David's Shoes in First is a treasure - high quality merchandise, excellent pricing, superb customer service, and accurate fitting! I just purchased my third pair of shoes from David's and could not be happier. read more

Picks on man with disability. Needed a shoe that fit a foot brace in. The man told me I could try shoes on at home and return them if I didn't like them then changed the story when I wanted a return. read more

Was at the end of my rope, trying to find a reasonably priced work shoe that looked good and would wear well. Walked into Shoes on First, and after a brief browse around, explained to Robert what I was interested in. As soon as I expressed my irritation with having to have numerous recent shoe purchases re-soled after 4-6 months of wear, Robert directed me to a dandy pair of Clarks boots that were 1) handsome, 2) waterproof, 3) durably soled, and 4) my size. Also, half priced, as last season's design. After weeks of disappointed in-person shopping ventures, finding the right solution was quite a relief! Robert listened attentively to my situation, and responded with courtesy and helpfulness. Truly a refreshing customer service experience! read more

I'd shopped at the former location for years and thought they had closed down permanently during the pandemic. What a delight to discover not only had they stayed open, but were still in the area for me. I went in hoping to find shoes similar to my last pair that I bought years ago and found Robert to be as delightful and helpful as ever, letting me try on several pairs to find the right fit. I ended up buying two pairs of shoes and I know exactly where I'll be going when I need another pair. read more

Expert advice, great sandals and interesting conversation - believe me, it sure beats random peers reviews, unpredictable quality shoes, and perpetual email spam!! Highly Recommended!!! read more

I was about to go on a trip that required lots of walking, and all the Zappos shoes I was trying were not working out. Even the Blundstones I bought to replace my old ones didn't fit right. Robert helped me find a new, better pair than the ones I owned. He explained the different models and their size and lining differences. I left the store with new Blundstones and another pair of sale boots, made in Portugal, that I love. I wore the Blundstones for up to 25k steps a day. And that was with zero break in time. I often thanked Robert in my head as I put a crazy amount of miles in on my trip. Great service and shoe selection. read more

Outstanding selection, prices, and service! The owner Robert Valway is extremely knowledgeable and helpful. I'll never buy shoes anywhere else! (Robert's the guy with the beard in the photo) read more

Shoes On First - Shoes On First owner Robert Valway and me, a very happy customer! - Shoe Stores Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Very large selection of quality shoes and boots at great prices. Very helpful with suggestions but sadly my aunt has a wide foot and did not purchase shoes. The salesman gave me information as to where to find the shoes she needed- wide orthopedic type. Super helpful! read more

Great shoe store- I've been coming here (and former location for years. Great selection and service. It's so nice to be able to buy quality shoes in person rather than online. read more

This place has a great selection and excellent service! After striking out at the expensive places on Newbury St. and the Galleria across the street, I thought I'd give it a try, and boy am I glad. The owner took one look at my feet, asked a few questions, and brought out some great shoes. I walked out with two pairs and couldn't be more happy. read more

If you're over 60, this is the place for you! The selection is definitely geared toward a mature audience. No kids or young adult shoes here. Besides not having the right selection for us, the owner ignored us when we walked in. He seem to be more interested in socializing a elderly customer than seeing if we needed any help. The store was dusty and dimly lit and it was like being in your elderly aunts house. I'm sure he's a nice guy but it just didn't carry what we were looking for. Better going to The Barn in Newton. read more

Nice selection of very high quality shoes. Owner lives and breathes shoes and made great recommendations.

Came in here like a year ago. I stopped before work when they opened. The guy shows up like 20-25 minutes late to open the store and looks at me waiting outside and goes "geez, youre eager huh?" Talks about how hungover he is and how he doesn't want to be there. I have to convince him to get me the shoes I want. I tell him I saw the boots on amazon for 40$ cheaper (yep!) but that I'd much rather buy from a local place - is there anyway they could split the difference or take even *something* off the price. His response is "Not a chance." Selection was decent but that sales guy was a real dud. would absolutely not return if the same mid 40s dude is angry behind the counter. read more

Great store if you are looking for good quality comfort shoes. Some of the brands they have are Dansko, Naot, and Merrell. Cute little local store right by the Cambridgeside Galleria! read more

5 stars for service (Robert is kind and very knowledgeable!) and incredible value. Get your shoes here!

