Hey there shoe lovers! Today I want to introduce you to one of my absolute favorite footwear brands that I‘ve been wearing non-stop lately: Born shoes. I discovered them a couple years ago and have been hooked ever since. If you‘re looking for that perfect combination of style and all-day comfort, trust me, Born is where it‘s at!
In this super in-depth review, I‘m diving into all the deets on the Born brand. I‘ll share my personal experience with their shoes, give you the scoop on best-selling styles, and spill the tea on what other fashion experts and real customers are saying. By the end, you‘ll see why Born has become my ride-or-die shoe brand. Let‘s get into it!
What‘s the Deal With Born Shoes?
Alright, first let me back up and give you the 411 on what Born shoes are all about. This brand has been around since 1995, so they definitely know a thing or two about making quality footwear. The company is owned by H.H. Brown, which is this big 130-year-old shoe company.
Born‘s whole thing is combining the most comfortable materials and construction with current, cute designs. Literally every pair uses these fancy techniques:
✔️Opanka hand-sewn construction (the sole is sewn directly to the upper in one piece for max flexibility)
✔️Super soft, cushiony footbeds
✔️Steel shanks in the midsole for support
✔️Durable rubber outsoles for traction
All that is to say – Born ain‘t messing around when it comes to comfort and quality! But let me tell you, that does NOT mean sacrificing style.
I‘m seriously impressed by the range of on-trend looks they have, from wear-all-day Chelsea boots to strappy summery sandals to heeled booties cute enough for date night. They make shoes for women, men and kids in every style category: boots, flats, heels, sandals, you name it!
Proof That Born is Blowing Up
The word is definitely out on Born – this brand has a serious cult following! Just peep these stats:
- Over 30K engaged followers on Instagram
- 4.5/5 star rating from 500+ reviews on Zappos
- Best-selling shoe on Amazon in 3 different categories
- Ranked one of the top 10 most comfortable shoe brands by Rank & Style
Celebrities like Jessica Alba, Reese Witherspoon and Kate Hudson have all been spotted rocking Born shoes on the regular. Plus there are tons of glowing media reviews from experts at places like Self Magazine, Travel & Leisure, and Refinery29.
Not to mention, almost every review I‘ve seen from regular shoppers like you and me is super positive. People rave about how insanely comfortable, well-made and long-lasting Born shoes are. More on what customers are saying in a bit!
Where It‘s Born: The Scoop on Sourcing
A lot of shoppers these days want to know where their products are coming from, and I don‘t blame them! Here‘s the deal with Born shoes:
The brand designs everything at their headquarters in the USA. But to keep prices down, all the manufacturing happens internationally in factories in China, Vietnam, and Mexico. According to the brand, they carefully vet and monitor all their facilities to ensure ethical conditions.
So while Born shoes aren‘t made in the USA, the company seems committed to responsible production. If that‘s important to you, I hope that provides some helpful context! Moving on to the good stuff…
My Born Shoe Collection & Reviews
Not to brag, but I‘ve amassed quiiiite the collection of Born shoes over the last few years! I basically live in them at this point. Here are reviews of some of my faves and the styles I get asked about most:
Born Cove Siena Suede Boots
These waterproof suede booties are my go-to for rainy fall days or outdoorsy adventures. The cozy plaid lining adds the perfect woodsy vibe. But my favorite part is the insane cushioning in the footbed that feels like walking on clouds, even when I‘m on my feet all day long.
I‘ll be real, at $155 these aren‘t exactly a budget buy. But the quality is outstanding. I‘ve put my Cove boots through the ringer for two years now and they still look great. If you want a comfortable, versatile boot that will last, I can‘t recommend these enough!
Born Saddler Taupe Distressed Boots
On days when I want to make more of a style statement, I always reach for my knee-high Saddler boots. The distressed taupe leather goes with everything and the slightly slouchy shape is so cool. Plus that stretchy back panel = comfort for days.
I was worried these would be hard to wear since I‘m on the shorter side. But the low 1.25" heel is super walkable and the top hits at just the right spot under my knee. Zappos reviewers agree, giving this boot a 4.4/5 rating and saying it‘s "cute and comfortable right out of the box."
At $200, the Saddlers are definitely a splurge, but I think of them like the leather jacket of boots. A timeless wardrobe staple you‘ll still be wearing 5 or 10 years from now. Worth the investment IMHO!
Born Cove Modern Sandals
If you caught my Summer Shoe Haul video, you know I was obsessed with my Born Cove Modern sandals last year. The woven leather design is so chic and the neutral color matches all my warm weather ‘fits. Dreams of wearing these on beach vacays are getting me through winter RN.
