I need to start with the important bit, before anyone gets twitchy: these Tieks ballet flats were sent to me for this review. I didn’t buy them. They were freebies. You can read more here.
Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s talk about Tieks shoes.
Tieks are an American brand of folding ballet flats with a slightly cultish following.
Tieks shoes are crafted from fine Italian leather using a three-day, 150-step process. They’re designed to be comfortable, flexible and durable as well as look good.
They are frequently described as ‘investment shoes’, which is not a phrase I would normally associate with something you can accidentally step in a puddle with, but here we are. They are not cheap, we are talking a few hundred dollars a pair, which is more than I would spend on anything smaller than a pair of boots and this means expectations are high.
My Tieks folding ballet flats review
I chose and was sent a pair of gold Tieks ballet flats. This might feel like a bold choice for someone who lives largely in black and denim during the winter, but I have high hopes for when the rubbish weather finally jogs on and actually, gold footwear is surprisingly versatile; more neutral than novelty. I have owned several pairs of gold sandals which I’ve worn to death.
However, there are so many colours, prints and finishes available that if gold doesn’t float your boat, you will be able to find something a bit more you – whether that’s plain black patent leather, bright emerald green or leopard print.
The only thing they all have in common is the bright teal sole, which makes them instantly recognisable.
What is Tieks sizing like?
Tieks use US sizing, which means a brief moment of mental arithmetic at checkout. I sized down, as advised, because the choice was effectively between the equivalent of a UK 5.5 or a 6.5, and I simply do not identify as a 6.5.
The smaller size is fine. No pinching, no rubbing, no immediate desire to take them off and walk barefoot instead. I’d go a half size bigger if it was available to me, but these are fine. They fit like proper shoes rather than a mere suggestion of footwear, which already puts them ahead of many flats I’ve owned.
First Impressions
The box is tiny and you will think ‘how on earth is there a pair of shoes in there?!’ but that’s part of the allure. Tieks are designed to fold over so you can carry them with you; perfect if you’re one of those people who insists on wears heels optimistically. They even come with a little stretchy carry case and a bag for your heels; both collapse down small enough to fit inside your handbag.
Out of the box, they’re soft, flexible, and clearly well made. You can tell they’re designed to be worn, not just looked at. They also don’t scream ‘orthopaedic’, which is always my main fear with anything marketed as comfortable.
They’re structured enough to feel secure, but not stiff. The leather is supple, and they don’t require that grim breaking-in period where you pretend blisters are OK. Compared to high street ballet flats, these feel more substantial and less disposable. I wouldn’t go on a country walk with them, and I’ll try hard not to walk through puddles, but they don’t feel fragile.
A question of comfort
This is the bit everyone actually cares about.
They’re comfortable. Not in a miraculous, life-changing way, but in a solid, dependable, ‘I can wear these for a normal day and not notice them’ way which, frankly, is all I want from a flat.
They’re particularly good for walking around without that creeping foot fatigue that usually sets in after a couple of hours. I wouldn’t run for a bus in them, but I wouldn’t run for a bus in most things at this point in my life.
They’re practical without being ugly, and feel like they’d earn their keep rather than sit sulking in a cupboard.
As a test I am going to take them with me to an exhibition this week; that involves 7 hours of standing and walking for two days. I’ll update this post after the exhibition once they’ve had a proper stress test
Who are Tieks ballet flats actually for?
These shoes are for you if:
- You want a flat shoe you can wear all day
- You like things that are well made and quietly practical rather than trend-led or fast fashion, and are willing to pay for quality
- You want something smarter than trainers but less annoying than heels
- Or, you want something you can take out with you when wearing heels to change into when your feet hurt
- You are prepared to pay more upfront for something you’ll actually wear
These are probably not for you if:
- You want arch support, for example if you suffer from plantar fasciitis
- You prefer a very structured, rigid shoe
- You expect ballet flats to feel like running shoes
- You have a small budget or resent spending money on shoes unless they actively change your life
- You enjoy suffering for fashion
If you’re after a sensible, comfortable flat that doesn’t look tragic and will quietly slot into your wardrobe without fuss, Tieks shoes might turn your head.
Oh, and I feel it’s worth mentioning that Tieks do great work too – since they started, they’ve have donated more than $10 million to over 55,000 women entrepreneurs in over 70 countries via Tieks’ Gavrieli Foundation, which you can learn more about here.
How much and where to buy
This pair of Tieks folding ballet flats cost $285 (around £200) and are available here. You can browse the full range on the Tieks website.