My Honest beek Shoes Review: Are These Handcrafted Leather Sandals & Shoes Worth The Splurge?

Hey there shoe lover,

If you‘re anything like me, you‘re always on the hunt for that elusive pair of shoes that checks all the boxes – stylish, comfortable, well-made and versatile enough for every day.

Well, I have good news. I recently discovered a footwear brand that not only meets but exceeds all of those criteria. Beek is a company founded by two veteran fashion execs who set out to create the perfect leather shoes. And after getting my hands (and feet) on a few of their signature styles, I‘m convinced that they‘ve succeeded.

In this tell-all beek review, I‘m sharing everything you need to know about the brand, from their founding story to their one-of-a-kind production process. I‘ve also rounded up some of their most popular sandals and shoes and provided my totally honest thoughts.

To top it off, I‘ve scoured the web for real customer reviews and feedback, so you can get an idea of what other shoe aficionados have to say. And of course, I‘m spilling the details on where you can score a sweet deal on your first pair of beeks.

So without further ado, let‘s dive into my comprehensive beek shoes review! Trust me, your feet will thank you.

What‘s So Special About beek? A Peek Behind the Brand

Before we get into the nitty-gritty product details, I want to share a bit about what makes beek such a standout brand in my book.

Beek was founded in 2015 by Birgit Klett, a footwear design veteran with over 25 years of experience working with fashion heavyweights like Sam Edelman and Esprit, and Kenna Florie, a marketing exec. The duo met over a decade earlier while working at Quiksilver.

Despite their industry connections, Klett and Florie always struggled to find high-quality leather sandals and shoes that were equal parts comfortable, stylish, and durable. So they decided to leverage their experience and relationships to create their own footwear company.

Beek operates out of a design studio in LA, where Klett dreams up the brand‘s signature modern-meets-rustic aesthetic. But all of their shoes and sandals are produced in small batches by skilled artisans in family-run workshops in Mexico. Many of the craftspeople have been making shoes by hand for generations using techniques passed down through the years.

Giving Back
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One of my favorite things about beek is that they use eco-friendly, vegetable-tanned leathers and have a strong commitment to ethical manufacturing and sustainability. They partner closely with their workshops to provide fair wages and preserve the art of traditional shoemaking.

Additionally, for every pair of beek shoes sold, the company donates 3 meals to the Second Harvest Food Bank. To date, they‘ve donated over 27,000 meals to families in need. As someone who loves fashion with a side of philanthropy, I‘m always eager to support brands that do well by doing good.

Beek Sandals Review: Putting Their Best-Selling Slides & Strappies to the Test

Beek‘s bread and butter is definitely their sandals. The collection covers a wide range of styles from basic slides to more intricate strappy designs, but they all have a few key things in common:

✔ Buttery-soft, vegetable-tanned leather uppers
✔ Contoured leather footbeds with arch support
✔ Super flexible, lightweight soles
✔ Brass nailhead details on the midsole
✔ A "just broken in" feel

As a born-and-bred California girl, I‘ve tried my fair share of sandals over the years. And I have to say, beek‘s Gallito slide might just take the cake as my all-time favorite.

Beek Gallito Sandal Review

With its wide leather strap and subtle nailhead detail, the Gallito is the perfect marriage of minimalism and rustic charm. I opted for the "natural" leather shade, which is a warm tan that goes with absolutely everything in my closet.

Comfort-wise, the Gallito is a total dream from the moment you slip it on. The contoured cork-and-leather footbed has a nice deep heel cup and a just-right amount of arch support. There‘s also a thin layer of memory foam underneath the insole that provides an extra bit of cushion.

After wearing my Gallitos pretty much non-stop for the past few weeks, I can confidently say that they‘re the rare sandal that looks chic enough for the office but feels comfortable enough for all-day adventures. The leather lining and raw edges give them a cool, laid-back look. But the sleek silhouette and low profile keep them polished.

