Rothy‘s Shoes Review: My Honest Take on the Popular Sustainable Footwear Brand

Hey there, shoe lovers! If you‘re like me, you‘re always on the hunt for the perfect combination of style, comfort, and quality. And if you‘re also trying to make more eco-conscious fashion choices, finding great shoes can feel like an impossible task. Enter Rothy‘s – the sustainable footwear brand that has taken the fashion world by storm. In this comprehensive review, I‘ll be sharing my honest thoughts on Rothy‘s shoes, from the ordering process to the comfort and durability. I‘ll also dive into the brand‘s sustainability practices and compare Rothy‘s to some other popular eco-friendly shoe options. By the end of this review, you‘ll have all the information you need to decide if Rothy‘s is the right choice for you. So grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and let‘s talk shoes!

What is Rothy‘s?

Before we jump into the nitty-gritty of the shoes themselves, let‘s start with some background on the brand. Rothy‘s was founded in 2012 by Roth Martin and Stephen Hawthornthwaite, two men who wanted to create a stylish, comfortable flat that was also environmentally friendly. They spent years developing a unique knitting process that turns recycled plastic water bottles into a soft, flexible material that molds to your feet.

The result is a range of machine-washable shoes that are not only incredibly comfortable, but also help reduce waste. To date, Rothy‘s has repurposed over 100 million water bottles that would have otherwise ended up in landfills. Pretty incredible, right?

The Rothy‘s Shopping Experience

One of the things I love about Rothy‘s is how easy they make the shopping process, from browsing to checkout to delivery. Their website is well-designed and easy to navigate, with detailed product descriptions and lots of great photos to give you a sense of each shoe style.

Rothy‘s offers free shipping and free returns on all orders within the US, so you can feel confident trying out a pair (or a few). They also have a really helpful sizing guide that takes into account the length and width of your feet, as well as any foot-specific issues you may have.

I ordered my first pair of Rothy‘s (the pointed-toe flats in Olive Camo) on a Thursday evening and they arrived on my doorstep by Saturday afternoon. The shoes came in a sturdy box with minimal packaging, all of which was recyclable.

Rothy‘s Materials & Sustainability

As I mentioned, all of Rothy‘s shoes are made from recycled plastic water bottles that are transformed into a soft, stretchy knit. The uppers are made using a 3D knitting process that significantly reduces waste compared to traditional shoe manufacturing.

But Rothy‘s commitment to sustainability goes beyond just the materials. Their owned-and-operated factory in Dongguan, China is a zero-waste facility that‘s powered by renewable energy. They also use recycled and renewable materials in their packaging.

Here are a few stats that demonstrate Rothy‘s sustainability impact:

• Over 100 million water bottles repurposed into Rothy‘s shoes and bags
• 30% of Rothy‘s shoes are made from recycled materials
• 97% of the fabric used in the 3D knitting process is ultimately knit into a shoe
• Rothy‘s has offset the equivalent of nearly 50k tons of carbon through their sustainability initiatives

It‘s not just about using eco-friendly materials – it‘s about reducing waste throughout the entire production process. I really appreciate Rothy‘s transparency about their sustainability efforts and the tangible data they provide.

Rothy‘s Shoe Styles

Rothy‘s offers a range of shoe styles for women, including flats, sneakers, loafers, sandals, ankle boots, and even a new men‘s driving loafer. Their signature style is The Flat, which comes in both pointed-toe and rounded-toe varieties.

I have The Point in Olive Camo and I love the stylish, modern silhouette. The knit upper has a bit of sheen to it that makes the shoes look more elevated than your typical flat. I also appreciate that the camo pattern is subtle and neutral, so it goes with a lot of different outfits.

Some of Rothy‘s other popular styles include:

• The Loafer – a polished, menswear-inspired loafer that looks great with trousers or jeans
• The Sneaker – a sleek, low-profile sneaker that‘s perfect for everyday wear
• The Square – a feminine, rounded-toe flat with a slightly higher vamp
• The Chelsea – a classic pull-on ankle boot with a stretchy side panel
• The Merino Ankle Boot – a cozy, insulated knit ankle boot with a wool lining

What I love about Rothy‘s shoe selection is that there‘s a style for every occasion, from work to weekend to nights out. They also come in a ton of fun colors and prints, so you can really showcase your personal style.

