Are Soludos Espadrilles Worth the Hype?
Some brands just saturate the market, and if you're shopping for espadrilles, you've likely come across Soludos. Marketed as original espadrilles, high quality, and high style, I wanted to know for sure, are Soludos espadrilles worth the hype?
As a person who requires wide width shoes, I have tried Soludos and failed, as I do with many footwear brands. While I couldn't wiggle my toes into the shoes, I did like the look and quality of Soludos espadrilles and sneakers. I invited a member of the Wardrobe Oxygen community with average-width feet to review Soludos espadrilles and share their honest thoughts, helping us uncover the truth about this popular footwear brand.

Are Soludos Espadrilles Worth the Hype?
I reached out in the Wardrobe Oxygen private Facebook group for someone to review Soludos espadrilles, and dozens applied. I chose Rachel Sutherland, a longtime reader, self-professed shoe lover, and former fashion editor. Rachel had the Soludos espadrilles and sneakers of her choice delivered to her, and even got to experience Soludos customer service as the wrong size was initially delivered. Take it away, Rachel!
Soludos Espadrilles and Sneakers Review
by Rachel Sutherland
I love shoes. So much in fact, that during my time as the fashion editor for a large daily newspaper, my weekly column was called If The Shoe Fits. Platform, ballet flats, clogs, sneakers, wedges, boots, sandals – yes please. Do you have them in black?
When the opportunity to review Soludos espadrilles for Wardrobe Oxygen arose, I jumped at the chance to revisit my days of consumer journalism.
It’s been a long minute since I wore espadrilles – middle school, maybe? – so I was doubly excited for the chance to slip into some shoes that are the embodiment of summer. And the brand, founded in 2010, is just fun. Soludos combines the Spanish words “salud” (cheers) and “sol” (sun).
Overall, my Soludos experience was good, but also surprisingly challenging. The shoes are high quality and well made, but the sizing, especially for sneakers, was problematic. I am sold 39 euro size, which translates to about 8.5 in US women's sizing. While standardized guidelines should ensure consistency across the board, sizing can be a tricky situation when you factor in brand, materials, toe box, heel height (not the case here), and personal comfort.
Soludos Ibiza Classic Sneaker Review
I, like many women, welcomed the arrival of fashion sneakers, and I have embraced the comfortable trend with gusto. I’ve got all styles and profiles in my closet: platform, custom, solid colors, designer … The list goes on. I was missing a set of metallic kicks, so I chose to test the Ibiza Classic in Platinum, size 9.
I used the perfect fit tool on the website, and it suggested a 9.5. I’m typically an 8.5 in sneakers. Hm. The website says: “The Ibiza runs a bit small, please size up by 1/2 a size for the perfect fit. They're made from irresistibly soft leather, so there's no break in period.”
After a good bit of waffling, I ordered the 9, and they’re fine, but I probably could have gone with an 8.5 for a more perfect fit. The shoes are wide (I have a pretty normal foot, not high volume, not especially wide), and no matter how tight I tied the laces, they never felt snug. The leather is buttery and supple, with no break-in period, but it also lacks support. I felt like my foot was sliding around in the shoe. I added a pair of slip-in inserts to get a more snug fit.
This sneaker balances style with practical comfort. It's polished enough for work-ish scenarios, relaxed enough for weekend wandering, and chic enough to elevate even simple outfits.
A platform sole would have made me really fall in love. A girl can dream. (Note that the Ibiza sneaker does come with a platform sole, but not in platinum.)
Soludos Dali Mule Review
I love a shoe I can take off at a moment's notice – mules and clogs are my go-to, always. I want options! I can’t be constricted by the back of a shoe! A mule espadrille? Sign me up. I chose Noche Black in 8-8.5.
I was concerned the fit for the Soludos Dali Mule was going to be too tight, but they were right on the money. The website tried to calm my fears before ordering: “Heads up, these are meant to feel a bit snug out of the box and mold to your feet within 15-30 minutes of wear.” Absolutely true, though I was freaking out for the first 10 minutes I had them on.
