The Ultimate Rothy’s Review

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August 18, 2017

Glitzy Glitter Looks

Everything you need to know about those sustainable flats you keep seeing.

Click here for Rothy’s Sneakers Review

I love clothes. I have an obscene amount, and I’m a sucker for a good sale. H&M is my weakness. Every time I’m at the mall I have to stop in; they have the best basics, jeans that actually fit me, and my absolute favorite style of flat.

I wear flats all the time. They’re definitely my preferred shoe since they’re usually pretty cheap, easy to throw on, and go with just about everything. I’d estimate I go through six-seven pairs a year due to wear and the dreaded stank foot.

This is a problem for two reasons:

1) This gets expensive. At around $12-20 a pair, that’s $140 per year on shoes I’m just making gross and throwing away.

2) It’s hard to find styles I like!

As I mentioned earlier, I love H&M’s flats. They’re about the only place I’ve found that doesn’t destroy my feet and are a reasonable price. However, the shoe seems a little different every time I buy a new pair. One is a little stiffer, one has a higher back, one has too much toe-cleavage, and no matter what, my feet sweat like crazy and ruin them.

But, luckily, I’ve found a great solution.

Enter: Rothy’s

I’m not sure how I found these, but I assume through targeted Facebook advertising as a result of frequent googling for cute flats (shout out to data-mining!). But however it happened, I’m so glad it did, because these things are the lit’ral best.

Now, you guys… They’re expensive. Like, drug money expensive, but they’re totally worth it, and I’m going to tell you why.

ROTHY’S REVIEW

So here’s the basics:

  • They’re made from recycled water bottles. So these shoes actually reduce waste. (Sustainable shoes that are also cute? Yas.)
  • The plastic is turned into fibers that they basically 3D knit or some crazy shit into a f*cking shoe.
  • The shoes are SUPER comfortable despite being made of plastic. The weaved knit makes it almost like a thick mesh that’s incredibly breathable. If you have sweaty feet, these shoes are perfect.
  • They’re crazy flexible, durable, and MACHINE WASHABLE. Yeah, machine washable ballet flat.
  • Vegan, because recycled materials.
  • When you do finally wear out your pair, you can send them back to the company (for free) and they’ll recycle them into yoga mats.

So, I was on the fence about these understandably because of the hefty price tag. But, as I sat there at my desk in the Texas summer, I shifted my foot in my flat and felt the damp lining. Crossing my leg, my shoe dropped away from my heel and bounced balanced on the knuckle (?) of my foot. After a few minutes, I could smell my shoe. GROSS.

I realized how often this happened, and how many pairs of flats I have, and how little time it takes until they start getting gross and worn out. Was it worth it?

I reasoned to myself, “Screw it!” and found a Rothy’s $20 discount code online from some girl’s blog.

Three days and free shipping later, I was coming home to my new pair of black pointed flats. I ripped open the box and slipped them on, stood up, and basically haven’t taken them off since.

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Fresh out of the box!

First Impressions

They didn’t blister or rub my feet at all, and I’m usually carrying around band-aids in my bag the first week of breaking in a new flat. They barely have any toe-cleavage, which I very happy about. The insoles are thick and soft – the whole thing felt like a very sturdy pair of slippers, or something. I immediately wanted to order the black classic ballet flat (round toe), but wanted to make sure I was 100% happy with Rothy’s before ordering a second pricey pair. I decided to wear them for at least a few days and wash them to be sure what I was getting.

Fit

I noticed online that some people had an issue with rubbing on their heel due to the slightly higher back, but the material is so flexible and soft that I didn’t have a problem with it. There were also some reviews mentioning cramped toes. I wouldn’t say mine were cramped in this shoe, but I could see how you could feel that based on your preference. Personally, these are perfect for me.

I also can’t comment much on how these would fit wide feet. I can say that the material is super flexible and I could see it easily molding to fit a wider foot, but the sole may be too narrow. If you’re on the fence, jump down to returns for info on their easy size swapping and refunds.