Yeah, he's not there at 10:30. (He says traffic ....). Wouldn't be the first web site in the world that is wrong. Try 11am or later. Good selection of shoes. And he knows his stuff. After shopping for shoes a few times in the Galleria across the street, I just go straight to David's. read more

Please note that David's is open from 10:30am - 6:30pm on Mondays to Fridays, but call ahead to double check. After reading all the great things people had to say, I decided to swing by yesterday morning before work, only to learn that they don't open until 10:30. Poo. Avoid this mistake! The guy that works at the store has a breadth of shoe knowledge you won't encounter at your average chain shoe store. They carry all of the comfort shoe brands the Tannery carries, so forget about the techno music and sketchy sales, go here instead. They also offer true 10%-15% discounts, as in- they don't mark up the shoe and then discount it, so you're really getting money off the retail price. They don't carry trendy, sexy crap here. The shoes offered here are the variety you have a "relationship" with. The clerk is super honest and will talk you out of silly purchases. I went in to pick up a pair of Santana Canada: Vermonts and he talked me out of buying a cute dansko sheepskin clog... eventhough the clogs cost more and he would've made a pretty penny. I would definitely come back here. The lack of foot traffic means you're likely to find something here that is sold out elsewhere. I'm even talking about zappos and endless, you're not competing with the entire continent for shoes! read more

DAVID'S RIPS OFF THE ELDERLY: Have taken my 90 year old aunt here in the past, no problem. Last week she bought a pair of shoes for $99. Got them home, noticed a sale tag on the sole for $69.99. She needs a little help, so I called David's to get an adjustment. Got someone (no name) on the phone who identified himself as a manager. He absolutely refused to do anything for us. Very rude. Said that the sales tag was not their tag. (Whose was it then?) Never a sorry, or what can we do to help. In effect, he was saying that my aunt must make a habit of falsifying sales tags. Will never go there again. By the way, can't believe this guy is really a manager of anything. Called on 10/1/16. read more

Shoes On First - Elderly ripoff. Shoe marked "sale", wouldn't give that price. - Shoe Stores Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Ladies!! If you are like me and frustrated with the glut of cute and cheap yet crappy shoes you can find at DSW/Macy's/anywhere, please consider going here. I went here because I was sick of my feet hurting or my shoes wearing out after 2 weeks. I was also not going to purchase an "orthopedic" shoe just for the sake of comfort though. Such is vanity. When you walk in, it does seem like the majority of the shoes are catered to an older clientele; however, a good 20% of the shoes are cute, comfortable, AND durable. You do have to look kinda hard for them. I got a great pair of boots for around $90 that are attractive and have survived two winters. They are also waterproof - booyah. They sell great brands, and the gentleman who helped me was very well-informed about the pros and cons of each brand. read more

I hate shoes. Yes, I do, and that has been my mantra here on Yelp ever since I signed on. I do not live in a shoeless society, however, so I have to buy them and then wear them, otherwise I might be mocked and scorned in this cold, shoe loving world. (Note that when I travel, I only go to warm, beachfront locations where flip flops and sandals are the only foot gear required, and I usually slip those off as soon as I can.) David's has been a best friend to me for several years as they totally understand my feet and my desire for comfort. I can march in here in old grizzled boots that are begging for retirement and then march out with the most comfortable, nice looking foot gear in town. This is not a place for high heels and peek-a-boo styles. This is where you find really top quality, comfortable boots, sandals and walking shoes. Larger sizes are here for people with the Big Foot syndrome. Styles are rather conservative, not trendy. Can't say enough about these guys. They have been in business for years, so they know what they are doing. They are located about 3 minutes from the Lechmere T stop, just behind the Galleria Mall. Wish they sold comfortable dancing shoes for those occasions when I need them. But for solid comfort, I only go to David's. read more

David's Famous Name Shoes is within walking distance from my apartment, and I finally checked them out last March. The gentleman working there was super nice, and welcomed me to the store, since I mentioned it was my first time there. He explained all the good stuff I needed to know, and then after browsing around I found a style that I really liked. It was a Clark's brand shoe. Nice looking, comfortable AND affordable! They only had the shoes I wanted in black, and I was hoping for brown, so they kindly ordered a pair for me, and said it would take about a week for them to arrive. I gave a $20 deposit, and went on my merry way. About 6 days later I got a call, saying my shoes were in. Yay! When I got to the store, there was a different man there, who was just standing there staring at the TV above the door. He did not greet me, and was dressed casually, so I assumed he was a customer. It turned out that he DID work there, and I got my shoes. . . it was a little weird. BUT I will be back when it's time for for some more new shoes. :) It's cool that they can order similar styles and other colors for you, so if you like comfy good walking shoes, go here! read more

I have lived down the street from this store for two years and finally went in this weekend. I wanted very practical, comfortable "Mary Jane" type shoes and this store had exactly what I was looking for. I believe that the store has been there for about 50 years. The service is fantastic. I ended up buying two pairs, and I have to say that they are the most comfortable shoes I have bought in a long time. It is on First Street, right across from the Cambridgeside Galleria. I highly recommend it! read more