The Dali Mule is an easygoing update to the classic espadrille. It’s perfect for lounge-y summer outings or brunch — but definitely not your hero shoes for long walks. The unique arch flap is a tricky trade-off: adds pliability but can pinch or fold.
The cotton canvas is snug, but not suffocating, and in concert with the traditional jute soles, they molded to my feet after the first wear. These espadrille mules will forever earn a spot in my suitcase, infinitely packable and fully prepared for double duty: cute with pants, dresses, and excellent as slippers too.
And, as a bonus, there is a right and left shoe with the Dali Mule, a welcome modern update from the traditional espadrille style from Spain.
Soludos Smoking Espadrille Review
The Soludos Smoking Espadrille with embroidered chili peppers isn’t just a shoe — it’s a spicy little rebellion against traditional summer footwear. The comfy silhouette gets an upgrade with playful chili embroidery that practically dares someone to comment (and they will). It's equal parts cheeky and chic. I chose Armada Chili, size 8-8.5.
With a nod to the timeless smoking slipper (a type of slip-on shoe, similar to loafers, that was initially designed as indoor shoes for the upper class in the 1800s), these navy espadrilles are instant classics.
The fit was tight at first, so much so I doubted I could get them on my feet. But I persevered, and just like Soludos said, they stretched to my feet without being pinchy or painful.
Cropped wide leg pants are practically begging to be worn with these comfy espadrilles, and the shoes work well with midi and maxi dresses too.
About Rachel Sutherland:
For more than 24 years, Rachel Sutherland has made it her business — first as a journalist, now as a publicist — to know who, what, when, where, why and how. The Michigan native is a proud graduate of Wayne State University and lives in Charlotte, NC, with her husband and two children.
About Soludos
Nick Brown launched Soludos in 2010 when he couldn't find a pair of espadrilles in New York like the ones he picked up every summer while on holiday in Spain. He gave his Soho-based company a Spanish-sounding name, hoping that the customer would think it was a heritage brand.
Soludos quickly gained popularity and had collaborations with well-known and loved names like Lemlem, J. Crew, Jason Polan, We Are Handsome, Wren, Malhia Kent, and Opening Ceremony. Brown himself was featured as a jet-setting style icon in places like Condé Nast Traveler, Glossy, GQ, and Vogue.
In 2023, Brown sold Soludos after struggling to get back on top after the pandemic. Late and incomplete orders and poor communication with customers marred Soludos' stellar reputation. Soludos is now an operating subsidiary, but information as to the current owners isn't readily available. That being said, with the strong influencer and marketing push, the new owners are clearly focused on maintaining Soludos as the top brand for espadrilles and summer shoes.
Experiencing Soludos Customer Service
Rachel initially received the Soludos Smoking Espadrilles in the wrong size. I reached out to Soludos and they provided me with their customer care email address so I would get the true customer experience dealing with an exchange.
Soludos' customer service is email-based, but humans are available and provide quick responses even in off-hours. The situation was remedied very quickly and painlessly with Soludos sending the correct size and a postage-paid label for Rachel to return the wrong shoes.
Disclosure:
Soludos offered Wardrobe Oxygen a few pairs of their shoes from a specific lookbook. I provided the lookbook to Rachel, she picked the shoes in her size, and they were delivered to her. Rachel can keep the shoes, and I also paid her a fair rate for her excellent review. If you would like to be considered for a future community product review, consider joining the Wardrobe Oxygen Community on Facebook and/or subscribing to The Laundry Pile on Substack.
If you ever need help doing a side by side comparison of Sabah vs Charix loafer styles, I’d be happy to help. 🙂
What size did you order in the mules and smoking espadrille? This would be helpful to know!
Ack, that was me! I forgot to put them in; Rachel got 8-8.5 in the two espadrille styles and 9 in the sneakers.