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I walked in them pain-free for six hours.
I wear flats almost exclusively. Whether it’s a loafer, clog, or classic ballet style, I’ve got it in my closet, and I’m always on the hunt for my next great pair. As someone who can’t resist shopping for them, though, I try to be budget-conscious. When I saw a lookalike for Meghan Markle’s $119 Rothy’s pointed-toe flat for just $15, I knew I had to try them.
I owned and wore out Markle’s exact Rothy’s, and I loved them (hence, the wearing them out part). Since I was due for a replacement but didn’t want to drop over $100 for a new pair, I decided to test Walmart’s Time and Tru Knit Ballet Flats to see if they compare. I can confidently confirm that they do thanks to their same tightly woven construction, cushioned sole, pointed toe, and slight heel. If you’ve been eyeing Rothy’s flats or simply looking for a comfy pair, you’ll want to add these to your cart ASAP.
Time and Tru Knit Ballet Flat
$15 at Walmart
Rothy’s are known for their comfortable wear right out of the box. So when I was gifted my Time and Tru flats, I expected the same thing. I was happily surprised that the same was true for them—no break-in period required.
Their immediate comfort is largely a result of the way they’re made. The sole has a memory foam bed that adds the perfect amount of cushion. I wore the pair on a six-hour shopping trip, walking on hard, mall floors, and never once did my feet start to hurt. Then, there’s the knit upper. While it’s not as flexible as my Rothy’s, it does have stretch which lets it meld to my foot. As someone with wide feet, I was impressed with how relaxed the fit was since it wasn’t available in wide sizing. The flat feels snug without being too tight and didn’t cut into the top of my foot. Plus, even though they do have a relaxed fit, they weren’t loose on my heel and didn’t rub blisters.
In addition to the stretch, the material also makes the shoe breathable. I live in Atlanta, so it’s still hot and humid during early fall. Usually, I would turn to a slip-on or sandal, but because the flats are woven and air can flow through them, my feet never feel sweaty.
The fit and comfortability aren’t the only ways the flats are like Rothy’s, though. There’s also the design itself. The shoe has a rounder point than the Rothy’s, but it’s still extremely similar. The upper on the Time and Tru pair has the same V-shaped opening that mirrors the toe as the Meghan Markle-worn shoes, and of course, both are made from knit and have a slight heel in the back. The Time and Tru come in six colors, including a soft pink and fall-ready rust, and the Rothy’s also have a sizable color range, with options like leopard and bold red.
Shoppers love the Time and Tru knit flats too. One person said they were not expecting to love them as much as they do and called them must-have shoes that are great for long walks and jobs that require a lot of standing. Another customer shared that they are the comfiest and cutest flats they’ve owned, while a third person said they wear them so much that they’ve already ordered more colors.
Overall, after having worn both, the Rothy’s do still have an edge when it comes to comfort since they have more give than the Walmart flats, but at $104 less than a pair of Rothy’s, that’s not a problem at all. Now, the Time and Tru are my go-to basic flats, and I don’t need to dip into my savings to buy them.
Keep scrolling to see some other Walmart flat styles as well as the exact pair of Rothy’s Meghan Markle has worn.
Rothy’s The Point
$119 at Rothys.com
Olivia Miller Rhinestone Mesh Flats
Orig. $50 $13 at Walmart
Time and Tru Cap Toe Quilted Ballet Flats
$20 at Walmart
Time and Tru String Bow Ballet Flat
$13 at Walmart