There I was, innocently reading through my Twitter feed, when someone mentioned “comfy shoes” and “Oprah” in the same breath. Er, tweet.
Now, I love me some Oprah. But what I love even more are comfortable shoes. And if you’ve watched even just one Oprah season, you know she calls her shoes by the amount of time she can comfortably spend in them. As in, “these are my 15-minute shoes.”
I had the feet of a 90 year old. At least, that’s what the doctor who performed my ankle surgery told me several years ago. By his calculations, next year I’ll have 100-year-old feet.
Between arthritic spurs and bunions, my feet are a disaster. I spend as much time as possible barefoot (not pregnant), and I select footwear based on how much sitting I’ll be able to do. For example, if I know I get to walk into a joint, present my fabulosity and sit my butt down for the next three hours, I’ll gladly throw on a pair of sky-high platform stilettos. But if there’s even a chance that I’ll need to stand for more than 30 minutes, I choose a very low heel or flats.
Back to the tweet.
It tagged @Tieks, which I followed straight to its website where I was presented with the most spectacular array of leather ballet flats. Apparently, Oprah’s a fan. Here’s why:
THE GOOD
Tieks come in just about the prettiest box you ever did see. Miss Q nabbed the flower and demanded it go in her hair immediately. I could hardly blame her.
Oh, the colours. Everything from white to black to metallic snake skin and just about any other colour imaginable. I’m a big fan of pink and there were three or four shades to choose from – I went with the fuchsia and it was very true to the colour on my computer screen.
Sizing was spot on. Having never ordered shoes online before, I was nervous, but my size nines arrived and fit like an old glove. Even curving up and over my bunions rather than cutting straight across them like so many ballet flats do.
Seriously incredible leather. Like butter. Soft and supple but thick to give them good shape and longevity. They didn’t take any time to break in but you can tell they aren’t going to wear out quickly.
Like Louboutins, the soles of every pair of Tieks give way to the brand identity. I love the flash of turquoise on the bottom of these shoes – not least of which because the colour is reminiscent of a certain jeweller.
Speaking of the Tieks soles, you can really see the quality on the strip of leather than runs across the entire sole.
The insoles are nicely shaped, lending decent arch support and cushioning my feet with every step.
Every pair of Tieks comes with two bags: one black one that will hold your Tieks when they’re folded in half (perfect purse size), and one turquoise one that folds in on itself; when unfolded, this bag can carry the heels you wore out, in which knew you’d never last.
I wore my Tieks for about 10 hours a day, three days in a row for the blogger mega-conference called BlogHer, and my feet thanked them for it.
THE GAFFE
By the end of an average eight-hour day at work, on my long commute home, my right shoe starts to feel like it’s digging into my heel. Tieks are, after all, “springy” since they fold. But on a bad day, it literally feels like my flat is trying to close in on itself like a clamshell whilst my foot is still firmly planted in it. (Read my two-year Tieks update to see how long this lasted.)
Shipping costs to Canada suck at about $30 per pair (free shipping if you’re in the USA), which is discouraging. That said, at $175 for a pair of really well-made leather ballet flats, I’d spend it all over again – shipping charges be damned! – for a second pair. I’ve bought Tory Burch flats for far more than that and they haven’t been even half as comfortable.
THE GEARS
4.5/5
So…where can you get them?
- Only from the Tieks Boutiek
Kelsey says
I know it has been ages since your post, but I am wondering how long it took for them to reach you. Thank you.
Kelsey says
I know it has been ages since your post, but I am wondering how long it took for them to reach you. Thank you.
estherlim326 says
I was wondering when you order from canada, would the currency also change from US currency to canadian currency?
Mommy Gearest says
Unfortunately, they do not. You are billed on your credit card in U.S. currency.
estherlim326 says
I was wondering when you order from canada, would the currency also change from US currency to canadian currency?
Mommy Gearest says
Unfortunately, they do not. You are billed on your credit card in U.S. currency.
Cory says
I a sooooo close to buying a pair, and the shipping costs to Canada stopped me. Reason being,I often order online and that is over the top $$$! I even wrote to the company, hoping they can fin a better shipping method, cause they lost a sale. Sad me!
