Our Story

Founded in 2003 in the heart of Toronto, GradeRides began as a small family-owned business with a simple mission: to provide Canadian men with access to the finest footwear and unparalleled service. What started as a modest storefront has grown into Canada's premier destination for men's shoes, orthotics, and foot care services.

Our founder, Michael Richardson, recognized a gap in the Canadian market for truly personalized shoe fitting and quality footwear. With over 30 years of experience in the footwear industry, he established GradeRides on the principles of craftsmanship, comfort, and customer satisfaction.

Today, we continue to honor those founding principles while embracing modern technology and techniques. Our team of certified pedorthists, master cobblers, and footwear specialists work together to ensure every customer walks away with the perfect fit and confidence in every step.

2003

Our Values

Quality First

We partner only with manufacturers who share our commitment to exceptional craftsmanship and premium materials. Every product in our store meets our rigorous quality standards.

Personalized Service

Every customer receives individual attention from our trained specialists. We take the time to understand your needs, lifestyle, and preferences to provide tailored recommendations.

Trust & Integrity

We build lasting relationships through honest advice, transparent pricing, and standing behind every product and service we provide. Your trust is our most valuable asset.

Excellence in Innovation

We continuously seek new technologies and techniques to improve comfort, fit, and foot health. Innovation drives us to provide better solutions for our customers.

Meet Our Expert Team

Michael Richardson

Founder & Master Fitter

With over 30 years in footwear, Michael brings unparalleled expertise in shoe fitting and foot biomechanics. Certified by the Pedorthic Association of Canada.

Sarah Chen

Lead Pedorthist

Sarah specializes in custom orthotics and diabetic footwear. She holds advanced certifications in foot pathology and gait analysis from the University of Toronto.

James Morrison

Master Cobbler

James brings traditional European cobbling techniques to modern shoe repair. Trained in Italy, he specializes in restoration of premium leather footwear.

20+

20+

Years of Excellence

15K+

15,000+

Satisfied Customers

500+ Brands

500+

Premium Brands

98% Rating

98%

Customer Satisfaction

Professional Certifications & Memberships

Pedorthic Association of Canada

Certified pedorthists specializing in foot orthotics and therapeutic footwear

Canadian Association of Pedorthists

Advanced certification in custom foot orthoses and biomechanical assessment

Better Business Bureau A+ Rating

Accredited business with highest rating for customer service and business practices