ETA: Head over to a new post to enter to win a great pair of travel flats of your very own!! Just leave a comment on the last blog post to be entered to win a pair of awesome, packable travel flats!
If you know me at all, you’ll also know the last time I slipped on a pair of heels was for a wedding in May. I actually like wearing them, but I definitely don’t work in an environment that needs them and they bother my knees when I’m running a lot. Wedges, maybe, on a good day.
Obviously I don’t travel with heels if I don’t wear that at home. I’m into comfort (+ a bit of style), not high fashion. And being taller in generally, I never feel the need to make myself “taller” for any particular reason. Plus, being able to walk with ease on all terrains is pretty high on my list. Props to those of you that can toddle around in high boots at Machu Picchu and pumps in Italy, but that is not me.
So while I have no expertise in heels, I have a ton of flats. There are a ton of “travel flats” on the market, and a lot of flats that work just fine for travel but aren’t “travel flats” per se. For those of you shopping for new flats or wondering if that price is really worth it, here’s how three of my frequently worn pairs shape up.
I paid for all of these (over the course of a few years, I swear); none were provided as compensation.
Side by Side Comparison
Side by side, you’ll see how similar the soles are of all of these shoes. They all have additional padding/traction on heel and ball of foot, as well as a break in the middle over the arch. None of them are slick on wet services, all have leather under the rubber.
The insoles of the Tieks, on the far left, are stitched into the sole so there is no movement at all. But on the Tory’s in the middle, you can essentially remove in the insole. The Tory’s are also pretty wide (I don’t have narrow feet, but these do gap when you walk much more than the Tieks). The Cole Haan’s (black) are essentially a blend of the other two–slightly wider than the Tieks and insole firmly attached. All have leather insoles, so not great options for truly wet walking.
So what about packability?
In terms of weight, the Tory’s are definitely the lightest, followed by the Tieks. But in terms of space, the Tieks take the cake, big time. They fold into each other very neatly. I know the Tory’s are advertised as travel shoes than bend like this, but I’d be shocked if bending them like this and packing for 5 times doesn’t crack the leather or cause more gapping in the shoe–considering how much the sides stick out above. The Cole Haans don’t fold as well as the Tieks, but feel like they’d hold up to whatever you put them through. I love Tory Burch shoes, but they sacrificed weight for durability on this particular style.
What else do I like/dislike about each of these shoes?
Cole Haan (Avery Ballet)
Pros: Can get a great deal on these, super duper cushioning. Feel really durable.
Cons: Take a bit more space than Tieks. Run just a bit wide.
Tieks (Classics, Burgundy)
Pros: So many colors! Crazy comfortable, once worn in. Bendable = packable.
Cons: Cha-ching! Do take some time to break in and stretch out (ouch for the first few days).
Tory Burch (Minnie Travel Ballet Flat, Embossed Leather)
Pros: A bit dressier. Super lightweight.
Cons: Also expensive, feel less durable than either the Cole Haan or Tieks. Much less cushioning.
Verdict?
For comfort, durability, packability, and style, go with the Tieks. Yes, I got suckered in to the Tieks phenomenon. Though I feel like a lot of bloggers get them for free. It took me a long time to buy a pair, after months of staring at their website, but I now own a pair. Well, maybe two pairs…. I can tell you I would sure like them a lot more if they were free, but I like them quite a bit even though they weren’t. So far, they’ve held up well.
If you are looking for something less expensive, the Cole Haans are definitely the way to go. They feel really durable, fit well, and are super comfortable. Probably the most well cushioned of the bunch.
I have a number of Tory Burch flats, and all feel more durable than these–while they may not make your carry-on overweight, I don’t wear them as much because I worry about their well-being. And it’s a shoe, for goodness sake, I shouldn’t have to worry.
Do you have a favorite pair of travel flats?
Brian (yes I'm a guy) Davis says
Great review and thoughts on the 3 brands of cute flats. I’ve never tried the Tieks but I’d like to. They have so many wonderful colors but living in Canada adds an additional cost to the price due to the transboarder shipping. A good friend of mine has several pairs of Cole Haan flats and “he” loves them. I’m a “bit” of a Tory Burch nut, OK I’m obsessed, haha. I bought my first pair of Minnie’s in March of 2015 and quickly realized one pair wasn’t going to be enough. I now have 14 pair of these TB Minnie’s. After getting the basic colors I started adding colorful ones. My collection has every color in the rainbow. Most women are amazed by my collection. Not just at the size of it but also at the fact a man would buy that many pairs of ballet flats for himself.
