we moved, I took it with us because the shoe holder fit perfectly into this empty nook behind our guest bedroom door. We don't have a lot of closets and my husband and I have a lot of shoes (okay, I have a lot of shoes), so I really liked how much storage this offers without taking up a lot of space. The shoe rack is a little wobbly if you, or your dog with zoomies, knock into it, but it has never tipped over or fallen apart, so all in all it is pretty durable."