Our Pros Say Meghan Markle's Favorite Flats Are Absolutely Worth the Hype
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Just because you're lounging at home doesn't mean you can't feel put together and luxurious. Walking barefoot on cold floors all day is uncomfortable and at times even painful. Yet, most slippers on the market are just not fashionable or fun. The designers of Birdies sought out to fix this issue with comfortable, supportive and stylish shoes that are secretly slippers, perfect to wear when hosting guests or lounging around the house without feeling frumpy.
But do they live up to the hype? I'm a fiber scientist and footwear expert at the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab who's tested hundreds of walking shoes, slippers, dress shoes, running sneakers and heels... and I wear Birdies slippers nearly every night. Here, I answer everything you need to know before purchasing your own pair.
What are Birdies?
Birdies is a shoe brand that originally designed trendy indoor slippers, but customers loved how comfortable the slides and flats were and began wearing them out and about too. With a seven layer footbed that conforms to your foot shape, these shoes combine "the support of a sneaker, the softness of a slipper and the style of a designer flat."
A plush quilted satin fabric covers the high-density memory foam with arch and heel support to absorb shock as you move. Our GH editors think the supportive footbed and trendy designs make Birdies a must-buy for home and office wear alike. They're also wildly popular for comfort among reviewers, unsurprisingly. One reviewer bought three pairs, saying "I can teach on my feet all day with zero issues."
Starling Flats
birdies.com
$98.00
birdies
Which Birdies shoes are best?
Birdies offers flats, slides and sneakers with different styles for each. Testers found that Birdies shoes run pretty true to size, though some testers with wider feet preferred a half size up and others with narrow feet a half size down. Because the footbed conforms to your specific foot shape, our footwear pros have found that both the flats and slides are excellent for wide and narrow feet alike.
Birdies flats are available in five styles: Blackbird, Starling, Vesper, Goldfinch and Heron in finishes like shiny velvet, smooth leather and bold patterns like cheetah and camouflage. The Starling style is a best seller with over 20,000 rave online reviews. Testers love how they look like a professional flat while feeling like you're "walking on clouds" with the soft footbed. That said, the rubber outsole allows you to wear them out, but they're not super durable, so we recommend avoiding wearing these shoes on long walks. GH analysts were especially impressed with the newly launched Goldfinch style, which is a super comfortable version of the classic ballet flat. Testers note that you may want to size down with this style.
Signature Birdies slides come in four styles: Phoebe, Swan, Dove and Songbird (The Lark is currently being discontinued). These slides are the perfect way to feel glamorous without ever leaving your house: certain Phoebe slides have a super cozy plush lining, ideal for winter months, while some Swan styles feature jewels and sparkles. Songbird slides feature fun pompoms and the Dove style is available with trendy feathers and jewels, perfect for a holiday party. Because of the easy on/off nature of slides, I typically keep my Birdies slides at home because they're so easy to kick on and off during the day.
Birdies sneakers are a newer category for the brand. GH analysts have recently tested Swift, Cardinal and Roadrunner. While we found that the sneaker outsoles are much more durable than the flats or slides, Birdies sneakers were not top performers compared to other sneaker brands. The brand recently launched slip-on sherpa lined sneaker booties called The Falcon that GH analysts hope to test soon.
What we love about Birdies:
Overall, Birdies are a versatile shoe that prioritizes comfort and style, ideal to wear just at home or out the door.
??Footbed: Slides and flats aren't known to offer arch support and cushioning, but Birdies offers both. Testers raved that "the inner sole is so comfortable and silky and the foam padding is cushioning and feels plush." I especially appreciate the arch support, which is so rare for a slipper.
??Half sizes: Unlike some slipper brands, Birdies are available in half sizes to get a better fit. Most styles are available in women's sizes 5-12 with half sizes included.
??Stylish touches: Birdies continues to add more and more chic finishes for the ultimate comfy party shoe. GH analysts especially like the embroidery, jewels, pompoms, feathers and crystals for a fun touch that makes a house shoe all the more special.
??Easy returns and exchanges: While most brands only accept returns of unworn products, Birdies has a "no questions asked" 30-day return policy. You can wear the shoes both inside and outside to assess fit and comfort before deciding if they're the right shoes for you. The return portal is easy to use, according to GH testers.
??Quality: I have owned my Birdies slides for nearly three years and they have stayed in great condition, but I only wear them indoors. GH testers for the Starling flats also rave that they continue to look and feel great wear after wear, outside and inside.
Birdies cons:
??Can slide off your foot: Many found that if they had wider feet, a half size up fit better while a few testers with narrow feet had to go down a half size to prevent sliding out of the shoe (especially noted for the Goldfinch ballet flats). Because of Birdies's generous return policy, this isn't a huge issue. GH pros recommend wearing the shoe for a little bit to ensure that it stays secure and your toes don't feel cramped before deciding to keep or exchange.
??Outsole: Many testers rave that they wear the flats and slides outdoors, but GH analysts note that the outsole isn't as durable as other shoes. These shoes are best suited for shorter trips and not long walks.
??Price: Yes, $100+ is a lot of money for slippers. GH testers found that this luxurious item elevated their daily routine, making it worth the investment.
Are Birdies worth it?
Yes! I wear my Birdies slides nearly every day, but I’m not alone — my Good Housekeeping colleagues are equally obsessed with these super comfy shoes. Whether you're looking for a new pair of slippers or chic flats, Birdies offers supportive styles with flair and style. Bottom line: Birdies flats and slides are great to wear as a house slipper or out the door for quick trips — just be aware that the rubber outsole on the flats and slides is not designed to be worn for long walks or busy commutes.
Even so, the supportive footbed makes these shoes super comfy, according to thousands of reviewers. GH editors love leaving our Birdies at the office to wear when we want to be extra comfy and still look professional.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Emma Seymour is a senior textiles product analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she has overseen Lab and consumer tests for footwear, including everything from workout shoes to comfortable dress shoes. She has a degree in fiber science and apparel design from Cornell University, with extensive research experience in athletic wear. As a lifetime sewer with previous product development experience, she has a strong fashion background with expertise on proper fit and construction.
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