Step into style and comfort with the TOMS Women's Classic Alpargata Slip-On Shoe. Known for its classic alpargata design, this shoe is made from a durable canvas upper that boasts an effortless charm while ensuring breathability and flexibility. The elastic gore provides an easy fit, allowing you to slip these shoes on without any fuss. Inside, you'll find a sumptuous suede footbed that cushions your feet as you walk, making these shoes perfect for all-day wear.
TOMS commitment goes beyond stylish footwear; with every pair purchased, a new pair is donated to a child in need. This one-for-one model not only enhances your wardrobe but also contributes positively to global communities.
Product | Upper Material | Footbed | Donation Model |
---|---|---|---|
TOMS Women's Classic Alpargata | Canvas | Suede | One for One |
Olukai Ohana Slip-On | Textile | EVA | No Donation |
Sanuk Yoga Mat Sandals | Textile | Yoga Mat | No Donation |
The TOMS Women's Classic Alpargata Slip-On Shoe stands out in the world of casual footwear due to its unique blend of style, comfort, and social responsibility. The alpargata's roots trace back to Argentina, where its traditional rope-soled design has been reimagined for contemporary fashion. With its clean lines and minimalist aesthetic, this shoe easily transitions from casual outings to slightly more dressy events.
Comfort-wise, the canvas upper allows for breathability, making it an ideal choice for warmer months or prolonged wear. The elastic gore ensures a snug fit, adapting to the shape of your foot without feeling restrictive. The luxurious suede footbed further elevates the comfort level, providing cushioning that you can appreciate after hours of walking.
While the shoe excels in many areas, potential buyers should be aware of its limitations. Some users might find the lack of substantial arch support a drawback, particularly if they require more structured footwear. Additionally, sizing can be a hit or miss; therefore, trying them on before purchasing is advisable to ensure a proper fit.
Overall, the TOMS Women’s Classic Alpargata is not just a shoe; it’s a statement. Whether you’re drawn to its aesthetic appeal or its philanthropic mission, you’ll be making a choice that speaks volumes about your lifestyle. Plus, knowing that your purchase helps provide shoes for children in need adds an extra layer of satisfaction to each step you take.
Category | Score | Description |
---|---|---|
Comfort | 4.5/5 | Soft footbed and flexible fit make them comfortable for all-day wear. |
Style | 4.7/5 | Timeless design that pairs well with various outfits. |
Value | 4.0/5 | Competitive pricing paired with a charitable contribution model. |
Durability | 4.2/5 | Constructed from quality materials, though care is needed for longevity. |
I have never owned TOMS or BOBS in my life, but I thought both shoes were adorable and their missions noble, so I decided to buy both shoes and do a side by side comparison. (I also included side by side photos of the unboxing of each shoe in the hopes that it might be helpful to someone else!)First up, TOMS (they were $34.76 when purchased). They are completely authentic TOMS when purchased from the TOMS retailer (as opposed to a third party company) so no need to worry. They are made out of textile (cloth and woven fabrics) and have a synthetic sole. They also have a canvas top with an elastic bit for an easy slip on design and comfortable fit. The shoes are very lightweight and come in an awesome assortment of vibrant colors with adorable interior fabric prints (although I personally chose black again which had a very cute cream and black wild life pattern on the inside). The insole is made out of suede and feels very comfortable but not as supportive as I was hoping for. An additionally bonus is that with every pair of TOMS purchased, an additional pair is donated to a child in need which is super rad. I do like these shoes but part of me feels like you are paying for the name. But they are still a great price and when you think of the good they are doing by donating a second pair of shoes it's totally worth it.Next up, BOBS by Sketchers (they were on sale for $28.88 marked down from $42.00 when purchased). They are made out of a canvas fabric and have rubber sole. They slide on easily and comfortably because of the stretchy goring wedge at the top of the shoe. The footbed is made out of memory foam and they have a shock absorbing low profile midsole which is great for those who find themselves on their feet longer. In addition they have an "arch pillow" that provides exceptional support. They also come in a beautiful assortment of colors, both vibrant, natural and pastel which I love! Even the interior of these shoes is adorable (for the comparison I opted for black which have the cutest black and grey cheetah pattern!). The bonus of buying BOBS is that they are currently running a promotion in which 25¢ from each purchase will be donated to the Petco Foundation to help save the lives of dogs and cats in America’s shelters. I am extremely pleased with these shoes so far!Although I really do like and recommend both shoes, I'd have to say that I personally like the BOBS more. In spite of the fact that both shoes look nearly identical, I do tend to side with the all black look that the BOBS have (although I recently found out that you can purchase that style in TOMS too! 😊). I also enjoy the fact that you have the option of choosing a wide fit (which I usually wear) in BOBS while TOMS unfortunately does not offer a wide option, they simply recommend buying a size up if you have wider feet. In addition, I really liked the memory foam footbed and the "arch pillow" in the BOBS because I'm on my feet all day chasing miniature humans and if I don't have proper support, my knees and hips will yell at me 😂. I still recommend both products but again, I did like personally liked the BOBS more.
