I’m constantly on a hunt for comfortable flats, and have tried countless brands. The latest to catch my eye is Tieks by Gavrieli. For those of you who don’t know, Tieks are an update on the classic ballet flat. According to their website, Tieks are made from full grain Italian leather, and feature a compact foldable design that lets the shoe fold to fit in a purse. I’ve been seeing Tieks everywhere lately, and from what I can tell, women love them. I was recently out shopping and noticed several women wearing them. I even asked one of them what she thought and she said they’re one of her best discoveries and she doesn’t know how she lived without them. I’ve also talked to friends and co-workers who have Tieks and they all rave about them. Despite all the positive reviews, one question lingered for me: At $175, are Tieks worth the price? I knew the only way to find out was to purchase a pair to try for myself.
Tieks are sold exclusively online, so I headed for their website to check out the boutiek (that’s what they call their online store – cute, right?). The first thing that stood out was how many colors they have!! And not just colors, but patterns, textures, and leathers. They even have a vegan line! I knew I wanted a neutral color, but I had no idea I’d have so many choices. Tieks truly has every shade of shoe you could ever want- black, white, cream, grey, brown, you name it! I wanted something that would be suitable for the office, but could transition easily to the weekend as well. My first thought was to purchase the Matte Black. After all, black goes with everything. However, after browsing for a bit, I settled on Metallic Pewter. It’s such a beautiful neutral, and I’d remembered seeing it on a coworker of mine and thinking how much I loved the metallic sheen! I placed my order and my shoes were shipped out that same day. Not too shabby, Tieks!
I’m sure I’m not the only one who anxiously checks the tracking every day to see when my online purchases will arrive and my Tieks were no different! I couldn’t wait to try them on and see what all the fuss was about. Two days after they shipped, my Tieks arrived at my front door. The first thing I noticed after opening the box was how adorable the packaging is. Tieks are packaged in a bright blue box (I think they call it Tiek Blue) and wrapped with an embellished flower box. Every pair comes with a pouch to store the shoes, a tote to store your heels after you take them off, a little card showing you how to care for your Tieks, and a handwritten note (which was my favorite part.)
Now for the shoes themselves: as soon as you take them out of the box, you know you have a quality product. They are just stunning! From the hand-stitched insoles to the buttery leather upper, Tieks are truly a work of art. I was so glad I decided to go with the Pewter pair. The color is absolutely beautiful, and I know it will go with almost everything in my closet. Finally, I loved the smell of the Italian leather! You know the one…it’s the same smell that accompanies luxurious handbags and high end leather boots. Even though I was smitten with the look of my new ballet flats, I knew the final test would be comfort. After all, you can’t wear a shoe all day if it hurts, no matter how beautiful it is!
I decided to take my Tieks for the ultimate trial run – a weekend conference. I was a little skeptical they would hold up the entire weekend, so I packed a pair of already broken in backup flats, just in case. As it turns out, I could have left my backup pair at home. My Tieks were so comfortable from the moment I put them on, I just couldn’t believe it. The way the luxuriously soft leather molds to the shape of your foot is simply magical. I’ve tried so many brands of ballet flats, and I’ve never had a pair fit me as well as my Tieks. They were a little snug at first, but by the end of the first day at the conference, I could tell they were forming to the shape of my foot. I kept waiting for that signature, back-of-the-heel, blister that comes with a new pair of shoes, but it never came! I think this is because the back of Tieks are cushioned, rather than elasticized. I was astonished by how many women at my conference recognized Tieks and came up to me to share their own stories about how much they love their Tieks. One woman told me that Tieks were the only shoes she could wear during her pregnancies while still feeling stylish!
I’ve had my Tieks for a full month now, and I have to say, I’m impressed. Unlike other flats I’ve tried, Tieks offer extra cushioning and support that keep my feet happy after a full day of wear. I receive compliments every time I wear them, and find myself reaching for my Tieks multiple times a week – so much so that my other flats are making their way to the back of my closet! A shoe at this price point needs to be a quality investment, and Tieks are just that. The company really stands behind their product, which I love, and their customer service is outstanding. I’ll be sure to report back in a few months on how my Tieks are doing, but for now I can say YES YES YES! Tieks are absolutely worth the price. I’d recommend them to any woman, and can definitively say there will be additional pairs of Tieks in my (near) future. I’d love to add a few more neutrals to my collection (basically any of the styles on this page) but I have my eye on the fuchsia as well!
If you own a pair of Tieks, I’d love to know what you think of them! Do you find yourself always wanting another pair? Leave your thoughts in the comments below, and be sure to check back for updates to my post!
This post is not sponsored. I bought my Tieks with my own money. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
cinnamon & style 
Hello I live in Colombia and just want to know the cost of shoes. I love them
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Hi Skarlys! Tieks start at $175 USD 🙂
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I’m planning a 10 day trip to Greece in October would these be a good shoe for all day tourists stuff?