Fit, Comfort & Arch Support

Now, let‘s talk about how Rothy‘s shoes actually feel on the feet. In terms of fit, I found that Rothy‘s shoes run true to size. I typically wear an 8.5 in flats and the 8.5 in The Point fits me perfectly.

Here‘s a fit tip: if you‘re between sizes or if you have wide feet, I recommend sizing up. Rothy‘s shoes do stretch a bit with wear, but they‘re not going to completely change in size.

Comfort-wise, I was really impressed with how good Rothy‘s feel right out of the box. The knit material is soft and flexible, so there‘s no uncomfortable breaking-in period. The insoles have great cushioning, especially in the heel area, and they offer moderate arch support.

On a scale of 1-10, I‘d give the arch support in Rothy‘s a solid 7. It‘s enough for my average-height arches, but if you have very high arches or specific support needs, you may want to add an insole. The good news is that Rothy‘s insoles are removable, so it‘s easy to swap them out.

I‘ve worn my Rothy‘s for full days of work, errands, and even light walking, and my feet are always happy at the end of the day. The knit upper moves with your foot and the grippy rubber sole provides great stability.

I will note that if you have very sensitive feet or are prone to blisters, you may need to wear thin socks or nylons with Rothy‘s flats at first. The back of the heel is quite high and can rub a bit. But again, the shoes will stretch and mold to your feet over time.

Durability & Care

Of course, all the comfort and style in the world don‘t mean much if the shoes fall apart after a few wears. Luckily, Rothy‘s puts just as much emphasis on quality and durability.

I‘ve had my Rothy‘s flats for about six months now and I‘m happy to report that they still look and feel great. The knit upper has not stretched out or started pilling, and the rubber soles show very little wear. I‘m confident these shoes will last me for a long time.

As for care, you can‘t beat the fact that Rothy‘s shoes are machine-washable. As someone who lives in a city and does a lot of walking, my shoes can get dirty pretty quickly. With Rothy‘s, I just toss them in the washing machine on a cold cycle and let them air dry. They come out looking almost brand new every time.

Some other care tips for Rothy‘s:

• Remove the insoles before washing and wash them separately by hand if needed
• Use a soft cloth or a toothbrush to spot clean the knit upper in between full washes
• Store your Rothy‘s in their box or dust bag when not in use – don‘t stack heavy items on top of them

With proper care, your Rothy‘s should stay looking great for a really long time. In fact, Rothy‘s has a hashtag, #MyOldRothys, where customers can share how many years they‘ve had their shoes. Some people are still rocking pairs from five or six years ago!

Customer Reviews

You don‘t just have to take my word for how great Rothy‘s are – there are tons of glowing customer reviews out there. Rothy‘s has over 6,000 reviews on their website with an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars.

Here are a few quotes from real Rothy‘s customers:

"I now own 4 pairs of Rothy‘s in various colors. I get compliments every time I wear them, and after having a pair for 6 months I can confidently say these shoes last." – Kelsey L.

"I love the stylish look and the way the material forms to my feet making them the most comfortable flats I own. I definitely plan to purchase more!" – Alissa A.

"I‘ve just started a new job that has me on my feet all day and I needed a pair of shoes that looked professional yet felt as comfortable as a sneaker. Rothy‘s has been my saving grace!" – Hailee R.

Of course, no shoe is perfect for everyone. Some customers with very high arches or wide feet have noted that Rothy‘s don‘t work for them. And a few people have had issues with the knit upper snagging on rough surfaces.

But overall, the vast majority of Rothy‘s reviews are overwhelmingly positive. I truly believe they are some of the most comfortable, stylish, and well-made shoes out there.

Styling Rothy‘s Shoes

One of my favorite things about Rothy‘s is how versatile they are. The simple, streamlined silhouettes work with so many different outfits and occasions.

