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A Tieks review, finally

For a while now, I’ve been meaning to spill some ink (of the digital variety) to talk about my Tieks shoes, because I get asked about them a lot—by friends, by strangers, on instagram, in random blog comments.

The short answer: I love my Tieks.

But the emphasis on that sentence should be on the I part, not just on the shoe part. There are specific reasons I love them, and I don’t want you running out and buying expensive shoes just because they work for me.

The #1 reason I love Tieks is because they fit.

A Review Of Tieks Shoes | Modern Mrs. Darcy

my first pair, in tangerine

Shoes are hard for me because I have really long, really wide feet. (I try to find size 11E, but that is nearly impossible.) I can never be a woman with a serious shoe problem—the kind that requires custom-made shelves to hold 100 pairs, or 600 if we’re talking about those crazy reality shoes. Very few brands actually fit my big feet. That’s why shoes are something I splurge on: I’ve given myself permission to spend more money on the areas that give me trouble.

On to the next: I hate to shop. Especially for shoes; it’s demoralizing. But Tieks fit, and are versatile enough I can wear them nearly everywhere. When I’ve been traveling for a week at a time, I’ve taken only two pairs of shoes, both Tieks, on numerous occasions. (I really only needed one, but they don’t take up much suitcase space.)

They’re also super comfortable. I’ve walked 13 miles a day in NYC in them,  played ball with my kids in them, and walked the dog in them.

A few months ago Will and I attended a fancy black tie event. I always wait to put on uncomfortable heels until the last minute. This time, I forgot to put them on at all. I realized when we arrived at the venue that my shoes were back at home, sitting right where I’d left them, by the front door.

It was fine. I was wearing my gold Tieks (starstruck, to be precise) and got compliments on my shoes all night.

A Review Of Tieks Shoes | Modern Mrs. Darcy

on the High Line

Not a decision-making point, but fun all the same: Tieks are conversation starters. I consistently have good conversations with strangers because of my shoes. They’re not flashy but the turquoise heel makes them distinctive; usually people have seen them on the internet and want to know if I actually like wearing them.

Usually it’s the stranger striking up the conversation, but I was at a professional event this month and spotted a woman wearing what I thought were taupe Tieks, which is a color I was thinking about ordering—but I wanted to see them in person, and not on the internet.

So I asked her … and fifteen minutes later she’d told me all about her three book clubs, and I’d gotten her email address so she could be a guest on What Should I Read Next. Coming soon to a podcast near you.

A Review Of Tieks Shoes | Modern Mrs. Darcy

Ruby Red patent Tieks: my happiest shoes

A few things I’ve learned about Tieks: 

1. Different styles have different comfort levels. My starstruck, lovestruck, and tangerine Tieks have all fit and felt fantastic from the start. My ruby red patent Tieks took a while to break in. I wasn’t expecting this, but customer service assured me (as I struggled to wear them for more than a few hours at a time) that this is normal. (I’ve had excellent experience with customer service.)

Several months in, they feel great. But word to the wise: be prepared for a less-than-amazing fit on your first wear. Do not wear them to Costco for the first time. And wearing them around the house with socks help you get that great fit faster.

A Review Of Tieks Shoes | Modern Mrs. Darcy

2. The styles fit me slightly differently.

Something to keep in mind when you order: the original leather feel different from the patent, which feel different from the more unique styles like the Brentwood. (Tieks customer service says if comfort is your #1 priority, go with the original leather. I would lump my stardust and lovestruck Tieks in with this bunch as far as comfort is concerned.)

I have a very wide foot, so I size up to a 12, and I never wear a 12. My friends with narrow feet sometimes size down. If you are a true half size with a normal-width foot, stick to the original leather and size down. If you need arch support, Tieks may not be for you—at least not without fancy inserts.

3. Returns are free and easy.

Free and easy returns make online shopping so much easier. When I’m not sure which size or color to get, I order several pairs and return what doesn’t work.

A Review Of Tieks Shoes | Modern Mrs. Darcy

pictured: the feather grey (on the right), during the one day and zero-wear time period they were in my house

4. Skin tone matters.

Tieks come in dozens of great colors. Would I like one of each? Yes please. At least that’s what I thought until I ordered some feather grey Tieks to replace a busted pair. (That happens; hang tight.)