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Hi Monica,
Do you need a travel buddy? I can clear my schedule 😉 Your trip sounds amazing, and I think Tieks would be a great option! I haven’t found another shoe that lets me feel stylish without having to worry about eventual blisters or foot pain if I wear them too long.
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I just got my first pair and I’m totally and absolutely in love!! There will be more in my closet and I’m making sure I’m getting a pair of metallic gold if available for my niece’s wedding in September!!! ❤️
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I purchased my first pair last month. I am in love with them. I have problems finding shoes,that fit because of my wide feet. Tieks are perfect my shoe size is 7 wide I brought tieks in size 7 fit is perfect.
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I had not heard of these great flats Tieks, until I read your blog. 🙂 Very Interesting!
Great photos!
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Let me know if you try a pair! I always love hearing feedback from first timers 🙂
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I have a question. How do the Tieks hold up. Cause I’m pretty sure if I bought a pair shoes at this price and they are truely that comfortable. I would last and last. I know with leather there is proper care. So I’d like to know how they hold up how the company stands behind them.
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Hi Lisa,
I have had great experience with all all my pairs! That said, it definitely depends how hard you are on your shoes. I stub my toe a lot (clumsy me!) and I love that I can just wipe off scuffs with a baby wipe! Tieks’ customer service is also top notch in my opinion. They really do stand behind their product and go above and beyond to make sure their customers love their pairs!
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What about smell after wearing flats even high priced orthopedic leather flats my shoes become smelly. Do you have this issue or know of any one who has had this issue with Tieks? Does a person need insoles, or need to wear those little socks?
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I can’t speak from experience, but I’ve heard that the dr. scholls odor eaters tend to work well in Tieks. You might consider reaching out to the Tieks customer service team as well!! I’m sure they’d have suggestions on how best to address this.
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I am considering buying a pair for my trip to Europe. How do these stand up to walking on cobblestones for hours? I do need cushioned support which these seem to have.
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That’s one of my favorite things about Tieks! The thicker outsoles and cushioned insoles make them perfect for walking over uneven surfaces without you feeling every bump. I’d definitely recommend giving them a try!
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How and where Can I get them
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How much are they,Need to know if I can get them….
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Hi Judy – Tieks start t $175 and in my opinion are worth every penny!
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do they run narrow and medium…or just m?
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Hi Frannie,
Tieks are available in one width only, but since they’re made of soft leather they mold to fit feet of any width! I hope that helps 🙂
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Just curious??? Do they give any arch support? I’ve wanted to try them but need support.
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Hi Josteen,
Tieks have a malleable and padded insole that molds to your foot with wear. If you prefer more support, I also have several friends who are able to wear their arch inserts with their Tieks! I hope that helps 🙂
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Does the metallic end up cracking with wear? I had a pair of puma ballet flats that ended up doing that after a year of wear. I just purchase my first pair in the matte black but really wanted the metallic.
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Hi Theresa,
I’ve never heard of the metallic cracking over time. It seems like the metallics are an actual metallic leather that are specially treated for their finish, rather than a matte leather with metallic paint layered on or something like that. I’ve definitely never had a problem with my pewter pair, so I say go metallic! 🙂
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I’d like a pair of Tieks. Where can I buy them.
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Hi Sandra,
Tieks are sold exclusively via their website. You can take a look at tieks.com/boutiek to see all the styles they have available and find one that works best for you. I hope you love your first pair as much as I did!
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Your review is so helpful! I’m ready to order but am unsure of the sizing since I’m a 1/2 size. What do you recommend? Regular flats that only come in whole sizes normally slip off my heels if I go up a size but I experience toe pain if don’t.
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Hi Debby,
This is probably one of the most common questions I get about my Tieks! Unfortunately, at the end of the day, it’s really a personal choice. Tieks do stretch to fit the foot since they’re made of soft leather, but some styles stretch more than others. In general, the rule with Tieks is to size down unless you have a wider foot or sometimes size up. The good news is that Tieks has a great exchange policy that actually lets you try a second pair on side by side with your original order so you can compare directly! I hope that helps 🙂
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I buy expensive leather boots a lot…. I know with mine you can mix half running alcohol and half water in a spray bottle, then spray the leather very wet in the area you want it to stretch… And then wear until dry.
Once usually works perfectly to stretch tight leather and make it more comfortable to wear. You can repeat the process if needed. 😉
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Oh my, I meant rubbing alcohol. LoL
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I have three pairs. I love them and want one more color. I am a 10 wide. While the 10 fit, it felt tight at the end of the day. I am a teacher on my feet all day. I went up to 11 for the next two. Love them!!!
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For anyone else reading this currently, I went up the half size after tormenting myself that the company says go down the half size. Like others have written, Tieks sent me the other size while I kept the first size to compare and decide. My feet didn’t slip out of the larger size at all! Maybe tmi but at my age I have a fairly pronounced bunion by the large toe that makes many shoes unwearable. The larger size accommodated this issue wothout being too large in the heel for example.
Considering pewter to accompany my original olive green pair.