Here are a few ways I like to style my Rothy‘s flats:

• With ankle-length skinny jeans, a tucked-in blouse, and a blazer for a chic work look
• With a flowy midi dress and denim jacket for a casual weekend brunch
• With a pair of culottes and a graphic tee for a cool, trendy vibe

The loafers and sneakers are great for more casual looks – think jeans and a cozy sweater or a simple t-shirt dress. And the Chelsea and Merino boots are perfect for cooler weather with tights and a skirt or dressed-down with leggings and an oversized sweater.

Rothy‘s also releases special limited-edition colors and patterns for each style, which are really fun to collect. They‘ve done collaborations with artists and designers that are always super unique.

I will say that Rothy‘s shoes are a bit of an investment compared to fast-fashion flats, with prices ranging from $125 to $165 per pair. But in my opinion, they‘re totally worth it for the quality, comfort, and style. Plus, the fact that they‘re machine-washable means they last a lot longer than cheaper shoes.

Rothy‘s vs. Other Sustainable Shoe Brands

If you‘re looking for sustainable shoe options, Rothy‘s is far from the only brand out there. Two other popular options are Allbirds and Veja.

Allbirds is known for their merino wool sneakers, but they also make knit flats with a very similar aesthetic to Rothy‘s. The main difference is that Allbirds uses natural materials like wool, eucalyptus, and sugarcane rather than recycled plastic.

Veja is a French sneaker brand that uses organic cotton, wild rubber, and recycled plastic in their shoes. They‘ve got a really classic, retro-inspired sneaker look.

Compared to these brands, I‘d say Rothy‘s has the widest range of styles, especially when it comes to dressier silhouettes like pointed-toe flats and ankle boots. Allbirds is a bit more casual overall, and Veja primarily focuses on sneakers.

All three brands have great sustainability initiatives and are transparent about their practices, so it really comes down to personal style preference. I do appreciate that Rothy‘s knit material is a bit more polished and elevated than the wool or cotton used by the other brands.

At the end of the day, though, I believe the most sustainable shoe is the one you‘ll actually wear and love for years to come. Rothy‘s checks all those boxes for me.

FAQ

Before we wrap up, I want to address a few frequently asked questions about Rothy‘s shoes:

• Are Rothy‘s worth the price? In my opinion, yes, Rothy‘s are definitely worth the investment for their comfort, style, and durability. However, the value really depends on your individual budget and needs.
• Can you wear Rothy‘s without socks? Yes, one of the great things about Rothy‘s is that they can be worn barefoot. The insoles are cushioned and moisture-wicking to prevent any rubbing or smelliness.
• What if Rothy‘s don‘t fit me? Rothy‘s offers free exchanges and returns on all US orders within 30 days. Their customer service team is super helpful with sizing and fit questions.
• How do Rothy‘s hold up in the rain? The knit upper of Rothy‘s shoes is designed to be moisture-wicking and quick-drying. I‘ve worn mine in light rain with no issues – just avoid any big puddles and let them air dry afterwards.
• Do Rothy‘s ever go on sale? Rothy‘s very rarely does sales, but they do release special limited-edition colors at a slight discount from time to time. Your best bet is to sign up for their email newsletter to stay in the loop.

Final Thoughts

Whew, that was a lot of info! If you‘ve stuck with me this far, I hope you‘ve found this review helpful. I know buying shoes online can feel like a bit of a gamble, but I‘ve tried to be as detailed and honest as possible about my experience with Rothy‘s.

As someone who values both style and sustainability, I‘m so happy to have discovered this brand. My Rothy‘s have become my go-to shoes for everything from work to travel to running errands on the weekend. I love how comfortable and versatile they are, and I feel good knowing I‘m supporting a company that‘s doing its part to reduce waste.

If you‘re on the fence about trying Rothy‘s, I‘d say go for it! With free shipping and returns, you really have nothing to lose. And who knows – you may just discover your new favorite pair of shoes.

I hope this review has given you a comprehensive look at Rothy‘s. If you have any other questions, feel free to leave them in the comments below. And if you do end up trying Rothy‘s, I‘d love to hear about your experience!

Happy shoe shopping!