Tips on winning at the legendary Army & Navy shoe sale

It's that special time of year again—the Army & Navy shoe sale. If you've ever been to one of these sales, you'll know that they're pretty epic—a lineup down the block hours before the store even opens, women clutching more shoes than they can carry, the occasional cat fight over the last size seven. You get the picture.

Well, it's all happening again, starting Wednesday (April 27) at 8 a.m. at the Army & Navy stores in Gastown (36 West Cordova Street), New Westminster (502 Columbia Street), and Langley (100-5501 204th Street). Luckily, this sale is on for 10 days and the folks at Army & Navy say that there will be over 100,000 pairs of shoes, so you're bound to find something that you like in your size.

Designer footwear includes BCBG, Guess, Nine West, Eli Tahari, Calvin Klein, and Steve Madden, and prices will be reduced up to 80 percent.

As a footwear fanatic who has survived several of these shoe sales, I offer some helpful points of advice:

Show up prepared: Have a good night's rest, eat breakfast, drink some water, and go to the bathroom before you head on over to Army & Navy. While the lineup outside is a waiting game, the race inside will be more of a sprint than a marathon. You'll want to be fully awake, quick on your feet, with loads of energy.

Dress appropriately: This is a sale, not a fashion show. Nobody will be looking at what you're wearing, so wear something comfortable that you can move in easily and shoes that are easy to slip on and slip off—that means no heels, no shoes with laces or buckles, and carry a bag that sits comfortably on your shoulder because you'll want your hands free.

Go with a plan of action: Have a few types of shoes in mind before you get inside. Are you hoping to scoop up a cute pair of spring wedges, a sensible pair of ballet flats, a pair of designer pumps? An idea of what you're looking for will help you narrow your search once you're inside, and with over 100,000 pairs of shoes piled in front of you, this will be necessary.

Bring a trustworthy friend: You can't buy every pair that you like, so you'll want a second opinion that you trust to help you make the cut. A word of warning: bring someone who doesn't share the same shoe size. Friendships have been lost at these sales.

You can follow Michelle da Silva on Twitter at twitter.com/michdas.