Why Everyone’s Obsessed With Rothy’s Shoes

Stylish, sustainable shoes you can throw in the wash? It's why we fell in love with Rothy's. Of course, this shoe brand also stands on its own two feet when it comes to gorgeous styles. Ahead, we break down the comfort, style, and eco-friendly ethos of this shoe brand that's changed the footwear industry.

What Is Rothy's?

Rothy’s is a current fave for cool, casual-preppy footwear—with the added bonus of being eco-friendly. It’s not every day you find sustainable shoes that feel this luxe, and we love that the brand lets us indulge our fashion cravings without the guilt of contributing to waste.

Launched in San Francisco over a decade ago, Rothy’s made its mark as a direct-to-consumer brand known for stylish shoes and accessories crafted from recycled materials. In fact, the brand has transformed over 170 million plastic bottles into the signature thread used in its products. And that’s just the beginning, Rothy’s also recycles thousands of worn shoes each year through its take-back program, helping to close the loop on waste.

While Rothy’s originally focused on women’s shoes (like their cult-favorite flats and sneakers), the brand has since expanded its lineup to include men’s and kids’ styles, plus a growing range of sustainable handbags and accessories.

What They Sell: More Than Just Shoes

Rothy’s first caught our eye with their iconic almond-toe flats and slip-on sneakers—but their collection has moved far beyond basic footwear. Today, Rothy’s offers a wide range of wardrobe staples that blend their signature comfort, durability, and sustainability.

In true Rothy’s fashion, every item is thoughtfully designed and made from recycled materials like plastic water bottles and ocean-bound marine plastic. Did we mention most of them are machine washable?

Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll find in the Rothy’s lineup:

• Flats:
  From classic ballet styles to pointed and square-toe options, all designed for comfort and all-day wear
• Sneakers:
  Slip-on and lace-up styles that feel sporty but elevated enough to wear anywhere.
• Loafers & Drivers:
  Sophisticated silhouettes with that signature Rothy’s flexibility and softness.
• Heels:
  Chunky or block heel options that deliver height without sacrificing comfort.
• Clogs:
  An easy, on-trend option for casual looks that still feel put-together.
• Handbags:
  Think roomy totes, sleek crossbodies, and convertible styles made from sturdy, knit-recycled materials that look and feel luxe.
• Wallets & Accessories:
  Small leather goods, card cases, and clutches with the same polished look as high-end designer pieces—minus the environmental cost.
• Men’s & Kids’ Shoes:
  A growing collection of everyday styles for the whole family, made with the same attention to detail and sustainable materials.

Whether you’re looking for a comfortable work flat, a sleek carryall, or a casual sneaker that can keep up with your weekend plans, Rothy’s delivers function, fashion, and feel-good eco-friendliness in one neat (and washable) package.

Bestsellers & Notable Collections: Rothy’s Top Picks

Rothy’s is synonymous with incredible flats. While we love their platform and heeled looks in the collection, it's the almond-toe loafers and flats, adorable square-toe Mary Janes, and bow-embellished point-toe flats that we can't resist.

Most Iconic Rothy's Shoes

The most recognizable and iconic Rothy's design is probably the Almond Slingback. These dressy flats are available in a medley of colors and combos, this machine-washable style offers pillow-like comfort in a structured, office-ready design. The Max Square is another bestselling shoe that we love for how it elaborates on the classic ballet flat with a square toe.

Most Comfortable and Practical Top Sellers

As a top brand for comfortable shoes, it’s hard to narrow the winner down to one style, but Rothy's hit magic with its iconic loafers. The chic Double Bit Driver loafer delivers slipper-level comfort in an office-ready package. It's made of a soft, flexible upper, cushy insoles, and gum outsoles for extra grip. We also have to bring up the Casual Clog made with a specialized comfort footbed. This stylish, high-end shoe has merino wool and hemp in a wide range of color neutral-adjacent combinations.

Rothy's Celebrities Love

To shop the Rothy's collection strictly on the celebrity buzz, go straight to Rothy’s The Point Flat shoe. Reese Witherspoon, Meghan Markle, Jodie Turner, Natalie Portman, and many more have donned this sleek and iconic shoe. For sneaker girls, follow in the footsteps of Olivia Munn and Jenna Dewan to snag Rothy’s The Sneaker. 

Rothy’s Innovation: Pioneering Sustainable Fashion

Rothy’s isn’t just talking the sustainability talk—they’re walking it, too. The company manufactures every Rothy's product in a true zero-waste and LEED Gold-certified factory with the strictest of standards. So far, Rothy's has kept more than 700,000 pounds of marine plastic out of the world's oceans. In fact, the complete Rothy's bag collection comes from marine plastic that the company collects within 30 miles of coastlines. 

Here's a peek at how this footwear brand stays true to its eco-friendly roots:

• Recycled Plastic Bottles: Each pair of Rothy’s shoes is made using an average of 6 recycled plastic bottles, contributing to over 170 million bottles repurposed to date.
• 3D Knitting Technology: Rothy’s uses a seamless 3D knitting process to create durable, flexible uppers with minimal waste—resulting in lightweight, ultra-comfortable shoes.
• Washable & Recyclable: All Rothy’s shoes and bags are machine washable, and worn-out items can be returned through the Rothy’s Recycling Program to help reduce landfill waste.
• Bio-Based Materials: Rothy’s incorporates algae-based foam in select insoles and uses natural hemp fibers, supporting innovation with renewable resources.
• Sustainable Sourcing: The brand uses RWS-certified merino wool to ensure responsible animal welfare and land use. Even the packaging is made from recycled materials, saving over 3 million pounds of cardboard.
• Eco-Conscious Collaborations: Rothy’s partners with artists, designers, and brands to promote sustainability—like the Rothy’s x Evian collection, made from 72,000 recycled bottles for the 2021 U.S. Open.