I loved the way they looked in the pictures, and thought they would be a chic and versatile shoe for my winter wardrobe, which is largely black, navy, and grey. It turns out, the cool grey made my warm skin look like I was ill. Even though we’re talking about my feet and not my face! In short, they have tons of amazing colors; make sure you pick one that works for you. Check out all the options here.

5. Tieks are not invincible.

After about 14 months with my starstruck pair, I discovered I’d worn a tiny hole in the toe. Which soon became a not-so-tiny hole. I had worn them more days than not for 14 months, but still! Tieks are too expensive to just last a little more than a year.

I contacted customer service, which took good care of me, replacing my starstruck Tieks with a lovestruck pair. (At my request—I was ready for a tiny change.)

I also changed the way I wear my shoes. Tieks are durable, but they aren’t invincible, and I started showing them a little more respect. Do I still walk 13 miles a day in them in NYC, and 10 miles a day in them on a busy day about town? YES. But I no longer play ball with the kids, do yard work, or crush aluminum cans in my Tieks. (Was I truly doing all those things? Yes, I was—she says, hanging her head.)

A Review Of Tieks Shoes | Modern Mrs. Darcy

that time I wrote a post about ThredUP and it looked like a Tieks ad

I hope this answers YOUR Tieks questions. Did I forget anything? Hit me up in comments. And this post isn’t sponsored or perked, although these are my affiliate links. I’m just a fan who’s happy to share.

Tieks on Modern Mrs Darcy:

7 things I’m choosing to splurge on right now. (In which I make the case to splurge on shoes.) – link to Spend to your weakness.

9 things I learned in April. (In which I ordered my first pair of Tieks ordered.)

6 things I learned in March. (I learned patent Tieks take forever to break in.)

What worked for me in 2015. (My Tieks really worked for me in 2015!)

My early fall uniform. (Tieks are a prominent accessory in my fall uniform.)

StitchFix lately. (It’s nearly impossible for me to find shoes that fit. Tieks are a lifesaver.)

A Review Of Tieks Shoes | Modern Mrs. Darcy

75 comments

  1. Nancy Wang says:

    What I never get about shoes like this and Toms, is how you wear them without them getting all smelly. At least Toms can be washed, but Tieks can’t. How is this issue with Tieks?

    • Jeni says:

      Shoes with real leather insoles do not retain an odor. TOMS do because they are fabric, but not my Tieks or Cole Haan’s do not? Another reason to pay more for well made shoes.

    • Jen says:

      I don’t think they get smelly like my Toms did. Washing my Toms just wrecked them and for their price for a canvas shoe they don’t get enough wear time. The thing I liked best about Toms is how they donate a pair of shoes to people who need them. If Tieks did that they would be the perfect company.

      • Kathryn says:

        Well, this is month’s after the fact,but have you seen what Tieks does though. They do not have a 1 for 1 model, but they do give back in a sustainable way. Check out their website! It’s one of the reasons, I decided to splurge.

    • When my Toms start to get a little ripe, I put baking soda in a paper towel with a drop of a favorite essential oil and put a twisty-tie around it and put one in each shoe. Takes the smell right out and I can use the baking soda pouches a couple of times.

  2. Veronica says:

    Thank you for the review. I have problems getting shoes to fit, too. I used to do well with the Lands End Mary Janes, but either they have changed or I have. I may just order a pair of Tieks. My cousin, with the same feet I have, swears by them.

  3. Allison says:

    I ordered a pair of Tieks after reading about them on your blog, was it a year ago or 2 years ago, I don’t remember. But I had to send them back because I have really, really, really wide feet. I will say they have great customer service and the return was not a problem at all.

  4. I splurged and bought the classic red leather Tieks this summer when I was on crutches and couldn’t do my high heels. I love them-now. But, it was a long learning curve for my feet to love love and vice-versa. I think it is because they are real leather. I actually remember that from buying real leather shoes when I was a kid. I went with a bold color because, why not? If you are spending that much money, get a bang for your buck! =) I also have a wide foot, and go between a 9-1/2 and 10. I sized up to 10, and I think that was a wise choice for me. I am debating getting another pair, but we shall see what I decide to go with.

