By Jackson 
It started as a harmless little experiment.
I was standing in the middle of my living room, holding two nearly identical pairs of holey clogs—one bought online for less than a fancy coffee, and the other, well… the kind that comes in a velvet dust bag and makes your bank account flinch.
I’d always wondered: were the pricier ones really worth it? Or was I just falling for the hype? So, I decided to do something totally irrational (and therefore, totally fun): wear both pairs for a week, switching between them like some sort of comfort-obsessed Cinderella, and see what happened.
Day One: First Impressions
The affordable pair? Light, easy, soft. Like slipping into a cloud… that may or may not deflate over time. The higher-end ones? Structured, sculpted, with a matte finish that looked oddly luxurious. I wore them inside just to get a feel, and I’ll admit—it felt a little ridiculous to be this aware of shoes made of foam.
Day Three: Into the Real World
The cheap pair came with me to the supermarket and on a dog walk. No complaints. They got muddy. I rinsed them. They looked exactly the same.
The pricier pair? I wore them to a coffee meeting I almost dressed up for—but didn’t. Paired with trousers and a relaxed blazer, they didn’t look out of place. In fact, they added a “fashion editor on a day off” vibe. Someone actually asked, “Wait, are those…?” and then whispered the name of a designer brand I wasn’t even wearing.
I laughed. That reaction cost me about 200 bucks.
Day Five: The Plot Twist
Here’s the thing they don’t tell you: comfort isn’t always about softness. Sometimes it’s about support. And while the budget pair was easy-breezy, my feet started feeling a bit… unsupported after hours of errands.
The luxe version? They had a firmer base, molded arches, and somehow made me feel like I could stand in line forever without complaining. Which was great, because I did. Twice.
Day Seven: The Final Test
I wore one on each foot around the house to test them blind. Don’t judge me.
The difference was there, but not dramatic. The affordable one was lighter. The pricier one, sturdier. Honestly? They both did the job. One just did it with more polish and quiet confidence.
So, Is It Worth It?
Here’s what I learned: If you’re someone who wants to toss them in a beach bag, wear them into the garden, or leave them by the door for emergencies, the cheaper option will make you perfectly happy.
But if you’re styling them as part of an actual look—if you want that “wait, are those…?” reaction, and plan to wear them beyond casual errands—then yes, the high-end ones do hit different.
I won’t pretend to have a clear winner. I’ll just say this: they both earned a spot by the door. And now, when I reach for a pair, it’s not about price—it’s about mood.
Because sometimes, you want effortless.
And other days, you want elevated.