Rothy's Just Dropped a '70s Sneaker and I Promise It Rakes in the Compliments

Fast Facts

• Machine washable: yes
• Size range: US 5 to 13
• Colors: 7
• Material: ReVelvet suede made from recycled plastic 

How We Tested Rothy’s Ivy Sneaker 

Using the PureWow100 scale, I asked Lundblad to evaluate the sneakers on the following criteria:

• Design: Are the sneakers stylish? Do the details work for everyday wear? 
• Comfort: I wanted to know how far Lundblad could walk in the shoes before experiencing discomfort, if any at all. 
• Versatility: Evaluated how easy it was to style the shoes with different outfits and in different scenarios. Could they hold up in a dusty garden or gravelly road, or were they best suited for pavement or the carpet of a casual office? 
• Durability: After constant use, sometimes multiple days in a row, we looked at how much wear-and-tear the shoes showed on the sole and exterior, and if they scuffed or stained easily. 
• Value: Taking into account the above qualities and the price, are the shoes worth the money? 

Lundblad then wore the sneakers for four weeks during a period of intense travel between Europe and the U.S. She laced them up to walk through airports, Parisian gardens, the hilly pavement of San Francisco and the wet, gravelly conditions in Hawaii during a tropical storm.

Eye-Catching Design Garners Compliments

“I enjoyed the cinnamon brown color that goes well with lots of outfits,” Lundblad tells me. “I like the classic sport design and option for brown laces. I get lots of compliments on them; people ask about them!” The shoes are made from the brand’s ReVelvet material, which creates suede from plastic water bottles. One nice touch Lundblad specifically called out was that the shoes come with standard laces as well as a pair that tonally match the shoes. The overall design is retro with a ‘70s flair, with a pair of parallel stripes running along the outer sides of each shoe.

Great for Long Travel Days

“These shoes are great for travel as they’re lightweight and very easy to pack,” Lundblad says. I spend a lot of time traveling and am always looking for a shoe that’s comfortable, stylish but low profile to go with multiple occasions and outfits. Practically, they have a good grip on the sole—not slippery, which is great for travel days up stairs, on uneven terrain and all about the world.” 

Easy to Style

“I am a pretty practical dresser [and as an artist], my lifestyle is active.These [shoes are easy to throw on with anything]. I wore them casually to a concert, on travel days, [walking] in Paris [wearing a] more styled outfit, as well as out on casual errands,” Lundblad says. “I found the sporty look [might not] be formally appropriate, but could do for a professional setting if needed.”

Hold Up Well in the Wash

Washable shoes are one of Rothy’s trademark qualities, but Lundbland originally expressed concern that the suede would get wonky if subjected to water. At the beginning of the testing period, she stuck to spot cleaning the scuffs. However, after spending days trekking through Paris’ dusty gardens, she caved and threw them in the washing machine. The result, Lundblad reports, is that the shoes are easy to wash. The suede emerges looking almost new and dries beautifully. And if it needs a little fluffing afterward, brushing it with a suede brush should do the trick.

Laces are Slippery and Can Come Untied

Lundblad tells me that her shoe laces often come untied and have a slippery texture. As someone who has also worn Rothy’s sneakers for years, I can confirm this is true. I will also say that a double-knot has always solved that problem, so it’s not a serious one. 

Shoes Would Benefit From More Arch Support and Width

This can depend on the type of feet you have, but Lundblad does wish that there was more contouring in the arch to accommodate her higher arches. She also notes that the shoes, like many other Rothy’s styles, run narrow. She has narrow feet, but did wish for some “breathing room” after walking for five miles. Lundbland says that she would walk a maximum of three consecutive miles in the sneakers.

The Ivy sneakers have a lot going for them—vesatile, comfortable, washable, even practical. Lundblad particularly praised the brand’s sustainability efforts, including its use of recycled materials and LEED gold certification. Depending on how frequently you wear them, the shoes can last years. I’ve had my pair of Rothy’s sneakers for about six years; Lundblad, who wore her  first pair nearly daily, got about two solid years of wear. And when it’s time to let the shoes go, the brand has a take-back program that gives you a discount on a future pair for recycling the old ones. All this taken into account, we’ve scored the Ivy 89/100. Consider these a go-to fall closet staple for fashionable, active, creative people on the go.