The Rothy’s Fisherman Sandals Are My Summer Shoe MVP
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As a rule,city sandalsshould be easy to clean, ideally by wiping them down or rinsing them off after long, sweaty days of dodging sidewalk and subway scum. Even better if you can throw them in the washing machine. So when I saw that Rothy’s launched fisherman sandals, I wanted to test them right away. I love the comfort and convenience of the brand’s ballet flats and mary janes, but they aren’t really a match for my personal style. So I hoped the more structured and almost androgynous fisherman sandals would work for me the way those other shoes don’t. I got a pair in black for myself and enlisted fellow Strategist senior writer (andresident sandal expert)Ambar Pardillato join me by trying a pair in scarlet red. Two months later, here are our findings.
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They are comfortable right out of the box
Iwore my fisherman sandalsall over New York City, starting the day they arrived in the mail, without ever incurring a blister, a foot cramp, or even a grimy toe or heel. They are so comfortable I hardly notice them on my feet. They are also refreshingly easy to pull on — I don’t even bother opening or readjusting the buckle. Neither does Pardilla. And while they do have the signature Rothy’s flat sole, which might not work for folks withhigh arches, they are surprisingly walkable for long periods of time and over great distances. “I can’t tell you how many stairs I’ve climbed in them without ever tripping or puddles I’ve jumped over on the sidewalk. They’re so agile, unlike Havaianas or other similarly flat sandals,” Pardilla says. We have both logged thousands of steps while wearing them on all kinds of terrain and never once reached for a Band-Aid.
They look great with lots of different outfits
Mornings in my home are often chaotic because I’m a parent to a young child. So while I would love to have a stocked shoe closet with more than just practical options, that is not my life right now. I am delighted that these sandals look as good as they feel. They are just as stylish with sporty track shorts and jeans as they are with pretty summer dresses and linen pants. I tend to grab them over my other sandals most days, whether I am going to the office, grabbing a quick coffee, doing school drop-off, or enjoying a rare night out at the movies with my husband.
They are beach-, sprinkler-, and summer-storm-proof
I have proper water shoes,Chaco sandals, that I wear when I know I will be walking through a splash pad or tromping in a stream. But there are plenty of summer days when getting my feet wet happens unexpectedly, like during a sudden afternoon rainstorm, and if I am wearing my Rothy’s fisherman sandals, I don’t worry about that at all. They are also easy to clean with a damp paper towel (Pardilla’s preferred method) if you end up walking down dusty park paths or step in dog poop. And they perform just as well as most of the actually sporty sandals the two of us have tried — my Chacos included. I have worn them without slipping or tripping on the beach at Coney Island and while pedaling across Brooklyn on a Citi Bike, running through wet grass, cooling my toes in a sprinkler, and climbing up playground equipment with my 3-year-old son. I recently put my pair in the washing machine and am happy to report they held their shape and came out squeaky clean.
They make packing light a breeze
Packing light for a single weekend away is a challenge I often fail at because I want to have options. But since these sandals are as compact as a pair of flip-flops and ultraversatile, I am usually able to pack them and them alone, trusting I will be happy to wear them no matter what we are doing while away. (The only things they aren’t good for are working out and playing actual sports, so sometimes I bring a pair of sneakers too.) And as Pardilla points out, the knit material (made from recycled plastic bottles) makes them look too casual for many formal occasions, like weddings. But that’s okay because they’ve more than earned their keep in other ways, and our feet are never tired of wearing them.
More city sandals we like
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Strategist senior writer Lauren Ro’s favorite style of Birkenstock.
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Tevas with height to keep your feet away from sidewalk filth.
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