5 Rothy’s Alternatives: Best Comfortable Shoes Like Rothy’s

Like a lot of people, I first found Rothy’s through Instagram. The ads kept showing up, and after seeing them enough times, I finally bought my first pair back in March 2021. Since then, I’ve worn their flats all over the Bay Area and added a second style to my closet.

Rothy’s are a great shoe, but they aren’t perfect, and they aren’t cheap. The price alone sends a lot of people looking for something similar but more affordable, and even as someone who likes mine, I’ll be the first to point out the downsides. They take some breaking in, they stain easily, and they aren’t the best pick if you have wide feet or need more cushioning or arch support.

So whether it’s the cost or one of those drawbacks that brought you here, the good news is that there are some great knit flats out there that capture what makes Rothy’s so popular, often for a lot less.

I’ve tested a lot of flats over the years for travel, searching for that same mix of comfort, style, and sustainability, and these are my picks for the best Rothy’s alternatives right now.

Disclosure: VIVAIA gifted me the Aria 5°, Nelly, and Margot flats I recommend in this article, but as always, all opinions are my own.

Short on time? Here’s a quick look at my recommendations

1. VIVAIA Aria 5° – Most Cushioned Alternative With a Roomier Toe Box
2. Frank Mully Women’s Ballet Flat Shoes – Best Rothy’s Lookalike Dupe
3. Kelly & Katie Tajah Mary Jane Flat – Best Mary Jane Alternative
4. Old Navy Soft-Knit Pointed Toe Ballet Flats – Best Budget Alternative
5. Journee Maryann – Best Alternative For Wide Feet
6. Cushionaire Sils Knit Cork Footbed Clog – Best Clog Alternative

Why Look for a Rothy’s Alternative?

For the record, I’m a fan of my Rothy’s. I own two pairs (The Daily Flat and The Point II), I’ve worn them a lot, they’re stylish, and the knit is breathable in a way leather flats never are. Being able to throw them in the wash and knowing they’re made sustainably are nice bonuses too.

But they aren’t the right flats for everyone, and a few things tend to push people toward something else, including the following:

• The price – This is the biggest con. Rothy’s are pricey for a knit flat, and not everyone wants to spend that much, especially when there are close dupes for much cheaper.
• The break-in – Mine weren’t comfortable right out of the box, and I got terrible blisters the first few times I wore them. It took some wear before they softened up and stopped rubbing at my heel.
• They stain easily – The knit stains very easily and it’s hard to get those stains out, even though they’re washable.
• Not much cushioning – Rothy’s sit low to the ground, and the insole is on the thin side. The newer insole design is better than it used to be, but if you want flats with more cushioning or arch support, there are better options on this list.
• The narrow fit – Rothy’s run narrow, and the insole isn’t wide, so your feet can feel like they’re hanging off the sides of the insole if you have wider feet.

Whichever of these is your dealbreaker, there’s a pick below that handles it better.

–> Read my detailed Rothy’s review here

#1 VIVAIA Aria 5°

Most Cushioned Rothy’s Alternative With a Roomier Toe Box

If your main gripe with Rothy’s is how little padding there is, the VIVAIA Aria 5° fixes that. It’s the closest match to Rothy’s I’ve found, another knit flat made from recycled plastic bottles, but with noticeably more cushioning. I’ve worn my pointed-toe Aria’s since early 2024, and they’re one of my favorite alternatives to Rothy’s because of how comfortable they are.

Rothy’s run narrow, but the Aria has a wider toe box with some stretch to the knit, so there’s room for your toes to spread out. I have a bunion and mine sit comfortably over it. They also have mild arch support, more than Rothy’s, though if you need structured support you’ll still want to switch in an orthopedic insole.

The honest trade-off is that the Aria looks a little bulkier than my Rothy’s. It’s a wider shoe overall, so it doesn’t hug your toes the same sleek way Rothy’s does. Your toes get more room, but you lose a bit of that streamlined look.

VIVAIA makes other styles that work as Rothy’s dupes too. I also have the Nelly Almond-Toe and Margot Square-Toe Mary Janes, both of which are comfortable out of the box. VIVAIA has a lot of styles to choose from, so there’s a VIVAIA flat to match whichever Rothy’s style you want to replicate.

–> Read my VIVAIA shoes review

#2 Frank Mully Women’s Ballet Flats

Best Rothy’s Lookalike Dupe

For the Rothy’s look without the Rothy’s price, Frank Mully ballet flats are the best option. The round-toe knit slip-on is the spitting image of Rothy’s The Flat, down to the soft fabric upper and the elasticized opening, but it costs a small fraction of what you’d pay for the real thing.

