Rothy's vs. Allbirds — we tested both flats to determine which is the better value
If you're stuck between Rothy's and Allbirds' Tree Breezers, we've compared each style by cost, comfort, size, and fit to help you choose.
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Of all the types of shoes in my closet, the ones I could most easily see myself writing a lengthy love letter to are my flats. A couple contenders for the top spot among the best flats I've tested from the last few years include and Rothy's and Allbirds.
Rothy's has been making women's flats for about seven years now, and for a while, was arguably the startup to find stylish and comfortable knit flats. We tried out several of their newest styles for our Rothy's flats review, and they still live up to that distinction.
However, in May 2019, a strong challenger by the name of Allbirds entered the ring. When we first put on their Tree Breezers, we immediately began drawing comparisons with Rothy's. After regular wear, we convened for an official Allbirds Tree Breezer flats review and agreed that their version is truly comfortable and durable.
If you're stuck between Rothy's and Allbirds, we've broken them down by a few factors so you can determine which one is best for your use and budget. Our team really likes both, so we can't give a conclusive answer on which is better — it all comes down to your own personal preferences. But there are still some key differences we've noted after spending time with each pair.
Rothy's
Rothy's and Allbirds have a lot in common. Both startups were founded in 2015 in the San Francisco Bay Area. They quickly became popular among metropolitan demographics for their practical and sustainable approach to footwear, which earned them even more funding to secure their current success. Each brand has found an audience in East Coast cities like New York, where the culture of walking makes the search for cute and comfortable flats even more dire.
Rothy's is best known for its flats, but they also sell loafers, sneakers, and bags. These are also impressively made from recycled plastic water bottles. Allbirds mainly specializes in sneakers, of which our team has tested several for our Allbirds review. The Tree Breezers were a brand-new foray into non-sneaker styles for the brand.
Rothy's; Allbirds
Rothy's makes several different kinds of flats, including rounded toe flats ($129) and pointed toe flats ($149), letting you decide between a versatile, everyday flat or something better suited to polished occasions.
Rothy's recently improved on the original Point to The Point II ($155), which has more cushioning around the insole and an elongated toe box. Learn more about the upgrade in our Rothy's flats review.
They offer more colors and prints than Allbirds, as well as trendier silhouettes and embellishments as seen on the The Knot or The Mary Jane. An easy way to identify Rothy's flats is the blue stripe at the heel of the shoe and the knit fabric. Their flats have an angular, V-style opening, which can help your feet look longer or more slender.
Allbirds makes two flat styles, the Tree Breezer ($100), available in 15 colors, and the Wool Breezer ($89), available in three colors. They have a rounded toe and rounded opening, with a mesh knit fabric that's more noticeable than Rothy's. The "collar" of the opening is also more obvious and is made from a ribbed knit, so it hugs your foot more closely.
Rothy's/Instagram
Rothy's materials:
- Uppers: 3D-knitted fabric made from recycled plastic water bottles
- Insoles: Recycled plastic water bottles and recyclable foam
- Outsoles: Recycled, carbon-free rubber
Allbirds materials:
- Uppers: Knit fabric made from sustainably harvested eucalyptus pulp
- Insoles: Merino wool and castor bean oil
- Outsoles: "SweetFoam" made from Brazilian sugarcane
Conveniently, both flats are machine-washable (but take the insoles out first), making it easy to keep them in top shape. Allbirds offers insole replacements ($15) if your Tree Breezers get too worn out.
Allbirds
Rothy's fit true to size, but if you have wide feet or fear toe crowding in the pointed flat style, you should go up half a size. Pairs featuring the new "In Love" insole have a roomier toe box, and so are better suited for wide feet than the originals.
They mold to your foot and are breathable, with slight give so you can still wiggle your toes around in them. They're great for summertime wear since they stay slick and dry. I've been wearing and washing mine for nearly a year and they don't stretch out.
Allbirds recommends going up half a size for its flats, which tend toward a more snug feel. The cushioned insoles are supportive, and the overall feel of the flat is softer and thicker than Rothy's. If you plan on being very active, you might like Allbirds' flats more because of the aforementioned collar that grasps onto your foot.
Both companies' flats are light, really comfortable, and made for all-day wear — we wouldn't be writing about them if they weren't. Thanks to their unique designs, however, they do feel comfortable in different ways. You can get both Rothy's and Allbirds in half sizes (a first for Allbirds).
Rothy's
Rothy's rounded toe flats retail for $129, while some of their newest styles are priced up to $165.
Allbirds flats are $100, with some final sale colors marked down to $75.
Both brands ship for free. If you don't want to spend over $100, Allbirds are the obvious choice, but the seasonal colors sell out more quickly and they only come in a rounded-toe silhouette. Still, if you miss out on your favorite limited edition colorway, you might find it in near-mint condition via Allbirds' resale program, ReRun.
If you're willing to spend $30 to $55 more for Rothy's, you're afforded more style options like ballet flats, Mary Janes, and colorful prints. They're also likely to ship faster than Allbirds.
Allbirds
We love both Rothy's and Allbirds flats and wear them often. If you're already familiar with the feel of Allbirds sneakers and like them, you should go with the Allbirds Tree Breezers. They're soft and cushioned with an almost sock-like feel, and they're more affordable. However, if you want vibrant colors and trendy silhouettes, any of Rothy's flats (especially those with the newly upgraded In Love insoles) are worth the splurge.