I was dubious about how comfortable these shoes were. They don't look like they would be comfy, but they are. I always wear socks in them though, so that could make a difference too. The bottom of the shoe is made from a soft material, so they begin to smooth out readily with a lot of use. I'm just a little concerned with slipping if the textures on the bottom completely smooth out, but the material seems like the rubber on a pencil eraser; I suppose it should be good. I've used mine mainly for walks. A friend of mine hiked a steep, dry trail with these on once. There were tree roots and rocks all along the way, so my feet in my tennis shoes felt the discomfort, but my friend states she didn't. No clue if she's just weird, but I agree that these shoes are very comfortable. I hate looking at my feet in flats, and flats are never comfortable to me, so these are a great alternate to those.
I was worried that I would get a pair of fake ones like others have stated but I purchased it from Amazon. I even chatted with an Amazon representative inquiring about "what if I receive a fake pair" but they assured me I wouldn't. I also looked up how to spot a fake pair once I received my pair and mine was not fake! They are true to size and surprisingly comfortable. I normally wear a size 6 and ordered a 6. Perfect fit. I always thought Toms were hideous but after a girlfriend raved about how comfortable they were, I decided to pull the trigger and do not regret my decision.
This is an awesome shoe, very cute, seems very durable. The sizing is a little big though, I normally wear a 6.5, and ordered a size 6, and it is still a tiny bit too big. It is hard to wear the hidden socks with these shoes, because they slide down a little bit, so I got some terry cloth in soles from zappos that work well, and also solved my problem of the shoes being a tiny bit too big. They are easy to clean, and look really cute with any outfit. Recommend!
You can use them for walking or stay home..
My other Toms I ordered a size 6 (usually where 6.5) and they fit great. These were much too big so I have to return and get a size 5.5. Not sure why the sizing is so much different.
TOMS are always difficult for certain people to wear. I don't have narrow feet but I have a high discomfort tolerance when it comes to my feet in new shoes. I know that with TOMS, it normally takes them a week before my feet feel comfortable in them. Once they stretch out a bit, I can honestly wear these day and night. They're not meant for hiking, rainy weather, beaches, etc. so if you use them all the time, they will most certainly wear out quickly. I use them for running errands, shopping, walking around town, etc. and they have lasted me at least a year before needing replacement (and that was with me getting caught in the rain with them several times). I'm always a size 6 in TOMS (about half a size smaller than I am in regular shoes), so think about sizing down a half size. Try walking around in them in the house before removing the tags and if they still feel uncomfortable after 3-4 days, Amazon normally offers free returns. They shouldn't be painful but they will feel tight on the sides for a bit but they always do stretch enough if you get them in the right size.
I bought this for my daughter, I wish i would have bought a size bigger i did not realize it was going to be tight on her feet. overall great product and price