Wear

So, I’ve been wearing them for a full week now. I walked through some puddles, in some good old Texas summer heat, and everywhere else I went, every day. My feet stayed dry, comfortable, and clean all day. I usually have a problem with my feet sweating, but the material wicks away moisture to keep ya fresh. The outside hasn’t gotten dirty, but the insoles are starting to show a little wear and slightly smell, but nothing compared to traditional flats. I’ve read on some other blogs that they may be working on selling replacement insoles in the future, as according to the care instructions they are not washable like the rest of the flat. (Update: You can now buy replacement insoles here!)

rothy's review

Rothy’s The Point in Black Solid, after one full week of wear and no washing. (Yes, I cuff my jeans a lot.)

I’ve only noticed that the very tip of one of the points is wearing down from being a dumbo and kicking a curb the other day, but it’s a shoe, after all, and I’d expect that to happen eventually.

Updated after two weeks: The point is definitely fraying a tiny bit but it’s not very noticeable and isn’t unexpected with normal wear. They don’t feel damp or dirty. I feel like these would be fine to wear with little socks, too, if you’re into that sort of thing – the backs are high and the material has enough friction to hold it from slipping off your foot.

Update after a year: I wear these black points at least 3x a week and the tip hasn’t frayed any more than that one unfortunate time I kicked it against a curb. I originally got a 6.5 but think a 7 in the points fits better; 6.5 in the round toe is perfect for me. I now have several pairs of spare insoles and switch them out regularly. I love these shoes, I pretty much just wear Rothy’s now.

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Slight wear on the pointed toe. (Also pictured: cat hair)

Wash

Super easy care instructions. Remove the insoles, wash alone on a cold, gentle wash with a gentle detergent and let air dry. It took a few hours to dry completely.

You aren’t technically supposed to wash the insoles, but you can wash them on a gentle cycle with a little detergent, then dry on very low heat. They come out fluffier and may stretch over time, but it definitely works.

I didn’t notice any change in the shoe after washing – no wear, loose threads, points coming apart, etc – and any smell was completely gone. I don’t understand why more flats aren’t machine washable.

Update: The flats hold up really well over time and don’t even need to be washed much, they continue to look brand new. The part that really gets dirty is the insole, which I emailed Rothy’s customer service about. Their response was awesome – to send me a free pair of replacement insoles! Go, Rothy’s CS! (Still hoping to see these available for purchase in the future.)

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So fresh and so clean, clean

So, after I sat down to write this, I realized how much I really do love these shoes… and I ordered a second pair. Eeeep.

I got the…. Classic Navy Flat!

They’re very cute and I had the same amazing fit as the first time around. I’ve decided I would get more wear out of a different color, which means I can’t wear my new Rothy’s for few more days, but also leads us to…

Returns

I decided I wanted to return the navy flat for a classic black (I was originally having trouble deciding between black, navy, and the flax round toe, but ended up getting the black round toe because I love the point so much and the navy round was super comfy, but I want to get the petal pink point next and that’ll satisfy my want for a light shoe, so no need for the flax… anyway!)

One thing I was worried about when I went to order my first pair was their customer service and returns, based on some comments I’d seen on their Facebook page. Apparently people were having trouble with sizing and getting their returns processed. I was ready for a little difficulty getting my money back and the shoes I wanted.

But I literally just went to their website, clicked returns, and entered my email.

About three minutes later, I opened a message from Rothy’s returns that took me to a screen with my previous purchases floating there. I selected the Navy Classic Flat, gave them the reason why I wanted a return, printed my shipping label, and that was it.

I asked customer service what the best way to go about an exchange was and was told they have a system set up for easy size-swapping, but if you want to switch for a different color you’ll have to submit it as a return and simply place another order.

The box they send you has an easy-peel strip for returns, so all I had to do was cut the piece of paper in half and tape on the shipping label. I dropped it off in the mailbox outside of my office, and now I wait.

I already went ahead and ordered the new pair (classic black flat ftw), my refund should be processed once my return package is scanned at Rothy’s HQ. 🙂

If you had a different CS experience, tell me about it in the comments!

Rothy’s Review Summary

  • True to size – could go up a half-size depending on how you like your fit.
  • Breathable
  • Easy care
  • Easy (free) returns and size-swapping
  • No rubbing or “breaking in”
  • Durable
  • Sustainable
  • Some smell, but it’s where your feet go all day, so *hair flip*
  • Worth the price

Overall, these are awesome.