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I love hearing stories like this!! Tieks is so unique in their exchange policy and I love that it allows women the time to find the fit that truly works for them
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Not knowing what size I would need, is there a store/stores in Maryland area that sells these type of shoes?
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Hi Michele,
Tieks are sold exclusively online, but they do have a great exchange policy that lets you try on two sizes side by side in your own home. I’d suggest going with your gut instinct on sizing, and if it doesn’t work out, placing an exchange! I hope that helps 🙂
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Chiminex @yahoo.com
I need to order one cause I have bunion
Send me the website .
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I had been looking for the perfect red leather shoes and never thought they would be flats. Once I saw the cardinal red tieks, I could not resist. I ordered the matte black too! Love them both and now I think I am a flat person. Great quality, fit and not to mention stylish.
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I just received my cardinal red Tieks! Can’t wait to wear them so that I can share some feedback.
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Hi! I’m so glad I read your review! I was going to be “safe” and order the Matte Black, but so happy I went with the Metallic Pewter! So pretty and really goes with everything I have in my closet : ) I am going to Italy in April so can’t wait to wear them on those cobblestones. I wear size 9 and they are a tiny snug, but i’m sure they will stretch after some wear. Thank you for your great review.
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I have had several stress fractures and bone spurs. Are Tieks the shoe for me? I have only heard good things about your shoes! Keep up the good work!
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Hi Linda,
I’d say Tieks are worth a try! I’ve heard great things from friends who used to dance and have bone spurs.
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So i work in the restaurant industry and im wondering if these flats are non slip as in i wont slip around the wet floor when i walk through the kitchen?? Im in desperate need of cute buisness casual non slip shoes.
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Hi Destiny!
I’d hate to be responsible for an accident in the kitchen, so please take my advice with a grain of salt! That said, Tieks do have thicker soles than most flats, and since they are textured on the sole, I could see how they could be considered non-slip. You might consider chatting with Tieks customer service to get their take! I’ve always had great experiences with their team, and I’m sure they could steer you in the right direction 🙂
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Hi, I’m going to order my first pair, but I can’t decide on a color. I want it to be versatile for summer. Any suggestions..
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Hi Roxanne,
Congrats on ordering your first pair! Choosing a color is ALWAYS the hardest part for me, since there are so many options. If you’re looking for a summer shoe, I think there are a few good routes! If you want more of a neutral, I’d suggest Ballerina Pink, Blush Patent, or Biscotti Patent (depending on what leather finish you prefer). If you’re looking for some color, I know Mustard is a pretty popular choice! You might also consider Fuschia or even something like a Sand Snake. They’ll end up more versatile than you realize!
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How do they fit narrow feet?
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Hi Gina,
Since Tieks have an elastic opening, they mold to each and every individual foot! My coworker, for example, has really narrow heels and a wider front of the foot and was CONVINCED Tieks wouldn’t work for her because she’s never had much luck with flats. Now they’re pretty much all she wears!
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Hi, I’m unsure of what size to order, I normally take size 8, however, expensive shoes I can wear size 7.5, what size should I consider buying??
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Hi Missy,
Since Tieks are only sold in whole sizes, I suggest sticking with your typical size – 8! 🙂
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I usually wear an 8 1/2— narrow foot— what is your suggestion for me, size wise
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Hi Glenda,
Based on your description I’d suggest an 8!
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Great review. I’ve been aware of the Tieks brand for several years and read lots of great reviews like yours. Thanks for taking the time to write such an accurate review. It’s easy to see why women love them and oddly enough so do some of us males.
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Update: Tieks are definitely worth the price.
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I agree. Tieks are also great for men who want to push the boundaries and have comfortable feet.
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Agreed Brenn. I know you are one of the males that also wear these cute and feminine stylish flats. They are very comfy and also very colorful. It’s easy to see why so many women love them.
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Because of the medications I take my feet tend to swell during the day. Will the Tieks work for me?
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Hi Jean,
Tieks have elastic around the opening, so I’m guessing they’d actually be perfect for you! No pinching 🙂
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Just received my Fuchsia Tieks! They’re Beautiful! But–they make a rubbing sound when I walk. Has anyone else had this experience… Do they just need to be broken in? The sound is quite noticeable. Anyone?
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Hi Trina,
I’ve only heard of this happening a couple times but in both cases my friends said the sound went away with wear. I hope that helps!
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Both pair that I have do that, but it goes away over time. You can try liners to reduce it until the shoes get broken in more.
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Both of mine did the same sound and the sound goes away!
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Hello
Has anyone had any experience of their toe shape showing through the leather? I’ve noticed this when I wear ballerina flats with soft leather & also noted it on other people.
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Hi Diane,
I’ve seen people post about putting moleskin on the inside of the toe box to reinforce it and minimize that effect. Personally, it doesn’t bother me much but it might be worth trying if it’s something you’d prefer not to happen!
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I use moleskin on mine, but it does not eliminate the toe bulge. I am more concerned about my toe prematurely wearing through the really soft leather.
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