An Honest Review of Rothy’s The Lace Up Sneaker

As I came off the end of one of the most incredible runs across Europe, I knew just how important quality walking shoes were. While I was packing a few of my favorite pairs of sneaks, my feet were in desperate need of support and refreshment. As much as I love my regular runs (and the convenience they usually find), it’s simply uninterrupted for miles and miles of walking every day for 12 straight days, and my poor aching soles and sore ankles prove it.

That’s why I set out to find the perfect travel sneaker—a pair that can be worn as easily with leggings, shorts, and shorts as they do with dresses. When looking for recommendations on social media, I came across Rothy’s The Lace Up Sneaker ($169)—a pretty cool pair, they’re so uplifting. 8.2 one billion opinions on TikTok.

@tweet Putting my new @rothys to the test 🙌🏼 #sport shoes #review #Machine washable #fashion ♬ Monkeys That Are About Monkeys – Kevin MacLeod and Kevin the Monkey

@tweet My trek or white travel sneakers. I have walked at least 1/2 million steps in both pairs. Find both couples in our LTK under “July Tiktoks” 👆🏻#travel #travelfashiontips # White sneakers #rothes ♬ Lots of Happiness – Luxe Inspira

Naturally, I had to give them a whirl. Keep reading to reveal my honest review of the cult-favorite shoes.

It’s all about the Ruthie lace-up sneakers

Ruthie’s is known for its recycled plastic footwear and accessories. While most of the sustainable brand’s footwear offerings are for flats, they’ve recently delved into sandals and sneakers. Rothy’s Lace Up sneakers, in particular, feature soft, flexible uppers, a contoured footbed, padded ankles, a durable, gum-support outsole, and custom laces for the perfect fit. Sold in six colors in women’s sizes 5-13.

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The big bonus of these simplistic hacks? It is machine washable. Simply remove the footbed, tie the laces, and toss it in a cold wash on the delicate cycle. From there, let them air dry. very easy.

Are Rothie’s lace-up shoes worth it?

Sure, $169 for a pair of simple knit sneakers sounds like a splurge but from the moment I slipped into Rothy’s Lace Up Sneakers, I immediately understood why they were worth the investment.

For starters, they are very easy to put on and off (a big plus when going through TSA). Even after tying the laces very tightly, I was able to remove them with ease.

Once my feet settled into the shoes, I was amazed at how soft and supple they were. Really, these sneakers are so lightweight and cloud-like that I was tempted to wear them without socks, but the slightly textured knit, while very comfortable and breathable, would probably irritate my pinky toes over time if they were bare, so so were the socks. With both my thin, lightweight No-Show socks from Bombas and my active, lined All in Motion socks from Target, Rothy’s Lace Up sneakers fit like a dream without any uncomfortable pressure points.

The fact that I found these non-athletic sneakers so comfortable from first wear—without an ounce of intrusion—is enough for me. The Rothe’s Lace Up Sneaker is the perfect travel sneaker. It’s versatile, breathable, warm, and packable, making it an A+ pick in my book. The only thing that could make them better is if they were sold in a brighter color palette. I love seeing these sneaks in a solid silhouette or pinned with other popular Rothie’s colors, like Dragon Fruit (aka Barbie perfect pink), Periwinkle, and Shamrock. If a brand offered these, I’d be the first to add them to my cart.