  5. Beth says:

    Thanks for this comprehensive review. I had no idea you had such big feet! (I say that as a fellow size 11 who also has a hard time finding shoes. ;-)) I long ago accepted I just have to shell out for comfortable shoes and every time I try to get A Deal it backfires. A few of my friends think I’m nuts and keep telling me how many size 11s TJ Maax and Marshall’s have (They don’t, I’ve looked. Or at least nothing I would wear.) but the normal feet size 9 people just don’t get it!

    Question: What is the arch support like for Tieks?

    My feet are on the wide size and freakishly flat. I’ve been looking for a pair of dressy casual shoes that aren’t boots or sandals and Tieks would be perfect. But I’ve been hesitant because of the support issue.

    • Amanda S. says:

      The Tieks do not have any arch support. If you need minimal-but-some arch support, I highly recommend the Born Julianne flat. While not available in quite so many colors, they are super comfortable and have a little pad for the arch. Smelly feet can be a problem since the inside is fabric, but they are definitely more cushy than Tieks.

      • Whitney says:

        Oh, that’s helpful. I bought the Julianne flat as a “let’s try the $60 leather flat before jumping straight to Tieks” shoe. One of the things I like about it is the support – I wouldn’t mind if there was more.

        Man, it was so much easier buying shoes ten years ago when my feet didn’t hurt. Ha.

    • Heather says:

      You will definitely need inserts. There really is no arch support. I have freakishly high arches, so they work for me.

  6. Liz Ekstrom says:

    The Pacific Green pair are calling my name. I’ve got to find a way to squeeze that $175 into the Christmas budget. Do they ever have sales? Maybe Cyber Monday?

  7. Jen says:

    People seem to either love or hate Tieks. I am a devotee. My husband buys me a pair at Christmas and so far i have 2 pairs,black classic and burgundy. It’s helpful that he picks the colors because it’s near impossible to choose, they are all beautiful! My burgundy pair were very squeaky for 6 months till I emailed customer service and they suggested baby powder or no show socks. The baby powder worked and no problems now. My black pair travelled to Ireland and were worn for walking all day on cobbled streets and in the rain. They held up perfectly and my feet did well. They barely look worn even. I can’t wait to see what color my hubs chooses this Christmas!

  8. Jeni says:

    I have to admit I am a little upset that they replaced your shoes after several months of wear. I bought two pairs several years ago for a trip to China. I wore the pewter pair almost every day of our trip and they were absolutely the most comfortable shoes for hours of walking. But after about 2 months of almost daily wear they looked like I had been through a war in them. I called customer service and all they were willing to do was give me a 30%off discount code to use on another pair. Lucky you for getting a replacement….maybe their policy has changed and I should try them again.

    • Jessica says:

      Jeni,
      My experience with their customer service was like yours – discouraging. I wasn’t even offered a discount; they suggested I take mine to a shoe repair store, which I did with limited success. I bought the Chestnut and perhaps that was part of the problem, they were too light in color to wear well.
      They are super comfortable shoes and great for travel, but I wasn’t impressed with their customer service at all. Glad Anne had better luck.

      • Anne I was wondering about this too. What did you say to customer service to get yours replaced? I got mine in January, and by September they had a hole starting in the toe, so I’ve stopped wearing them. I just assumed they weren’t as awesome as I’d thought and that I’d have deal with it, but seeing your post made me wonder…

        I also second the questions about smelly feet. I saw people say that leather shoes should not retain odor, but mine definitely did. Any suggestions for how to stop that?

        • Lori Brooks says:

          I ordered Gekks to wear inside my new Tieks. I am currently wearing no show peds, which work well, but I hear wonderful things about Gekks. So I want to give them a whirl.

          As far as the hole, I am not surprised, our toenails can stick up a bit and be sharp. I placed a piece of moleskin inside my Tieks, at the toe area to avoid this problem. Moleskin is super cheap, and I want to treasure my Tieks as long as I can. They fit fabulously and I LOVE them!

          • thank you! I hadn’t seen gekks before but just checked them out and they look awesome! Have you had success with them in shoes that were already smelly? Or only in keeping new ones from getting smelly?

            Great idea on the Moleskin! I’ll have to try that!

