- Rack Room, Famous Footwear, and DSW all sell name-brand shoes at mid-range prices, but they target different shoppers and win in different categories.
- Rack Room is the best value for families buying multiple pairs thanks to BOGO. DSW has the widest selection and best rewards program. Famous Footwear falls somewhere in between.
- For athletic shoes, DSW wins on selection. For kids' shoes, Rack Room wins on price. For fashion-forward options, DSW wins by a mile.
A Quick Look at All Three Stores
Before we get into the specifics, here's who we're comparing:
Rack Room Shoes operates 450+ stores, mostly in the South and Midwest. Owned by Deichmann SE (Europe's biggest shoe retailer). Known for BOGO deals and a family-focused selection. Carries Nike, Adidas, Skechers, Hey Dude, Converse, New Balance, and more.
Famous Footwear has around 900 stores nationwide and is owned by Caleres (which also owns Naturalizer, Dr. Scholl's, and others). They run a strong BOGO program too, plus their Famous Cash rewards. Similar brand mix to Rack Room but with slightly broader reach.
DSW (Designer Shoe Warehouse) operates 500+ stores and is now part of Designer Brands Inc. DSW skews more adult and fashion-oriented, with a much bigger selection of dress shoes, boots, designer brands, and premium labels. Their VIP rewards program is considered one of the best in shoe retail.
Brand Selection: Who Carries What
All three stores carry the big athletic names (Nike, Adidas, New Balance, Skechers). The difference is in the depth and variety.
Rack Room
- Strong on: Nike, Adidas, Skechers, Hey Dude, Converse, Crocs
- Decent: New Balance, Vans, Puma, Birkenstock (limited)
- Weak: Dress shoes, performance running, fashion brands
- Kids' selection: Excellent. One of the best kids' sections of any chain.
Famous Footwear
- Strong on: Nike, Adidas, Skechers, Converse, Vans, Crocs
- Decent: New Balance, Dr. Scholl's, Naturalizer (parent company brands get shelf priority)
- Weak: Premium athletic, luxury or designer, western boots
- Kids' selection: Good. Not quite as deep as Rack Room, but solid.
DSW
- Strong on: Nike, Adidas, New Balance, Steve Madden, Cole Haan, Sam Edelman, Lucky Brand, Birkenstock
- Decent: Skechers, Vans, Puma, Crown Vintage, Journee Collection
- Weak: Kids' shoes (they carry some but it's clearly not the focus)
- Fashion and dress shoes: This is DSW's strong suit. Way more options than the other two.
Winner: DSW. They carry more brands, more styles per brand, and cover more categories (casual, dress, athletic, fashion). If variety matters to you, DSW wins this round easily. Rack Room and Famous Footwear are similar to each other, though Rack Room edges ahead on Hey Dude and kids' shoes.
Pricing: Where Your Dollar Goes Furthest
Let's compare actual prices on shoes you'd find at all three stores. These are typical full-price ranges (before promotions):
Nike Revolution 7 (men's running shoe):
- Rack Room: $70
- Famous Footwear: $70
- DSW: $70
Converse Chuck Taylor All Star (low top):
- Rack Room: $60
- Famous Footwear: $60
- DSW: $60
Skechers Summits (women's):
- Rack Room: $65
- Famous Footwear: $65
- DSW: $60-$65
Sticker prices are nearly identical at all three. The brands set MSRP and these stores all sell at or very close to it. The real pricing difference comes from promotions and rewards.
After Promotions
This is where the math changes:
Rack Room's BOGO Half Off saves you 25% across two pairs. BOGO Free (during events) saves you 50% across two pairs. Best for multi-pair purchases.
Famous Footwear's BOGO Half Off works the same way. They also run BOGO deals frequently. And their Famous Cash program gives you $10 in rewards for every $100 spent during earning periods, which can be stacked. The BOGO promotions are essentially identical to Rack Room's.
