We Tried 8 of Rothy’s Most Popular Men’s Shoes—Here’s What the Guys Really Thought

• Quality: 20/20
• Comfort: 19/20
• Fit: 19/20
• Aesthetic: 20/20
• Value: 19/20

Total: 97/100

Comfort & Performance

“Normally I wear a size 8 and these shoes fit true to size. My top priority when shopping for shoes is primarily comfort but also style.

[Initially, the shoes] did feel a bit too narrowtoward the front and needed to be broken in. After wearing them for a few days, these shoes fit perfectly and are super comfortable.Often, I find that loafers tend to wear easily and stretch out, making for an uncomfortable fit, but these shoes are consistent and reliable. The sturdy outsoles and pillow-like insoles make it feel like you're almost walking around without shoes. I’ve had so many pairs leave me with blisters but haven't experienced any discomfort at all with these.

In terms of durability, these shoes hold up great. The quality of the material is very nice, and the soles still look as if the shoes are brand new—no creasing or visible wear.”

Aesthetic

“The Ravello Tassel Loafers have been a constant point of discussion both in the office and out at dinner. They are easy to dress up or down—the tassel embellishment adds a unique element, while remaining versatile for a more casual night out. People can’t believe me when I tell them they are made out of recycled plastic bottles.”

Value

“If you’re looking for a shoe that’s stylish and versatile with many different outfits, these are the ones. It’s not often that you find a shoe that checks every box you’re looking for: fashionable, durable and, most importantly, comfortable. They will hold up after a busy day in the city; you won’t have blisters like most other loafers after a full dayand you’ll receive plenty of compliments and questions about them along the way.” - Anthony Tomaselli, tester

Fast Facts

• Size range: US 7 to 16
• Colors: 2

• Quality: 19/20
• Comfort: 19/20
• Fit: 20/20
• Aesthetic: 20/20
• Value: 18/20

Total: 96/100

Comfort & Performance

“I’m a 47-year-old guy who normally wears a size 11.5. My Rothy’s are totally true to size. When I shoe shop, I’m searching for options with classic good looks that are comfortable enough that I can put some miles on them. And I’m somewhat value-obsessed so they’ve got to offer quality for the money!

[The loafers] definitely don’t seem to need a break-in period. I thought they felt good right out of the box. The removable insole provides a really nice cushion. I can wear them all day if I wear them with socks. These shoes are too soft to cause blisters, [provided your feet aren’t sliding around]. So far, no scuffs or stains. No reason to think these shoes wouldn’t last a long time, especially since for me they’re more of an occasion shoe than a daily driver.”

Aesthetic

“These are shoes that make me feel like a person who is putting just the right amount of effort into dressing well. I like these have got me thinking about warm weather, having dinner at a nice outdoor restaurant, perhaps even being on a boat. I could wear these with just about anything I wear in the summer when I’m looking to dress up a bit above the everyday. I really like the little pop of blue atop the collar of the shoe, and the caramel-colored marbling effect on the outsole.”

Value

“The price feels about right. I wouldn’t call them a steal at $189 but, assuming they’re going to keep looking and feeling good for as long as I think they will, I’d say they’re worth the money.”

Fast Facts

• Size range: US 7 to 16
• Colors: 4

• Quality: 19/20
• Comfort: 17/20
• Fit: 20/20
• Aesthetic: 19/20
• Value: 18/20

Total: 95/100

Comfort & Performance

“I typically wear loafers or other business casual shoes during the week when commuting to the office and opt for more comfortable sneakers on the weekends. Over the last few years, I have started to gravitate more towards business casual-approved sneakers like Reeboks or On Rogers as they are far more comfortable than leather dress shoes [and don’t require the typical, painful break-in period]. The Rothys are a bit of an exception to this rule though as they were quite comfortable right out of the box. The brand advised that I size up a half size (to 11.5) and I think that was spot on; the fit is great.

The Driving Loafer was surprisingly comfortable right out of the box and they’re quite breathable, keeping my feet cool and dry. However, they are still loafers as opposed to sneakers, so I have experienced some general foot soreness and discomfort after a few long days of walking around the city.

After several outings with varied levels of standing/walking, the shoes look as clean and fresh as they did coming out of the box. The breathable materials have effectively fought against any odors to this point, after several wears with and without socks. I have not yet noticed any scuffing or pilling of the material and no noticeable staining or dirtiness.”

Aesthetic

“The Driving Loafer feels like a modern spin on a classic design and has proven capable of being dressed up or styled in a more casual setting. Rocking a golf shirt, shorts and a no-sock look for an afternoon out with friends on a nice weekend day—no problem! They also look great with a pair of chinos or jeans and a button-up oxford for a nice evening out with my better half.”

