What Is Tkees?
You may have spotted Tkees sandals and flip flops on the feet of your favorite celebrities or fashion influencers. This Canadian footwear brand has developed a cult following over the past decade for their minimalist, goes-with-everything sandals made from high-quality leather.
Tkees was founded in 2009 by husband and wife duo Jesse and Carly Burnett. The couple, who are based in Toronto, saw a gap in the market for a chic, well-made flip flop that could be worn to the beach or out to dinner. Jesse has a background in business while Carly previously worked as a wardrobe stylist, so they each brought a unique perspective to their new venture.
The first Tkees product was the Lily sandal, a simple leather flip flop that came in a variety of nude shades to match different skin tones. The inclusive color range and sleek design helped the Lily quickly catch on with fashion editors and celebrities. Over the years, Tkees has expanded to offer several other sandal silhouettes as well as loungewear and accessories.
Today, you can find Tkees sold at major retailers like Nordstrom, Bloomingdale‘s, and Anthropologie as well as on their own website. The brand has over 188,000 followers on Instagram and has been spotted on the likes of Angelina Jolie, Emma Watson, and Beyoncé. Despite their growth, Tkees remains committed to working with ethical factories and using premium, responsibly-sourced materials.
Overview of Tkees Sandals
While Tkees offers a range of stylish sandals, they are best known for their signature flip flops that come in a rainbow of neutral shades. All of their sandals are made from 100% genuine leather with a cushioned insole and rubber outsole for traction. The leather is specially treated to prevent blisters and the rubber soles are engineered to mold to your foot for maximum comfort.
One of the unique things about Tkees is their sizing – rather than traditional shoe sizes, they use a simple 1-5 scale. The brand provides detailed fit information to ensure you select the right size. Tkees also offers the ability to create custom sandals by mixing and matching strap and sole colors.
Here‘s a quick breakdown of the most popular Tkees sandal styles:
Tkees Nudes
The Nudes collection is where it all started for Tkees. These barely-there flip flops come in 11 different neutral shades designed to disappear against your skin. Tkees worked with a color expert to develop this signature color palette, which ranges from pale "Seashell" to rich "Deeptan." Unlike cheaper rubber flip flops, the Nudes have a luxe leather footbed and straps that actually get softer with wear.
Tkees Lily
If you want a bit more strap action, the Lily sandal has three slender leather straps across the front of the foot. It has the same classic Tkees fit as the Nudes but feels a touch more secure on your feet. The Lily comes in versatile shades like tan, black, and metallic that will complement any warm weather ‘fit.
Tkees Riley
For a bolder look, check out Tkees‘ printed Riley sandal. This thong-style sandal has a wider vamp band embellished with animal prints like snakeskin and leopard. The contrasting print really pops against the neutral leather soles. Customers rave that the Riley is super comfortable thanks to the cushy suede lining and contoured footbed.
Tkees Gemma
Flip flops aren‘t always the most dinner date appropriate so Tkees created the Gemma slide sandal. It has two leather straps – one wide band across the toes and a slimmer strap around the ankle. The Gemma comes in fashion-forward finishes like croc-embossed leather, metallic gold, and leopard print calf hair. Dress them up with a sundress or pair them with cropped jeans for running weekend errands.
Tkees Charlie
The Charlie is Tkees‘ take on an easy, everyday slide. It has a leather upper with an elasticized sling-back strap for a secure yet flexible fit. Like most Tkees, they‘re lightweight and features an antimicrobial, odor-resistant lining to keep feet fresh. Throw on the Charlie with everything from athletic shorts to a swimsuit and sarong.
What Customers Are Saying
Tkees has earned major fans who praise the sandals‘ stylish minimal look, high-quality construction, and incredible comfort. Many reviewers say they own multiple pairs of Tkees and reach for them constantly throughout the spring and summer.
The Nudes collection seems to be a universal favorite and has over 500 glowing reviews on the Tkees website. One customer raved, "I love these sandals! They are so comfortable and look great with everything. I have them in three colors and want to buy more!" Another wrote, "Super cute, simple and completely comfy. I love that I can find the color to match my skin-tone!"