The Rothy’s Story

Rothy’s was founded in 2012 by Stephen Hawthornthwaite and Roth Martin, two longtime friends from San Francisco with very different professional backgrounds. Stephen came from the world of finance, while Roth had a career in art and interior design. Together, they set out to solve a simple but ambitious problem: create stylish, sustainable women’s shoes that were as comfortable as they were eco-conscious.

At the time, the market was flooded with flimsy ballet flats that wore out quickly. The founders envisioned a durable, washable alternative—made entirely from recycled plastic water bottles. It took years of development to perfect their signature knit and manufacturing process. The brand officially launched its first shoe, The Flat, in 2016.

Rothy’s quickly gained a devoted following, reaching 1.4 million customers by 2019. In 2020, the company became a Certified B Corporation, meeting high standards for social and environmental performance. In 2022, Rothy’s hit a major milestone: over 100 million plastic bottles had been repurposed into shoes and accessories. That same year, the brand also introduced bio-based materials like algae-based foam and expanded its closed-loop recycling efforts.

Today, Rothy’s continues to lead the charge in sustainable fashion with thoughtfully designed, machine-washable shoes, bags, and accessories.

The Vibe: What’s Rothy’s Aesthetic?

Rothy’s balances somewhere between eco-conscious design and upscale style. At first glance, you’d never guess their shoes are made from recycled, machine-washable materials—and that’s exactly the point.

The brand leans into a minimalist, modern aesthetic with a polished and understated vibe. Think clean lines and a “quiet luxury” feel that doesn’t scream for attention. Rothy’s favors a versatile color palette grounded in neutrals, but they’re not afraid to explore muted earth tones, olive greens, deep navies, and soft rose hues.

Pricing: How Much Does It Cost to Walk With Rothy's?

Rothy’s footwear typically ranges from $99 to $189, depending on the style. Signature pieces like The Flat and The Point are priced at $129, while The Almond Loafer and The Driver hover closer to $169–$189. While Rothy’s doesn’t run frequent sales, you can occasionally find select styles or colors marked down—popular flats sometimes dip as low as $79 during limited-time promos.

As for accessories, Rothy’s bags, including crossbodies, totes, backpacks, and weekenders, generally cost between $125 and $349, with prices reflecting the brand’s durable, sustainable materials and thoughtful construction.

Pro tip: Snag a deal on your purchase with our Rothy's discount code. And since everything is machine washable, long-lasting, and recyclable, the cost-per-wear easily makes up for the initial price tag.

Similar Brands: Who's in Rothy’s League?

We consider Rothy's untouchable when you factor in style, sustainability, and the fact that you can wash them. 

These brands are the most similar:

• Allbirds:
  Allbirds also serves up comfortable, minimalist flats ranging from sporty to preppy. Like the natural ingredients in Rothy's shoes, Allbirds uses a material called SweetFoam® made from sugarcane for its cushioned soles. Most pairs are around $100. While Allbirds has some cute and polished styles, they're missing those signature toe-box details that make Rothy's shoes so iconic.
• Everlane:
  Consider Everlane the more business-focused older sister of Rothy's. While the minimalist, practical undertones are there, Everlane's footwear collection is truer to classic office-ready department store looks. Pricing ranges from $55 to $75 for flats and basic sneakers to $150 to $175 for dressy footwear. While Everlane's products aren't from recycled bottles, the company does prioritize sustainable practices.
• Vessi:
  This brand's claim to fame is waterproof, comfortable footwear you can wear for rain or shine. Dyma-tex waterproof membranes are breathable and lightweight without chemical coatings. Vessi also gives back by funding clean-water projects. While we're fans of sports shoes, Vessi lacks the high-fashion designs of Rothy's.

Why We Love Rothy’s (And Think You Will Too)

At Rank & Style, Rothy’s has earned a top spot in our wardrobes—and our hearts—for its perfect blend of comfort, quality, and sustainability. What sets the brand apart isn’t just that it makes eco-friendly shoes and accessories. It’s that they feel as good as they look, without sacrificing durability.

Rothy’s designs are incredibly versatile, fitting seamlessly into everyday life whether you're commuting, traveling, or just trying to look pulled together on a busy day. There’s no break-in period, no fussy care instructions, and no guilt about fast fashion. Everything is machine washable, designed to last, and made with a purpose in mind.

We also love that Rothy’s continually updates and reimagines its core styles without chasing trends. That means you can build a wardrobe of timeless staples that reflect your personal style—with materials that reflect your values. Add to that their commitment to innovation, closed-loop recycling, and minimal-waste manufacturing, and it’s clear: Rothy’s is more than just a shoe brand—it’s a movement toward better fashion.

If you’re the type who appreciates classic pieces with modern polish, Rothy’s is likely to become your go-to, too.