Another huge plus is how well they‘ve held up despite daily wear. The leather has softened and molded to my feet without losing its shape, and the natural variations in the hide have become more pronounced. The soles barely show any scuffs or signs of wear. I‘m pretty sure these will be a staple in my wardrobe for years to come.

Beek Finch Sandal Review

If you‘re in the market for something a bit dressier, beek‘s Finch sandal is another must-try. It has slender crisscrossing leather straps, a metal buckle closure, and a walkable 1-inch stacked heel.

Like the Gallito, the Finch has a super supple leather lining and a cushioned, arch-supporting footbed. But I especially love the closed back and secure ankle strap. It keeps my foot firmly in place so there‘s no annoying slippage or blisters.

I wore my black Finches to an outdoor wedding last month and got so many compliments. I was able to dance the night away without any pain or discomfort. They‘re definitely on the pricier side for a sandal, but I can see myself reaching for them again and again for dressier occasions.

What Customers Are Saying

But don‘t just take my word for it – here‘s what a few other beek sandal devotees have to say:

"I haven‘t taken them off since I opened the package! The sandals are comfortable, high quality, and make any outfit feel perfect!" – Erica L. on the Gallito

"Very soft and comfortable to wear. I love that they go with everything! You can dress them up with a dress or down with cute jean shorts." – Melissa K. on the Rhea slide

"One of a kind! These sandals are so unique and so sleek. I sized up like the description suggested. Quality and construction are top notch!" – Kristen M. on the Finch

Beek Shoes Review: A Closer Look At Their Comfiest Kicks

The beek shoe collection includes a variety of closed-toe silhouettes like booties, loafers, espadrilles and clogs. And they‘re all designed with the same meticulous attention to detail and wearability as the brand‘s iconic sandals.

My personal favorite is the Quail ankle bootie, which takes comfort to new heights with a supersoft leather lining, a padded insole, and a just-right 1.5-inch block heel. The inside zip closure has a leather pull tab that makes them easy to slip on and off.

I went with the "saddle" brown color, which is the perfect goes-with-anything neutral. But they also come in classic black and chocolate hues that would make equally great wardrobe workhorses.

Quality-wise, they‘re truly top notch and feel substantially made, almost like bespoke shoes. The stitching is flawless and the natural leather has a gorgeous texture and sheen. Despite the stacked heel, they‘re crazy lightweight and flexible.

I sized down a half size from my usual based on the reviews and the fit is perfect. They felt amazing right out of the box and have only gotten better with wear. I have pretty narrow feet and ankles, but thanks to the soft leather and seaming down the vamp and around the ankle, there‘s no gaping.

These have quickly become my one of my most-worn pairs of fall/winter shoes. The only slight downside is that they‘re definitely an investment at $345. But considering the quality and the cost-per-wear I‘m already getting, I think they‘re worth every penny.

What Reviewers Say

The Quail booties get rave reviews on the beek site, with a nearly perfect 5-star rating from 70+ customers. Here‘s what a couple of them had to say:

"Bought these last minute for a trip to France and so glad I did! Walked miles each day and my feet never hurt. The leather is like butter and the construction is amazing. Wore them with jeans and skirts. Perfect!!!" – Catherine P.

"I bought these and they are an instant favorite. Extremely comfortable from first wearing. They do run large so go down a half size when ordering." – Mara K.

Beek Sandals & Shoes Sizing Guide

According to beek, their sandals and shoes fit true to size for most customers. However, they recommend sizing up a half size if you‘re between sizes or have wider feet.

I found the length of both the Gallito sandals and Quail booties to be just right, but I did size up in the Finch since I‘m usually between an 8.5 and a 9. If you have particularly narrow or low-volume feet, you may want to size down a half size in beek‘s closed-toe shoes.

Since beek is direct-to-consumer and they have free shipping and returns, it‘s relatively low-risk to order multiple sizes and return what doesn‘t work. You can also contact their customer service team for personalized sizing advice.

