Birdies Shoes Review (for 2024): Are They Worth the Price?

Birdies The Starling Review

After three years of countless strolls, soirées, and workdays, I’m here to give you an unabashedly honest breakdown of my Birdies experience–the highs, the lows, and whether they’re worth every penny. 

I stumbled upon Birdies shoes through my Instagram feed, likely because I’m a fan of brands like Tieks, Rothy’s, and VIVAIA. These algorithms seem to know me better than I know myself these days.

Discovering that Birdies is based in San Francisco piqued my interest even more, as I’m all for supporting local businesses. The one thing that made me hesitate was seeing the price tag because, let’s be real–Birdies don’t come cheap.

My curiosity reached its peak at a birthday bash where I spotted my sister basking in her Black Velvet Starlings. This was a revelation because she has rarely strayed from her Tory Burch flats. Naturally, I bombarded her with questions, eager to know if these shoes were truly worth the investment.

Her enthusiastic “Yes!” was all it took to push me off the fence (social proof is a game-changer!). So, I took the plunge and snagged my own pair of The Starling slippers (in Cheetah Print because I’m extra), diving headfirst into a three-year-long love affair with Birdies.

My Birdies flats arrived within a week in a small shoebox with minimal packaging and a soft white bag to carry them in. I immediately started wearing them around the house, but I soon noticed my toes feeling pinched and the back of my heels sore after wearing them for long periods. 

The biggest factor for me when it comes to shoes is comfort. This is especially true because I walk everywhere around town, sometimes for miles on end, and I need shoes that can keep up with that lifestyle. So, the initial lack of comfort while wearing my Birdies was concerning. 

I sent this first pair back and ordered a half size up, and immediately noticed that the larger pair felt more comfortable. It took me about a month of walking in them as much as possible to truly break them in, but it was worth it once I did. 

Although I was initially tempted by the Black Velvet Starling style, I’m very happy that I bought the Cheetah Calf Hair Starlings instead. The cheetah print is not only fun and a statement piece, but it surprisingly pairs well with many different colors and outfits.

How I Tested My Birdies Slippers

I evaluated my Birdies shoes across seven key categories, weighted by what’s most important for a well-rounded and long-lasting shoe.

General Testing vs Controlled Testing

I’ve been testing the Birdies Starlings since April 2021, so I have three years of first-hand experience that I’ve been building on for this review. 

In addition, I’ve conducted controlled tests to evaluate certain factors. Some controlled experiments I’ve done to test overall comfort and performance include various 1-2-mile walks during a range of temperatures (50-75 F) in California and numerous tests on The Starling’s different features, which I’ll get into below.

A Snapshot of My Feet

Sorry for the foot pic! I want to show you what my feet are like so you can better anticipate how these shoes might fit you. Here’s what you need to know:

One thing I’ll mention before we dive into the scoring is that I rated my Birdies based on other flats and dress shoes, which are notoriously more uncomfortable than sneakers. For example, these might score higher in some areas compared to my Allbirds Wool Runners, but these two shoes are in different categories and thus can’t be compared the same way. So, keep that in mind–these scores are based on comparing Birdies to other flats. 

For the sizing and fit category, I scored based on the accuracy of the sizing, the duration and pain level of the break-in period, and the toe box comfort. 

In terms of sizing, Birdies doesn’t have a very detailed sizing chart on their site. They only list a comparison of the US vs other countries’ shoe sizes but no instructions on how to measure your foot. However, they at least offer half sizes, which is very important for flats!

Initially, I bought a size 9.5 in the Starling slippers. However, my feet have grown over the past few years, and I now usually wear a size 10.5. Therefore, my current Starlings are a bit too small for me. Sizing up to a 10 would likely be perfect, which is half a size smaller than my current usual size.

Their sizing guide suggests sizing down by half if you have narrow feet, but I don’t consider my feet particularly narrow; they’re more of a normal width. So, compared to other brands, the Starlings weren’t as true-to-size, which is why they received a lower rating in this category.