          • Lori Brooks says:

            I am still awaiting my Gekks. They are a small company, so I expect it to take a while.

            I hear you can swab your shoes with running alcohol and then use Gekks from then forward. It may depend on the shoe, as to whether or not it works to kill the smell. It’s worth a shot.

  9. Julia says:

    Thank you for this detailed review! I have one pair in regular leather (because I have very picky feet and I knew that kind was supposed to be the most comfortable) and I sometimes longingly look at the metallic leather or the patent. It is really helpful to know that you’ve found the metallic leather to also be comfortable!

  10. Melisa says:

    I have the bronze pair. Honestly took a few weeks to break in and was a little discouraged because of the money I spent. Still, I am a fan. They are super cute.

  11. Nancy says:

    Do you think there is room in these shoes for an insert? I need to use orthotics but can’t stand anything that puts pressure top to bottom on my feet. Wondering if they are “tall enough” to accommodate both an insert AND a foot.

  12. Liza says:

    I took the Tieks plunge a couple of months ago. I bought the mustard yellow. While I like them, I wouldn’t say I love them. They are great shoes and were comfortable right out of the box. The color is amazing. But they are already showing wear and tear on the heels. I’ve only worn them a handful of times. As of now, they are just as good as my $70 flats that I got last year (except last year’s flats are horribly beat up). There are more colors that I’d love to get, but I’m not yet sold on them being worth the price. I’ll see how it goes when I finally get around to contacting customer service and how they are for long-term wear.

  13. Natalie says:

    This a great Tieks review! My husband bought me my first two pairs a little over a year ago (ballerina pink and cobalt blue) and they were comfortable pretty much from the beginning with a little breaking in needed. My third pair he bought is gold, and those took longer to break in. I wore them around the house with thick socks for a few days before they stretched out enough to feel comfortable. My husband gave me my fourth pair for Valentine’s Day in cardinal red, and then my fifth pair for my birthday in navy. I also have wide feet and find it hard to shop for shoes. Tieks are expensive, but they are well made and so comfortable. I would say I am hooked!

  14. Jess says:

    Yikes! I feel like there has to be a better shoe with support and smelly feet issues than Tieks at this price range!! I just can’t justify that much money on what is essentially a ballet flat.

    • Natalie says:

      Jess,
      The soles are surprisingly thick, and I don’t know anyone who has had smelly feet issues with Tieks. Sometimes I wear “no show” socks with them but typically I wear them without. They really are great shoes.

      • Lori Brooks says:

        Someone above mentioned having smelly Tieks. I ordered some Gekks and can’t wait to try them. I currently wear no show peds. I want to keep my Tieks tip-top to treasure as long as I can. I am coveting my 3rd pair now, in less than 2 months. I am hooked.

  15. Gina says:

    I love ballet flats and would love to try a pair but alas they are too expensive for my budget. Thank you for all the information – great info if I save up some money and buy some.

  16. I can’t wear heels because of arthritis, and that also means I can’t stand shoes that put too much pressure on my toes. I have a few pairs of Tieks that I found on Ebay,and I love them. They stretch well and don’t kill my back or my hips.

  17. Guest says:

    I’ve been trying to think of a polite way of expressing my opinion about this so I hope I’m successful 🙂 I totally get that $175 and up is well out of budget for many people. I’ve been there myself.

    I bought Tieks because of Anne’s reviews in years past and I absolutely love mine. I had never paid that much for a pair of shoes. As someone who likes a fairly limited wardrobe (including shoes and accessories), the idea of a pair of flats I could wear often while holding up well was very appealing to me. I’ve had ankle/foot surgery and I LOVE how Tieks are comfortable straight out of the box. Additionally, I wear them almost every single day. I say almost because some days I stay in yoga pants and tennis shoes – haha. My cheaper shoes I can’t wear every day because they wear out and/or they get stinky if I wear them every day. If I calculate cost per wear, my Tieks cost me about .50 per day that I wear them. Again, not everyone can afford .50 per day and I get that. But if you can afford to buy a soda most days of the year, Tieks may not be as ridiculously expensive as they seem.

    • I totally agree with you! I love mine and feel like for the quality the price really isn’t that out there. I am having the problem Anne described with a hole forming in one toe, but, encouraged by her post, I’ve contacted customer service. They asked for photos and seem very helpful so I’m hopeful they’re as good about things as everyone describes. They seem pretty with it.

