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Skechers Meditation – Rock Crown Review
As we head into summer, it’s important to be prepared for it - both in terms of vacation plans and in terms of your wardrobe. Warm weather calls for clothing that is lightweight, breathable, and comfortable - not to mention also stylish. The same goes for shoes. A pair such as the Rock Crown sandals by Skechers will provide just that.
With their open design, grippy outsole, and cushioning insole, these sandals are sure to keep you comfortable throughout the day, no matter if you’re working in the classroom or hanging out by the beach. On top of that, they have a stylish rhinestone design that renders them the perfect finishing touch to a casual or semi-formal outfit. They do have their downsides when it comes to color, adjustability, and potentially durability; but on the whole, we’d say they make a worthy addition to your wardrobe. Read on to learn about their key features and judge for yourself.
Editor's Pros & Cons
Pros
- Stylish and versatile
- Yoga Foam insole
- Slip-on
- Grippy outsole
- Mostly true to size
Cons
- Few color variations
- Not adjustable
Brand
Before zooming in on this particular model, it’s good to have a general idea of the brand behind is so that you know what to expect. Now, Skechers is one of the most popular athletic and casual footwear brands ever. In fact, it’s the third largest athletic footwear brand in the US. This tells us they must have reliable quality and good value.
The brand was founded in 1992 making utility-style boots and skate shoes but has since diversified their products, offering styles for men, women, and children. Their shoes offer a blend of style and practicality, but since they started off with the latter as their focus, we’d say that’s what they’re best at providing.
The brand was founded in 1992 making utility-style boots and skate shoes but has since diversified their products, offering styles for men, women, and children. Their shoes offer a blend of style and practicality, but since they started off with the latter as their focus, we’d say that’s what they’re best at providing.
Colorways
The good news is that this model’s offered in five different colors. The bad news - they all look pretty similar because their outsoles and straps are all generally the same color. For instance, there are three “black” options, the only variation being the color of the rhinestone embellishments. While there is a pretty noticeable difference between the three, calling it three options still gives an illusion for more variation than there really is. There’s also what Skechers calls “pink,” which looks more like beige; and what they call “white,” which is mostly black except for the straps at the heel. In short - not the widest range of options, but all versatile and stylish.
Insole
One of the most important features - and probably the most important one when it comes to comfort - of this model is their unique insole. They are made of something called Yoga Foam, which is like the material of a yoga mat. It provides comfortable cushioning and also molds to the shape of your foot for a personalized fit. It is kind of similar to memory foam footbeds and even cork footbeds, except the latter is natural and goes through the process much more slowly. Either way, it gives these sandals an extra point for comfort.
Materials
The Rock Crown sandals are mostly synthetic. They’ve got a faux suede upper, synthetic straps, and a synthetic toe post. Only the fabric lining of the strap is made of textile, ensuring a softer and more comfortable fit against the top of the foot. Now, you might feel dissuaded from buying this pair because it’s often said that man-made footwear is low-quality and less valuable than real leather sandals. However, there are pros and cons to both types of materials. Synthetics cost much less than leather and have a much shorter break-in period, meaning they’ll become comfortable much quicker. It’s also vegan-friendly and water-resistant. Leather, on the other hand, is bio-degradable and more durable than synthetics. They also tend to have a more classy and luxurious appearance. It all depends on what you’re looking for in your sandals.
Style
Though Skechers athletic footwear tends not to score too high on style (in our personal opinion), this pair is a pleasant exception. As you can obviously see from the picture, their thong is fully embellished in glittery rhinestones. These will shimmer with every step, making you look luxurious and queenly. Who would guess that they’re simply Skechers? Despite being flip flops, the rhinestones give them a more formal look that allows them to be more versatile and not just mere beach shoes. For more on versatility and what they can be paired with, scroll down to our “Versatility” section.
Straps
These sandals are what they call “slingback,” which is when a strap crosses behind the heel. Though some slingback shoes can look weird because of it, these do it subtlely and fashionable. They are also thong sandals, the word “thong” referring to the strip of rhinestone material connecting the toe post and the other straps. The straps are also stretchy, which allows the shoe to be slipped right on before you go out the door. At the same time, their strategic placement - toe, heel, side - ensures that your foot stays securely strapped down. The downside is that the straps are not adjustable, so if you end up with a too-roomy fit, you may have to return and get another size. As well, some may find the toe post uncomfortable - but that goes for all flip flops.
Size
After taking a look at some customer reviews, we conclude that this model runs quite true to size. This is great for online shopping because you can avoid wasting time and energy matching your foot measurements to sizing charts - though if you want to double check, there are sizing guides on Skechers’ website for your convenience. However, these sandals do not run in half sizes, and one reviewer claimed they were narrow. Again, the lack of adjustability can be an obstacle, though the stretchiness of the straps signifies that a slightly snug fit could accommodate you nonetheless.
Stability
Stability is important for minimizing foot fatigue and preventing injuries. It’s especially important in summer shoes that you might wear to the beach or to the pool, where the ground is wet and more slippery than usual. Thankfully, these outsoles have a tread pattern to provide grip. Though not very deep or heavy-duty, it’s sure to serve you well on pavement, indoor floors, or outdoor terrain that’s not too uneven or slippery. Besides that, their ½ flat heel ensures that there is maximum foot-to-ground contact and that you stay close to the ground, which ensures better stability than, say, wedge sandals or platform sandals. One could argue that the lack of heel makes them less stylish, but if it means not falling over and hurting yourself - not to mention making a fool of yourself - we’ll take it.
Versatility
Despite being sandals by a “sporty” brand, this pair is amazingly versatile for non-sporty occasions. Again, the rhinestone embellishments make them look chic, elegant, and feminine while the rest of the sandal is fairly minimalist. They don’t have the “rough” look that most sporty sandals have, and as a result, they can be worn in both semi-formal and casual occasions. For instance, if your work environment is laid-back (such as being a teacher), you could wear them to work. When it comes to formal occasions, however, we would not recommend this pair because, despite their style, they are still flip-flops. Having your toes all out during a business meeting does not seem appropriate. For formal and professional environments, opt instead for kitten heels or flats.
Value
Despite offering both style and practicality - essentially filling the job of two pairs - the Rock Crown sandals are surprisingly cheap. This is probably due to the fact that they are made of synthetics and textiles, which are both fairly cheap materials compared to leather and suede. However, when considering value, you must also consider durability. If you spend a super cheap amount on a pair that breaks the next day, you’re probably losing more than if you splurge a little and get the pair that lasts for much longer. We already said that synthetics aren’t as durable as leather, but with that said, there are still synthetic shoes that have proved themselves to be sturdy and long-wearing. Unfortunately, during our research, we couldn’t find much information on how durable this pair is, so keep in mind this risk factor when deciding whether to make a purchase.
Bottom Line
Overall, these sandals have lots of benefits. They are comfortable and stylish at the same time. Their outsoles provide grip, their insoles provide cushioning, and their rhinestone embellishments serve the looks. On top of that, they are super convenient to slip on and they are a good bargain. The downside is that not many color variations are available, that the straps are not adjustable in size, and the synthetic material could potentially wear down easily. However, no footwear is perfect - it all depends on what you need, what you prioritize, and how much you’re willing to pay for it. And taking everything into account, this pair is still a great deal. Why not make them a new addition to your wardrobe this upcoming summer?
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