The break-in period was just okay for my Birdies. They’re stiffer shoes in general, which meant that it took about a month to break them in properly. They gave me the most grief with the back heel, which tends to rub uncomfortably, sometimes causing blisters, and still does when I haven’t worn them for a while (although that might be due to them being small on me now).

The Starling’s toe box has an average width of 7.6 cm for size 9.5. However, it can sometimes feel smaller because of its lack of give. Compare this to the Allbirds Tree Breezers flats. These have a smaller toe box (7.2 cm) because the knit hugs your toes, but their stretchiness makes for a much more comfortable toe box overall.

For the cushioning & softness category, I scored based on insole, midsole, and outsole cushioning, heel collar cushioning, arch support, and shoe upper comfort. 

The standout feature of the Starlings, which makes them score higher in this category, is their exceptional plush satin insole. It has a 7-layer comfort technology and decent arch support (rare for a pair of flats). These have the best arch support out of any other flats I’ve tested.

The cushioning is not quite as thick as their “7-layer comfort technology” spiel made me expect. But it’s firm, high-quality, and lasts a long time, so it stays at a good cushion level without needing to buy new shoes just because of one worn-down part. The upper is comfortable and soft, but because of its stiffer material, it’s tighter around my foot and not as flexible compared to other flats.

The aspect that made these shoes lose a decent chunk of points is their lack of heel collar cushioning. There’s really no cushion on the back heel, which is a bummer since that is where I’ve had the most discomfort with these shoes. 

I have gotten somewhat used to the lack of cushioning, but this was where I had the hardest time breaking in the shoes, and it still feels like it digs in when I wear them for long periods. My biggest recommendation to improve comfort immediately is to add those stick-on back heel cushions.

The three main tests I did to test the stability of my Starlings were the following:

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The Birdies Starlings scored a perfect 10/10 on the ball test, which is hard to do for a pair of flats since most don’t bend at the right part–they’ll often bend in the middle of the shoe instead of where the ball of your foot hits. Thanks to the stiffer materials these shoes are made of and the solid insole, they also scored a 10/10 on the twist test.

The area where they lost points was the back heel (apparently the Achilles heel for Birdies shoes. ba-dum–bump…). This is the one area of the shoes that isn’t as stiff. The back heel is very flexible when squeezed, which means there’s not much support for your heel to stay in place when you walk.

Overall though, the Birdies Starlings have one of the best stability ratings out of the flats I’ve tested.

I haven’t had any issues wearing Birdies with the small bunion on my left foot. However, they’re not as flexible as many other flats, so if you have a bigger bunion, that might be an issue.

For plantar fasciitis, I’d say it depends. The footbed has a decent cushion for the bottom of the heel, which is the most important thing to look for if you’re dealing with plantar fasciitis, and the Starlings have the best arch support I’ve seen for a pair of flats. But, at the end of the day, these are still flats. They’re probably not going to be the best if you’re dealing with a flare-up. Also, the back heel collar isn’t the most stable, and the insoles aren’t removable, so you can’t replace them with an orthopedic option.

Similarly, for high arches, there’s a good amount of cushion, arch support, and stability, but again, these are flats, not walking shoes. So, it might depend on the person. And again, you can’t replace the insole if needed.

Finally, I don’t know if I’d recommend the Starlings for people with wide feet. The stiff upper that covers a decent chunk of your foot and the average toe box doesn’t bode as well for people who need more room.

Since I first came across Birides, I’ve been captivated by the style of “smoking slippers.” They’re a unique departure from the typical flats in my collection. The daring cheetah print, in particular, adds a touch of boldness and fun that resonates with my everyday style.

What’s especially appealing about The Starlings is their sleek, narrow fit, which prevents them from appearing overly bulky despite covering a substantial portion of my foot. Their high-quality build and materials make them look and feel luxe as well.

The cheetah print design surprisingly pairs well with a wide range of outfits in my wardrobe. However, compared to more traditional flats, the slipper design is probably the least versatile. I love wearing them with work attire, jeans, or pants of any kind where their chic vibe truly shines, but I’ve noticed they don’t always work as effortlessly with dresses.

