Plus Award Winners

The Plus Awards recognize design and retail excellence across the breadth of the footwear market. Created by Footwear Plus, the industry’s leading fashion magazine for more than 25 years, the Plus Awards are the only accolades determined by the votes of industry members and consumers. What follows below is a historical archive of past Plus Award Winners.

2018 Plus Award Winners

  • Brand Of The Year: Vans
  • Company Of The Year: VF Corporation
  • National Chain: DSW
  • Men’s Comfort: Ecco
  • Work Boots: Timberland Pro
  • Women’s Comfort: Birkenstock
  • Comfort Specialty: Pegasus Footwear
  • Boutique: DNA Footwear
  • Boots: UGG
  • Outdoor Lifestyle: The North Face
  • Sneaker Boutique: Kith
  • Children’’s: Stride Rite
  • Men’s Collection: Clarks Originals
  • Best Collab: Keds X Kate Spade New York

2017 Plus Award Winners

  • Brand Of The Year; Sandals: Birkenstock
  • National Chain: Shoe Carnival
  • Sneaker Boutique: Concepts
  • Athletic Lifestyle; Best Sneaker Collab: Adidas
  • Insoles: Ortholite
  • Comfort Specialty: Footwear Etc.
  • Outdoor: Timberland
  • Boots: Ugg
  • Online: Zappos
  • Rain Boots: Joules
  • Best Collab: Vans X Karl Lagerfeld
  • Work Boots: Timberland Pro
  • Men’s Comfort: Rockport
  • Men’s Collection: Clarks Originals
  • Women’s Collection: Stuart Weitzman
  • Women’s Comfort: Taos

2016 Plus Awards Winners

  • Brand Of The Year; Athletic Lifestyle: Adidas
  • Women’s Comfort; Sandals: Birkenstock
  • National Chain: Foot Locker
  • Sneaker Boutique: Bodega
  • Comfort Specialty: Sole Desire
  • Boutique: Shoegasm
  • Men’s Comfort: Ecco
  • Work Boots: Timberland Pro
  • Women’s Collection: Sjp Collection By Sarah Jessica Parker
  • Outdoor Style: Ugg
  • Best Collab: Rihanna X Manolo Blahnik
  • Children’s: Skechers
  • Sneaker Collab: Fenty X Puma
  • Boots: The Frye Company
  • Men’s Collection: Clarks Originals
  • Athleisure: Nike
  • Online Retailer: Zappos
  • Clogs: Dansko
  • Rain Boots: Hunter

2015 Plus Awards Winners

  • Company Of The Year; Athleisure: Skechers
  • Women’s Collection: Vince Camuto
  • Sit & Fits: Comfort One Shoes
  • Women’s Comfort: Birkenstock
  • Brand Of The Year: Under Armour
  • Men’s Collection: Cole Haan
  • Launch Of The Year: Tamaris
  • Running: Hoka One One
  • National Chain: Nordstrom
  • Children’s: Jambu
  • Work Boots: Timberland Pro
  • Boots: Ugg
  • Clogs: Dansko
  • Online Retailer: Zappos
  • Athletic Lifestyle: New Balance
  • Sneaker Boutique: Concepts
  • Outdoor: The North Face
  • Celebrity Collab: Disney X Vans
  • Outdoor Style: Sorel
  • Sneaker Boutique Collab: J.crew X New Balance
  • Sandals: Naot
  • Men’s Comfort: Ecco

2013 Plus Awards Winners

  • Company Of The Year: Wolverine Worldwide
  • Brand Of The Year: Sperry Top-Sider
  • Little Black Dress: Kors By Michael Kors
  • Sit & Fits: Saxon Shoes
  • Boots: The Frye Company
  • Outdoor: Merrell
  • National Chain: Nordstrom
  • Customer Service: Dansko
  • Online And Customer Service: Zappos
  • Rain Boots: Hunter
  • Work Boots: Wolverine
  • Women’s Comfort: Earthies
  • Boutique: Shoe Market
  • Suit & Tie: Cole Haan
  • Boutique: Bus Stop
  • Surf: Vans
  • Children’s: Skechers
  • Running: Skechers Gorun
  • Cowboy Boots: Durango
  • Athletic Lifestyle: Keds
  • Men’s Comfort: Rockport
  • Best Collaboration: Dr. Martens X Agyness Deyn
  • Made In U.s.a.: Vintage Shoe Company
  • Women’s Collection: Steve Madden