Fans of the Lily appreciate how versatile the strappy style is. "This is the perfect sandal – it‘s casual but not frumpy like a lot of flip flops. I wear mine with shorts, jeans, sundresses, you name it," said one reviewer. The Riley gets high marks for the unique embossed leather designs and ultra-comfy footbed.
Several major publications have also featured Tkees sandals in round-ups of the best flip flops and summer shoes:
- InStyle called out Tkees‘ inclusive color range and declared the Nudes "your go-to sandal for the summer."
- Travel + Leisure featured Tkees in their list of best walking sandals, noting that the "contoured footbed provides excellent arch support."
- Glamour praised Tkees‘ "podiatrist-approved sole technology hidden beneath a chic, slender silhouette."
Of course, no product is perfect and Tkees does have a few detractors who weren‘t fully satisfied. A handful of customers felt the leather straps stretched out too much over time, while others said the sandals ran slightly narrow. The most common complaint was that Tkees are pricey for a simple sandal, with most styles priced at $50-$80.
How Do Tkees Compare to Other Popular Sandal Brands?
There‘s no shortage of pricey leather sandal brands on the market these days. So how do Tkees stack up against competitors? Here‘s a quick comparison:
Tkees vs. Sam Edelman
Sam Edelman offers a huge variety of sandal styles, from slides to gladiators to wedges, at a similar price point to Tkees. Sam Edelman sandals tend to be trendier and more embellished, while Tkees has a simpler, goes-with-anything aesthetic. Quality-wise, both use real leather and have a cushioned footbed for comfort.
Tkees vs. Tory Burch
Tory Burch is known for her preppy, logo-adorned Miller sandal, which has a similar thong silhouette to Tkees‘ Nudes and Lily. TB sandals are significantly more expensive, usually $200+, but are made in Brazil from high-end leathers. If you‘re looking for an understated designer sandal, Tkees are a more budget-friendly option.
Tkees vs. Rainbow
Rainbow is another popular "nice" flip flop thanks to their sturdy construction and lifetime guarantee. The leather Rainbow sandals are about half the price of Tkees but are bulkier and more casual-looking. Rainbows come in way more color choices but don‘t have Tkees‘ sleek nude shades. Both mold nicely to your feet and are super comfy.
The Bottom Line
Writing this Tkees review has made it clear why this indie brand has struck a chord with so many women. Their sandals offer the perfect blend of style, quality, and ease to elevate all your warm weather looks. If you want a chic, minimalist sandal you can take from the beach to brunch and beyond, Tkees is definitely worth the investment.
Yes, they‘re pricier than your rubber Old Navy flip flops, but Tkees deliver in both fashion and function. The durable leather, cushioned soles, and easy neutrals make them the rare sandal you‘ll want to wear all day long. Plus, Tkees‘ focus on sustainable materials and ethical production are added feel-good factors.
One of the major draws of Tkees is their inclusive sizing and color range. With seven different foot sizes and 11 nude shades, there truly is a Tkees sandal to suit everyone. The brand‘s "nude is not one color" ethos celebrates diversity and is much needed in the footwear industry.
While the $50+ price tag might give some shoppers pause, Tkees customers insist the cost-per-wear of these splurge-worthy sandals can‘t be beat. When cared for properly, Tkees can last for several summers, making them a surprisingly smart buy. And with free shipping over $75 and a 21-day return policy, there‘s little risk in giving Tkees a try.
As a busy mom who values comfort and effortless style, I can totally see the appeal of Tkees‘ less-is-more aesthetic. The classic silhouettes and neutral palette make them an endlessly versatile summer shoe that won‘t look dated next year. After poring over hundreds of convincing customer reviews, I‘m very tempted to treat myself to a pair (or three)!
Where to Buy
The best place to buy Tkees sandals is directly from their website, Tkees.com. In addition to the full collection of sandals, flip flops, and slides, you‘ll also find a well-curated selection of loungewear, accessories, and gifts.
Tkees offers free shipping on all orders over $75 in the US (and over $100 for Canada and Australia). Returns are free within 21 days as long as the sandals are unworn and in the original packaging.
The website also has a robust sale section where you can score Tkees for up to 50% off. And teachers, medical professionals, and first responders get a 20% discount on full-price merchandise.
You can also find Tkees at premium retailers like:
- Nordstrom
- Bloomingdale‘s
- Anthropologie
- REVOLVE
- Shopbop
- Free People
