My Honest Review of Rothy's Flats
The brand’s signature knitted fabric is breathable and comfortable.
Reviewed by Grace Wu and Emma Seymour
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Ballet flats are my absolute favorite type of shoe, so I knew I needed to try a pair from Rothy's. Not only are the brand’s shoes stylish, but Rothy’s is known for popularizing knitted-fabric footwear that’s machine washable. “Rothy’s truly changed the footwear industry when they first launched. There was no one knitting shoes back then,” explains Grace Wu, senior product analyst in our Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab.
Over the past year, I’ve tried a total of five pairs of shoes from Rothy’s, and our team of footwear experts and editors have tried multiple flats, Mary Jane shoes, clogs, and loafers in recent years. Ahead, read our thoughts on the brand’s materials and sizing, plus learn details on our experiences wearing classic and new styles from Rothy’s.
What makes Rothy’s shoes so special?
Rather than being made with leather or synthetic polyurethane (PU) like many flats, Rothy’s shoes have a fabric upper made from recycled water bottles called rPET thread. “The shoes are comfortable and breathable, thanks to the brand’s signature knit material,” says Emma Seymour, associate director of the Textiles Lab. Each shoe style has different compositions, but the main materials used are rPET thread, natural hemp, and merino wool.
Not only does Rothy's say that they use recyclable materials, but the brand also owns and operates the factory where its shoes and bags are produced. That means Rothy's doesn't have to outsource to a middleman and can experiment with prototypes.
A huge hallmark of all Rothy's shoes is that you can wash them in your washing machine. Separate the insoles from the shoes and wash both in cold water with mild detergent and on a delicate setting. Then let them air dry.
While there are plenty of knit shoes on the market today, Rothy's remain Wu’s favorite. “The shoes I’ve personally tried have a sleek look with thoughtful design and construction,” Wu explains.
Wu likes the washability feature as flats can get kind of gross (we're only human!). One complaint previous testers found with Rothy's is that their feet became rather sweaty due to the knit fabric. Thankfully, easy cleaning lets you freshen up your flats.
Our thoughts on the Rothy’s shoes we tried
Starting off on the right foot (haha, get it?), these are one of my favorite flats I’ve ever tried. I love a classic Mary Jane shoe, but this one has beige piping along the outsole that adds a summery touch to the shoe. I opted for the bright yellow color, but the shoe comes in seven colors, including colorful striped patterns. If you’re looking for a Mary Jane flat that’s more suitable for fall and winter, The Cruiser Mary Jane also comes in three additional velvet colors.
I have noticeably narrow feet (I measured them once, and it was under the range for narrow widths), but Rothy’s doesn’t offer different width sizes. As you’ll discover reading this review, Rothy’s Mary Jane flats tend to fit me best because they stabilize my foot in the shoe thanks to the foot strap. I wish this pair had an adjustable strap for a customizable fit and a more chic appearance, but it was surprisingly the most comfortable pair from the brand that I’ve ever tried. I wore them all day at work, racking up over 10,000 steps, and I had zero issues. My feet were free of cuts and blisters, and I felt perfectly comfortable walking through the streets of New York City—I got a ton of compliments.
The Daily Flat is Rothy’s classic ballet flat: no fuss or frills, just a simple, round-toe flat. However, this is where things get a bit tricky for me. While the shoes fit my foot length-wise, I found the width to be too wide. My foot slid around a bit in the shoe, which gaped open on the sides of my feet. As I said above, my feet are incredibly narrow, so I think these shoes just aren’t a great fit for my foot shape.
Other than the width, I found the sole of these flats to be quite comfortable, and the fabric upper of the shoe moved well with each step I took. I wore it to a party, and my feet didn’t hurt at all standing around or walking to and from the subway.
The toe is rounded, but the foot opening has a V shape that looks chic. I also love that this shoe comes in 12 colors, including stripes and cheetah prints, because I’m a fan of matching my outfits to my shoes (it just pulls everything together!).
Am I obsessed with these shoes? Yes. Do I currently have Band-Aids on the back of my heels while wearing these flats? Also yes. I’m not going to lie, these shoes were super comfortable when I went to dinner and a wine bar one night, but the moment I wore them to work and took over 5,000 steps, the backs of my heels started to get cut up. That said, I have this issue with so many flats, and it’s part of the reason why I have a love-hate relationship with the shoe style (they’re cute, but ouch!).