In terms of variety, the Birdies website offers a ton of color and pattern options for The Starlings—26 in total at the time this article was updated! Birdies also sells a total of seven different styles of flats if the “smoking slipper” look isn’t your thing.

For performance, I look at whether the shoe does what it’s meant to do [its function and whether it performs well for its purpose] and what features enhance the experience. I also compare the shoes with older models, if available, to see how they’ve improved.

The Starling shoes fall into the “flats and dress shoes” category, meaning their purpose isn’t necessarily for long walks or active pursuits, but more to provide a stylish, comfortable pair of shoes that can transition easily between casual and more formal outings. Their aim is to be versatile enough to have the elegance of a designer flat with the comfort of a slipper.

Birdies really promotes the fact that these are comfortable slipper-style flats. For comfort, one feature they talk about a lot is the 7-layer insole. Another aspect that’s promoted is luxury and high-quality materials, which The Starling excels at. From the satin quilted insoles to the individual calf hairs on the outside of the shoe, these are the most luxurious-feeling flats that I own.

So, let’s review the main performance features of these shoes and how well they scored in each category.

• Style & Versatility: Birdies scores well in this category, receiving an 8.2 in my tests. The main issue is that the slipper look is not as versatile as I thought it would be, but that also might be due to getting the cheetah print option. The Starling pairs well with pants but not as well with dresses. They look a little too clunky sometimes. So, it might not be as easy to go from day to night with these, depending on what you’re wearing.
• Luxury and high-quality materials: The Starlings score very well in this category with a 10. They’re easily my most luxuriously-feeling flats, and the quality is clear in how the materials feel and how well they’ve held up the past three years.
• Comfort (especially the 7-layer feature they promote a lot): The comfort of these shoes scored a 7.3 in my tests. The Starling is mostly a comfortable shoe, but the heel collar has a tendency to dig, and the heel isn’t as stable as it could be. The 7-layer insole is firmer than I thought it would be, and the shoes can feel a little stiff compared to most of my other flats, which are more flexible.

Flats aren’t known to have much traction, so the differences in traction between pairs of flats I’ve tested aren’t all that different. With that said, The Starlings scored the worst out of any other flats.

The shoes have a rubber sole, so there’s a basic level of traction that’s not as visible while wearing the shoes (in other words, more stylish). But this means that the bottoms of the shoes are fairly smooth and even a bit silky where they’ve been worn down over the years.

Still, traction has never been much of an issue for me while wearing The Starlings, and I’ve never had problems with slipping in them, so I didn’t dock them much while scoring them.

Birdies don’t score the best on breathability for a couple of reasons. The insoles don’t have any moisture-wicking properties, and I find that the quilted silk insole and inner material make my feet sweat on warmer days. 

The upper material is also not very breathable. I have so many flats now that are made from some sort of breathable knit–I’m thinking of the Allbirds Tree Breezers, Rothy’s The Point and The Flat, and VIVAIA’s Aria 5 shoes. 

To be fair, a “knitted” upper has a different look that isn’t as sleek or luxe as a less breathable material like the calf hair on Birdies or Italian leather on Tieks. Still, it’s something to note, especially if you live in warmer climates or you’re prone to sweaty feet. 

Another reason these flats are less breathable is their slipper design. They have more of an upper than most flats, so even compared to Tieks, they’re going to be less breathable because more of your foot is covered. 

After three years of wearing The Starlings barefoot, I’ve never had any issues with odor. The shoes don’t have any specific features that reduce odor, but the fact that I’ve never had an issue with the shoes or my feet smelling bad (even after sweaty, warm days) means that they get a 10/10 in this category.

To start this section, let’s establish a baseline for how long shoes should actually last. You might be surprised to learn that podiatrists recommend replacing shoes every 300-500 miles. In general, I think any shoe that lasts over two years is a durable shoe. 

I’ve been wearing my Birdies for three years now, and they still look almost new. Granted, I don’t wear them as often as, say, my many Allbirds shoes because I usually wear my Birdies more for going out or hanging out with friends than for everyday wear.

But I’m still impressed with how well they’ve lasted throughout the years. There’s no staining whatsoever or flatting of the insole, which can’t be said for most shoes I own.