They do still develop a smell and carry some wear since, y’know, it’s a shoe. But it’s nothing compared to traditional flats. These are breathable, sustainable, cute, and long-lasting. The price point is a little steep, but once I slipped on my first pair I was hooked. (No more stocking up on $15 flats from H&M! Yay!)

If you’re a flat-wearer willing to invest in something you’ll have forever, be satisfied with, and use every day – get these.

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this could be you but you playin’

*I’ll keep this post updated along the way to show the wear on my original pair.


Now I’m eyeing the Petal Pink points, or the Grey Birdseye point, or the Orchid point (retiring soon, bummer)… I think I’ve discovered a hidden affinity for pointed shoes, who knew? These just have such a great shape.

If you’re considering getting a pair, here’s a link to $20 off. I’ll also get $20 towards a pair, and you’ll get your own discount code with your purchase to give to a friend!

—> Get $20 off Rothy’s <—

What are you thinking of getting? Let me know in the comments!

Happy shopping,

XOXO, Gossip Girl

(Emily)


P.S: I caved and bought the orchid solid point and I feel great about it. Buy these shoes now!!! *clapping emoji*

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Wahoo!

P.P.S: I did not get paid to write this, but that would’ve been sweet. I’m just super stoked on these.


Rothy’s Sneakers Review

Everything you need to know about those sustainable sneakers you keep seeing.

Hey, guys! Me again.

Just wanted to drop a quick update to answer some questions about Rothy’s sneakers.

Fit

I started with the classic white sneakers in a 6.5. I’ve found that with Rothy’s flats I prefer a 6.5 in the round flat and a 7 in the point, because they’re a tiny bit more restricting on my toes. I have a 6.5 and a 7 in the sneakers and both are fine, but the 7 fits better overall. The smaller size still works thanks to the stretchy fabric of the shoe; and their size returns make it super easy to switch if you need to!

Are Rothy’s sneakers washable?

Yes! I wore my white sneakers in mud, on serving shifts, and in the rain. All I did was pop out the insoles, toss the shoes in the wash on delicate with some detergent, and they’re good as new! I even got brave and put them in the dryer on medium and they were fine.

Wear

My favorite part about these shoes was that they didn’t tear up my feet at all as I broke them in. The material is really stretchy and breathable. I go back and forth between wearing no-show socks with them.

Also, a note for service industry peeps considering Rothy’s sneakers for serving: I love these for work. They aren’t technically non-slip but they are very slip-resistant and I’ve never had a problem with them. I usually wear Vans and I feel more stable walking with these over wet floors. I also love that they’re washable so you can clean them easily after a messy shift.

Price

These still have a high price point, but I think you get more bang for your buck with the sneakers especially. The fact that Rothy’s are machine washable will forever be the biggest selling point to me.

And yes – you guessed it – you can still grab $20 off your first purchase by using this coupon code!


I haven’t tried the Loafers yet as they aren’t totally my style, but I wonder how they fit. Do you have a pair? Let me know in the comments!

I’m also excited to see the Rothy’s Kids line happening. I wonder if there will be a men’s line in the future.

Hope this was helpful!


Looking for some sweet deals on Rothy’s? Chances are I have something on eBay. Check out what’s currently listed here.

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  1. Sara says:

    I am very disappointed in the handlings of this issue that I have had with the 125 dollar shoes I bought from this company. A company that ensured quality. I have only owned this product for 3 months, and they are already falling apart. Furthermore, the offer of a 50 dollar refund and suggestion that I go pay to have them repaired is insulting.

  2. Cindy says:

    Do you have narrow feet? I’m just wondering how they fit on narrow feet. Thanks!

    • Emily says:

      I’m actually not sure. I’m probably on the narrower side and they fit great. Very flexible and don’t pop off my heel.

    • Emily (2!) says:

      I have a little bit bit wider feet and have orders both the point and the ballet.
      I would suggest maybe a half size up in the point? The ballet fit fine in my normal size but the point def squeezed some!