DSW's approach is different. They don't run BOGO as their primary deal. Instead, they offer percentage-off coupons (20% off, $10 off $49, etc.), clearance markdowns, and their VIP points program. For a single pair, DSW's coupon deals often match or beat the per-pair savings of BOGO at the other two stores.
Winner: It depends on how many pairs you're buying. For one pair, DSW's coupons usually give you the best single-pair price. For two or more pairs, Rack Room and Famous Footwear's BOGO deals win. For families buying 3+ pairs, Rack Room's BOGO Free events are the clear champion.
Rewards Programs Compared
All three have free loyalty programs. Here's how they stack up:
Rack Room Rewards
- $15 back for every $200 spent (7.5% return)
- $10 birthday reward
- 60-day returns (vs. 30 for non-members)
- Members-only coupons and early access
Famous Footwear Famously You Rewards
- $5 reward for every 200 points (roughly $200 in spending, so about 2.5% return at base level)
- Famous Cash earning periods: earn $10 for every $100 spent during promotional windows
- Birthday reward (varies, usually $5-$10)
- Free shipping on all online orders for members
- Multiple tiers that increase your earn rate
DSW VIP Rewards
- Three tiers: Club (free), Gold ($200+/year), Elite ($500+/year)
- Club: 1 point per dollar, 100 points = $5 reward (5% return)
- Gold: 2x points earning, free shipping, exclusive offers (10% return)
- Elite: 3x points, extra birthday reward, donation matching (15% return)
- $5 birthday reward at all levels, $10 at Elite
- 20% off your first purchase
Winner: DSW VIP. It's not even close. DSW's tiered rewards program is the most generous in shoe retail. At the Gold level ($200/year, which most regular shoe shoppers hit), you're earning 10% back and getting free shipping. Rack Room's flat 7.5% is decent. Famous Footwear's base rate of 2.5% is the weakest, though Famous Cash events boost it temporarily.
Best for Families and Kids
This is the category where Rack Room separates itself from the competition.
Rack Room stores dedicate a large section to kids' shoes. We're talking rows of Nike, Adidas, Skechers, character shoes, sandals, and boots in toddler through big kid sizes. And when BOGO Free is running, you can get two pairs of kids' Nikes for the price of one. For a family buying shoes for two or three kids, the savings add up to $50-$100+ per shopping trip.
Famous Footwear is close behind. Their kids' section is solid, and their BOGO deals work the same way. But in most stores, Rack Room's kids' assortment is a notch deeper, especially in athletic shoes.
DSW is the weakest option for family shopping. Their kids' section is an afterthought in most locations. Maybe two or three racks of kids' shoes compared to entire walls at Rack Room. If you're shopping for a family, DSW isn't really competing here.
Winner: Rack Room. Best kids' selection plus BOGO makes it the obvious pick for families. Famous Footwear is a very close second.
Best for Athletic Shoes
All three stores sell athletic shoes, but the selection differs more than you'd think.
Rack Room carries mainstream athletic brands (Nike, Adidas, New Balance, Skechers, Puma) but stocks mostly basic and lifestyle models. You'll find Nike Revolution, Adidas Cloudfoam, and Skechers walking shoes. You won't find Hoka, On Running, or Brooks in most locations. If you're training for a marathon, Rack Room isn't the place.
Famous Footwear has a very similar athletic mix. A little more depth in some Nike lines, but the same general story. Mainstream brands, basic models, nothing specialty.
DSW actually carries a wider range of athletic brands, including some you won't find at the other two. New Balance gets more shelf space, and you'll occasionally find On Running and Brooks models. The selection per brand is deeper too, with more colorways and performance models available.
Winner: DSW. More brands, more models, and occasional access to performance and trending athletic brands that Rack Room and Famous Footwear don't stock. But if you're buying two pairs of everyday sneakers, Rack Room's BOGO still gives you better total value.
Best for Fashion and Dress Shoes
This one isn't even a contest.