2012 Plus Awards Winners

  • Company Of The Year: Wolverine Worldwide
  • Brand Of The Year; Running: Nike
  • Lifetime Achievement: Kevin Mancuso
  • Men’s Dress: Johnston & Murphy
  • Rain: Chooka
  • National Chain: Nordstrom
  • Made In U.s.a.: New Balance
  • Men’s Street: Sperry
  • Online Retailer: Zappos
  • Boots: Ugg
  • Launch Of The Year: Ugg Men’s
  • Work Boots: Wolverine
  • Retail Customer Service: Hawley Lane Shoes
  • Women’s Street: Toms
  • Outdoor: Teva
  • Women’s Comfort: Dansko
  • Customer Experience: The Tannery
  • Men’s Comfort: Rockport
  • Pre-Walkers: Pediped
  • Designer Boutique: Barneys
  • Children’s: Bbc Int’l/Polo Ralph Lauren
  • Wholesale Customer Service: Clarks
  • Women’s Dress: Dolce Vita
  • Athletic Lifestyle: Adidas Originals

2011 Plus Awards Winners

  • Company Of The Year: Wolverine Worldwide
  • Online Retailer: Zappos
  • National Chain: Nordstrom
  • Women’s Comfort & Corporate Goodwill: Dansko
  • Launch Of The Year: Earthies
  • Running: New Balance
  • Rain Boots: Hunter
  • Women’s Street: Minnetonka
  • Brand Of The Year And Boots: Ugg
  • Customer Service & Men’s: Clarks
  • Customer Experience: Harry’s Shoes
  • Wellness: Fitflop
  • Children’s: Crocs
  • Pre-Walkers: Pediped
  • Women’s Dress: L.a.m.b.
  • Outdoor: Merrill
  • Work And Men’s Street: Wolverine And Wolverine 1000 Mile
  • Athletic Lifestyle: Adidas
  • Men’s Dress: Cole Haan
  • Designer Boutique: Saks Fifth Avenue

2010 Plus Awards Winners

  • Company Of The Year (Tie): Deckers Outdoor
  • Women’s Comfort: Dansko
  • Company Of The Year (Tie): Skechers
  • Item Of The Year: Vibram Fivefingers Kso
  • Brand Of The Year & Men’s Comfort: Clarks
  • Athletic Performance: New Balance
  • Children’s: Primigi
  • Wellness: Earth
  • Women’s Street: Jessica Simpson
  • Boots: Ugg Australia
  • Work: Rocky
  • Women’s Dress: Charles Jourdan
  • Outdoor: Sorel
  • Green: Timberland
  • Pre-Walkers: Livie & Luca
  • Men’s Dress: Cole Haan
  • Men’s Street: Sperry Top-Sider
  • Athletic Lifestyle: Nike Sb

2009 Plus Awards Winners

  • Company Of The Year: Skechers
  • Men’s Streetwear: Clarks Originals
  • Women’s Comfort: Dansko
  • Boots & Brand Of The Year: Ugg Australia
  • Item Of The Year: Toms
  • Kids: Primigi
  • Women’s Streetwear: Steve Madden
  • Wellness: Fitflop
  • Outdoor Performance: Merrell
  • Rain Boots: Hunter Boot
  • Pre-Walkers: Robeez
  • Work: Wolverine
  • Green: Simple
  • Athletic Lifestyle: Converse
  • Women’s Performance Athletic: Asics
  • Men’s Dress: Florsheim By Duckie Brown
  • Men’s Performance Athletic: Brooks

2008 Plus Award Winners

  • Men’s Athletic : Nike
  • Women’s Athletic: New Balance
  • Athletic Lifestyle: Vans
  • Men’s Comfort : Clarks
  • Women’s Comfort: Dansko
  • Comfort Couture : Taryn Rose
  • Boots : Ugg
  • Rain Boots: Hunter
  • Men’s Dress: Kenneth Cole
  • Women’s Dress: Coach
  • Children’s: Stride Rite
  • Pre-Walkers: Pediped
  • Work Boots: Wolverine
  • Outdoor Performance: Merrell
  • Outdoor Lifestyle: Terrasoles
  • Men’s Streetwear: Ed Hardy
  • Women’s Streetwear: Me Too
  • Wellness: Earth
  • Green/Lite Leather: Simple
  • Item Of The Year: Minnetonka
  • Brand Of The Year: Ugg
  • Company Of The Year: Skechers