  3. Dee says:

    It would be wonderful if they weren’t made in CHINA!! Why is it that they can’t have the 3d printer/mechanics here? There’s no excuse – at $145 a pair (for points), I don’t believe the motivation to be environmentally responsible, but rather profit driven.

    • Emily says:

      Ooh, excellent point. I’ll have to look further into this. Thanks for your comment!

      • Emily says:

        Hi! They are made in China at their own factory where they pay a living wage (likely part of the expense on this end)
        You can find more about their sustainability model in their FAQs section.

  4. Suzanne says:

    I have one pair of points but I want about 6 more. Waiting for new spring colors and want to get the rounded toe. I had to return the first pair for different size and the process was seamless So far I LOVE THESE shoes. my feet are average not skinny, not fat.

    • Emily says:

      Agreed! I love mine. I’m on my fourth pair now. The points wear down a little easier than the rounded toe, but still last much longer than any other flat I’ve had; hasn’t stopped me from buying two pairs of points. The size swap feature is super convenient! Thanks so much for your comment.

  5. Sherry says:

    Would love to buy but the referral code didn’t work for me. 🙁

  6. Sunny says:

    Hello there, I have been hesitant to give them a try due to the negative feedback on Facebook. But after reading your thorough review I have decided to give them a try! But the link to the $20 discount doesn’t seem to be working for me. Do you know if it can be fixed or you can send a link directly to me?

    • Emily says:

      So sorry, should be working now! If not, others have posted their links that are sure to work for you. I hope you like them! 🙂

  7. Sheilah says:

    I have 3 pairs and I’ve washed the insoles many times- even sometimes I just wash the insoles and not the outer shoe. I just use the gentle cycle, and air dry. I’ve always had fantastic success and the shoes have held up well! I love rothy’s- and they work well for wide feet with the stretch fabric without seams. I do wear the pointy version and am 1/2 size up from my normal. So comfy!

  8. Kristen says:

    What are your thoughts on wearing these shoes in chillier weather vs in warm weather? I’m excited to hear that these let your feet breathe, but do you think that also means that wind goes right through them? Asking because my feet are perpetually frozen at all times of the year. (Hoping the breathable material helps that, unless the wind is 30*!)

  9. Sarah says:

    2018Thank you so much for your review! I have purchased 3 pairs now and love them all, I literally don’t wear much else. As a teacher comfort is so important, but no one wants to look like they are wearing old lady shoes. Stylish and comfortable, win win!!!

  10. Sarah says:

    Thank you so much for your review! I have purchased 3 pairs now and love them all, I literally don’t wear much else. As a teacher comfort is so important, but no one wants to look like they are wearing old lady shoes. Stylish and comfortable, win win!!!

  11. Lynnea says:

    I have had a love/hate relationship with flats my whole life, and after this review I took the plunge! Is normally never pay this amount for a pair of flats, but they are comfortable and so cute! I got the pointed toe in Heather Gray and it’s the perfect color to go with everything!

  12. Cee says:

    I’m a size 5 and find the rounds pretty true to size. I size up to 5.5 for the points. Both are super comfortable and I wear them everywhere. I wore them sightseeing in Japan with no problems. No blisters, tenderness, or slippage.

  13. Tara says:

    These shoes honestly feel like you’re wearing slippers. I am on my feet a lot at work and Rothy’s are definitely worth the cost. Taking off my shoes is no longer the first thing I do when I get home!

  14. Dor says:

    I just bought my first pair and love them! I have bunions on both feet and because these shoes have a little stretch to them, my bunions don’t hurt. I also love that you can wash them. My feet get stinky in the summer.

  15. Alicia Verdile says:

    Thanks for this review!! I ended up ordered one pair of each style… black solid in the flat; port in the point; and dark red in the loafer. My favorite for versatility are definitely the loafer style.

  16. Dede says:

    These shoes are amazing!!! Get $20 off and try these 100% free as there’s free shipping and returns/exchange!!

  17. AV says:

    Thanks for this review. I agree, Rothy’s are worth the investment because you can wear them ANYWHERE.

  18. Alicia says:

    I love Rothy’s too because they’re incredibly versatile!

  19. Jodi says:

    I purchased my 1st pair of Rothy’s in May, here it is mid June & I’m addictively up to 6 pairs! Even just ordered a pair & having them shipped to my daughter, everyone needs to try these… my work slippers!!