DSW crushes both Rack Room and Famous Footwear in this category. They carry Steve Madden, Cole Haan, Sam Edelman, Lucky Brand, Vince Camuto, and dozens of other fashion brands. Their dress shoe section for men and women is five times the size of what you'll find at the other two stores. If you need shoes for a wedding, an interview, or a date night, DSW is the only real option among these three.
Rack Room and Famous Footwear both have small dress shoe sections, but they're afterthoughts. Maybe 10-15 men's dress shoe options and a slightly bigger women's section with mostly budget brands. If you're looking for anything beyond a basic black pump or oxford, you'll be disappointed.
Winner: DSW, and it's not remotely close.
Shipping and Returns
Shipping
- Rack Room: Free shipping at $65+. Ship to store is free with no minimum. Standard delivery takes 5-7 business days.
- Famous Footwear: Free shipping for rewards members (no minimum). Non-members pay for shipping on orders under $75. Delivery in 5-7 business days.
- DSW: Free shipping for VIP members at all levels (no minimum). Non-members pay on orders under $35. Fast shipping, usually 3-5 business days.
Winner: DSW and Famous Footwear (tied). Both offer free shipping to rewards members with no minimum. Rack Room's $65 minimum is the worst of the three.
Returns
- Rack Room: 30 days (60 for rewards members). Must be unworn with tags.
- Famous Footwear: 30 days with receipt. Must be in original condition.
- DSW: 90 days for regular purchases. 60 days for final sale/clearance. VIP Gold and Elite get free return shipping.
Winner: DSW. Ninety days is three times what the other stores offer, and it gives you real time to decide if a pair works for your life. Rack Room's 60-day rewards member window is second best.
Store Experience
All three chains live in strip malls and shopping centers. None of them are going to wow you with interior design. But there are differences.
Rack Room stores are mid-sized, organized by category, and mostly self-service. Clean and functional. Nothing special. The experience is straightforward: find your shoe, grab your size, try it on, pay.
Famous Footwear has a similar layout and feel. Slightly smaller stores on average. Also mostly self-service. The two are practically interchangeable in terms of shopping experience.
DSW stores are noticeably larger. More open floor plans, more shoes on display, and better organization by brand and style. The browsing experience is more enjoyable simply because there's more to look at. You can spend 30 minutes in a DSW and not feel rushed. That's harder to do at a Rack Room where you've seen everything in 10 minutes.
Winner: DSW. Bigger stores, more inventory, better browsing experience.
The Final Scorecard
Here's who wins each category:
- Best for families and kids: Rack Room
- Best overall selection: DSW
- Best rewards program: DSW
- Best multi-pair value: Rack Room (tie with Famous Footwear)
- Best single-pair value: DSW
- Best athletic shoes: DSW
- Best fashion/dress shoes: DSW
- Best return policy: DSW
- Best shipping: DSW and Famous Footwear (tied)
- Best store experience: DSW
DSW wins the majority of categories, and it's not surprising. They're a bigger operation with broader inventory and a better loyalty program. But category wins don't tell the whole story.
The Bottom Line
Here's the honest answer: the right store depends on what you're buying and for whom.
Choose Rack Room if you're a parent buying shoes for multiple kids, or if you're shopping with a partner and you both need new pairs. Their BOGO Free events are unbeatable for multi-pair family purchases, and their kids' section is the best of the three. This is the store that rewards you for buying in quantity.
Choose DSW if you're shopping for yourself, you want selection, or you need anything beyond basic sneakers. Dress shoes, fashion boots, trending brands, and a killer rewards program make DSW the better store for individual adult shoppers. Their 90-day return policy gives you breathing room that the others don't.
Choose Famous Footwear if it's the closest store to you and you want BOGO deals similar to Rack Room with the convenience of free member shipping. It's a solid middle ground, but it doesn't distinctly win any category. It's the “good enough” option.
For families, go to Rack Room. For everything else, DSW is the better store. And that's the straightforward truth.
