When Rothy’s announced its latest merino wool collection of flats, points, loafers and sneakers, I was pretty excited. I’ve been a fan of Allbirds wool offerings and, in general, appreciate the anti-stink nature of wool. I was in the market for a nude-ish neutral shoe for fall, and decided to get The Point in Camel Merino Wool.
Fit & Sizing
I purchased these in my usual size for points and tried them side by side with my original Marigold points (similar here). Lengthwise, they are comparable – the wool is just a smidge longer. However, I did notice a bit more “give” in the sides of the wool version that make it feel a bit looser. I’m slightly concerned that they will stretch out more in time and become too wide for my feet. I’ll be sure to update this post after a few months if that does indeed happen.
Style
One major difference between the traditional Rothy’s and their merino counterparts is the sole. It’s made of a vegan leather sole that looks more luxe than the original carbon-free rubber variety. Some folks have been displeased with how the vegan leather sole wears. I’ve seen some photos where most of the top layer is scratched after just one wear. However, my all-leather soles on other shoes do the same, so for now, I accept that as expected wear-and-tear.
Sustainability Factor
Of course, the question of eco-friendly fashion and sustainability comes up with these latest styles. While these are not as sustainable as their recycled-plastic bottle counterparts, Rothy’s does make it a point to work with a textile partner, Tollegno 1900, that is RWS (Responsible Wool Standard) certified. You can read more about their process here. On the post-purchase eco-friendly front, these wool flats are machine washable just like their original styles.
So far, the only real downside I see is the pricing. These run around $30 higher, starting at $155 for The Flat to $195 for The Loafer.
Hope you find this helpful as you decide between styles! I’ll continue to add more to this post as I wear them in (am also very curious about the stink factor).
If you’re interested in purchasing your first pair, head on over to this post to grab a $20 discount code from a friendly commenter!
October 2020 Update
Almost exactly one year later, I figured it would be a good time to update this post. Since then, I have consistently worn my Merino points at least almost once a week. Despite the delicate looking sole, it has held up quite well and I have had no issues with wear and tear. I’ve washed it a few times (on cold, air dry) and it has kept its shape and sizing. The latest Merino-specific styles are perfect for fall and winter, and worth the slight premium in price!
Partnership Disclosure: This blog post was not sponsored by any of the brands listed above. As always, all opinions are my own. This post may contain affiliate links, in which I earn a commission on purchases.