In the shadow of the Cambridgeside Diarrhea and HubSpot sits the humble, independent David's Shoes. I came here when I needed shoes desperately-- and immediately-- and I'd spent the previous evening scouring department stores and TJ Maxx's all over town, to no avail. (Thanks, Yelp, for bringing me here!) David's has an awesome selection of very good shoes for both men and women, including Naot, Clarks, Rockport, Merrell, Dansko, etc. It's an old-school type place where you have to ask the staff to get the shoes for you. I hated that when I was a kid, but here, it was kind of nice. A couple of other people were in the store the same time I was there and they seemed to be loyal customers-- always a good sign. Prices are not cheap but fair-- I walked out with two pairs of Clarks for less than $200-- and the service is attentive, informative, and helpful. This isn't the place to buy a pair of stilettos or minimalist sandals, but it IS a place where you'll find shoes that are good for your feet, reasonably cute, and will last way longer than most things you'd find in the mall. read more

It started with two two pairs of Noats, and two years later they are my absolute favorite shoes. This is an independent shoe store with attentive personal service. Integrity of the product service and clear commitment on the part of the owner\manager make the store a little oasis in an mass produced surrounded by the "upscale". Prices are excellent and competitive with the market. There is no benefit to "comparison shopping" read more

These guys know there stuff. Very knowledgeable staff that actually seems to care about the product they sell. If you are tired of trendy boutiques , with snotty teens talking on there sidekicks "helping" you... than check this place out, wide variety of clark's is always a plus read more

I usually HATE shoe shopping, but this was great. After a bad pair of shoes bought online that wrecked my feet, I decided it would be better to go to a local shop where I could get advice on what to get. The selection was perfect with all well made, classic, comfortable shoes. The staff was great and when I realized there was a stain on the shoe I wanted, they aggressively scrubbed at it to try to remove the stain AND gave me half off! I will be back! read more

I just reupped my waterproof Rockports at David's. This is the kind of local business that is a pleasure to support. Great service and large selection. Highly recommended. read more

Quiet local gem of a place. When I need a pair of shoes every year or so, I cast around the internet (can't touch or fit them) or local discount department stores ($40 is a great price--and the shoes will last a about 40 days.) Then I remember David's on First. The quality and service are tops. Selection is better than adequate. The price is always better than the high end places that offer the same shoes, with attitude you don't want. And the shoes they sell last forever. Cut to the chase, go to David's on First first. read more

We shopped Tue. 10-3-17; My girl friend mentioned David's Shoes. She has been shopping there for years. We walked to David's Shoes in Cambridge which is across the street from the Galleria Mall. Bobby waited on us, his knowledge impressed me. I purchased a great pair of shoes at a reasonable price. read more

They always fit me with something pretty even if it's not in stock then it's delivered to me the next day if it wasn't in stock. I wouldn't go anywhere else. read more

For men's shoes, this place is excellent. If you need nice, everyday shoes or professional attire for going out, this is a great spot. The staff is incredibly friendly. I met Joe, who was new but gave me his honest advice and opinions. He was exceptionally patient and really cared about my experience. The selection was good, they had options for different occasions and styles. And, they had some awesome deals on well-made footwear. Got 40$ off an extremely nice pair of dress shoes. All in all a great spot for shows. read more

Can't do business with them anymore. Two problems: 1) they have no return policy, if you have a problem with your shoes, such as they don't fit well or something, you can't get your money back, only store credit, and even then, only if you "don't wear them" so they are in re-sell-able condition. So, it is a great little store that has been in business a long time, something I try to support, but if you want to have recourse when you buy something, stick with the larger stores. 2) sorry, not going to sugar-coat this, but they lie or at least "mislead" their customers. I bought some shoes that I was told were waterproof. When I wore them for about two weeks and found that they obviously were not, I brought them back and now the guy says that they are not waterproof and he never said that. And of course, now I am "high and dry" because of problem #1. I remember when I was making my purchase, and I specifically asked him if they were waterproof, because it did not say waterproof on the shoes themselves like some of the other one's did, and he affirmed that they were. But, apparently his memory is very selective. So, I can't shop in a place where I can't trust what they say. Side notes: * don't trust the little blue "waterproof" tags they put on the shoes, they put those on themselves, they don't come from the manufacturers. If it doesn't literally say "waterproof" right on the shoe somewhere or at least on the box, it isn't. * The man is the proverbial "shoe salesman". Very nice and knowledgeable when you first come in, but crafty with his words. Especially if you have any problem later. Frankly I don't understand how they have been in business so long. I really tried hard to like this place and have bought shoes with them off and on over the years, but it is not worth it at this point. I am better off buying online or at a large store where I know I will get satisfaction if there is a problem, rather than being swindled. read more