I will say, my feet are entirely fine and blister-free with the Band-Aids on the backs of my heels, and the soles feel supportive as I walk, so I plan to wear these shoes more in the winter with nude tights. I also think these shoes in black or maroon would look adorable paired with white frilly socks, which can prevent any ankle cuts.
The buckle adds a fashionable element that’s also functional: It tightens the shoe on my narrow feet, so they stay in place. And as a gold-jewelry girly, I love the gold metal details on the shoe. Time will tell if these shoes are wearable without Band-Aids as I break them in, but for now, I have a stash at my desk.
Wu owns the Point II and appreciated how the brand incorporated more arch support into this newer version of the original Point flat. She found the shoes to fit true to size, which isn't always the case with pointed flats. "I personally have always gone half a size up in pointed flats for comfort, but I find that with this one, you can order them in your normal size as the knit fabric is structured yet forgiving," Wu says. The extra support paired with stretchy fabric also makes these great if you have bunions.
Some fabric flats can look a bit frumpy, but Wu shares that Rothy's look sleeker than competing fabric footwear brands. From the square toe and thin strap to the knit fabric that effortlessly accommodates your feet, the Square Mary is a simple, classic Mary Jane that looks more formal than you’d expect for a fabric shoe. While the strap across the foot is not adjustable, it has the appearance that it is not fully attached and flares out a bit, which looks less frumpy in my opinion. A friend of mine especially loves this style to wear with her formal business attire in the office.
One of our editors who tried these shoes said she sized up a half size, and she found them “to be comfortable and [I] have not experienced my heel slipping out from the back.” She also shared that the “flats are easy to slip on and off and the looser fit even allows me to put in extra insoles if I want more support while walking around for multiple hours.” But even without insoles, these shoes are still supportive enough to commute to work or spend the day out and about.
In the winter, I wear my UGG Tasman II Slippers whenever I’m hanging out at a friend’s place, embarking on a road trip, or going anywhere that I’ll want to easily slip my shoes on and off. These Rothy’s clogs have become my spring and summer replacement for the fuzzy UGG shoe since they’re easy to slip on, more supportive than a flat flip-flop, and breathable.
I appreciated the molded insoles for comfort while standing for long periods. These shoes were so breathable, and my feet didn't get sweaty without socks on, which is something that I can not say for my other flats. Made from the brand's signature thread and hemp or wool (depending on color), these clogs are machine washable, too.
When I first tried these clogs, I found the material to be a bit itchy and experienced red marks on the top of my foot. I prefer wearing the shoes with a pair of socks, but over time the shoes got more comfortable. If I’m quickly going to the grocery store, these shoes are comfortable without socks. But I make sure to wear socks with them if I’m walking around all day in the shoes.
Although I usually spot Rothy's flats and loafers on the sidewalks of New York, the shoe brand also sells sneakers of various heights with and without laces. The Slip On is only available in four colors (it used to be available in 10!) and has a flexible upper for comfort. Insoles aid in comfort as well.
One of our editors who owns an older version of this shoe, and she continues to reach for the sneaker summer after summer. “They are super comfortable, support my bunion and are even good for my flat feet,” she said. “I can dress the shoes up and down." She did note that the shoes can get dirty pretty fast, perhaps due to the light cream color she owns, but she appreciates being able to easily wash them—she has put them in the washing machine over a dozen times!
One thing to note, though, is that one GH staffer's husband tried out a pair of men's sneakers, and while he found them lightweight and easy to pack, they unfortunately began to unravel after just a few months. He is still able to wear the shoes, but there wasn't an easy way to stop the knit fabric from unraveling.
Loafers have had quite the resurgence in popularity, too. When roaming Rothy's site, I was impressed with the sheer amount of loafers available, including various toe shapes and patterns.
One of our editors tried the Almond Loafer and found them very comfortable upon immediate wear and didn't experience a break-in period. Her bunion didn't hurt, and even when traveling her feet felt supported. She liked the unique almond-shaped pointy toe and dressed them up with a dress. She thought the loafer was a bit too big, but it wasn't a dealbreaker for her.
The Almond Loafer only comes in two colors, portobello and black (the color pictured is no longer available), but they’re two neutrals that’ll go with almost any outfit.
Do Rothy’s shoes run true to size?
