Rothy’s flats – $125 – $145 depending on the style
*my Rothy’s referral link gives you $20 off (I get $20 off too…)
I’d seen Rothy’s shoes here and there but never really gave them much thought (I don’t really care for the style, honestly) until I received a pair for slowre, and I learned more about their process/sustainability. They seem to get rave reviews for comfort, and how can you beat a machine washable pair of flats? They’re vegan, sustainable, and comfortable…sounds like a huge win to me.
But, like I said, the style just doesn’t suit me. Perhaps if they were more of a loafer style? I love ballet flats, generally, and I used to wear my many pairs of Repetto flats all the time, but haven’t for several years.
Has anyone tried a pair? What do you think?
Rothy’s isn’t the only company working with recycled plastic bottles, remember my Girlfriend Collective leggings ? Each pair is made from approximately 24 water bottles, and from being on 1x/week rotation for several months, they’re holding up nicely.
And there’s some great innovation going on with Parley and their use of ocean plastic – you know, water bottles, plastic shopping bags, and micro-plastic that’s floating around in the ocean, nbd.
Adidas is using reclaimed ocean plastic for their new collaboration with Parley for Ultraboost sneakers. And always the sustainability pioneer, Stella McCartney is using recycled ocean plastic, also in collaboration with Parley, for their Sea Shepherd backpack. (she also uses recycled plastic bottles as linings for all of her faux-leather bags).
Have you tried any clothing or accessories made from recycled plastic bottles? What did you think?
This is all great, but I wish there was more focus on eliminating the plastic waste to begin with.
When I lived in Santa Cruz, plastic bags were banned and just not available at stores, and every store was used to bagging in customers’ reusable bags. Moving to Colorado it was a shock to have everyone automatically dump it into a plastic bag before I could give them a reusable one.
yes.
i moved from austin (which had a plastic bag ban) to dallas (which doesn’t have one) and it was shocking at first. i’ve been using reusable bags for a decade, but it was nice to see other people adopt it too, and then to move up here, where people take plastic bags for EVERYTHING. like, literally ONE item at the grocery store.
i agree we should focus more on eliminating plastic waste overall, and that is something i’m trying to do in a small way by using bar soap, for one thing. i think that will take a lot of time though, we have gotten so used to plastic conveniences…
Agreed about reducing plastic usage. I bring my own bags everywhere, try to us reusable containers and eliminate what plastic I can but I’m no where close to zero.
I’ve looked at these shoes online but I’ve never found a pair of ballet flats I’ve liked. So I guess I don’t really need these shoes. Of course I’m not sure I need the ES shoes I ordered on Tuesday, so there’s that…
I have Rothy’s on as I type. I have several pairs, both round and pointed toes, and they are extremely comfortable. No support, but so comfortable! I have bought pairs for both of my daughters-in-law and they also love them!
I have the Rothy’s pair that are in the photo above and have received compliments on them from strangers. They are comfortable, easy to clean and look good — but I find the plastic sweaty in a way that leather or cloth shoes are not. I probably will not buy another pair because they just do not breathe enough — I end up with bare feet while driving or at my desk, and only put them on when I am walking around.
Rothy’s customer service was great though when I did order.
Maui has a complete plastic ban. Oahu has a partial (with exceptions) but I think they need to move to a complete (we are surrounded by the ocean after all!). It is an easier adjustment than the opponents think.
I saw the ads for these on FB. I looked briefly but passed. I’m very picky about arch support now – my feet can’t handle anything without anymore after years of wearing flat shoes (I’m sure the weight gain didn’t help either). Glad you mentioned the leggings – I remember when they were giving out free pairs and I was skeptical. Nice they are holding up. I’d be concerned about overheating in our humidity but if you like them in Texas and with your workout schedule, must be ok.
the leggings…i would NOT wear them to the cardio class – they WOULD be too hot, but they’re fine for regular class. i would absolutely not under any circumstances wear them to workout outside during the summer months.
they’re good for studio classes in air conditioning, i wouldn’t recommend them for outside, except in winter or much cooler weather.
good point on the plastic being sweaty…
thanks for your input robin!
Fellow former SC resident here! I was just talking today about how much I appreciated the fact that the community really cares about the well-being of the environment (especially the ocean) and takes a lot of precautions such as banning plastic to support those values.
This is what I figured as well, plastic (even though woven) = sweaty feet, and we all know what comes next.
And I assume most of your readers are old enough to remember the order of the 3Rs…
REDUCE, Reuse, Recycle.
The more we reduce, the less we have to recycle (reusing plastic is pretty iffy imho – I know folks who do with takeout containers, etc., but they’re mostly not supposed to be reheated and all that…)
absolutely – but i think recently i got sucked into the trap of “well, I can recycle it” so it was okay to keep using plastic. i’m slowly working my out of that now though. first step is switching to bar soaps, but my husband will never go for that for himself. ugh.
also, i’m trying to transition slowre shipping products away from plastic, but that’s a whole other story….it’s SO EXPENSIVE TO SHIP!!!!!!! materials, shipping costs, etc., etc., it’s really so much more $$ than you would ever think. i’m trying though 🙂
I bought my Rothy’s 3 months ago and I won’t buy another pair. While I love the pointed style, they do not breathe or wick moisture as advertised and there is already a hole in the fabric from daily wear. I only wear them for work and I sit at a desk 6 hours out of my 10 hour day and the other 4 walking through hospital rooms. I washed them by hand weekly and let them air dry. For $145, they are simply not worthy.