Downunder Shoes

Downunder Shoes is a family footwear shop in Paola with a very wide range for a single store. Its online catalogue lists more than 1,500 products across women's, men's, boys' and girls' shoes, from everyday slippers and sandals to occasion heels and school shoes. It sits in our directory of shoe shops in Malta, and it is a practical stop if you need a spare pair of shoes, something for a wedding or a christening, or a school pair for a child living on the island.

Women's footwear

Women's shoes are the largest part of the range, with over a thousand items listed online. Categories include occasional shoes, heeled sandals, boots, winter heels, wedges, ballerina shoes and flat shoes, plus matching bags, belts, socks and insoles. Occasion shoes are priced at around €25.00 to €48.00, with Piccadilly leather pairs commonly between €42.00 and €48.00, and heeled sandals from about €22.00.

A queen size section covers wider and larger fits, with queen size slippers, short heels, wedges, flat and heeled sandals and ballerinas, mostly priced from €22.00 to €28.00. Piccadilly is the brand with the strongest presence in the women's section.

Men's, boys' and girls' shoes

For men, the shop stocks casual shoes, loafers, slip-ons, occasion shoes, slippers, clogs, king size shoes, belts and insoles, along with safety shoes for work. Casual and smart pairs typically start around €25.00, and Adidas originals appear at about €40.00 to €50.00.

Children are well served, with boys' casual and occasion shoes, girls' ballerina shoes, low heels, slippers and boots. Girls' boots are around €27.00 and a pair of children's shoes can be as little as €15.00. Seasonal lines include school shoes and shoes for Holy Communion and Good Friday, which matter on an island where those occasions are widely observed.

Brands and everyday items

The catalogue carries sports and casual names including Nike, Skechers, Adidas, Fila, Puma, Crocs and Joma, plus Piccadilly and Polyflex. By item count the biggest names are Nike with 116 listings, Skechers with 106 and Piccadilly with 96, followed by Adidas with 50. Small essentials fill the gaps: socks and ballerina socks at €2.00, insoles for women, men and children at €2.00, and women's slippers at around €20.00. Prices in the online shop are shown in euros and are subject to change.

A women's boot is around €33.00 and Crocs and sliders are listed as separate categories, so the shop is as useful for beachwear as for cooler months. The weather guide by month will help you decide what to pack, though Malta's mild winter means a good pair of boots is mostly for evenings.

Shopping online and in person

Alongside the shop there is an online store that can be browsed by category, brand, colour and price band, with a wish list, a compare option and a cart. Filters run from items under €10.00 up to pairs above €120.00, so it is easy to set a budget before you go. The site also has help pages explaining how to buy, payment, shipping, and exchanges and returns, which are worth reading before you order something to be sent.

Being able to browse first is useful for visitors. You can check that a style exists in your size, note the brand and colour, and then use the enquiry form to ask whether it is in stock at the Paola shop. New arrivals and a blog are also featured on the site.

Visiting from the UK and finding the shop

Paola is in the south-east of the island, close to the Three Cities and Valletta, and a short trip from the Hypogeum of Ħal Saflieni, which is also in the town. Our Three Cities guide and Valletta guide cover the area, and the things to do in Malta page gives wider ideas for the rest of your visit.

If you are staying longer, our Malta relocation guide and where to stay in Malta guide help with the move or the base. The shop does not publish opening hours, so check availability before travelling, and ask about sizes and stock using the VisitMalta.co.uk enquiry form on this page. We will pass your message to Downunder Shoes.