- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Coffee & Tea |
- All
Gravity Pope Shoes
Category: Shopping Fashion Shoe Stores Shoe Stores [Edit]
2205 4th Ave WVancouver, BC V6K 1N9
Neighbourhood: Kitsilano
(604) 731-7673
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 10 am - 9 pm
Sat 10 am - 7 pm
Sun 11 am - 6 pm
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
31 reviews for Gravity Pope Shoes
Review Highlights
-
"I got a pair of Camper's and I am definitely happy with my..." In 10 reviews -
"they have the BEST selection of any type of footwear you..." In 2 reviews -
"But be prepared for it, these babies don't come cheap." In 3 reviews
Loading...
31 reviews in English
-
Review from Gary M.
3/4/2012 1 Check-in Here
whoa this place is BiZZy! Staff seemed nice and helpful.
I think the boots and shoes are a tad on the pricey side but at least you can get items that are unique and fun. I was looking for some particular style of Native boots, but they had none left.
On the bright side-I got to get out to Kits.
g -
Review from Jennifer B.
Vancouver, BC
1/25/2012
It's Vegas for shoe lovers, beware. Nowhere else in Vancouver, or Canada or dare I say the US, will you find such a massive and diverse selection of footwear ranging from urban sneaks to rubber and wooly winter boots to the finest Italian leather foot candy available. Hard to find brands like Trippen, Cydwoq, Coclico, Zeha Berlin, Moma, Chie Mihara, Repetto and Fiorentini & Baker tease with their gorgeous hand-made silhouettes.
Be prepared to spend time here, and if you want attentive service, come later in the day or the evening as it is very busy mid day and on weekends. It takes time to peruse the entire collection, and a little known fact to the impatient customer waiting for their salesperson to emerge from the back is that the opulent and inviting store space does not have an equally opulent back room - shoes are stored in compact shelving due to the sheer quantity. Exercise some patience - it takes time to find the perfect pair.
Recommended is the website - here you can peruse the collection for styles of interest, take notes and inquire at the store. Stock is spread between the Vancouver location and the Calgary & Edmonton stores. Regular priced merch can be transferred free of charge - sale items need to be pre-paid.
I dream of obtaining my mile long wish list filled with rare and artistic shapes. The average sturdy European designed and made boot/shoe ranges from $300 to $600 - these are investment pieces. But there is also a good selection of shoes for under $200, mainly made in China. You can buy Toms and Keds and Hunters here too...
Layaway is the saviour of the shoe obsessed - stash your size and pay within 40 days on a 20% deposit.
Jody the manager is outstanding. I have always had good experiences with the staff here. I spend most of my money at this store. Who needs groceries?
A Vancouver institution and a dream filled with beautiful shoes. -
Review from Amelia C.
Vancouver, BC
Updated - 4/2/2012
GP has a no refund policy. Exchange/credit only. Not good for someone as indecisive and as not rich as me.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
6/9/2011
Schlepped my way in here after a morning workout, expecting great shoes and bad service after… Read more »
-
-
Review from Alexandra S.
Vancouver, BC
11/27/2011
I've heard that when some people visit a casino, they bring a fixed amount of cash and then give their credit and ATM cards to a friend so that they don't go crazy and lose all their money.
If you are a woman, and you have feet, you might consider the same approach at Gravity Pope. Because once you walk in and see the Temple of Beautiful Shoes, all arranged on a table in the middle of the store, you will realize that all that stands between you and the perfect, happy life you have always dreamed of is a pair of knee high, buttery-soft boots with stitching and details unlike anything you have ever seen.
Then you will discreetly pick up the boot, and flip it over, and notice a 4-figure price tag. Yes, shoes can cost more than $1,000 (see how educational it is to shop here? I seriously did NOT know that was possible until I walked in here). So you will continue to casually browse, with a steady pace that does not betray your broken heart, picking up successive pairs of shockingly gorgeous, and even more shockingly expensive shoes, until you reach the end of the table. In the course of this ooh! aaah! ooh!-athon, you will have touched somewhere between 5 and 50 pairs of shoes the cost between $400-$1300 dollars, and you will have begun to consider whether your work at the kitten orphanage really is that meaningful, or whether perhaps the world could function just as well if you sold out and became an investment banker.