Mommy Gearest says
I know. It super sucks. Although with my first two pairs of Tieks, I only had to pay the $30ish in shipping, with my third pair there was ALSO a $38 duty/customs fee that I got saddled with, too, which is insane. The shipping I can handle but the extra taxes? No way. It is so unfortunate, because they really are the most fabulous flats, ever.
Cory says
I a sooooo close to buying a pair, and the shipping costs to Canada stopped me. Reason being,I often order online and that is over the top $$$! I even wrote to the company, hoping they can fin a better shipping method, cause they lost a sale. Sad me!
Mommy Gearest says
I know. It super sucks. Although with my first two pairs of Tieks, I only had to pay the $30ish in shipping, with my third pair there was ALSO a $38 duty/customs fee that I got saddled with, too, which is insane. The shipping I can handle but the extra taxes? No way. It is so unfortunate, because they really are the most fabulous flats, ever.
Kingstonista says
$30 shipping? That’s ridiculous and the reason I won’t be ordering.
Mommy Gearest says
If you live in Canada, unfortunately – yes – $30 shipping. So if you can find a coupon code to bring offset it or you order with a few friends and pay less shipping overall, those are some potential options. I will say that it’s worth it. The shoes are to die for.
Coco says
Depending on where you live and how often you go down to the states, there are some shipping outlets where you can get US parcels sent and they’ll hold it for you. The one near us in Montana (Montana Shipping Outlet) usually costs $5 per parcel and will hold forever.
Kingstonista says
$30 shipping? That’s ridiculous and the reason I won’t be ordering.
Mommy Gearest says
If you live in Canada, unfortunately – yes – $30 shipping. So if you can find a coupon code to bring offset it or you order with a few friends and pay less shipping overall, those are some potential options. I will say that it’s worth it. The shoes are to die for.
Coco says
Depending on where you live and how often you go down to the states, there are some shipping outlets where you can get US parcels sent and they’ll hold it for you. The one near us in Montana (Montana Shipping Outlet) usually costs $5 per parcel and will hold forever.
Mary says
Have them, not super impressed, nice but not really worth the price and not overly comfortable for walking on concrete floors
Mommy Gearest says
Really? I am super-duper IN LOVE with mine. I can’t say, though, that I walk on too many concrete floors…but I do have terrible feet and most shoes are uncomfortable for me and I last for hours and hours in these. Probably depends on your foot, and, like you say, the kind of floors you’re usually walking on.
Mary says
Have them, not super impressed, nice but not really worth the price and not overly comfortable for walking on concrete floors
Mommy Gearest says
Really? I am super-duper IN LOVE with mine. I can’t say, though, that I walk on too many concrete floors…but I do have terrible feet and most shoes are uncomfortable for me and I last for hours and hours in these. Probably depends on your foot, and, like you say, the kind of floors you’re usually walking on.
Junn says
I heard about all the rave for these shoes and I loved the crafted look of them so I purchased a pair over Thanksgiving with the promo code.
I don’t wear flats a lot and only purchased 3 ballet flats ever. One from Zara, one from Cole Haan(also Thanksgiving), and one from Tieks. All 3 are leather. The Zara one was not a winner, it had no elastic around, the leather stretched and the shoe kept coming off when I walked but it was only $19 on sale. Tieks looked the best on my feet out of the 3 because of the elastic. I’m a 7.5 wide, and I can usually go to a 8 in regular. The Tieks 8 fit fine and the elastic made the shoe really stick to my skin so my feet looked slimmer. When I bend my toes the sides also don’t pop out. However, the elastic is also the only flaw I find. It digs into my skin because it’s very snug and becomes a bit uncomfortable, it doesn’t chaff because it doesn’t move up and down to create any friction but the tightness definitely bothers. The soles are also less comfortable than I expected because of the hype. My Cole Haan flats were by far more comfortable because it doesn’t chaff and doesn’t fall off, and the wide size was a more roomy fit. The soles are also softer than the Tieks. It was also $69 on sale versus the $100+ discount price from Tieks. The price is justified from the amount of work Tieks puts into the packaging, the personal touch, and the collateral items that come with the shoe. Also, one thing that irked me was the time it took for the package to arrive. I ordered during a holiday but the shoes didn’t arrive till 2 weeks later. That’s really the postal carrier but still it bothered me because no other packages I purchased during Thanksgiving were late. Anyway I don’t return things and I’m happy with both. But I wanted to give an honest review.
