When I bought my first pair of Tieks in 2015 I was very intrigued by the supple leather that would mold to your foot. And, the colors. Oh, the colors were glorious. Since I’ve amassed quite a collection of Tieks over the past few years, I get a lot of questions about the shoes and how they fit. I’ve gotten dozens of emails about vegan Tieks over the past several months, so I figured it was time to give these vegan flats a try.
Vegan Flats
To be completely honest, I had no interest in the Tieks vegan collection at first. First of all, I'm not vegan. Second of all, I love high-quality leather. So, why would I want a pair of vegan flats?
Well, the answer might have to do with my Tieks obsession. As I mentioned in my Tieks review, I sincerely love these ballet flats and I've collected quite a few pairs over the years. In fact, if you haven't read my post about how to pick the perfect pair of Tieks shoes, you really should; I've got real-life photos of around 40 pairs with side-by-side comparisons. But, I hadn't ever tried a pair of vegan Tieks. After several people asked me about them, I decided it was time to take the plunge.
Vegan Tieks come in 5 different styles and are made from fine European textiles and hand-crafted just like their leather counterparts. Greystone, Silver Lake, Brentwood, Echo Park and Sunset Stripe are created using natural, paraben-free dyes.
Vegan Tieks Sizing
Many people are unsure about what size Tieks to buy. They only come in whole sizes and I find them to be pretty true to size. That means if you're an 8 in other shoes, you're an 8 in Tieks. Most people who are a half size will find that they can size up or down pretty comfortably. If you're a half size and have a wide foot, you'll probably need to size up. I'm a true 8.5 (but I wear a size 9 in most sneakers and have pretty normal feet) and have found that size 9 Tieks fit me perfectly.
However, this wasn't my experience with vegan Tieks. Since I'd heard in a few chat groups, like Tieks Anonymous, that vegan Tieks run small, I ordered my first pair of Greystone Tieks in size 10. They were too big. I contacted a Tieks associate who told me that yes, the vegan collection does tend to run small, but not the Greystone. The Greystone Tieks are made from an interpretation of wool fabric and actually run true to size. Sunset Stripe, Silver Lake, Echo Park, and Brentwood are made from a different material (which is a burlap interpretation) and won't stretch or mold to the foot like leather varieties, so most people will need to size up. I decided to try a pair of Sunset Stripe instead because the colors were calling my name. The size 10 Sunset Stripe felt pretty good, but they felt a little roomier than my Classics and Patents. I put in an exchange for a size 9 Sunset Stripe (thanks to the Tieks awesome return/exchange policy) but as soon as I received them I knew they would be too tight to wear all day. They seemed okay in length, but the material felt tighter and I knew it wouldn’t give overtime. I opted to stick with the size 10 and I’m so glad that I did.
Are these vegan shoes comfortable?
I was a little skeptical about whether these vegan shoes would be as comfortable as my leather Tieks, but I’m thrilled to report that they are just as comfortable in every way. The footbed felt a bit different since the insole is made of synthetic material and not leather, but overall they felt similar and comfy. This pair fit great right out of the box.
But, they're fabric, not soft and supple leather, so how can these vegan shoes be worth the $175 price tag? Well, these flats are hand-crafted using the same 150 steps that it takes to create every other pair of Tieks. The workmanship is remarkable. Plus, the beautiful Italian fabric is extremely high-quality and more durable than I could have imagined.
I wore my Sunset Stripe Tieks every day for an entire week and put them to the test. On day one, I wore them to the grocery store and ran my foot over with the shopping cart no less than three times. I was sure I'd end up with marks or frayed fabric, but that wasn't the case at all. Not a scuff! The next day, I wore them to my brother's house for a family party and stepped out of my SUV into wet, muddy grass. I went inside to clean the fabric flats and found that the mud came off pretty easily with spot treatment.
Besides the fact that these vegan shoes are super comfortable, I’m also thrilled with the colors and style. Sunset Stripe has such a great mixture of yellows, oranges, and blues and I love the way they pair with my wardrobe.
As I mentioned, I'm not vegan so purchasing these flats wasn't for ethical reasons, but I can certainly see the value in them for those who live a vegan lifestyle. I bought them because I was genuinely interested in the print and to see if they'd be as comfortable as my other Tieks. They passed with flying colors. I'd buy another pair of vegan Tieks without hesitation.
So, what do you think about vegan Tieks?
I'd love to hear!
All images were taken by the insanely talented Jenny B. Photography.
Meagan BS says
I'm glad to know these hold up as well as any other tieks. They are cute!
Ruth V. says
They are SUPER cute! I'm already eyeing another pair. 🙂
Mia says
I am not vegan but these might be something that I would still give a try. Might have to do some experimenting with the sizes.
Ruth V. says
Let me know if you decide to give them a try!
Amber Ludwig says
I love that they are made using the same steps and the same care!! I love to hear that they feel amazing just like the originals!! I love that they have this option available for those who either are vegan or are just anti-leather!!
shelly peterson says
These are really cute. I would love to get a pair.
Terri W says
I’m now obsessed with Sunset Stripe but they’re out of size 10. Joined the wait list!
Ruth V. says
They are so pretty! I hope they restock for you soon! 🙂
Lynn M says
I love that they are great for sensitive skin
Kathleen says
How quickly was your exchange done for the 9's to the 10's? I ordered a pair for a trip to Paris and London and want to break them in before I go. I am also an 8 1/2- 9 and the Vegan Brentwood Tieks I got in a 9 seem awfully tight around the top of the toe and my toes are completely at the end. Do you think I should try a 10? I am debating maybe switching to the leather ones though. What are your thoughts? Thanks
Ruth V. says
I'd definitely size up for Brentwood. Or, try a size 9 in the Classics. The exchanges are usually done within a week, but you can try to call to see if they can expedite it for you. I hope that helps!
gloria patterson says
I like Tieks and would love to have some but they don't fit my budget. i really like these stripped ones.
Have always wondered where do you store/keep 40 pairs of tieks
Cool Mommy says
I guess it's the kind of thing where some of us have to make it a special, one-time investment. I hear nothing but good things, so that's what I'm going to do. Investing in my feet!
Lynsey says
I have a pair of Ballet Pink classic Teiks and the are Amazing! I am looking to get a second pair and was debating between the cool grey classics and the vegan Silver Lake.
I have noticed that I am a bit hard on my shoes and already have quite a scuff at the front and heel of my Ballet Pinks...do you think the Silver Lake will be more durable?
Ruth V. says
Hi Lynsey! If you're hard on your shoes, I'd suggest a classic color that you can polish as needed. The Vegans will be a bit harder to maintain and if you scratch or catch those on something they won't be as easy to "fix." I hope that helps!
Lynsey says
Very helpful! Thank you 🙂
Lynsey says
How do you clean the vegan teiks?
Ruth V. says
When I got some mud on my Sunset Stripe, I used a slightly damp cloth and some soap and a baby wipe. Hope that helps!