Honest Review: Tieks vs Rothy's

Let’s be real: after a wedding day, my feet are absolutely killing me! Can anyone else relate?! After all the walking, running, and standing for hours, my feet feel like they're swollen, and no amount of rest seems to fix them. I used to think my comfortable flats would be enough to get me through a wedding day, but clearly, they weren't cutting it. So, I embarked on a mission to find the ultimate comfortable wedding shoe.

After a ton of research and polling fellow photographers, I decided to do a little experiment between two popular brands: Tieks and Rothy’s. The results are in, and I’m excited to share what I found!

The Contestants: Tieks vs Rothy's

Tieks are marketed as a reinvented ballet flat, made from high-quality Italian leather. They’re touted for being comfortable, flexible, durable, and stylish, with the added bonus of molding and stretching to your feet over time. Many people rave about how these shoes become like a custom fit with wear. Intrigued, I decided to try a pair in the Pink Ballerina color.

Rothy’s, on the other hand, are known for their versatility and stylish design, with a sneaker-like comfort that is still polished enough for a wedding day. What’s really unique about Rothy’s is that they’re made from recycled water bottles, which means they’re eco-friendly. They also market them as machine washable, blister-free, and offering all-weather comfort. I went for The Point style in classic black.

The Shopping Experience: Smooth Sailing

Both brands have excellent websites that are easy to navigate, with free shipping and easy return policies, which I really appreciated. I was able to shop with confidence knowing I could exchange sizes if needed.

I personally liked the Tieks website a little more because the menu bar was right there at the top, making it easier to find what I was looking for. The Rothy’s website was clean and minimalistic, but the menu bar was tucked away in the upper left-hand corner, which required one extra click to get to the product pages. Still, both sites made purchasing simple and stress-free.

The Packaging: A Delightful Unboxing

When my Rothy’s arrived, I loved the eco-friendly packaging. The box was neat, minimalistic, and wrapped in recyclable paper, making it feel like a sustainable choice before even trying them on.

On the other hand, the Tieks packaging was like opening a present! The shoes came in a tiny, sturdy box, which seemed too small for the shoes—until I opened it to find a handwritten note welcoming me to my new Tieks experience. The shoes were inside a teal box, topped with a cute reusable flower detail. It made the whole process feel much more personal and exciting.

When my Tieks arrived, they truly got me excited for what was inside. It was like opening a present! The Tieks were in a tiny box, which I couldn't believe that the shoes were inside! It seemed too small! Once opened a handwritten note awaited me to enjoy my new kicks! The shoes were packaged in a teal box with an adorable reusable flower detail on top! It truly was an exciting experience.

The Sizing: A Tale of Two Fits

I typically wear a size 6.5 shoe, but based on reviews, I decided to size up on both brands.

Rothy’s offers both full and half sizes, but I found them to be very narrow. My size 7 didn’t fit properly, so I returned them and went up to a size 7.5. When the new pair arrived, they were still too wide in length but still narrow in the toes. The shoes were cute, but unfortunately, not ideal for a wedding day where I need both comfort and support.

Tieks, on the other hand, only come in full sizes, so I ordered a size 7, and it was perfect. The best part about Tieks is that they’re designed to stretch and mold to your feet, so even if they start out a bit snug, they become perfectly tailored to your feet after some wear.

The Style: Chic & Comfortable

Both shoes are stylish, but they offer different vibes:

• Rothy’s are more of a business chic option. Despite being made from water bottles, the material is soft and surprisingly comfortable. I was initially skeptical about the water bottle material, but it didn’t feel stiff or plasticky. However, they didn’t provide the support I needed for a busy wedding day.

• Tieks are much more like a solid ballet flat, but they feel more like a true shoe. The leather is incredibly soft and squishy, with just the right amount of ankle support. I was pleasantly surprised at how comfortable they felt, like wearing little clouds on my feet—without the fluff!

The Conclusion: Tieks Take the Win

After a lot of trial and error, I’m happy to say that Tieks won the battle for me. While both shoes were cute and comfortable, Rothy’s didn’t fit me quite right. They were too narrow, lacked enough support, and felt a bit too flexible for a wedding day that requires stability and comfort. The Tieks, on the other hand, provided solid support, a perfect fit, and the kind of comfort I need when I’m on my feet all day, running around shooting weddings.

I’m thrilled to wear my Tieks during this wedding season, and I can confidently say that I’ve found the ultimate working shoe for the busy season.

Final Thoughts: Whether you’re a wedding photographer, event planner, or anyone who’s on their feet all day, finding the right shoe is key to staying comfortable and focused. While there’s no one-size-fits-all solution, my experience with Tieks has been a game-changer. If you're in the market for a comfortable and stylish shoe, I highly recommend giving them a try!