I have flat feet, so I‘m super picky about sandals. But these have cushioning and arch support that rivals my sneakers. I wore them for entire days of walking around Portugal last summer and never got sore or achy feet. If you‘re a comfort queen too, you need these in your life!
IMO $100 is totally reasonable for such a well-made, wear-with everything sandal. I‘ve already decided I‘m getting a backup pair for next summer because I never want to be without these!
What Actual Born Shoe Customers are Saying
Of course, my opinion isn‘t the only one that matters! In my deep dive Born research, I pored over HUNDREDS of reviews from the brand‘s website, Amazon, Zappos, and Nordstrom. Here are some common raves I saw over and over:
đź‘ Insane comfort: This is the #1 thing people praise Born for. I lost count of how many reviewers said Born shoes are "the most comfortable ever" or "feel like slippers." Nurses and teachers who stand all day are huge fans.
đź‘ Quality construction: Another thing Born customers agree on is that the brand does not cut corners on quality. Many people note the durable stitching, sturdy soles, and high-end material that hold up for years of wear. You‘re definitely getting your $$ worth.
đź‘ Roomy, true-to-size fit: Those with wide or hard-to-fit feet sing Born‘s praises. Reviewers say the brand‘s generous, true-to-size fit is a godsend, especially in an industry where sizing is so inconsistent. However, they do suggest ordering up if you‘re a half size.
Overall on Amazon, Born shoes have an average 4.4/5 rating from over 1,600 reviews. On Zappos they have a 4.5/5 from over 500 customers. Pretty impressive social proof in my book!
Are Born Shoes Worth the Splurge?
At this point, you‘re probably wondering – okay, these shoes sound great and all, but are they actually worth spending a little more on? As someone who used to scrimp on footwear, I get the hesitation. But now that I‘ve experienced the Born difference, I‘m a total convert. Here‘s why:
First of all, the comfort of these shoes is unmatched. Gone are my days of limping home after a long day with blisters and aching arches. Born‘s cushioned footbeds and flexible construction make a huge difference in how your feet feel, whether you‘re walking, standing, or dancing.
Second, Born shoes are built to last, so that upfront cost ends up paying for itself. My pairs still look and feel great with near daily wear after 1-2 years. When you do the math, that comes out to way less per wear than a cheap pair of shoes you have to keep replacing.
Finally, I just feel so dang good in Born shoes! The quality materials and chic, understated designs make me look put-together without sacrificing an ounce of comfort. They‘re the kind of shoes that fit seamlessly into your existing wardrobe, but elevate all your outfits.
So while Born shoes are definitely an investment, it‘s one I‘m more than happy to make for the sake of my feet – and my style. I mean, aren‘t we all looking for that unicorn brand that nails both?!
FAQs on Born Shoes
To wrap up this monster Born shoe review, I wanted to quickly address some FAQs I get a lot:
🙋‍♀️How do Born shoes fit? Generally true to size according to customer reviews and my own experience! If you‘re a half size, most people suggest ordering up. Born offers medium and wide widths in many styles too.
🙋‍♀️Where can I buy Born shoes? You can snag them straight from the source at bornshoes.com, but they‘re also sold at Nordstrom, Dillard‘s, Zappos, Amazon and more. I usually filter by bestselling or top rated styles to see what people love most.
🙋‍♀️What is Born‘s return policy? Born.com offers free shipping and free 30-day returns on unworn shoes. So you can totally order risk-free to try them out at home. Amazon and Zappos also offer free, easy returns on most Born shoes.
🙋‍♀️Do Born shoes have a break in period? Not in my experience! The supple leather and cushiony footbeds on Born shoes mean they feel great right out of the box. But some people note that leather-lined styles get even more buttery soft with a few wears.
The Final Word on Born Shoes
Soooo…can you tell I‘m a little enthusiastic about Born shoes?! What can I say, as a busy woman and a bit of a shoe snob, they just tick all my boxes: comfort, style, quality, the works. I love how they make getting dressed super easy, knowing I can walk for miles but still feel cute.
If you‘re looking to invest in versatile, well-made shoes that baby your feet, I really hope you give Born a chance. I have a feeling once you try them you‘ll be just as hooked as I am! Feel free to DM me @styledbysophie on IG with any other questions.
Thanks for sticking with me through this extra detailed Born shoe review! If you found it helpful, I‘d so appreciate you sharing with a friend. And let me know in the comments if there are other brands you‘d like me to cover.
Until next time, wishing you all happy feet! xoxo Sophie