I recently bought some shoes off the Internet from both Endless and Zappo's. I thought that would save some time and money. But I found that it wasn't that easy getting a feel for how good a shoe was just by looking at a picture of it. And sizing was especially difficult. I spent a long time checking out shoe reviews to get a sense from other people. When they arrived, they didn't look quite how I thought they would look, and the size turned out to be uncomfortable for me (every manufacturer and even each line has a different fit). I had already worn them, thinking I would grow into them, and so it was too late to ship them back. Contrast this with my experience at David's. I walked in randomly off the street (it's near the Cambridgeside Galleria) because they looked like they had a pretty big selection. Also, it didn't have a fancy sign and such, so I thought they would have good prices. I was right on both counts. Boy, these guys really know their shoes. The store has been there for 50 years. I got great recommendations, fantastic advice on sizing, and they even put in some small heel lifts into the sole because I mentioned how the part just below the ankles often cuts into my skin just below the bone until I break a pair in. I never knew this was an option! And the prices ... The online retailers often have 10%-20% deals if you buy two, etc. The prices here were already discounted, and you don't have to buy two or search for a coupon. No sales; it was just their normal prices. In the end, I got to physically try on several pairs and several sizes, and it took less time than doing online "research", especially compared to sending shoes back and forth through the mail. Great, friendly service. Never rushed. Lots of useful advice. Great prices. These are my shoe guys from now on. read more

I slammed the door [quite hard ] as I walked out of that store; if that explains how bad the service was. Race wasn't an issue, his ignorance was. read more

I have been coming to David's since I moved to the Boston area in late 2001. Their inventory is high quality - Clarks (still made mostly in Europe), Naot, Bostonian, Wolverine, Doc Martens. The prices for top quality shoes are as low as you can find, and the service is personal, honest and no-pressure. There are certain types of shoes I have returned to buy at David's. There are few stores with the combination of quality of inventory, service and prices you get at David's. I'm grateful they are still around. Some things never go out of style. read more

My boyfriend's Doc Martens had finally given up the ghost, so we searched online for stockists of this particularly fine brand of shoe in order to replace them. One of the closest stores was David's and there we found exactly the right pair for $20 less than at, say, Hootenanny (provided you want black 9 hole boots). Not only were the prices really reasonable (shoe accessories such as polish were also very cheap), but the service was great, living up to my fantasy of what I imagine small town American stores to be like. They also seemed to have a really good selection of women's shoes which admittedly I didn't look too hard at, but if I need a new pair of shoes I know where I'll head first. read more

I was really excited to come here after reading the reviews as I need a new pair of winter boots. I chose a couple of pairs of boots and one pair of shoes that I was hoping to buy if they had my size available, but the customer service was painfully non-existent. No greeting, no asking if I needed help, nothing. Just completely ignored the entire time I was in there. I absolutely would not return. read more

This place has some beautiful shoes for a fair price - most shoes are around $100, and I didn't see any over $175. The manager is gruff but honest and helpful: I came in looking for a pair of waterproof boots, and showed me a great pair for $100. I tried them on and loved them, and he said, "Hold on, you might actually like this boot that's very similar in clearance" that was for $60. Unfortunately the clearance boot was too small, but it really would have been perfect otherwise. The fact that the manager took the time to try to save me $40 really says something. The manager told me he updates that clearance rack every week - shoes that are around 30% off. It's organized by size, so the selection is limited, but that's definitely where you should look first if you're looking for a great shoe cheap. read more

There's something to be said for someone taking the time to see you through something, and make sure you are happy with the purchase. The staff here is direct, really knows feet, and offers a lot of help with a no-pressure type of feel. I never felt stupid asking questions, nor did I feel rushed as I went through what felt like dozens of different pairs of shoes (bunions & flat feet will do that to you). Plus, the prices were cheaper than many of the online sellers I found out there. Definitely a win-win situation. read more

The clerk at David's claims that they're the largest distributor of Rockports in New England. Perfect, because I have very narrow feet, which basically means that I either buy Rockports or need to go find a cobbler for custom-made shoes. The selection of Rockports and Clarks and Naots and a few other brands is enormous. But it's not quite big enough. They don't have many smaller sizes below a men's 9, so you have to order them through David's. This is too much of a pain for me: a $20 deposit on each pair of shoes that you order, which gets refunded when you come in and try them one, but you still eat $5 if you decide not to buy the pair. The clerk was happy to show me the Rockport catalog. He was also happy to drop a few f-bombs in the middle of some trite comments about one of our former presidents ("would love to have a beer with the guy..."). Worth a crack. But call ahead to see if they have your size. read more