They’re comfortable out of the box with a similar cushioned insole to Rothy’s, no break-in needed, and they run true to size. The color selection is where they really compete since there are dozens of shades and patterns, so it’s easy to find one close to whatever Rothy’s color you had your eye on.

The honest catch is that Frank Mully isn’t a sustainable pick. Rothy’s are knit from recycled plastic bottles, and a lot of people buy them for that reason. So if eco-friendly materials are why you wanted Rothy’s in the first place, the VIVAIA pick above is the better match. But if you just want the look and feel for less, these are a good dupe.

#3 Kelly & Katie Tajah Mary Jane Flat

Best Rothy’s Mary Jane Alternative

Rothy’s makes a Mary Jane, but it comes at the same high cost as the rest of their line. The Kelly & Katie Tajah gives you that same knit Mary Jane look for a lot less. It has soft knit material like Rothy’s, a round toe, and an adjustable buckle strap across the top that keeps your foot secure and adds a little something to a plain flat.

The footbed is cushioned, so there’s more padding than you get from Rothy’s, and the knit has enough give to be comfortable from the start. It comes in classic colors like black and brown, plus a few printed options if you want something with more personality.

One nice bonus is that the Tajah comes in a wide width, which Rothy’s doesn’t really offer. So if the narrow Rothy’s fit was part of why you’re here, this is a Mary Jane that can actually accommodate a wider foot. For a budget knit Mary Jane that covers the strap-style look without the Rothy’s price, this is a great option.

#4 Old Navy Soft-Knit Pointed Toe Ballet Flats

Best Budget Rothy’s Alternative

For the lowest price on this list, the Old Navy Soft-Knit Ballet Flats get you a knit pointed-toe flat that nods to Rothy’s The Point without the sting at checkout. The soft-knit upper and pointed toe give them a similar look, and they come in a handful of colors so you can find a neutral or something brighter.

They have a quilted footbed for a little cushioning, run true to size, and the fabric wipes clean easily. There’s even a small sustainability angle, since they’re made with about 50% recycled knit, which is part of why people like Rothy’s in the first place.

At this price you are giving something up. The materials aren’t as durable as Rothy’s, and they won’t last as many years. But for a cheap knit flat to wear casually, keep in a few colors, or test the pointed-toe look before committing to a pricier pair, they’re a lot of shoe for the money.

If you need a wider width, the Journee Maryann is a good alternative in the same budget range as Old Navy. It’s a knit round-toe flat with a heel tab and a cushioned footbed and comes in wide widths.

#5 Cushionaire Sils Knit Cork Footbed Clog

Best Rothy’s Clog Alternative

If you came here for an alternative to Rothy’s Casual Clog rather than their flats, this one’s for you. Rothy’s makes a knit slip-on clog with an open back and a cushioned footbed, and it’s become one of their more popular styles. The closest budget version I’ve found is the Cushionaire Sils.

The Sils has the same general idea: a soft knit upper on a slip-on clog, but with a cork footbed instead, which gives you contoured support. It comes in earthy neutrals like brown, black, and khaki that match the casual, cozy look of the Rothy’s version, and it’s offered in a wide width too. All of that for a small fraction of what the Rothy’s clog costs.

Two main differences to know. The Sils isn’t knit from recycled bottles, so it doesn’t have the sustainability angle Rothy’s does, and the cork footbed means it’s not machine washable the way Rothy’s knit clog is. But if you want the look and the slip-on comfort without the price, it’s a solid stand-in.

Final Thoughts on the Best Rothy’s Alternatives

Rothy’s earned their popularity for a reason, but they’re far from the only knit flat worth owning anymore. The ones I’ve pulled together here prove you can get that same easy, throw-them-on-with-anything feel without the premium price, whether your hold-up was the cost, the fit, or just wanting a little more cushioning.

What you end up choosing really comes down to why Rothy’s didn’t work for you. There’s a pick here for the person who wants the closest possible dupe, one for wider feet, one for a tighter budget, and one for anyone who just wants something more comfort out of the box. Any of them will scratch the Rothy’s itch for less.

And to be clear, I’m not steering you away from Rothy’s. I still wear mine, and I’d buy them again. This is just for anyone who loves the idea of a knit flat but wants options, because these days, there are plenty of good ones.

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