2007 Plus Award Winners

  • Women’s Comfort: Dansko
  • Men’s Comfort: Ecco
  • Women’s Dress: Coach
  • Men’s Dress: Cole Haan
  • Women’s Athletic: New Balance
  • Men’s Athletic: Nike
  • Action Sport/Lifestyle: Converse
  • Women’s Streetwear: Jessica Simpson
  • Men’s Streetwear: Dr. Martens
  • Boots: Ugg
  • Nautical: Sperry Top-Sider
  • Children’s: Crocs
  • Work Boots: Wolverine
  • Outdoor: Merrell
  • Wellness: Mbt
  • Luxury Comfort: Bolo
  • Innovations In Comfort/Ortholite: Merrell
  • Green/Lite Leather: Simple
  • Item Of The Year: Sanuk
  • Brand Of The Year: Ugg
  • Company Of The Year: Deckers Outdoor

2006 Plus Award Winners

  • Men’s Athletic: Asics
  • Women’s Athletic: New Balance
  • Action Sport/Lifestyle: Converse
  • Men’s Comfort: Ecco
  • Women’s Comfort: Dansko
  • Comfort Couture: Think!
  • Men’s Dress: Cole Haan
  • Women’s Dress: Bcbg
  • Work Boots: Wolverine
  • Children’s: Geox
  • Outdoor: Merrell
  • Men’s Streetwear: Marc Ecko
  • Women’s Streetwear: Steve Madden
  • Western/Harness: Frye
  • Gore-Tex Men’s: Timberland
  • Gore-Tex Women’s: Ecco
  • Innovations In Comfort/Ortholite: Clarks
  • Item Of The Year: Crocs
  • Brand Of The Year: Steve Madden
  • Company Of The Year: Skechers

2005 Plus Award Winners

  • Men’s Comfort: Ecco
  • Women’s Comfort: Naturalizer
  • Men’s Dress: Kenneth Cole
  • Women’s Dress: Anne Klein
  • Work Boots: Wolverine
  • Children’s : Stride Rite
  • Outdoor : Merrell
  • Men’s Streetwear: Mark Ecko
  • Women’s Streetwear: Ugg
  • Men’s Athletic: Nike
  • Women’s Athletic: Puma
  • Action Sport/Lifestyle: Simple
  • Women’s Bridge: Coach
  • Western: Durango
  • Innovations In Comfort/Ortholite: Timberland
  • Gore-Tex Men’s: Timberland
  • Gore-Tex Women’s: Ugg
  • Innovations In Leather/Pittards: Frye
  • Item Of The Year: Crocs
  • Brand Of The Year: Frye
  • Company Of The Year: Skechers

2004 Plus Award Winners

  • Men’s Comfort: Rockport
  • Women’s Comfort: Dansko
  • Men’s Athletic: New Balance
  • Women’s Athletic: Puma
  • Western/Harness: Frye
  • Action Sport/Lifestyle: Vans
  • Women’s Streetwear: Dollhouse
  • Men’s Streetwear: Timberland
  • Gore-Tex Men’s: Timberland
  • Gore-Tex Women’s: Ecco
  • Outdoor: Merrell
  • Women’s Clubwear: Bebe
  • Men’s Clubwear: Diesel
  • Women’s Dress: Cole Haan
  • Men’s Dress: Kenneth Cole
  • Women’s Designer: Marc Jacobs
  • Men’s Designer: Ralph Lauren
  • Innovations In Leather/Pittards: Merrell
  • Innovations In Gore-Tex: Merrell
  • Athletic Specialty: Foot Locker
  • Athletic Specialty (Less Than 10 Stores): Gazelle Sports
  • Clothing Store: Urban Outfitters
  • Department Store: Nordstrom
  • Full-Line Independent: Lucky Shoes
  • Full-Line Independent (Less Than 5 Stores): Benjamin Lovell
  • National Chain: Dsw
  • Trend Store: Fred Segal Feet
  • Online: Zappos
  • Retailer Of The Year: Nordstrom
  • Brand Of The Year: Ugg
  • Company Of The Year: Wolverine Worldwide

