These Ultra-Cozy Birdies Ballet Flats Are the Only Shoes I’m Wearing This Holiday Season

• Quality: 19/20
• Comfort: 19/20
• Fit: 19/20
• Aesthetic: 20/20
• Value: 17/20

Total: 94/100

When headlines blared that ballet flats were back in style, my initial thought was: They ever weren’t?! I’ve been rocking the style since second grade, arguing with my gym teacher that of course Sam & Libby’s were OK for kickball—the dress code called for closed-toe shoes, not sneakers, specifically. (They updated their codebook real fast next year, BTW.) And, as a 5-foot-11 mom who’s perpetually chasing a toddler, they’re practical for when I want to look polished without towering over everyone.

But there are two things ballet flats tend to lack: comfort and arch support. That’s where Birdies intrigued me. Beyond counting Meghan Markle and other tastemakers as fans, the brand is one of the few companies making ballet flats with arch support and a cushioned, quilted sole. With sizes from 5 to 12—including half-sizes—and 20 color, pattern and style variations in The Hummingbird flat alone, I had to try them out. Still, as gorgeous as they are, the price gave me pause: $165 is an investment.

So, are they worth it? Here’s my take, after a month of wear.

I’ve rocked everything from $170+ Rothy’s to $15 Target and Old Navy pairs of ballet flats, and over time, every pair digs into the back of your heel and/or rubs into your fourth and pinky toes, creating blisters. It just seemed inevitable, but surprisingly, that hasn’t been the case with Birdies. The flexible, seven-layer footbed truly felt like I was wearing cushy slippers—only with a durable rubber sole, so they could pound the pavement without issue.

The wide toe box meant my toes didn’t blister, either, and thanks to the arch support, even when I was on my feet all day, I didn’t get achy heels and ankles by 5 p.m.

If you’re looking for a statement shoe, this is it. The velvet is lush and ultra-soft, with a lustrous sheen that glimmers in the sunlight. It plays beautifully with the bejeweled bow detailing, making it a great flat for holiday parties and weddings—anywhere you want to be able to dance all night without issue. When you see the quality up close, you understand why it costs what it does.

The sucky thing about buying shoes online is the hassle of returning them, but Birdies makes it easy. You have 30 days after the purchase date to return or exchange them, and if you’re in the US, you’ll receive free shipping (a perk, considering some brands have charged me $8-$10 just to process a return). They can’t show signs of heavy wear to get a refund, though the brand does encourage you to walk around and use them to ensure they fit well. (To that end, I found them to run true to size, as do most reviewers of the Hummingbird style.)

The brand combats foot sweat with an antibacterial satin lining, which is a welcome addition. Though I found that because of that quilted, cushioned lining, I didn’t want to minimize the satiny comfort with a liner, or risk sullying it by baby powdering my feet (like I did as a kid). So, for the most part, I’ve been wearing them in shorter spurts or rocking tights with them.

So far, they’re holding up without issues. But, over time, will they start to look shabby, or delicately patinated, making them only more effortlessly cool? Only time will tell. (The reviews offered no insights here, though if durability is a concern for you—given the investment—they also offer leather and suede versions of the Hummingbird flat.)