  18. Bonnie says:

    I bought a pair in black leather. It was (by far) the most I’d ever paid for a pair of shoes. I wear a 7.5-8 and ordered them in 8. They hurt! The top of my big toe hits the top of the shoe. I have never worn them outside the house as I can’t stand to have them on more than a few minutes. I don’t think I could wear them with socks. I am also pleasantly surprised (and, honestly, shocked) that they replaced your pair after a year of wear. There are reviews all over the place saying they wouldn’t replace theirs because they had been worn outside! I wonder whether they’ve had a change of policy? Anyone think I should try a size 9? In the meantime I wear my Sam Edelman Felicias, which I love.

    • Anne says:

      I have Sam Edelman felicias! I wore them right out! (B/c I wore them inappropriately, not b/c they are poor quality). Sooo comfortable right out of the box. I wonder if a quality repair shop could do anything for them.

      • Bonnie says:

        I find one pair of mine looking pretty beat-up, too. I wore them on repeat all summer. Polish has helped a little. 🙂 When the time comes, I may try out the shoe repair shop. FWIW, I find the regular leather to be buttery soft and much more comfortable than either the metallic silver/gold or the leopard print.

    • Natalie says:

      Hi Bonnie,
      I normally wear a size 8, rarely an 8.5 and I needed the 9 in Tieks. It may be because my foot is wide, but no way could I wear the size 8 comfortably. It is worth a try.

    • Bonnie says:

      Updated to add: I went back and re-read the review one of the reviews I referenced in my original comment. Since the reviewer had worn her Tieks outside, they wouldn’t REFUND her, but they offered to send her another pair, which she accepted. (She seemed to like the second pair better but still not enough to recommend them. She recommended Soft Stars.). I am intrigued by different people’s responses from customer service when contacting them–Anne and the reviewer got a new pair while others got a discount and still others got nothing. It would be nice to know their policy. $175 and up is a lot of money for most of us.

    • kirby says:

      yes, try a 9! i typically wear 81/2 – 9 & in tieks, 10’s fit perfectly (i do t wear 10’s in anything else). This, upon thinking ‘glad i tried, but these are clearly not for me’ – but CS suggested i try a size up free of charge & im glad i did.

  19. Maryalene says:

    Thanks for the review! I have to admit I have a hard time wrapping my mind around the idea something so flat could be so comfortable. Maybe I’ll have to try them sometime to see for myself!

  20. Heather says:

    How do the patent ones wear (as in scuff)? Are they hard to keep looking nice? I haven’t worn patent leather since I was a little girl, but I remember always having white marks on my black shoes. I love the color of the lavender patent shoes and wish they had that pale purple in the regular leather, but I’m thinking I’d be happier with the long term wear of the darker purple leather. Curious whether you find the you have to be more careful with the patent leather and if it’s harder to keep looking nice.

    • Tara says:

      I have patents in Coral and I’ve worn them all over wet Oregon and they’ve held up great. Super easy to wipe down, which is why I chose the patent leather; no scuffs on them! I was a pretty true size 7 when I bought them (prior to pregnancy), and I should have sized up to an 8. Also, after a couple months of daily wear mine REEK. Like, I can’t take them off in public because it’s embarrassing and I have to immediately wash my feet after wearing them because they smell so bad. This is the main reason I won’t purchase more in the future.

  21. Britany Arnold says:

    Are these only available for purchase online? I was hoping I could go into a store to try them on before diving into the deep end on these.

    • Anne says:

      Yes, only online. (That’s why I have so many conversations with strangers about my shoes–everyone wants to know what they’re really like. 🙂 )

  22. Kimberly says:

    I love the idea of comfy shoes (even if I have to pay a hefty sum for them). I’ve never found ballet flats that I think look good on me and/or that I find comfy. Would you say that this probably will apply equally to Tieks? Basically, if I generally don’t like ballet flats, will I like these?

  23. Glee says:

    Do you prepare the Starstruck or Lovestruck Tieks? Which color goes with more outfits? They are both lovely but I can only afford one pair! I am having a hard time deciding between the two.