Then you will reach the table at the back, where there are some shoes that are also very very nice, though perhaps not quite as life-changing as the shoes on the middle table, and so you will brave further heartbreak by peering into a pair of loafers or flipping over a sweet little pair of mary janes. You will see that these shoes are a modest $270, and while they are not exactly what you might say you *need*, they are quite lovely, and probably you would get quite a lot of wear out of a pair of banana-yellow open-toed spectators. And $270, that is a bargain, isn't it?
This is when you should thank your friend for taking all but $100 from your wallet, and if you find yourself absolutely unable to leave the store without a new pair of shoes, turn your eyes to the handful of Pumas and Keds and other plebe-level shoes that are tucked away here and there along the back edges of the store. Nothing special at all, but you can't help but feel that maybe they've gotten classed up a bit just from sitting so near those Chie Miharas all day.
If you are a shoe worshipper, this is the closest thing to a religious experience that Vancouver can offer. Just remember that it may demand a blood sacrifice. -
Review from Emily S.
Vancouver, BC
7/13/2011
This place is such a rip-off, even their shoes on sale are priced higher than anywhere else in Canada. My friend and I have agreed never to come here again because we've been burned too many times, buying cute shoes and then seeing them for wayyyy less somewhere else.
That said, selection is good (buyer knows what's up), service is good. Again, I hate wasting money. I don't mind paying retail prices. I do mind paying retail +15%. -
Review from Robin M.
5/23/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Gravity Pope wants my money. Fortunately for them, they usually succeed in getting it.
Short of me not going in, there's pretty much nothing that will stop me from leaving the store without at least hemming and hawing over a brand-spanking new pair of delicious kicks. The selection is that good.
But be prepared for it, these babies don't come cheap. Here's the way I see it: in a city that sometimes falls short when it comes to a more unique and varied selection of shoes, Gravity Pope is one shop where I'm willing to lay down the dough.Listed in: Maybe it's a Girl thing?, Kickin' It In Kits, Dressup!
-
Review from Patricia L.
Vancouver, BC
2/3/2011
I have a 3 strikes and you're out rule that I work with when it comes to retail stores.
I've given this store 3 tries and all 3 times my experience with them has been absolutely HORRIBLE. I agree with a lot of the reviews that give them credit for having a great selection of shoes, however that's all they got.
It all starts with customer service and I've tried it all - I've tried their online service, I've spoken with their employees on the phone and I've been in the Vancouver store face-to-face. ALL experiences were terrible and yes, to be overly dramatic, extremely traumatizing!
Their online store sucks (seriously they claim to be a high-end store, they need to get with this century already.) Their employees are very rude on the phone, it's like I'm inconveniencing them to actually work. And every time I've been in the store the staff doesn't have to act like they don't give a rat's turd about anyone, I believe it and am fully convinced. Bravo!
Perhaps I am not a billionaire coming in to grace the world with my extraordinary presence, but the last time I checked, money in all forms in this world doesn't stink to most people. And I for one will be taking my cold, hard cash to plenty other establishments who would appreciate me much more.
Gravity Pope YOU SUCK. And remember, you aren't the only shoe store on the planet. With the advent of technology, I am no longer doomed to be bound by the constraints of geography. I can and have already happily taken my money to way more deserving stores, like Nordstroms, Zappos and Shopbop. Even haughty Holt Renfrew is better than you, at least they have Manolos and Laboutins.
The only good thing that came out of all this is that I am actually ecstatic about not ever having to bother with your establishment again.Listed in: I HEART Shopping!
-
Review from Angela L.
10/30/2010
I have something of a goat-like countenance when it comes to walking, so I'm forced to purchase a new pair of shoes every year or so as I'm constantly wearing mine out. It's always a sad day when I realize that "the time" has come, as shoe shopping is always a huge pain in the butt and after all that walking, my shoes and I have usually forged a bond.