Value

“At $189, the price tag can appear steep. However, I do think they're worth the money given that they can easily replace one or two pairs of shoes in your closet due to their versatility. Rothy’s Driving Loafer [is] more affordable than buying both a nice pair of sneakers and an equivalently styled pair of dress loafers (think Cole Haan, Johnston & Murphy, Allen Edmonds), so the versatility and value speak for themselves.” - Brendan Dunlap, tester

Fast Facts

• Size range: US 7 to 16
• Colors: 10

• Quality: 18/20
• Comfort: 18/20
• Fit: 19/20
• Aesthetic: 20/20
• Value: 17/20

Total: 92/100

Comfort & Performance

“Comfort and versatility are super important to me, so I like a shoe that I can wear for a number of hours with a number of different outfits. (Spoiler: This shoe fits that bill.) I normally wear a men’s 8.5 but my feet are wider so I went with the 9 and the shoes fit perfectly.

The Oxfords were super comfy from the get-go. I didn't need to break them in, and I didn't have any blisters or discomfort. They were actually great for walking (more so than a dress shoe, definitely) and I had no problems wearing them for a number of hours.

These still look great after a number of weeks. I went with the night navy colorway so luckily if there are any marks, I can't see them. There is a white trim around the bottom that could potentially scuff, but I haven't had any issues with it yet (and if I do, I'm sure the marks will be easy to remove).”

Aesthetic

“The Oxfords are a great summery shoe that works with a number of styles. They are cute enough for a more dressed up look (or with cuffed slacks) and casual enough to go with a pair of shorts. I can't wait to wear them all summer. As far as aesthetic, I'm not the most fashionable but I did get several compliments on them from my friends.”

Value

“The price on these is a bit higher than I would normally consider. That said, they are great shoes and a pair that I’ll definitely be wearing a lot. As long as you're comfortable with an investment purchase, The Oxford is a great way to go.” - PureWow Vice President of News and Entertainment Philip Mutz

Fast Facts

• Size range: US 7 to 16
• Colors: 4

• Quality: 18/20
• Comfort: 18/20
• Fit: 16/20
• Aesthetic: 20/20
• Value: 18/20

Total: 90/100

Comfort & Aesthetic

“I wouldn’t consider myself the most fashionable when it comes to footwear, but I do enjoy a comfy and cute pair of shoes. I don't usually like anything too flashy, and bonus points if it's a pair that I can wear with a number of different outfits. I do have wider feet, so I tend to wear a men’s 8.5 or 9 even though I would probably otherwise need an 8 if I had narrower feet. I found that the Ravello Slip-Ons were fairly tight in an 8.5, so I likely need a 9.

These are pretty comfy sneakers. I don't think they’re meant for walking around all day (I am a New Yorker who does a lot of walking), but they were great for a casual evening out where I wore them for several hours. I didn't have any blisters, but again, they are on the tighter side so I recommend a very thin no-show sock. Just don't go barefoot to avoid socks showing as they don't breathe enough and would definitely leave you with a sweaty foot.

The shoes still look great weeks later. Obviously, I took a risk by ordering them in the Whitecap colorway. As a result, they did get a few marks on them. However, they were very easy to clean using a wet wipe.”

Aesthetic

“I love white shoes, and these in particular are adorable. I can’t wait to wear them all summer. I think they work with a number of outfits and for a number of occasions. One note: they are cut very low, so I needed to wear the lowest of no-show socks. As in, you'll need a pair of barely-there socks.”

Value

“These are 100 percent worth the money. Being so versatile and cute, they are the perfect summer shoe to wear for a casual or chic occasion. As long as you don't mind cleaning the occasional scuff (or choosing the non-white version), you’ll love these.” - PureWow Vice President of News and Entertainment Philip Mutz

Fast Facts

• Size range: US 7 to 16
• Colors: 5

• Quality: 19/20
• Comfort: 16/20
• Fit: 16/20
• Aesthetic: 19/20
• Value: 15/20

Total: 85/100

Comfort & Performance

“I am a 5’3” nonbinary person who typically wears an 8.5 in women’s sizes and a 7 in men’s sizes. I have wide feet, higher arches and bunions on both feet—my left bunion being bigger. I also tend to walk with my feet outward. For me, Rothy’s ran a bit tight and narrow compared to other shoes that I typically wear like Nike and Dr. Marten’s.

This pair of the RS01 Sneakers does require breaking in. I can walk around in them most of the day, but I find that after about an hour or so in, my bunions start to ache. The shoes do have excellent arch support and are incredibly stretchy and malleable, so I think if I were to size up by half or even a full size, I could see these being very comfortable throughout the whole day.

