9 Rothy’s Alternatives [Shoes Like Rothy’s but Cheaper, More Comfortable, or Just Something Different]

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!

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

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.

#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.

#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.

#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.

#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.

#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.

#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. 

#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.

#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.

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.

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