  20. Rebecca says:

    I’m so surprised to hear that a previous commenter has had issues with CS and the shoe falling apart. ): I bike and walk all over San Francisco, and wash my Rothy’s every weekend, and they look brand new! I have petal pink too, so it’s not like I have black ones that are hiding dirt…

    I typically wear a 7 in flats, and I size up to a 7.5 in both the rounds and the points cause I like lots of wiggle room for my toes. ^_^

  21. Jessica says:

    A heads up if this will be your first pair – there are some QC issues with sizing lately. So you may need to exchange for the same size to get your perfect pair (free returns/exchanges).

    The round toe I can usually fit my regular ballet flat size. From there size up 1/2 size – full size for points and loafers (for me usually 1/2 for points and full for loafers).

    Once you get the pair that fits just right you will be addicted as they are incredibly comfortable and I can’t stress enough how much I love having washable insoles!

    Enjoy!

  22. Har says:

    Cute, comfy and easy returns!!

  23. Jessica says:

    I love both Rothy’s & Tieks for different reasons, but if you have been on the fence you should definitely give them a try!

    Biggest selling point beside comfort (to me) is the washable insole! I have had to toss so many flats because they just got too smelly or the fake leather torn.

    For me, the round toe flats fit true to size and I go up a 1/2 size in points and loafers. Lately there have been some sizing issues and I’ve had to go a full size up, but luckily exchanges are easy 🙂

  24. Jodi P says:

    Up dated code & info! Love these, wear to work daily, have 8 pairs now! I’ve added leopard loafers & grey camo flats (round toes)… love them all! I seriously say… GO AHEAD & GIVE THEM A TRY – SO WORTH THE $$$!

  25. Alicia Verdile says:

    I highly recommend Rothy’s for their versatility and easy cleaning!

  26. Alice says:

    I have 2 pairs – both are the flats… I typically wear a 7.5 or 8 and went with the 8 for the Rothy’s. For the point, you size .5 up. I found that the 7.5 showed the outline of my toes as they pushed against the shoe, and that looked unattractive to me. The point was more – which is why they suggest sizing up for that.

    One more thing – they do not stretch – so the size you get will likely stay as is…

    Here’s my coupon code for $20 off first time buyers… https://www.talkable.com/x/tHLq8b

  27. SH says:

    Thank you so much for this post. It did help me decide to take the plunge and I ended up buying a second pair since I loved them so much. I normally wear 6.5-7 and ordered 7 since some recommended sizing up for the points. They fit perfectly. I normally have a problem with getting blisters in any flats but didn’t have any wearing the Rothys all day! I’d probably have 10 pairs by now if they were cheaper.
    Here is my referral code: https://www.talkable.com/x/d7FqTj

  28. Boots says:

    Your orchid points are SO CUTE! I have a pair of leopard rounded toes and a pair of black loafers. I love them both but I think my next pair will be a bright color. 🙂 If anyone is looking for a coupon code, here is one for $20 off plus free shipping: https://share.rothys.com/x/AqRaFM
    Enjoy!

  29. Lynnea Sundman says:

    Thank you for this review! I love my Rothy’s, and just bought a new pair, so if anyone needs a new referral code for $20 off, feel free to use mine! https://share.rothys.com/x/Wfa1Je

  30. Boots Stern says:

    Quick update after taking my Rothy’s on vacation to the beach. I walked all over, went for bike rides and hit the beach….and they were super comfortable! I was really happy to be able to wash them and my feet didn’t get too hot in the Florida sun.

    If anyone is looking to try a pair of loafers, i would recommend sizing up at least half a size!

    Here’s a code for $20 off with FREE shipping! Enjoy! https://share.rothys.com/x/ZOu9oi

  31. Rosemary says:

    Have 2 pairs of these fabulous shoes, the black points and the spotted loafer. I went up a full size in both styles due to bunions and hammer toes. These shoes have totally changed my quality of life because I can now walk without pain! They are stylish and look so nice with everything I wear. The price is so worth it to me… I believe, I’m hooked!

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Based in McKinney, TX serving the Dallas Fort Worth area & beyond.

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