Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you may have noticed that clothing trends have shifted significantly over the past few years. Wide, flowy tops have shrunk in all directions, and pants have assumed the volume our tops have lost. Jackets grew from tiny little things and now offer plenty of coverage when the weather cools. And despite growing pant lengths, socks have even made a reappearance (gasp!).
A shift in garment shapes calls for a shift in shoes in tandem. I find that today’s straight or wide-leg pants are often more easily matched with a heftier shoe than a slim-soled one, which can make the entire outfit look a little, well, flat.
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I often reach for my Birkenstocks for the support and the visual weight they add to an outfit, but in some circumstances, they read a little too casual for my taste. So out I set on the hunt for a summer sandal with a bit of height, but also one that wouldn’t weigh me down. And as a non-negotiable, a secure ankle strap – one of our very few house rules is no driving in Charlotte in open-back shoes (as a home of NASCAR, it just doesn’t feel safe).
Nisolo released their Go-To Flatform Sandal two years ago, and honestly? I didn’t think much of them at the time. I’m not really sure why, considering I already own several other pairs from the brand that I frequently wear at home and while traveling.
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But over time, this sandal started to grow on me. And then after a few of you mentioned you’ve found them comfortable for travel, I decided that was reason enough to give them a try.
Fast-forward through three months of consistent wear, and I’m finally ready to share my honest review of the Go-To Flatform Sandal from Nisolo – plus an exclusive discount for readers.
ABOUT NISOLO
Nashville-based Nisolo is known for its commitment to crafting high-quality footwear and accessories. Established in 2011, Nisolo has become a pioneer in the fashion industry, challenging the culture of fast fashion and embracing a slow, deliberate approach to design and production. You can learn more about the brand’s factories and practices here.
ABOUT THE GO-TO FLATFORM SANDAL
The Go-To Flatform Sandal comes in six colorways, and each has a memory foam insole, a lightweight EVA midsole, and a no-slip rubber outsole comprising an inch of height. The black sandals are touted as having a waterproof leather upper, while the lighter colors are marked water-resistant. This style comes with a hook-and-loop Velcro closure (the brand’s first!) and meets the brand’s strict ethical standards by providing the shoemakers with a living wage.
FLATFORM SANDAL SIZING
My pair arrived three months ago – and I promptly sent them back.
Because the website stated, “This style runs small. We recommend a 1/2 size larger than your usual size,” I sized up from my usual 7.5 to an 8. However, the straps on the 8 felt incredibly loose, and my heels were slip-sliding around in the footbed. Feeling unsteady, I figured I had enough room in the length to size back down, so I did.
The replacement pair arrived soon after (thankfully Nisolo offers one free exchange per order), and I felt much more steady on my feet.
→I should note that my experience with this shoe seems to be the exception, not the norm, based on the reviews. If you have a narrow foot, you might consider taking your normal size - but in any case, don't be surprised if you need to try on more than one size to achieve the right fit.
MY REVIEW OF THE GO-TO FLATFORM SANDAL + NOTES ON STYLING
After I managed to get my sizing sorted out, I started wearing the sandals in short spurts around the house as I usually do with quality leather shoes. I find it helps move the breaking-in process along and also lets me know where there might be any rubbing so I can add a bandage before wearing them more extensively (side note: I recommend always having these ridiculously good bandages on hand at home and when you travel to instantly soothe and protect any blisters that pop up).
Oddly enough, that spot was only on my right big toe where the leather ends (you’re welcome, left foot?). Since then, the material has softened and lessened the impact, and I’m hopeful I’ll soon reach a point where I don’t notice it at all.
Looking for more honest style reviews? Check out my index of reviews, sorted by brand
As for the overall feel, they truly are lightweight and my ankles and calves don’t feel sore after wearing them all day. Though they have that slight bit of added height, they’re sturdy without being clunky clompers. However, there’s not a ton of flexibility in the sole, which can take some getting used to if you’ve been primarily wearing slim leather soles that mold to your feet for the past few years (*raises hand*). And this might be more of a personal recommendation, but I’d love to see some arch support in these for prolonged wear. The cushioned insole is pretty dreamy, however.
Outfit Details || Crop Top | Pants | Sandals | Bag | Sunglasses | Hoops | Studs | Necklace | Hair Clip
I have primarily been wearing this pair to run errands (I suspect the quick fastening has everything to do with this!), for strolls around the neighborhood that usually end up at a nearby brewery, and out to dinner and events here in Charlotte.
What’s missing? Travel.
After the events of the past few years, I’ve found it harder to wear a flat sole for an entire day and my last few flyaway trips have been backpack-only (meaning: one pair of shoes), and I’ve left them at home.
But that doesn’t mean I won’t be traveling with them – just only when I can bring a second pair on my trip.
In the meantime, I’ll be here, wearing these with just about everything except my lightest and frilliest summer pieces (a pair in Bone or Almond might be a better match for those!). From jumpsuits to LBDs to denim shorts, the pair in black has been a great complement to the majority of my wardrobe.
FINAL THOUGHTS + A NISOLO PROMO CODE
Though I’m not quite there yet, I’m hopeful that this pair will continue to soften and end up as comfortable for me as they have been for readers, who have worn them for days on end while traveling. As we all know, comfort is a bit subjective, and that might be more true for footwear than any other type of garment or accessory. Anatomy, past footwear choices, and activity levels can all play a role in our experiences, so as always, look to your current shoe collection when deciding to make a new addition.
[Six-month edit: After continuing to wear these shoes for short stretches at home, they are finally broken in and comfortable for travel. Spot them in action in one of my packing list posts!]
If that decision is to purchase the Go-To Flatform Sandal or any other pair from Nisolo, Wayward readers can save 20% on their purchase with code WAYWARD20. Thanks for reading along!
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Questions for you
Did I miss any of your questions about the Go-To Flatform Sandals?
What are your favorite travel shoes for summer?
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What shoes would you pack for travel, if you can only pack one pair? I’m going to Italy for my first time and trying to plan!
What an exciting trip – and that’s an excellent question! If I could only choose one pair of shoes for a trip to Italy, I would likely choose a loafer (love the waterproof ones from Marmi!) or perhaps a ballet flat or Mary Jane – unless it’s cold! Then I might choose a sturdy waterproof leather or suede boot (I like the ones from Aquatalia) that I can dress up or down easily.
In any case, I would really try to squeeze in an extra pair if you can, as alternating shoes is good for both your feet and your shoes! That way, you can bring one great pair for walking (perhaps a stylish sneaker) and one for evening (something sturdy and walkable that can read as “dressy” at a nicer restaurant). I hope this helps, and I hope you have an amazing trip!