Why I'm keeping my all-new Rothy's Merino Points in Camel but I'm wondering if they're worth the higher price and why the heck do they run bigger
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Allbirds Tree Breezer Flats
Hi friends! Rothy’s has an all-new collection of Merino-wool shoes, and I wasn’t sure what to make of them at first. I’ve been a fan of Rothy’s for a while now, and I have always loved how they turn plastic water bottles into fashionable shoes.
Now they are blending Merino wool threads with plastic bottle threads to create shoes you can wear when it’s cold. Sans socks. Perfect!
But there’s a caveat; Rothy’s Merino shoes are more expensive than their non-Merino counterparts. You’re going to spend almost $175 on a pair of points, and $155 on a pair of flats.
This means, after tax, your Rothy’s Merino points will set you back almost $200! Are warmer shoes worth $30 more than their non-Merino-wool counterparts?
They do feel a bit more luxurious than the non-Merino collection. The box is fancier (just look at that font), and comes with an all-new white bag for your shoes. That’s a first!
Immediately out of the box, the Rothy’s Merino points are alluring. They feel heavier and sturdier than the non-Merino points. Just by looking at them at first glance, however, it’s hard to tell the difference between a Merino Rothy’s point and a non-Merino point.
You can argue the Merino Rothy’s points’ stitching looks tighter. That would make it a warmer shoe than the original Rothy’s.
The outer soles are made with luxe vegan leather instead of rubber. Merino Rothy’s are ironic as they’re made with merino wool and vegan materials.
One thing I need to point out is how funny the fit is with my Merino wool points. A lot of reviewers on Rothys.com mention how these run bigger compared to the original Rothy’s points. I sized up to an 8.5 (from an 8), as I always do with my Rothy’s, and my heels slip out with each step! I may have to wear these with socks.
If you’re thinking of returning your shoes, be sure to not peel off the cover layer over the bottom of the shoes. They are slippery as heck, so don’t try walking on them. I almost fell and I was stepping over carpet. In order to review these shoes thoroughly, I had to peel off the cover. (This is another reason why I’m not returning the shoes.)
As with the original Rothy’s, you can wash Merino Rothy’s in the washing machine, but you should only air dry them. Did you know you can toss some ice cubes into your washing machine when you’re washing your Rothy’s?
Rothy’s Merino points, especially the Camel ones, are selling out fast. They are, admittedly, very attractive shoes. I love the way they look on my feet. Unfortunately they are too big. I won’t be returning or exchanging my pair, as I’m hoping they will shrink after the first wash. I worry that if I exchange for a smaller size, then they will run too small. Placed side by side with my original Rothy’s points, the Merino points are the exact same size. It must be the wool threads that make the Merino Rothy’s points bigger. (I’m bet that the template the Merino and non-Merino points for each size are all the same. Each pair of Rothy’s is knit to shape and not cut from larger fabric.)
At this point, I might recommend for you to go with your true size, and not size up with these shoes. (UPDATE: I’ve read online that these shoes shrink anywhere from half a size to a full size after just one wash! I’m scared now!)
UPDATE 2: I don’t know what to tell you now. My Merino Rothy’s points have “shrunk” on their own. They now fit like the regular Rothy’s points. I have not washed or dried them yet. They have just been sitting there in my closet…
UPDATE 3 (2020): I have finally tossed my Merino Rothy’s into the washing machine, and then air dried them. They have gotten just a little tighter, but did not shrink down considerably after one wash. So confidently wash away in cold water (toss in some ice cubes) and air dry your Merino Rothy’s.
Rothy’s stands for something. Take plastic bottles from the landfills and turn them into fashionable shoes. By mixing in merino wool, I feel the message has become diluted. Rothy’s were mostly vegan, and now they’re selling shoes that mixes vegan materials with animal byproducts.
I’m hoping Rothy’s can think of the bigger picture to better the world. Recycle more water bottles and turn them into shoes for people who need shoes around the world, and not just think about profiting from women who can afford $135-$200 Rothy’s.
At the same time, I’m wishing less people who have access to clean tap water would just filter their own water and buy less bottled water. If you have access to clean tap water, there really is no reason for you to buy a bottle of water. Bring a reusable water bottle or container with you wherever you go. Watch Rotten on Netflix, especially the “Troubled Water” episode and it’ll really open your eyes.
Finally, I wanted to mention that you can get Rothy’s for cheaper. You can sign up for Rakuten (formerly-known as Ebates) and get 5% back from your Rothy’s purchase. If you’re buying your very first pair of Rothy’s, you can use promotion links and take $20 off your first purchase (you can find a million of them online). You can also apply for a teacher’s discount and that will give you 20% off of select pairs of Rothy’s.
Happy walking, my friends, and let me know what you think about Rothy’s all-new Merino collection!
see how my toes cracks peep out more with my merino points (left) vs my original points (right)?