I tested six dupes of The Row's £1,060 fisherman sandals all for under £50 – best was versatile £32 pair

The Sun

7 days ago

SOMETHING fishy is going on with footwear fashion.
Fisherman-style sandals have climbed the fashion ranks after luxe label The Row put out a £1,060 pair.
Now the budget-friendly versions are here.
But finding ones that don't leave you with sweaty toes or painful blisters is no mean feat. So fashion assistant Emily Regan has done the sole-searching for you.
She tested six pairs under £50, spending a day in each and rating them out of ten . . .
Cow-print sandals, £49.50, Marks & Spencer
I WOULD usually pass on cow-print, but I was really surprised at how well this pair elevated my outfits.
In terms of fit, they were not the most comfortable initially. I'd recommend sizing up to give your toes some extra room. Mine felt a bit sweaty and it was a struggle to get them on.
Despite the small heel, the soles also feel quite flat and smooth, so I felt myself lose grip on carpet at some points.
They fared better on the concrete outside.
The print on the strap also left a black mark on my heel. It washed off in the shower so it was a minor issue, but it's definitely another reason to consider sizing up.
Although they took a little while to break in, they didn't rip up my feet and I got probably the most compliments I've ever had for a pair of shoes. I'll be keeping them.
7/10
Black woven sandals, £12, Primark
I REMEMBER when Primark sandals would be £6, so even though these are the cheapest of the bunch, the £12 price tag felt a bit steep, especially considering the quality.
These were the least comfortable pair I tried. The textured straps look nice but they rubbed against the inside of my feet, leaving me with red scratches.
Plus, the sandals made my feet hot and sweaty.
Initially I was hopeful as the soles look padded and supportive, but it felt as though they were just filled with air. Every time I stepped, there was an awkward puffing sound, which got annoying quite quickly.
On top of that, the fastening buckle was quite fiddly.
All things considered, I wouldn't recommend this pair. Even at just £12 they didn't quite offer what I'd expect from a simple summer sandal.
2/10
Brown suede cage sandals, were £38, now £17, River Island
I REALLY wanted to love this pair from River Island as the brand has an amazing collection of stylish footwear — and some of my most comfortable heels are from it.
The sleek design looks super high-end and much more expensive than the £38 price tag.
However, they just didn't seem to suit the shape of my feet. They probably would have been better in a 'wide fit' option but that isn't available in this style.
They were not easy to get on and although they did feel reasonably comfortable for the first few hours, I could tell they were not going to be an all-day shoe.
On the plus side, the suede was breathable and didn't cause my feet to sweat or overheat.
Over the day, the strap at the back kept falling down, which became frustrating. I tightened it multiple times but it still kept slipping, which was a deal-breaker.
3/10
Beige sandals, were £20, now £10, Tu at Sainsbury's
I'M always on the lookout for a good supermarket bargain — and this pair of sandals from Tu at Sainsbury's left me impressed.
They were super easy to get on and off, with no fiddly fastenings and zero breaking-in period.
I think the key here was the wider straps. Not only were they secure, but the cutouts made a real difference in breathability, keeping my feet cool all day, even in hot weather.
The footbed is lightly cushioned but not too thick so I wasn't tripping over myself.
My only small piece of criticism would be that by the end of the day, I did notice a few minor scuff marks.
It's bound to happen with suede materials so I'd recommend giving them a spray of protector before wearing them outside for the first time.
But it will be worth the effort.
8/10
Tan faux leather sandals, £19.99, Deichmann
MY first impression of these wasn't great.
The buckle strap was quite short so getting them on was an effort.
And the open-front design seemed a little strange — they just hang open above the toes, which felt unsupportive to walk in ­initially.
That being said, after a bit of adjusting to get the straps to sit in the right place across my feet, they actually turned out to be much more comfortable than I had expected.
They fit true to size and didn't leave any marks or blisters, even after a whole day of wear.
The sole felt sturdy, too, which was a big plus.
My only concern with these is the open front. It feels like it would be easy to stub a toe.
But overall, although the design is a little different, they are a comfortable option.
6/10
Black sandals, £32.99, New Look
WHEN it comes to high-street footwear New Look nails it, as far as I'm concerned.
The brand offers stylish options that don't break the bank and the quality is good for the price points.
If you are looking for a chunkier style or a pair that's reminiscent of The Row's — minus the designer price tag — then these are well worth checking out.
I'm just 5ft tall so if you're petite like me and always looking for sandals that add a bit of height — this pair does that without compromising comfort.
They strike the perfect balance. The heel is high enough to give you a bit of a lift, but chunky enough to provide support, too.
I wore these for a full day without gaining a single blister, which is rare for me.
The padding in the footbed made them feel light and bouncy to walk in and they were comfortable enough for full day wear.