Gravity Pope is one of my first stops when I'm in the market for new shoes, but I don't return here happily. While the selection is excellent and very diverse, I've had poor experiences with the service. It's definitely a more upscale, "Kits" crowd, and I feel like people who are dressed more expensively are usually those that are fawned over. I've seen people trying on pair after pair of shoes with nothing but the most attentive service, but I've never personally had such an experience.
I'm not a high roller by any means, but a good pair of shoes is important to me. I've often been unattended to for long stretches of time, while I clutch a shoe waiting for an employee to even cast a glance my way so I can ask for a size. Coming in here is anxiety-inducing for me, to say the least. I usually walk out exasperated and shoeless after not even being able to get somebody's attention to try something on, although one time I happened to wander in here on a day they were having a sale and scored myself a nice pair of flats for a good price! -
Review from Liz S.
8/9/2008 1 photo
I got into big, bad, naughty trouble at Gravity Pope. A few short minutes after they had rung up my purchases, I got a text from my husband, the abbreviated version of which was "WTF??!!"
Yeah, I went nuts. My bad. But let me just say that Gravity Pope is one of the best shoe stores that I have ever visited, and as I slipped on two beautiful pairs of shoes that fit my feet like gloves, I knew that there was no turning back.
They have such a vast selection and they are all SO good (remember the episode of S&theC in which Carrie goes into the shoe closet at Vogue? Kind of like that). The styles vary from casual to dressy to in-between.
Well, that was back in April, and the shoes I bought there have been all over this city to the finest events, and they are still, hands-down, my favorite shoes that I have purchased this year, and they always get comments. Please, Gravity Pope, never open a store in San Francisco - I don't want to get into trouble again!
(Pssst please open a store in San Francisco). -
Review from shain r.
Vancouver, BC
8/16/2008 1 photo
Aw gravity pope a Canadian institution for sure. If you are looking for the unique, unusual, or fabulous then this is where you should head first! I was in with my friend Jen and we dreamed and swooned over the latest fall fashions and both determined that their Hunter boot selection was top notch! Be prepared to drop a few bills on shoes as most don't come cheap, however if you are a shoe fanatic like we are then I am sure you will agree that there is no price on luv!
I do need to make a comment on their shoe promo's THEY SUCK! you never have a deal that makes me want to participate.. like the current selection of buy two pairs get a third free... umm the average consumer wont or cant afford to spend 500 smackers for two pairs of shoes just to get a third free!Listed in: Mens shopping
-
Review from Kreag S.
Vancouver, BC
1/29/2009
Have a shoe addiction?? Looking for your next hit??? Look no further then Gravity Pope..you are sure to find something that will satisfy your craving...
A proudly Canadian business that began in Edmonton and made it's way to Vancouver a few years back...they have been happily supplying shoe addicts of Vancouver with the lastest and greatest footwear....they have the BEST selection of any type of footwear you could possibly need...sneakers, boots, every type of heel under the sun....Creative Recreation, Acne, Chie Mihara, Clarks, Calvin Klein, Fluevog, and many more brands are available... and as much as this pains me..I believe they even carry Crocks...this may just me a rumor..let's all hope!
Good footwear doesn't come cheap so be prepared to give your Visa a workout...and be prepared to possibly wait a while to try on your shoes..it does get quite busy...my advise is to go early and avoid weekends... -
Review from NG Y.
Vancouver, BC
11/26/2011
The store has great products, but completely over priced. If you find something you like, you can definitely find it cheaper online somewhere else. Even with their sales, it is still more than regular price somewhere else.
