Short on time? Our pick for the best Rothy’s alternative is Allbirds Tree Breezers.
If you’re a Rothy’s fan and looking for a similar pair of flats with something else to offer, check out one of these best Rothy’s alternatives!
Rothy’s is a sustainable shoe company known for its signature knit flats made from recycled plastic water bottles. These comfortable shoes are eco-friendly, machine-washable, and very cute.
Still, there are many reasons why you might seek out Rothy’s dupes. Maybe it’s the steep price that has you searching for Rothy’s alternatives, or perhaps you’re looking for other style options or more comfort.
Luckily, there are many comparable knitted flats to suit your individual needs and budget. Read on to find out my top picks for the best alternatives to Rothy’s!
Note: this post contains affiliate links, which help run this site at no extra cost to you so I can keep providing free travel advice and tips.
Here’s a Quick Look at My Recommendations
| Product | Name | Price |
| Allbirds Tree Breezers | Check on Allbirds |
| Vivaia Shoes | Check on Vivaia |
| Birdies Shoes | Check on Birdies |
| Sketchers Cleo | Check on Amazon |
| Vessi Weekend Chelsea | Check on Vessi |
| Geisswein Eco Pointed Ballet Flats | Check on Geisswein |
| Frank Mully Ballet Flats | Check on Amazon |
| Clarks Carly Hope Flats | Check on Amazon |
| Tieks Vegans | Check on Tieks |
Table of Contents
Main Pros and Cons of Rothy’s
Pros
Eco-friendly materials
The knit uppers on Rothy’s shoes use recycled materials to decrease the amount of plastic in our environment. Sustainably-produced shoes are a wise purchase for both you and the environment.
Stylish with a wide range of styles and colors
Rothy’s shoes are very sleek and fashionable.
In addition to their classic pointed-toe flats, they offer several variations on the ballet flat, loafers, lace-up and slip-on sneakers, and utility boots.
Durable and machine-washable
Because their knitted upper uses recycled water bottles to manufacture their thread, the resulting material is soft, durable, and super resilient.
And Rothy’s flats are machine-washable, so you can keep them looking fresh for a long time.
Cons
Expensive
Rothy’s prices range from $125 at the lowest end up to $245 at the high end. Although the quality is high, that’s pretty steep for a pair of flats.
Limited arch support
Rothy’s come with a removable insole, but it isn’t very supportive or cushioned. Also, people with wide feet sometimes feel like the insoles are too narrow.
So, unless you have narrow or regular-width feet and don’t need much arch support, Rothy’s might not be the most comfortable shoes.
Can get smelly and stain easily
Although the lightweight knit is breathable, sometimes Rothy’s can get smelly fast, which is a drag even though they’re washable.
Depending on the color, they can also easily pick up stains–although those usually come out in the wash.
Looking for a more detailed look at Rothy’s shoes? Read our complete Rothy’s review.
Best Alternatives to Rothy’s
#1 Allbirds Tree Breezers
Material: Eucalyptus tree fibers
Star rating: 4.9/5
Allbirds is another leading sustainable shoe brand, so it makes sense to turn to them for shoes that are comparable to Rothy’s.
The Allbirds Tree Breezers is a knitted flat that uses Allbirds’ signature eucalyptus fiber material. It’s breathable, moisture-wicking, odor-minimizing, and machine-washable.
Allbirds use merino wool and foam derived from castor bean oil for their insoles, which provide superior comfort.
The only thing is that the design of the Tree Breezers is more casual, whereas Rothy’s flats are easier to dress up.
Read our detailed Allbirds Tree Breezers review.
PROS
- Odor-reducing
- Comfortable insole
- Sustainable materials
CONS
- Still somewhat pricey
- No pointed-toe design
#2 Vivaia Shoes
Material: Proprietary knit from plastic bottles
Star rating: 4.8/5
Vivaia’s whole collection is an excellent alternative to Rothy’s. They offer a wide range of styles and use recycled plastic bottles to create their knit uppers.
Some Vivaia shoes are washable flats, while others need to be spot-cleaned. In addition to classic flats, they offer pointed-toe flats, a loafer collection, sneakers, slip-ons, and heels.
Vivaia also features an herbal-infused foam insole that repels odor and feels comfortable.
Read our complete Vivaia shoes review.
PROS
- Sustainable materials
- Comfy
- Odor-resistant
CONS
- Not significantly cheaper than Rothy’s
- They don’t offer a ton of support
#3 Birdies Shoes
Material: Raffia
Star rating: 4.6/5
If Rothy’s shoes leave you wanting more, Birdies is another brand that provides a great alternative.
Although they have multiple styles, The Heron is a good option if you’re partial to the Rothy’s loafer.
This shoe uses woven raffia in a chevron pattern, taking inspiration from the shoes that Venetian gondoliers traditionally wear.
Birdies’ insoles have seven layers of cushioning for advanced comfort and support.
Read our detailed Birdies shoes review and our guide to Birdies vs Rothy’s shoes.