    • Natalie says:

      Hi, Glee. My best friend just bought the Lovestruck, and I think they would match just about anything. They’re so cute! I have several pairs of Tieks (red, navy, gold, Arabian nights, poppy, and ballerina pink) but now want a pair of these!

  24. Marea says:

    Absolutely disappointed with customer service. Maybe I’m being unreasonable, but I at least wanted some sort of acknowledgment besides “sorry about your luck!” As I received Lovestruck tieks as my 30th birthday present from my mom only to accidentally step on gum at he gas station two weeks later. I explained the situation and asked if they had any recommendations for cleaning them because I don’t want to ruin them but need to clean them. They basically said that they don’t recommend using anything on them due to the delicate nature of the material. 🙁 seems ridiculous that you can spot clean a pair of $265 shoes. It’s not like I’d attempt to wear them in dirt/grass or in the rain or anything careless. I just was gassing up my car. Absolutely devestated as they are the most beautiful shoes I’ve ever seen and are decently comfortable. But if I can’t wear these outside of a “cleanroom” without feeling nervous, then they aren’t worth the price tag which isn’t in our usual budget. Oh well. Expensive lesson learned.

    • Anne says:

      Is the gum on the bottom of the shoe? I wouldn’t hesitate to be aggressive with cleaning products to get the gum off the bottom of the shoe.

      • Marea says:

        It went from the bottom of the shoe onto the back heel (so a little bit got into the actual shoe itself in the back). I got most of it off wth an ice cube, but t severely matted down part of the back of the heel which is so disappointing. Has anyone attempted using scotchgard inn lovestruck Tieks? Could this help prevent further damage is something gets on them in the future? I’m scared to wear them now

  25. Laura Kotelman says:

    There is a definite difference between the treatment that bloggers get versus the everyday consumer. I bought my Tieks in Sept 2016. I wore them A LOT. We were traveling for months and they were one of the 3 pairs of shoes I brought on the trip. Six months later they have holes in the side–the leather is worn through. I contact Tieks–weeks of back and forth. Finally they offer 30% off a new pair–and state again and again how this is an exceptional deal. Really?? They do not stand behind their product. Even after talking, to them and suggesting a compromise…no resolution. I had researched them a lot before purchasing. I wanted them to stand behind the product. An exchange was acceptable to me. I just want a company that stands behind their products like Nordstrom or Patagonia. Tieks is not that company…If you want to splurge on a pair of shoes, I would suggest Nordstroms.

  26. Brooke says:

    Do you wear socks, like no show socks, with these shoes? If not, I’m curious if the shoes start to smell after a while? That has been my number one issue with ballet flats in the past. I HAVE to wear socks with them to avoid them being permanently smelly!

    • Anne says:

      I don’t, and mine aren’t smelly, but read the comments on this post for what other Tieks wearers use as inserts—it sounds like there are several good options.

  27. Cindee says:

    I agree! I love my Tieks, they aren’t cheap but man they are worth it.

    I too, can never find shoes that fit AND are comfortable. When I do, I buy one of every color! ha

    I wear a 7ww which is very hard to find (before kids I wore a 5ww- think kleenex boxes).

    I have one pair of Tieks and am debating on my second pair. I just can’t decide on color. Thanks for the patent leather tip.

  28. Gina says:

    I just bought my first pair of tieks last week. I got the patent biscotti because I love nude shoes. I want to love them so much, but I’m having a hard time. The first pair were a 6. I wear a 6.5 and sized down as suggested because I have narrow feet. But after wearing them around the house for a few days, I realized they weren’t going to work. So I asked for the 7 which they graciously sent so I could try at the same time as the 6s to be sure. Sadly, they fit better, but I’m not convinced they will be as comfy as I had hoped. I saw the comment about they need to be broken in a bit longer, but I’m wondering if I should just send these back for a regular leather pair. I love shoes! And I’ve wanted a pair of tieks for 5 years! But they just aren’t living up to what I wanted them to be. Do I give them more time or send them back for the regular leather? Thanks!