Another problem I encountered was...I fell in love with a pair of boots and they only had it in one location. Any other store would be happy to ship the pair of boots over for your to try to see if they fit properly. Even if you had to pay up front first, they would return your money if they didn't fit properly. BUT nope.... GP likes to charge your credit card, then send the boots over, and if they don't fit, "too bad" you only get a STORE CREDIT. YES, people, ONLY A STORE CREDIT! So they can be $500-700 shoes, but because you bought them, and that's their store policy, they will NOT return your money. I think its completely crazy! Of course I would keep them if they fit, but if they didn't and I'm still sitting at your store, you are not giving my money back?? I think they need to re-evaluate their "store policy" as I find that they do this to rip customers off. Definitely an unsatisfied customer! I would rather shop in the States, at least they have better customer service! -
Review from Vincci L.
12/2/2009
Whenever I enter the store, it's like a kid entering a toy store. Presented upon me: every possible shoe is here, in many unique styles and colors. I visit this shop everytime I'm in this area.
The shop is seperated into the men's and women's section, with more women's shoes, but still a decent selection of men's shoes.
I found the perfect pair of Irregular Choice heels here. Lilac, with embroidered flowers!! I love them!
They have stylish designer shoes, and also casual everyday sneakers. What I do like about them is that they have a vast selection and sizes. They do have some unique and special edition shoes. Looking for a shoe for a special occasion? This is the place to go. You will find something, and at times, it'll be unique. Also check out their clothing shop next door. -
Review from Crystal H.
Vancouver, BC
2/9/2009 3 Check-ins Here
Shoe-a-holics be warned. You're leaving with at least one new pair of kicks. The only shoe store in town to have never disappointed me - in terms of selection and service (and the right size!).
From designer Marc by Marc Jacobs to staple brands like Frye's every shoe taste is accounted for. The layout of the store can be enveloping. Find one pair to test drive and while the sales associate is looking for my size, I'll find another, and another.
The only thing that stops me from buying out the store is the fact that I have stopped bringing my credit card shopping with me!
If you fall for a pair of Fluevogs though, I would have to suggest you check out Fluevogs Flagship store in Gastown before you buy - they do have an amazingly full selection there. -
Review from Johannes H.
Vancouver, BC
7/19/2010
How to describe a shoe store? It nearly always sounds somewhat boring, since it is just a shoe store, nothing more exciting than that.
However, Gravity Pope is just as good as it gets out there. I think that it is one of the best shoe stores anywhere in the world, but definitely the best in Vancouver.
I got a pair of Camper's and I am definitely happy with my choice. The store has lots of shoes in all varieties that will look cool on your feet. All sizes I asked for were available. They also offer quite a large men's collection so this is a place for both genders. You can take your girlfriend and still find a cool pair of shoes for yourself.
Well, enough of the words.
Go and check it out whenever you should find yourself in need of a pair of shoes.Listed in: The best of Vancouver
-
Review from Kristin H.
Vancouver, BC
4/22/2010
I loved this store in Edmonton, and I love this store in Vancouver.
In comparison to the Edmonton store, its much less busy, and a lot bigger. You don't feel claustrophobic and its pretty easy to flag someone down to get you a size.
One of my favourite parts about the store is the salespeople's "no pressure" approach. Aside from greeting you when you walk in, you're left to browse without being harassed constantly, or having someone breathe down your neck, but they're very attentive once you start trying things on.
With all that said, I'm still trying to find a way to justify a pair of $425 boots ... -
Review from felix b.
Vancouver, BC
6/25/2011
Great selection of shoes but very expensive comparing to online stores. For example, they never gave real discount for camper shoes and one of models is sold by 190$ plus tax. I found same shoes on Amazon just 80 $, I just went there, tried the shoe for the correct size than I ordered from Amazon.
Also my wife like another Camper which is 160, and we found same shoe on Amazon just 70$.
It costs us 80+70+25+50Tax=225$ for two shoes.
Don't forger 50$ will turn back to you after 3 months. -
Review from Chris C.
Richmond, BC
10/27/2010
This place should be called Gravity Poop
If I could give separate star ratings for shoe selection and service I would.