One thing to keep in mind is that, like any leather shoes, beek footwear will stretch and mold to your feet over time. I found that my Gallitos in particular felt snug in the beginning but softened up within a few hours of wear.

How To Care For beek Leather Shoes

One of the major benefits of beek shoes is that they‘re made with high-quality, full-grain leather. This type of leather is super durable and develops a beautiful patina as it ages. But it does require some special care to keep it looking its best.

Here are a few tips for extending the life of your beeks:

• Wipe off dirt and dust with a soft, dry cloth regularly
• Use a leather conditioner a few times per year to keep the leather soft and moisturized
• Avoid wearing your beek shoes in rain or snow as much as possible
• Stuff them with newspaper or a shoe tree between wears to help retain their shape
• Take them to a cobbler for professional cleaning and repair if they start to show serious signs of wear

Keep in mind that some of beek‘s lighter leather colors like tan, blush and bone are more prone to staining than the darker options. But I personally love how the natural leather looks as it ages and develops more character.

Beek Promo Codes & Discounts

As you might expect, beek‘s artisan-made shoes don‘t come cheap. Sandals start at $230 and boots and shoes go up to $450+. But in my opinion, the quality, craftsmanship and ethical production practices make them worth the splurge.

That said, nobody likes paying full price, which is why I‘m always on the lookout for beek sales and promo codes. Here‘s the lowdown on how you can score the best deal:

• Sign up for their email newsletter to get 10% off your first order and be alerted about exclusive sales and special offers
• Earn and redeem points on every beek purchase by creating a free beek Rewards account
• Shop beek at one of their retail partners like Nordstrom or Shopbop (just keep in mind that these styles tend to sell out quickly)
• Keep an eye out for their annual Black Friday/Cyber Monday sale where select styles are 20%+ off

One cool thing about beek‘s rewards program is that you can earn points not only by making purchases, but also by following them on Instagram, leaving reviews, and celebrating your birthday.

FAQs on beek Sandals & Shoes

To wrap up this review, I want to answer a few of the most frequently asked questions I get about beek footwear:

Where are beek shoes made?

beek designs their shoes in their Los Angeles studio but manufactures them exclusively in artisan workshops in Mexico.

How do beek shoes fit?

Most customers find that beek shoes fit true to size. However, some of their closed-toe styles like the Quail bootie run a bit large. When in doubt, size up in sandals and size down in shoes.

Does beek offer international shipping?

Currently beek only ships within the United States. However, you can shop their collection at Nordstrom and Shopbop which offer delivery to several countries.

What is beek‘s return policy?

beek accepts returns of unworn shoes within 30 days of purchase. Shipping is free both ways for domestic orders. Returns are refunded to the original form of payment.

How long do beek shoes last?

Thanks to their high-quality materials and construction, beek shoes are built to last for years with proper care. Many reviewers note that their beeks still look great after a year or more of regular wear.

The Final Word On beek

If you‘re on the hunt for a pair of stylish and well-made shoes for every day, I can‘t recommend beek highly enough. Their attention to detail, commitment to ethical manufacturing, and use of premium materials truly sets them apart from other footwear brands at this price point.

Yes, beek shoes are definitely a splurge. But I‘ve found that their versatility and durability make them a worthwhile investment. I love how they elevate my favorite outfits without sacrificing comfort. And based on my research for this beek review, I‘m certainly not alone.

The brand has racked up industry accolades and endorsements from celebs like Katie Holmes and Busy Philipps. And scrolling beek‘s Instagram page is like a master class in effortless, cool-girl style.

To experience the beek difference for yourself, I recommend starting with one of their signature sandals like the Gallito or Finch. But their closed-toe shoes are equally covetable and comfortable. Whichever style speaks to you, I have no doubt you‘ll be stepping out in confidence and style for years to come.

So what are you waiting for? Your perfect pair of buttery-soft, oh-so-comfy leather shoes awaits at beekshop.com. Trust me, your feet will thank you!