  29. Gloria Padilla says:

    I wish I could say I loved these or I am so happy I spent $200 and its well worth it! I have arches and these are so uncomfortable I tried all the tricks they mold to your feet keep wear them through the pain wear thick socks, blow dry them. I never could get them to be comfortable enough. I wore them a few days a week ever few weeks. I had to give my feet a break. So now after a few years they are comfortable enough to wear for a few hours, but now they have they ugly yellow stains on them despite the fact I would clean them ever few months.I wrote tieks for tips or to see what how they could help me maybe an exchange but all they told me was you cant store them next to each other or next to any other shoes as they will absorb other colors. No help at all. No where was there any mentioned on paperwork or tips from tieks that ever mention this problem. I was debating buying another pair but I think this will be my first and last pair. What a waste. I never see bad reviews so I just wanted to share my experience.

  30. Samantha says:

    I want to thank you for your review — I have large, wide feet as well and was really worried that these might not work for me. I, too, struggle to find shoes, and I really appreciate what you said here: ” I’ve given myself permission to spend more money on the areas that give me trouble.” Forever I’ve simply settled for other things because I couldn’t give myself permission to spend a little more for happiness, but I’m purchasing my first pair today, so thank you!!!

    • Allison says:

      Hi Samantha –
      I really hope the Tieks work out for you but I want to let you know that I have very wide feet the the Tieks did not work for me and I sent them back the next day. Good Luck!

      • Samantha says:

        Oh dear — thanks for the heads up. Did you have an issue with the return? I’m thinking about buying two sizes and returning the one that doesn’t fit – or both I guess if they don’t. I’m always worried about returning expensive products though!

        • Allison says:

          To be honest, this was a couple of years ago, when i ordered them. I don’t remember if I called them to tell them I was returning them or not, but I’m sure if the instructions said to call I called, but then, there were no issues returning them at all. I made sure I put them back in the box the exact way they came – they came all scrunched and folded in a very small box. I think I ordered the shoes in response to this post when it first appeared – so it was sort of holiday-time-ish. Is that tmi?
          I don’t remember their sizing, but i must’ve ordered a 10 because after I had my kids my shoe size went to a 9.5; and an 11 – i’d be walking out of the shoe.

  31. Olivia says:

    I love the striped bag pictured in this post! Could you tell me the brand or where you found it? Thanks so much!

  32. donna says:

    I love these shoes but have never bought any…way out of my price range. I have a very small foot and I find great shoes in the children’s departments of big box stores. Time is long past that I care about real leather or the maker. In retirement I want fashion but comfort and cost.
    I do, however, love your shoes! Always have since I discovered them!!

    • Anne says:

      I’m so jealous of my friends who can get flats and Hunter boots for much, much less in the children’s department. (I outgrew that section for shoes in 3rd grade, oy.)

  33. Yvonne says:

    How bad is the wrinkled look on the patent leather? I have OCD and i’m afraid I’ll hate it since the matte doesn’t have wrinkles, but i love the rich color.

  34. Wendy says:

    Love my Tieks but does anyone else have a problem with the heel collapsing/squishing? I wear between an 8.5-9 so I buy 9 in Tieks. I’ve tried an 8 and they’re just too small. Wondering what I can do about the collapsing heel issue. Thoughts ladies?

  35. Braiden Jackson says:

    I love your posts and book recommendations so please know this comes from a fan. I own 9 pair so am also a fan of the shoes overall despite their customer service.

    To say that Tieks will replace your shoes via their great customer service is doing readers a disservice. Tieks has great marketing (exchange new ones, send personalized notes which is part of their branding) but does not in general replace shoes that have been worn outside for 2 days, let alone for the greater part of 14 months. The true customer service is not there–read of the many who’ve had actual issues within the first few months and not received an exchange. Great marketing and branding is not the same as true customer service. Tieks thrives due to social media influence and branding, not because of customer service.
    Expecting a refund on shoes you wore hundreds of times is pretty unreasonable regardless of the cost and you admittedly walk crazy amounts of miles and used them for play as well. This expectation is unfair to set with your readers, I imagine at some point you referenced your blog or readers because they would not have done this for those who don’t have the ability to provide large scale negative feedback. Again, you will find an exceptional number of reviews stating that Tieks would not replace shoes where the stitching was coming out after 2 weeks because they had been worn outside even once.

    Disappointed when influencers play the system (14 months–really?) and then make readers believe that they will receive the same special and unique privileges.

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