Mommy Gearest says
Hi Junn – thanks for your comment! I think I wrote in my review as well that at the end of a day of wearing my Tieks (10 hours), I also find that the elastic starts pulling in too much at the back of my ankle. It gets uncomfortable, but only after MANY hours of wear. I could easily wear them the next day and they feel fine again. I’m surprised it took so long for your shoes to arrive. I’m in Canada and have had two pairs delivered in just a few days each time. I haven’t tried the Cole Haan ones to be able to compare, but I haven’t had great luck with Cole Haan shoes and comfort! I think part of it probably just comes down to your feet. Everyone’s different and what works well for one foot, might not work as well for another. In any case, I’m glad you got a couple of pairs you like!
Junn says
I heard about all the rave for these shoes and I loved the crafted look of them so I purchased a pair over Thanksgiving with the promo code.
I don’t wear flats a lot and only purchased 3 ballet flats ever. One from Zara, one from Cole Haan(also Thanksgiving), and one from Tieks. All 3 are leather. The Zara one was not a winner, it had no elastic around, the leather stretched and the shoe kept coming off when I walked but it was only $19 on sale. Tieks looked the best on my feet out of the 3 because of the elastic. I’m a 7.5 wide, and I can usually go to a 8 in regular. The Tieks 8 fit fine and the elastic made the shoe really stick to my skin so my feet looked slimmer. When I bend my toes the sides also don’t pop out. However, the elastic is also the only flaw I find. It digs into my skin because it’s very snug and becomes a bit uncomfortable, it doesn’t chaff because it doesn’t move up and down to create any friction but the tightness definitely bothers. The soles are also less comfortable than I expected because of the hype. My Cole Haan flats were by far more comfortable because it doesn’t chaff and doesn’t fall off, and the wide size was a more roomy fit. The soles are also softer than the Tieks. It was also $69 on sale versus the $100+ discount price from Tieks. The price is justified from the amount of work Tieks puts into the packaging, the personal touch, and the collateral items that come with the shoe. Also, one thing that irked me was the time it took for the package to arrive. I ordered during a holiday but the shoes didn’t arrive till 2 weeks later. That’s really the postal carrier but still it bothered me because no other packages I purchased during Thanksgiving were late. Anyway I don’t return things and I’m happy with both. But I wanted to give an honest review.
Mommy Gearest says
Hi Junn – thanks for your comment! I think I wrote in my review as well that at the end of a day of wearing my Tieks (10 hours), I also find that the elastic starts pulling in too much at the back of my ankle. It gets uncomfortable, but only after MANY hours of wear. I could easily wear them the next day and they feel fine again. I’m surprised it took so long for your shoes to arrive. I’m in Canada and have had two pairs delivered in just a few days each time. I haven’t tried the Cole Haan ones to be able to compare, but I haven’t had great luck with Cole Haan shoes and comfort! I think part of it probably just comes down to your feet. Everyone’s different and what works well for one foot, might not work as well for another. In any case, I’m glad you got a couple of pairs you like!
Jennifer M says
Need. Want. Must win lottery, Oprah I am not! LOL I love these. Like Eliza, above, I probably could have used these when my fat feet were swollen like sausages two years ago.
Jennifer M says
Need. Want. Must win lottery, Oprah I am not! LOL I love these. Like Eliza, above, I probably could have used these when my fat feet were swollen like sausages two years ago.
Eliza says
Man, I wish I had seen this when I was pregnant. All I wore were ballet flats. Not sure I would spend that kind of money on them now though, I KILL shoes quickly.
Eliza says
Man, I wish I had seen this when I was pregnant. All I wore were ballet flats. Not sure I would spend that kind of money on them now though, I KILL shoes quickly.