In terms of:
1) SHOES- 9/10
- excellent
- diverse and artistic selection of brands and an eclectic mix of urban, posh, and avante garde
- prices for the brands are reasonably set and can even surprise you by being a bit less pricey than expected in comparison with its competitors
- lacking a full 10/10 as its runners selection is a bit weak, both in the mens and womens sections
2) SERVICE- 2/10
- outright snobbish
- glorified hipsters- apart from maybe one or two of the salespeople, who are usually always busy because people gravitate towards them, the majority of them are privileged, 20-something year olds who have a chip on their shoulder in terms of fashion and demonstrating urbanity. Their snobbish ettiquette is validated by their artistic eye in choosing clothing for the feet, but is self-defeating in actually running any bit of errands for itself.
- judgmental at the door- while clientele appearance is important in many high-end retail outlets, Vancouver also has many customers in rather casual attire out for an expensive shop. But the salespeople seem to think that anything short of being Andy Worhol's best mate is short of them deserving to help you.
- they know you need them, for the shoes to be fitted and purchased, that's the only way they make money
3) OVERALL 2/10
- the ability of them making money is a clever business model of the 'outgroup': be and appear cooler and judge the participant for their lack of belonging and offer them only a small hinted chance at purchasing a larger facet of beauty, in hope that you may belong to the 'in crowd'. Greet them with bad service and an aloofness to the world in a vague hippy sense and they will beg at your mercy with dollars. The person who picks the footwear selection is my Idol but the human resourcing and sales etiquette training is as deserving as this harsh post. Great shoes trampled in poop. -
Review from Daniel L.
12/18/2009 1 Check-in Here
I love this shop, I looked throught about 10 other shoe stores in the city and this place always has the best selection for all means.
Price is average and always a little under staffed.
But the selection is great for me "A GUY" I love my shoes & boots and I have collected allot off them over the years..Oh and the carry a nice range of bags
Check out the selected discount section as that always has good value. -
Review from Sabrina S.
Montréal, QC
6/17/2009
This store has a HUGE selection of all sort of shoes. they have sneakers, high tops, excellent heels, ''green'' shoes, tacky, quirky shoes, Hunters, etc, etc. You can spend lots of time in this place just trying to pick out a pair of shoes :)
I like to go window shopping because everytime I pick up a pair of shoes I like they are over 300$.
You will most likely be making a big investment but from what I've seen, the quality of the shoes is pretty damn good, especially the shoes that are made in Italy, home to the best quality shoes!!!
If you don' like to want leather, they do have alternate options, so check it out. -
Review from Sheila W.
BC
1/2/2009
I only deny this shop the fifth star because it hurts me so much to see such beautiful shoes ... that I can rarely afford. I went for it once, buying a beautiful pair of black leather low heels made in Spain. They carried me all over the city and through a year in a Japanese office. When I finally wore them out, I shed a tear when I had to ditch them.
I usually try to just admire the beautiful shoes from the window ... going in hurts too much! Why can't I take all of them home?
The staff seems to share an affection for shoes and allows you to get excited when you find that perfect pair that fits like a glove. I think that finding a great pair of shoes should be a reason to celebrate and I appreciate the positive attitude of the people who work in this shop. -
Review from Jane D.
Vancouver, BC
3/11/2011
Awesome shoes, great selection. The staff are very friendly!
-
Review from Luisa S.
Vancouver, BC
8/29/2008
I always cross the intersection of Fourth Ave and Yew with a palpating heart. Gravity Pope is barely discernable yet I can already hear that familiar argument. Should I go in? No.... but it's so pretty. Still conflicted but weakened by indecision, I venture past the threshold.
Leaning against the walls, sparkling from the top shelves and dancing across the floor are shoes. Red ones, blue ones, yellow ones. Patterned, solid. Flat, stacked, heeled. Each one waiting to be coveted, loved and worn.
The focal point is the table at the centre of the store. Expansive and monumental, countless shoes sit atop, almost buffet-style while shoe fiends do merry-go-round circles around the table. Paul Smith, Repetto, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Sigerson Morisson, Chie Mihara, Opening Ceremony... who do you want to take with you on your playground adventures? -
Review from Anita T.