Really, the only reason I can tell they’ve been worn is that the middle part of the upper, where my feet slip in, looks slightly stretched now, and the bottom soles have become even smoother than they were when I first got them.

I’m not alone in being impressed with how well my Birdies have held up. If you look on Reddit, you’ll see plenty of happy customers commenting on how long their Birdies have lasted.

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For the quality of materials, I looked at the following for the Birdies Starlings: 

1. Sole stitched or glued – up to 2 points for good quality stitching or a glued sole that has held up well and doesn’t show. – 2 
2. Material of sole – up to 2 points for good quality rubber, leather, or other material – 2
3. Material of outer shoe – up to 2 points for good quality material (considering resistance to scuffing, weather-resistance, durability) – 2
4. Material of inner lining – up to 2 points for odor resistance, soft, durable – 2
5. Material of insole – up to 2 points for good cushioning and odor resistance. – 2

As you can see, the Starlings received perfect scores in all categories when testing the quality of materials. I meant what I said when I mentioned above that these are the highest quality flats I’ve owned.

For resilience, I score based on how well shoes have held up over the years in terms of scuffing, any holes or rips, or permanent stains from general wear via weather or sweating.

This category goes hand in hand with the quality of materials and average product life, so there’s not a ton to say about this section when it comes to The Starlings.

These are highly resilient shoes that still show no signs of scuffing or any missing patches of calf hair material on the outside of the shoe. The insole still looks the same as when I first purchased these shoes, and there’s no discoloring of the inner lining. The soles, although smoother now, have also held up and haven’t diminished much.

For stain resistance, we put the shoes through a “stain” test using mud, grass, ketchup, wine, and coffee–all common things you might accidentally spill or get on your shoes. We do a spot test with each of these elements and then test how easily it washes off and if there’s a stain left behind. We also look at the washability of the shoes and test the brand’s instructions on how to wash them.

Birdies can’t be put into the washing machine, but the materials are good quality and can be spot-cleaned. Depending on the material, they often require special care (see https://birdies.com/blogs/explore/how-to-care-for-shoes for details on how to clean them), but that’s expected for shoes made of leather, suede, velvet, and other premium materials.

Still, while it may not be Birdies’ fault that they avoid synthetics and use many premium, natural materials that might be more porous and not resistant to stains, that does mean they grade a little worse here.

When I bought my Calf Hair Starlings in 2021, they cost $140. After three years, they’ve gone up by $10 to $150, which isn’t bad considering inflation.

Looking at The Starlings compared to competitors, there’s a mix of prices. Probably the best competitor in terms of value vs. what you get is VIVAIA’s Samantha Classic Loafers, which are under $100, but still provide a stylish look and some support. However, the materials are very different, so it’s not a completely equal comparison.

Overall, I feel like The Starling’s price is fair when looking at competitors’ pricing and the higher-quality materials you’ll get with Birides, as well as how long their shoes last. They also offer better support than any of the competitors I found.

These shoes are still priced high for a pair of flats, which is why I docked a point. I’m not into designer-level products, and I’m personally okay with slightly lower-quality materials (especially if they’re sustainable) if it’s a better price point.

Birdies Competitors

Birdies is a Certified B Corporation and claims to also want to protect the environment, but I haven’t found any specific information. Usually, when there are details, companies will publicize them heavily because they want people to know about them. Here, there’s only a mention of participating in the Soles4Souls program but Birdies’ silence otherwise indicates that sustainability is likely not a large focus.

That said, the Starling slippers and many of Birdies’ other shoes are made of natural materials like raffia or leather. This means they last a long time and break down better compared to plastic-based shoes or fast-fashion options that add to landfills.

Birdies shoes are made in China. Beyond that, there’s not much information available on Birdies’ labor practices. Again, we rely on companies to be transparent and promote any practices that are above expectations.

Here, our score reflects that Birdies has been graded decently in this category as a B Corporation but otherwise hasn’t provided any additional information.

Birdies is part of Soles4Soles, Project Glimmer, and Step Up, and promotes other charitable and equitable causes as well. As a woman-founded and owned business that caters to women’s needs and focuses on community, Birdies receives high marks for building a healthy brand with a good reputation online.