Many of our editors and experts found Rothy's to run true to size, but similar to the other popular knit shoe brand VIVAIA, there was some feedback on the shoes running a bit big or a tad narrow. Wu explains that it really depends on the style of the shoe.
I typically wear a size 9 in shoes, and a size 9.5 in athletic shoes like running sneakers or hiking boots to give my toes more wiggle room for swelling and walking downhill. However, the shoes from Rothy’s I got in a size 9 were incredibly uncomfortable. One of our editors and a friend of mine have also experienced Rothy’s shoes running small. However, one of our editors found she needs to size down half a size. The inconsistent sizing can be frustrating, so be sure to return the shoes within 30 days if they do not fit.
As you’ll learn in the reviews of the shoes we tried below, I found the shoes to run small, and I wish the brand offered wide and narrow width options.
Does Rothy’s sell anything other than shoes?
While Rothy’s is mostly known for their flats, the brand also offers a range of bags and totes. I have a crescent-shaped purse from the brand that I absolutely love because the flexible knit material allows me to stuff it to the brim. That bag is no longer sold, but there are other tote bags like the Lightweight Tote, which one of our editors owns and uses as a work bag.
“I travel light to work, so it perfectly fits my 15-inch laptop, charger, and a few other essentials,” she said. Since the bag is made with the same fabric as the brand’s shoes, it’s also machine washable. “I can't stress enough how amazing it is to be able to wash a work bag and not have to worry about compromising its shape or the look,” the editor said.
Final thoughts: Should you buy Rothy’s shoes?
Based on our footwear experts’ thoughts, my fellow editors’ opinions, and my personal experience with the flats, Rothy’s shoes are worth the purchase. But—and this is a major but—be prepared to potentially return them and exchange them for a different size. It’s hard to say whether you need to size up or down, since everyone seemed to have a different experience with the brand. Once you find your perfect size, though, these shoes are incredibly comfortable to walk in, help keep your feet dry, and can stay looking fresh if you throw them in the washing machine. Plus, our testers with wider feet and bunions especially liked Rothy’s flats.
Ballet flats don’t have as much cushioning and support as a sneaker, of course, but I found Rothy’s to feel more comfortable for commuting to work and walking around the office than other brands. Plus, whenever I wear leather flats, my feet get sweaty and start to ache after a decent amount of walking, but Rothy’s flats are more cushioning and supportive. Despite my issues with the sizing, I recommend the shoes—and keep in mind that our footwear experts and other editors found that they ran true to size, so it depends on the shoe style and person. Seymour said the knit material can better accommodate a wider foot. But if you have narrow feet like me, the shoes are still comfortable once you find the right size.
How we reviewed Rothy's shoes
In the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab, our experts evaluate and test hundreds of flats, sneakers, and footwear. When evaluating the brand Rothy's, we first crowdsourced favorites among GH staffers and then called in five styles to try last year, and most recently, we called in another three new pairs to try (since some have gotten discontinued over the past year). I personally have tried five shoes from Rothy’s, some of which are in this story.
Staffers reported back on how the shoes fit, how comfortable they were to walk in and whether we experienced any blisters while breaking them in.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Isabella Cavallo is the editorial commerce editor in the Good Housekeeping Institute. She regularly writes reviews of all sorts of products, including footwear. Most recently, she reviewed the most comfortable heels, Chaco walking sandals, white sneakers, and slip-on shoes.
To write this article, our pros in the GH Institute Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab contributed thoughts and expert-knowledge on Rothy’s shoes. Senior Analyst Grace Wu evaluates fabric-based products using specialized equipment and consumer tester data. Associate Director Emma Seymour has led testing for luggage, pillows, towels, and more since 2018. Both Wu and Seymour have one (or more) pairs of Rothy's and lent their expertise when recommending picks.
Grace Wu (she/her) is the senior analyst in the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab, where she evaluates fabric-based products using specialized equipment and consumer tester data. Prior to starting at Good Housekeeping in 2022, she earned a master of engineering in materials science and engineering and a bachelor of science in fiber science from Cornell University. While earning her degrees, Grace worked in research laboratories for smart textiles and nanotechnology and held internships at Open Style Lab and Rent the Runway.
Emma Seymour (she/her) is the associate director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab, where she has led testing for luggage, pillows, towels, tampons and more since 2018. She graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor of science in fiber science and apparel design and a minor in gerontology, completing research in the Body Scanner Lab on optimizing activewear for athletic performance.
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