Are Soludos Worth It? Two Readers Put Them to the Real Life Test

Why I Keep Recommending Soludos

If you have been reading Wardrobe Oxygen for a while, you know I often recommend Soludos espadrilles and sneakers. I love the classic yet cool aesthetic, the color and design options, and how they are perennially chic non-heel options for summer and beyond. That being said, you never see me wear Soludos because I have wide and high volume feet that do not fit in them, along with most non-wide width shoes.

But over the 20+ years of running Wardrobe Oxygen I have learned that what makes us women great is that we are not all the same. And because we are all different, we all have different needs. I want to offer quality options for a range of bodies and lifestyles, and I know from my site metrics that y'all love classic yet comfortable shoes that transcend trends, and y'all love espadrilles and lifestyle sneakers. And I know Soludos offers great options for both styles of shoes.

Over the past two years, I have gifted Soludos to two different readers so I can offer you details and feedback on these shoes that you may not find on the product website or from a sponsored post on social media. Rachel Sutherland, a longtime reader and former fashion editor, previously shared her thoughts on Soludos espadrilles and sneakers. And more recently, Jessica Plaxton, a full-time working mom in midlife received two gifted pairs of Soludos to share her experience.

For 2026, I decided to combine these two reviews together to provide a more comprehensive Soludos review: three styles of espadrilles, two styles of sneakers, from two very different women with different lives but both with the goal of finding footwear that combines style with comfort.

Meet the Reviewers

I asked each reviewer to pick one espadrille and one sneaker, but from that their choice. In 2025, Soludos offered three pairs of gifted shoes; in 2026 two. This is why there are five Soludos shoes reviews. The two reviewers:

Rachel Sutherland

Rachel is CEO of a communications company, mother of two, longtime Wardrobe Oxygen reader, and a self-described shoe lover. She loves shoes so much that during her years as a fashion editor for a large daily newspaper, her weekly column was called If The Shoe Fits. Rachel has tried every style of shoe imaginable and brings a sharp editorial eye to her assessments. Rachel wears a size 8.5.

Jessica Plaxton

I met Jessica decades ago when we both worked for fashion brands at the same mall. We both had a passion for fashion and a love of heels… and now we both suffer the consequences. Jessica now lives many states away but we have kept in touch through the Wardrobe Oxygen community. She is a full-time working mom with a 9-year-old plus two bonus kids in their 20s. Her job has her visiting client sites, requiring her to be on her feet but always looking polished. She wears a size 8.5 shoe.

The Soludos Shoes Tested

The two reviewers tested three styles of Soludos espadrilles and two styles of Soludos sneakers across multiple days of real wear:

• Dali Original Espadrille (Jessica)
• Dali Mule Espadrille (Rachel)
• Smoking Espadrille (Rachel)
• Roma Retro Sneaker (Jessica)
• Ibiza Classic Sneaker (Rachel)

Jessica's Review: Dali Original Espadrille and Roma Retro Sneaker

By Jessica Plaxton

As a busy working mom with a 9-year-old boy, I've gotten a lot more practical about shoes over the years. My days usually involve some combination of work, errands, family activities, and trying to squeeze in a little personal time somewhere in the middle of it all. I used to wear heels almost every day, but comfort matters a lot more to me now — although I still want shoes that feel stylish and reflect my personal style. Since I wear dresses most of the time, I'm always looking for shoes that feel feminine, versatile, and realistic for everyday life.

A couple of years ago, I bought a pair of Soludos velvet ankle-tie d'Orsay heels and had such a good experience with them that I was excited when I saw Alison's invitation to try the Soludos Dali Original Espadrilles and Roma Retro Sneakers. After wearing both pairs through full, very normal busy days, I can honestly say they've both earned a spot in my regular rotation for completely different reasons.

For sizing reference, I wear my usual size 8.5 with a regular-width foot. The Dali Espadrilles came in an 8–8.5 range, which fit perfectly, and I also went with an 8.5 in the sneakers.

The Dali Original Espadrille in Iberia Brown

The first pair I tried was the Dali Original Espadrille in Iberia Brown. Right out of the box, I loved the rich dark brown color. It feels classic without being too heavy for summer, and it works so well with neutrals, white, denim, and linen — basically most of my warm-weather wardrobe. I also liked that the darker brown felt a little more polished than a typical sandal while still keeping that relaxed espadrille feel.

The first day I wore them, I paired them with denim shorts, a jewel-toned top, and gold accessories. The brown really tied everything together.

When I first slipped them on, they felt a little firm — not uncomfortable, just more structured than I expected. But throughout the day they softened up nicely and started molding to my feet. By the end of the day, they felt noticeably more comfortable while still feeling supportive. This was my first experience with flat espadrilles (my other pairs are wedges from Viscata and Lisa Vicky), so I wasn't sure what to expect comfort-wise. I ended up pleasantly surprised.

I also happened to wear the espadrilles on a very hot North Carolina day — around 92 degrees — which honestly felt like the perfect test. I had them on around the house most of the morning and later wore them walking around downtown Wake Forest and the reservoir. I fully expected my feet to feel hot by the end of the day, but they stayed breathable and comfortable the entire time.