Toronto, ON
9/20/2008
If you love shoes as much as I do, you will probably love Gravity Pope. They have a HUGE collection of mens and womens shoes! The only thing is that it is a bit pricey... but, hey, if you don't mind shelling out a little bit extra for some good quality shoes - then this just might be the place for you!
They stock a variety of brands to tickle whatever fancy you may have. From Fluevog to Steve Madden and everything in between. It's also nice and spacious, unlike most other shoe stores. -
Review from Cameron M.
Toronto, ON
11/21/2008
I grew up in Edmonton so it really pains me to admit it but, Gravity Pope in Vancouver is much better. Maybe it's the fact that they've split the clothing and shoe section into two stores, but something about it just works better.
I think the fact that there's so many staff members dedicated to shoes is great. Always someone around to help you or get those shoes down from their precarious heights in the store. Also, there's a massive selection thanks to the huge space. That especially helps from a guy's point of view as we tend to get the short end of the stick when it comes to anything but Hush Puppies, selection-wise.
To me though it is really all about service. As a guy, again, it's hard to be treated like you take shoes seriously but Gravity Pope always does just that. They ask if I need help or another size and always have alternate suggestions for what might work for me. If you're after shoes this might not be THE stop but it should definitely be A stop when you're in Van. -
Review from Tae K.
Vancouver, BC
7/4/2009
This is an awesome store for browsing the newest styles of shoes of all kinds... casual, dressy, sandals, etc. Everytime I look I find something that I want... only problem for me are the prices, which seem quite a bit higher than other shoe stores around town.
If you're looking for something specific or just checking out the newest trends, though, this would be a great place to start. -
Review from James E.
4/8/2009
The only shoppe in Vancouver that sells Campers. Hand to God.
-
Review from Noa G.
Vancouver, BC
9/12/2008 1 photo
EVERYONE seems to rave about Gravity Pope. But, frankly, I'm not so impressed. Sure, the selection is wide (and haphazardly piled one atop the other around the store, making it difficult to catch any one particular style in one's eye)... but are any of the shoes really wearable? Not in my opinion. Except for the Havianas. God, I love those Brazilian beauties! And, since Gravity Pope carries quite a large selection of colours and designs in my fave flip flop, it gets two stars from me. Nuff said.
-
Review from Sarah P.
Vancouver, BC
4/9/2009
The only reason this store is not heaven on earth is that shoes would be free in heaven. Sigh....I love this store....can't always afford it but I love it. I tried on a beautiful pair of Camper pumps that felt like walking on clouds (b/c I was in heaven!) but the price was a bit too much at the time. Definitely worth saving up for though!
-
Review from Victoria R.
BC
11/20/2008
When you love shoes, you appreciate the variety of lines they carry. That's why people flock here. It embodies the West Coast shoes-lover who wants something different. Now it's a bit of focus for my ADD-esque shopping syndrome that I've self-diagnosed. But that just means the fact the the shoes are scattered around the room is a bit much at times. I like my styles packed in one area, my brands clumped together -- not dotted around like little colourful jelly beans that spilled out of a jar. Overall though, a place that carries vegan shoes and a throw back to 1930's flappers is good in my books.
-
Review from J G.
Vancouver, BC
9/10/2008
I suppose I'm a bit of a Gravity Pope detractor; they do carry a lot of really nice shoes, boots and sandals from lines such as Camper, Fluevog, Steve Madden, Audley and Giraudon, but I think it bugs me that this place is just so trendy and so expensive. In other words, I think that I always feel like I could go in here, spend a lot of money, and then not be able to wear my purchases in a year's time because they'd be dated. But, they do have quality shoes in here, and some of what they carry is pretty unique. The service could be a bit more friendly, but maybe the salespeople always sense my lack of Gravity Pope enthusiasm. Shoe karma, you know. Anyway, if you are looking for something precious, something trendy or something expensive, this may be the place for you.