Heather says
Thanks so much for stopping by! I’m glad you can appreciate the need for a good pair of flats. And…oh my goodness! Definitely envious of that collection…though I’m not sure that would help me pack or get out the door in the morning with so many choices.
Brian Davis says
Thanks for your kind words. Agreed, it’s not good for packing or getting out of the house quickly. ? These are the “world problems” some women and a few of us guys face when you own several pair of ballet flats. ?
My collection just got bigger again. 15 pairs! I just bought a Patent Chicory ( powder baby blue ) pair that will pull your eyeballs right out of the socket. ? They are so bright
Ivan says
Hi Heather,
I love your review, for me one of the best that I’ve read. I love how you compare with nice pictures the three travel flats and all their parts(soles, insoles and how they fold) and the pros and cons of each one.
Despite being a young man, I am fan of ballet flats in fact I wear them as my everyday shoes as I found them beautiful, comfortable and easy to slip on and off, and honestly I love to wear my shoes barefoot . and as you I have tons of flats (almost 70 pairs had to choose every morning 🙂
I owned a pair of Tieks and I loved how cute and well made they were, but unfortunately they didn’t work for me as I have flat feet and the Tieks flats tended to close like a clam on my feet while wearing them, so it was painful after removing them on the top of my feet.
I still have a my Cole Haan Bacara, these flats are affordable and well made they lasted 5 years and know I had to crush the heels and wear them only as home slippers, really comfy , good quality and affordable flats.
Finally my good friend Brian introduce to me the Tory Burch minnie travel flats and these flats has became my go to shoes, I own 7 pairs that I got at eBay, thrift stores and at the TB outlet at good prices; I love the buttery leather on my feet, how great they look on my feet, the range of colors(less than Tieks) but perfect to any occasion, I agree they lack of cushion and the durability is not the best but the concept I think , they are designed more like travel slippers or relax our feet in airports and parties or in the office. I wore a pair for 6 months almos everyday last fall and they resisted the sidewalks pretty well.
After reading you review maybe I will give an other chance to Tieks or if not a pair of Cole Hann Avery flats will make happy my feet, my budget and my self.
Thanks for this wonderful review !
Ivan
Heather says
Hi Ivan, thanks so much for stopping by! My Tieks definitely took some time to break in, but after they did, they were super comfortable. I can definitely see why they might be problematic for flat feet though, based on their shape. I agree the Minnie travel flat is good in concept, and mine have held up pretty well but I don’t wear them that frequently. I’m thinking of taking them to my next trip–China–and see how they do! For the price, the Cole Haan flats are pretty awesome. You and Brian both have very enviable collections of ballet flats, that is for sure!!
Brian says
I finally had a chance to try on a pair of Tieks. My same friend with the Cole Haan flats asked me to by him a pair of Tieks during my visit to the USA (free shipping in the US). He got the California navy color and asked if I’d wanted to try them on. https://davisbe.files.wordpress.com/2017/02/dsc08477.jpg
I really like them but I’m still a Tory fan. Here’s my TB Minnie collection these day. https://davisbe.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/dsc08797.jpg
Hope you are doing well and enjoying your world travels
Bri
Heather says
The Tieks do look good on you! I just saw the new pretty pink TB that came out in the email today…not sure I can say no to those for very long.
Brian says
Thanks for your kind words about the Tieks. Maybe someday I’ll own a pair myself. I received the same pretty pink TB email. In fact! I have a pair of the pretty retro pink TB Laila flats on hold for me. Have you seen this New Tory style?
karina says
tengo dudas con el tamaño a comprar de las tieks,ya que mi numero regular es 10,pero de algunos calzados mas agustados al pie soy 9 1/2,que me sugeris?
Heather says
Hola Karina, y discuple mi espanol horrible…necesito practicar mucho mas. Compre las Tieks en tamano 9, y normalmente, soy 9.5. Las Tieks son ajustados cuando se empieza usarlos. Pero despues de usarlas, ellos son perfectos y muy confortables. Te sugiero que compre tamano regular. Espero que eso ayude!