What stood out most:

• Versatile enough to wear with a sundress for errands, lunch, travel, or work
• Held up for a full day on my feet — not just a short outing
• The dark brown reads as polished, not casual-only
• I can absolutely see wearing these to visit clients at dealerships

The Soludos Dali Espadrilles feel like the kind of easy, reliable pair you end up reaching for constantly.

The Roma Retro Sneaker in Sunrise Cloud

The Soludos Roma Retro Sneaker may honestly be one of the most comfortable sneakers I've owned.

The first thing I noticed was how soft the sole felt immediately. There really wasn't a break-in period at all. I wore them with the laces out, although I also like the tucked-in look Soludos styles on their website. Either way, they felt great from morning until night.

I wore these sneakers on a packed Saturday: a golf lesson, immediately followed by a kids' birthday party, then grocery shopping. Basically a very typical busy-mom Saturday where comfort matters because you're in your shoes all day.

Since I was heading straight from golf to the party, I paired the Sunrise Cloud color with a white dress, and I loved how the outfit came together. The colors are soft and subtle without feeling overly trendy, and they worked perfectly with the dress.

What I loved most:

• They feel casual but still elevated — a lot of sneakers look too sporty or bulky with dresses, but these don't
• Lightweight enough that even after hours on my feet, they never started feeling stiff or heavy
• The cushioning stayed soft all day
• The closest comparison in my closet would be Nike Court Vintage Premium sneakers, but those lean more athletic. I preferred the softer color combination of the Soludos pair and liked that they felt more versatile style-wise

Jessica's Overall Verdict

“I really feel like Soludos understands that women want shoes that work for actual everyday life — not just something that photographs well online.”

Both styles feel polished and stylish, but more importantly, they're comfortable enough to wear through full, busy days without counting down the minutes until you can take them off.

• Dali Original Espadrilles: Perfect for warm-weather days when you want something breathable and a little more polished than sandals
• Roma Retro Sneakers: Ideal for busy weekends, casual outings, travel, or any day where you know you'll be on your feet for hours

As much as I still love heels and wedges, I've started gravitating toward shoes that I'll realistically reach for over and over again. Both of these fit that category for me.

Rachel's Review: Ibiza Classic Sneaker, Dali Mule, and Smoking Espadrille

By Rachel Sutherland

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).

The Ibiza Classic Sneaker

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.

My experience with Soludos sneakers:

• 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
• The shoes do not offer 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.
• Polished enough for work-adjacent scenarios, relaxed enough for weekend wandering

“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.”

Sizing note: The Ibiza runs small; Soludos recommends sizing up half a size. Rachel ordered a 9 (one size up from her usual 8.5) and found it slightly roomy. If you're between sizes, lean toward your true size rather than going up a full size.

The Dali Mule Espadrille

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 Espadrille 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.  

My Experience with the Soludos Espadrille Mules:

• The Dali Mule Espadrille is an easygoing update to the classic espadrille.
• 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
• The unique arch flap is a tricky trade-off: adds pliability but can pinch or fold
• It’s perfect for lounge-y summer outings or brunch — but definitely not your hero shoes for long walks.

“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.”

A detail worth noting: There is a right and left shoe with the Dali Mule Espadrille, a welcome modern update from the traditional espadrille style from Spain. 

Sizing note: Runs true to size. The mule is meant to feel snug at first and molds within 15–30 minutes.

The Smoking Espadrille

Note: The Armada Chili print Rachel tested is no longer available, but Soludos offers other seasonal embroidered styles and classic colorways in the Smoking Espadrille silhouette.

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), the Soludos Smoking Espadrilles are instant classics. I chose Armada Chili, size 8-8.5.

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 smoking espadrilles, and the shoes work well with midi and maxi dresses too.

“The Soludos Smoking Espadrille is a comfy silhouette upgraded with playful embroidery that practically dares someone to comment (and they will). It's equal parts cheeky and chic.”

Rachel's Overall Verdict

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 Sizing & Fit: What You Need to Know

Before you order, here's what both reviewers found regarding Soludos sizing:

• Soludos runs true to size for standard-width feet
• The espadrilles come in half-size ranges (e.g., 8–8.5). If you're between sizes, size up.
• Soludos is not a good fit for wide-width feet. The toe box is narrow. If you wear a wide fit, I'd recommend looking at my guide for where to shop for stylish wide width shoes instead.
• The sneakers don't require a break-in period; the espadrilles soften over the first day of wear

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 also human-based 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.

Your Questions About Soludos Shoes, Answered

The Bottom Line

My wide high volume feet don't work with Soludos. But I know my feet are not typical, I know Soludos is famous for quality and classic style, and I love that two members of the Wardrobe Oxygen community have given these shoes a workout and year after year, have found them to be great for quality, comfort, and style.

If you have a standard-width foot and you've been curious about Soludos, consider this your sign to try them. Use code ALISON20 for 20% off at Soludos.com.