They also have pretty unanimously glowing reviews from countless customers on forums like Reddit and Facebook groups and not many complaints about their products.

Where they lose points is in their customer service. I had a good experience with their customer service when I had to return my original Birdies to get a new pair that was in a larger size. It was quick and easy, and I had no issues, but that was back in 2021. I’ve heard from other customers that the customer service has gone down since then, and that communication is hit or miss.

FAQs About Birdies

How Long Do Birdies Take to Break In?

My Starling flats took a couple of weeks to break in before I could wear them for longer periods.

Where are Birdies Made? Are Birdies Shoes Made in China?

Birdies are designed in California and manufactured in China.

Where Can I Buy Birdies?

Birdies are mostly sold online on their website. However, they have one physical store in San Francisco, at 1934 Union Street.

Birdies Are So Expensive, Do They Ever Offer Discounts?

Depending on the year, Birdies sometimes offers seasonal discounts for all customers. However, these are few and far between. If you go to their website, you can get 10% off your first order if you click the “Get 10% Off” button on the left-hand side of any page.

If you refer a friend and they purchase their first pair of Birdies, they’ll get $30 off their order, and you’ll get $30 off your next order. Also, the Birdies website has a sales page with current styles at a discount, which you can find here.

You can find out more about current Birdies coupons and discounts here.

What is Birdies’ Return and Exchange Policy?

Birdies has an easy and quick return and exchange policy, especially if you live in the US. You can exchange your Birdies within 30 days of purchase, no questions asked, even if you’ve worn them outside.

To initiate an exchange, you must go here and insert your order number. Then, you can drop the item off at your local FedEx or USPS within 14 days of requesting a return or exchange.

Unfortunately, Birdies doesn’t offer free returns or exchanges for customers based outside the US.

Are Birdies Waterproof?

No Birdies are completely waterproof. Right now, there’s only one water-resistant style: the Falcon Booties. For water-resistant flats, I’d recommend checking out VIVAIA’s new line of water-repellent flats.

Why Are They Called Birdies?

All of the different styles of Birdies are named after birds, so it makes sense that the founders named their shoes “Birdies.” Why they went with the bird theme is anyone’s guess, but I’m down for it.

What is the Difference Between Rothy’s and Birdies?

Although both are trendy shoe brands right now, and they have some overlap in terms of product lines, Rothy’s and Birdies make very different shoes.

Most notably, Rothy’s is known for its environmentally-friendly flats made from plastic bottles, while Birdies is more known for its luxury comfort slipper flats.

Personally, I find Birdies to be more comfortable and well-made. My full review of both brands is in my guide to Birdies vs. Rothy’s.

Should I Size Up for Birdies?

From my experience, The Starlings run a little big, so I’d recommend ordering a half-size down if you have normal to narrow-width feet.

Does Meghan Markle Wear Birdies?

Yes, Meghan Markle has been spotted wearing The Starling and The Blackbird shoes over the years, which has only helped the brand’s popularity.

Is Birdies Legit?

Yes! Birdies is a legit brand that was started in San Francisco in 2015 and is currently one of the most popular shoe brands for women.

The Starling Compared With Other Birdies Styles

Conclusion: So, Are Birdies Shoes Worth the Price?

Yes! As you can probably tell from this Birdies Starling review, I’ve overall been very happy with my Birdies for the past three years.

I love that they provide more comfort and support than most flats and that they’re a unique style (both in design and pattern) for my wardrobe. I also appreciate the high-quality, luxe-feeling materials and durability of the shoes (3 years of wear and still going strong!).

My main issues with Birdies have been the back heel digging uncomfortably sometimes—which has been remedied with stick-on back heel cushions I bought from Amazon—and the lack of breathability and stiffness of the upper.

Overall, Birdies scored 8.04 out of 10 from our data-based tests and qualitative experiences, which, when rounded up, is an A score and one of the best scoring flats out of the many we’ve tested so far.

Although expensive for a pair of flats, from what I’ve gotten out of them so far, I’d definitely say they’re worth that price and then some.

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