2003 Plus Award Winners

  • Men’s Athletic: New Balance
  • Women’s Athletic: Puma
  • Action Sport/Lifestyle: Vans
  • Men’s Comfort: Ecco
  • Women’s Comfort: Born
  • Men’s Designer: Ralph Lauren
  • Women’s Designer: Marc Jacobs
  • Men’s Dress: Cole Haan
  • Women’s Dress: Stuart Weitzman
  • Work Boots: Wolverine
  • Children’s: Stride Rite
  • Outdoor: Merrell
  • Men’s Streetwear: Gbx
  • Women’s Streetwear: Dollhouse
  • Men’s Clubwear: Diesel
  • Women’s Clubwear: Diesel
  • Western: Durango
  • Innovations In Leather/Pittards: Born
  • Innovations In Gore-Tex: Ecco
  • Gore-Tex Xcr Men’s: Merrell
  • Gore-Tex Xcr Women’s: Stonefly
  • Athletic Specialty: Finish Line
  • Athletic Specialty: Adventure 16
  • Clothing Store: The Buckle
  • Department Store: Nordstrom
  • Full Line Independent: J. Stephens
  • Full Line Independent: Tip Top Shoes
  • National Chain: Journeys
  • Trend Store: The Tannery
  • Retailer Of The Year: Galyan’s
  • Brand Of The Year: Puma

2002 Plus Award Winners

  • Women’s Dress: Anne Klein
  • Men’s Dress: Cole Haan
  • Women’s Comfort: Clarks
  • Men’s Comfort: Ecco
  • Western: Durango
  • Outdoor: Merrell
  • Men’s Athletic: New Balance
  • Women’s Athletic: Saucony
  • Work Boots: Wolverine
  • Children’s : New Balance
  • Action Sport: Puma
  • Women’s Designer: Yves Saint Laurent
  • Men’s Designer: Ralph Lauren
  • Women’s Streetwear: Steve Madden
  • Men’s Streetwear: Diesel
  • Men’s Casual/Gore-Tex Xcr: Rockport
  • Women’s Casual/Gore-Tex Xcr: Stonefly
  • Gore-Tex Brand Of The Year: Ecco
  • Innovations In Leather/Pittards: Merrell
  • Brand Of The Year: Merrell

2001 Plus Award Winners

  • Men’s Athletic: New Balance
  • Women’s Athletic: Nike
  • Men’s Comfort: Mephisto
  • Women’s Comfort: Clarks
  • Men’s Designer: Kenneth Cole
  • Women’s Designer: Coach
  • Men’s Dress: Cole Haan
  • Women’s Dress: Stuart Weitzman
  • Men’s Streetwear: Diesel
  • Women’s Streetwear: Steve Madden
  • Work Boots: Wolverine
  • Children’s: Skechers
  • Outdoor: Timberland
  • Action Sport: Vans
  • Western: Tony Lama
  • Innovative Application Of Gore-Tex: Merrell
  • Women’s Casual/Gore-Tex: Stonefly
  • Men’s Casual/Gore-Tex: Ecco
  • Brand Of The Year: Merrell

2000 Plus Award Winners

  • Action Sport: Vans
  • Men’s Streetwear: Fubu
  • Women’s Streetwear: Skechers
  • Women’s Comfort: Birkenstock
  • Children’s: Oshkosh B’gosh
  • Western: Durango
  • Women’s Casual/Gore-Tex: Stuart Weitzman
  • Men’s Casual/Gore-Tex: Ecco
  • Men’s Dress: Cole Haan
  • Men’s Comfort: Rockport
  • Women’s Comfort: Birkenstock
  • Outdoor: Timberland
  • Work Boots: Wolverine
  • Men’s Athletic: New Balance
  • Women’s Athletic: New Balance
  • Women’s Designer: Prada
  • Men’s Designer: Kenneth Cole
  • Women’s Dress: Donal J Pliner
  • Brand Of The Year: New Balance

1999 Plus Award Winners

  • Men’s Athletic: New Balance
  • Women’s Comfort: Clarks
  • Outdoor: Timberland
  • Women’s Designer: Stuart Weitzman
  • Men’ Designer: Kenneth Cole
  • Men’s Boots: Wolverine
  • Young Men’s Fashion: Dr. Martens
  • Young Women’s Fashion: Skechers