The shoes have held their shape while molding a bit to my own feet. It might just be because I opted for a white pair, but they do stain easily. There wasn’t a ton of staining, but noticeable enough where I needed to do a spot clean. I used a paper towel and some Dawn dish soap and it helped to mute the discoloration for a quick fix.”

Aesthetic

“I got lots of compliments on my Rothy’s; people said that I looked very dapper and trendy which I loved. The narrow look is really sleek and feels very high brow. Because of their neutral color, they were very easy to style.”

Value

“I think that the RS01 Sneakers are a tad bit pricey. At $179, I want these sneakers to be absolutely perfect. Because of the fact that they are harder to wear with bunions and don’t seem to be entirely universal, I’d likely put them in the $130 to $150 range. It is a SOLID shoe though and I do enjoy wearing my pair out.” - PureWow Assistant Editor Delia Curtis

Fast Facts

• Size range: US 7 to 16
• Colors: 8

• Quality: 17/20
• Comfort: 16/20
• Fit: 16/20
• Aesthetic: 15/20
• Value: 16/20

Total: 80/100

Comfort & Performance

“I normally wear a size 10 to 10.5 and I have slightly wide feet. I did feel [the shoes] fit true-to-size, wearing comfortably from day one.

The shoes were on the high end of comfort for fashion-oriented sneakers. I didn’t have any break in period, and they felt well conformed to my feet and sole. I could walk around in them all day with relative comfort, especially compared to similar flat sneakers.

Since these are white shoes, they got scuffed almost right away and started to look noticeably dirtier. I will personally only wear these shoes out in situations where I know I can protect their longevity, and keep them away from weather or situations where they might get stepped on a lot.” (Editor’s note: There were some concerns about the knit design’s durability. As someone who has had the same pair of Rothy’s sneakers for five years, I can attest that while the shoes stain easily, the knit is as durable as they come, even after multiple turns in the washing machine.)

Aesthetic

“The shoes are very stylish, [but] one thing I would change [is] when I wear pants with a regular leg length (i.e. not short or rolled up), the accent blue in the design is almost completely covered and only white remains. Other white shoes such as Killshots and Stan Smiths have accents that are more visible lower on the shoe that are instantly recognizable. While this is a personal preference, I like having that shot of color so that the shoes don’t just look like white blobs.”

Value

“I think at the retail price of $140 these shoes, they offer borderline value as there are similar shoes in the comfortable but fashionable sneaker market that can be had for less. However, [at the sale price], I think they are in line with competitors and much more worth considering.” - Nathan Szeto, tester

Fast Facts

• Size range: US 7 t o13
• Colors: 2

• Quality: 17/20
• Comfort: 12/20
• Fit: 15/20
• Aesthetic: 16/20
• Value: 12/20

Total: 72/100

Comfort & Performance

“I wear size 14 typically, and sometimes 13 extra wide. When shoe shopping, I look for barefoot shoes with a low profile and minimal padding. These shoes often have a wide toe box that conforms naturally to the foot (especially since I have wide feet.) It's very difficult to find shoes in my size, especially ones that are stylish. Rothy’s clogs fit relatively well, albeit this fit hinged on whether I was wearing socks or not, as well as the thickness of the socks. The shoe was too loose when I wore no socks; wearing athletic socks, the fit was perfect; wearing wool socks, the shoes were too tight.

The clogs were extremely comfortable on the inside. There was no need to break them in. However, I had difficulties walking in them. The elevated sole meant that the heel of the shoe often dragged when I walked. Sometimes, the shoe would wiggle and even fall off if I took a step with great impact; there was no way to adjust how tight the clogs were on my foot, so they could not fit snugly unless I wore perfectly sized socks.

Due to the material of the shoe (merino wool) they were able to be stained quite easily. I noticed some blemishes and scuff marks, but I assume these can be washed out since it’s merino wool.” Editor’s note: These shoes are machine washable, air dry.)”

Aesthetic

“I love the look of these shoes and the color. That subtle tan color works perfectly for pastels and linens. I think the elevated sole looks a bit weird, and I know Birkenstocks has a similar shoe that has a lower profile. I think the lower profile would help not only with the comfort of the shoe, but also the appearance. Too high of a profile can look strange on sandal-like shoes.”

Value

“These shoes are almost worth the money if I wore shoes with a higher profile. However, I would add the caveat that people need to know their sizing before buying, lest your shoe falls off. I think for $159 people should be able to adjust the strap.” - Chadwick Macmillan, tester

Fast Facts

• Size range: US 7 to 16
• Colors: 3