Hello February! I made it through January without buying any clothes or housewares. On social media, I saw many people committing to a No Buy January. While I didn’t set out to make this a goal for myself per se, in general I’m trying not to waste goods or money.
** this post contains affiliate links, though not to hopp studios. i don’t earn any commission in recommending them. **
I actually did buy one thing (as detailed in this Instagram post): a Stutterheim rain jacket that I scored at Nordstrom Rack (in the men’s section). But, I’ve decided to return it. I already own a Stutterheim cape, which I bought while visiting Stockholm. (Check out my city guide.) I much prefer a cape or poncho to a jacket as I can carry my bag underneath it. The rubberized cotton of the Stutterheim cape keeps me dry on heavy rain days, but it’s a bit weighty. That’s why I was considering the jacket, which is lightweight, for days that it might rain on and off. I could stuff it in my bag, I reasoned. I should just get a lightweight poncho, though. I’m coveting this beautifully-designed one by Carol Young Undesigned, but I can’t justify spending $300 on it.
Anyhow, that is all a preface to say that I’m reviewing something that I bought back in November during Black Friday/Cyber Monday. I was judicious about my holiday spending and one of the things that made the cut was a wedge shoe from Hopp Studios. A woman actually stopped me on the street the other day to ask about my wedges, which reminded me to review them.
Hopp Studios Slip-On Wedge – $200 – red (on sale), black, white, light gray (on sale)
Founded by Eree Kim, a former Opening Ceremony knitwear designer, Hopp Studios makes comfy shoes with a minimal aesthetic. The shoes are produced in the Texas factory of another comfort shoe brand, SAS (San Antonio Shoemakers). I already knew about SAS since I’m originally from Texas and had actually browsed their store when I was back home last spring. But I didn’t find anything; their styles look like comfort shoes. (That is to say: they are not so cute.) So, I was happy to learn about Hopp, which is similarly comfy but more in line with my style. (You can read more about the company in the New York Times Style Magazine.)
Still, I was a little worried that they’d look dowdy on me. I’m approaching middle age and I don’t need help looking more middle-aged. Upon taking them out of the box, I was pleased to discover that they’re cuter in person than I thought they’d be. The leather is soft and the interior features back heel pads. A lightweight leather liner — with light arch padding — sits on top of a shock-absorbing insole. It’s not glued down so as to not damage the perforated insole.
The wedge is 1.5″ — a perfect height for every day walking. Made out of molded polyurethane, the soles apparently won’t wear down. (Really?! Will report back on this.) I was surprised by how lightweight the shoes are.
I ordered my regular size and they fit true to size. They fit perfectly length-wise and were even comfortable width-wise for my wide-ish feet. With all these good omens of comfort, I was excited to take them out on their maiden voyage.
Surprisingly, though, I found that these shoes require some breaking in. I didn’t think that would be necessary since the fit seemed great when I first tried them on and the nappa leather is soft and flexible.
But within 10 minutes of walking in them, they left marks at the top of my foot. I guess the vamp was somehow tight even though it didn’t feel that way. They were also, oddly, rubbing the back of my heels despite the built-in heel pads. I developed a blister on the back of my right foot and had to stay away from these shoes for a week as it healed.
Slowly over time, the shoes have gotten more comfortable and they don’t rub my skin to the point of blisters anymore. The third or fourth time I wore them I scuffed them up so now there are black marks on them. Oh well. I guess I got that over with?
Wearing my Hopps in the Everlane fitting room (doing research for my review on some of their sweaters.)
I’ve worn them for two months now — not everyday, but once or twice a week. “Hopp” means bounce in Swedish, and there is indeed a bounce to these shoes that’s delightful. I find the soles quite comfortable. As someone who mostly commutes by public transit, I walk quite a bit and my feet don’t tire in them the way they do in shoes with hard soles. I also love how lightweight they are.
They’re still a bit tight at the top (where it left a mark on me before), and they still rub slightly at the heels. But I expect that to subside over time. Overall, I recommend them and am happy with my purchase. Just know that they might take some breaking in.
Nice, I was thinking of getting these.. I have their ankle boots which are great for cold weather.
I’ve been contemplating the ankle boots. 🙂 How do they fit?
They run half size small