PROS
- Super comfortable insole
- Unique design
- Some of their shoes use vegan materials
CONS
- Expensive
- Woven raffia isn’t an exact dupe for knit
#4 Sketchers Cleo
Material: recycled polyester
Star rating: 4.7/5
If you’re hunting for cheaper alternatives to Rothy’s, the Sketchers Cleo Flat has you covered.
The Cleo 2.0 uses recycled polyester in its stretchy knit upper and air-cooled memory foam for a comfy insole that provides added cushion for walking.
There are multiple styles to choose from, including loafers or a ballet flat design with a rounded toe and a scalloped trim. They’re machine-washable and come at a super affordable price.
PROS
- Memory foam insole
- Recycled materials
- Inexpensive
CONS
- Styles are slightly more limited
- No pointed-toe options
#5 Vessi Weekend Chelsea
Material: Dyma-tex knit
Star rating: 4.5/5
If you’re looking for shoes similar to the Rothy’s Chelsea boot, the Vessi Weekend Chelsea is a solid option.
I recently wrote a review of Vessi’s classic sneaker, and although I had qualms with the fabric’s breathability, it’s undeniably waterproof.
Vessi’s Weekend Chelsea and the Rothy’s version are both knit Chelsea boots, but the advantage of Vessi’s is that it’s also completely waterproof.
PROS
- Waterproof
- Comfortable
- Stretchy knit
CONS
- Not super breathable
- Expensive
#6 Geisswein Eco Pointed Ballet Flats
Material: Recycled ocean plastic
Star rating: 4.6/5
Another good Rothy’s dupe is the Geisswein Eco Pointed Flat, which uses recycled ocean plastics to create a knit upper.
These shoes are washable, water-repellent, and come with a second insole that helps you adjust to the perfect fit.
Geisswein flats are simple and versatile and look great worn with jeans or skirts.
PROS
- Sustainable materials
- Water-repellent
- Washable
CONS
- No half-sizes
- Limited color options
#7 Frank Mully Ballet Flats
Material: Stretchy knit textile fabric
Star rating: 4.5/5
Frank Mully Flats are a super affordable Rothy’s dupe. Although they don’t use any recycled materials, they’re very similar aesthetically, with 38 different colors to choose from.
The knit upper is silky smooth and lightweight, and they have a flexible rubber outsole.
PROS
- Inexpensive
- Comfortable
- Lots of colors
CONS
- Not eco-friendly
- Not super supportive
#8 Clarks Carly Hope Flats
Material: Textile knit
Star rating: 4.5/5
Clarks Carly Hope Flats are another cheaper version of Rothy’s. Although they don’t have an eco-friendly edge, they’re affordable, comfortable, and machine-washable–just like Rothy’s.
The heel has a slight rise and a cushioned midsole adds extra comfort.
PROS
- Affordable
- Comfortable
- Washable
CONS
- Limited color options
- Not eco-friendly
#9 Tieks Vegans
Material: Textile knit
Star rating: 4.5/5
Tieks are yet another option for shoes like Rothy’s.
These lightweight and stylish foldable flats come with a custom pouch, so they’re great to carry in your purse on a night out when you’re tired of wearing heels.
While their original shoe is made from leather, Tieks Vegans use a natural textile knit.
Read our detailed Tieks flats review and our guide to Tieks vs Rothy’s flats.
PROS
- Foldable
- Comes with a custom pouch
- Comfortable
CONS
- More expensive than Rothy’s
- Limited colors and patterns
Conclusion: Which is the Best Rothy’s Alternative?
Across the board, the best shoes to serve as an alternative to Rothy’s are the Allbirds Tree Breezers. These flats are cute, extremely comfortable, and supportive.
They come in half sizes and use innovative sustainable materials to create eco-friendly shoes that are breezy, odor-resistant, and washable.
And while they’re still a bit pricey, you’ll save a bit of money compared to Rothy’s–while doing your part to save the environment.
The runner-up brand that’s the best Rothy’s dupe is Vivaia. I’ve tried Vivaia flats firsthand, and I can attest that they’re high-quality, comfortable, and odor-resistant.
Like Rothy’s, they recycle plastic bottles into their knitted uppers, and you’ll get a small price break when you choose Vivaia.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Elina Ansary
Elina Ansary is a writer, visual artist, and avid traveler. She grew up in San Francisco, CA, and spent her childhood camping up and down Northern California. These days, she visits artist residencies around the world and has lived in Amsterdam, Australia, and now Brooklyn, NY.
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1 thought on “9 Rothy’s Alternatives [Shoes Like Rothy’s but Cheaper, More Comfortable, or Just Something Different]”
Hi Mimi,
I was very impressed with your extensive review of Rothy’s shoes! I just discovered them and bought a pair of round-toed flats. They’re very comfortable but they gap on the sides. I have a slender foot but I wear a regular B width in all shoes. I’m sure I’ve purchased the right size for me. I asked a sales person about this issue and she reassured me that the shoes would eventually conform to my feet. This sounded strange to me. I haven’t worn them outside yet. So when I saw your review, I thought that maybe you might have some insight into this issue.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts. Thanks very much.
Best,
Marion Matison