A women-first buying guide to the best espadrilles on Amazon Australia for 2026: six verified picks spanning handmade Spanish jute wedges, cushioned arch-support platforms and a budget canvas flat, with honest notes on sizing, comfort and jute care.
Espadrilles are the shoe that says the hard part of summer is over: the jute rope sole, the soft canvas upper, the ankle tie you loop on the way out the door. For a first-home buyer furnishing a new wardrobe on a budget, they are also one of the few genuinely warm-weather shoes that look put-together with a linen dress and still cost less than a takeaway dinner if you shop well.
The tricky part is that most search results for espadrilles in Australia are retailer category pages, not real guidance. They will not tell you that half of these shoes run small, that jute hates rain, or that a two-inch wedge walks very differently to a flat. This guide fixes that. We compared the espadrilles you can actually buy on Amazon Australia right now, read the reviews that Australian buyers left, and picked six worth your money, from a handmade Spanish wedge to an iconic slip-on flat under fifty dollars.
The quick answer: which espadrilles should you buy?
If you want the real thing and plan to wear them for years, the Viscata Pubol wedge is our best overall pick: it is handmade in Spain on a genuine jute midsole, and it is the most refined shoe here. For everyday comfort at a friendlier price, the UBFEN Espadrille Platform is our best value, with proper arch support and adjustable straps that suit wider feet. And if you just want a classic canvas flat to throw on, the TOMS Alpargata Classic Espadrille is the cheapest pick and the highest rated of the shoes we compared.
All six picks below are in stock on Amazon Australia, carry real star ratings from at least dozens of buyers, and sit in sensible price bands for the category. Prices move around, so treat every figure here as a starting point and check the live price on the card before you buy.
Espadrilles at a glance
Here is how the six compare on the things that actually decide comfort and cost. Heel heights are taken from each listing; the from-price is the lowest band we saw and will shift with colour and size.
| Espadrille | Style | Heel | From | Rating |
|---|
| Viscata Pubol | Canvas wedge, ankle strap | About 5 cm | $214.95 | 4.6 (1,050) |
| UBFEN Platform | Faux-suede low wedge | About 5.3 cm | $120.72 | 4.6 (629) |
| TOMS Alpargata | Canvas flat, slip-on | Flat | $40.45 | 4.7 (22) |
| Soda Topic | Braided flatform wedge | About 6 cm | $81.51 | 4.6 (3,195) |
| Fashare Peep-Toe | Lace-up platform wedge | About 7 cm | $78.97 | 4.4 (3,849) |
| Sopends Wedge | Open-toe espadrille wedge | About 7 cm | $96.17 | 4.6 (547) |
The TOMS flat is both the cheapest and the highest rated of the six, though it also has the fewest ratings so far. The Fashare peep-toe is the most reviewed of any shoe here, with close to four thousand ratings, but it also has the lowest star average. Everything in between clusters at a very consistent 4.6.
How we chose these espadrilles
NestPath does not take shoes into a lab or claim to have walked a hundred kilometres in each pair. We are an aggregator: we study the listings, the specifications and the review record so you do not have to open twenty tabs. For this guide that meant pulling every espadrille with a real rating on Amazon Australia, then filtering hard.
We only kept shoes that are genuinely espadrilles, meaning a rope or jute sole or midsole rather than a rubber sneaker base wearing the name. We required a live listing that ships to Australia, a star rating of at least 4.4, and a minimum of several dozen ratings so the score means something. We dropped obvious reseller listings where the price was double the going rate, since those are almost always a marketplace artefact rather than a real deal. Then we read the Australian and global reviews for the pattern that matters most with this style: sizing. Espadrilles are notorious for running small and stretching as the canvas gives, so every pick below has a note on how it fits.
Ratings, prices and review counts are taken from the listings at the time of writing and refresh on the product cards. Because espadrilles are sold as one parent listing across many colours and sizes, the star rating and review count you see are for the whole style, not a single colour.
Viscata Pubol: the best overall espadrille
If you have ever wondered what the fuss over Spanish espadrilles is about, the Viscata Pubol is the shoe that answers it. It is handmade in Spain on a genuine jute midsole, with a breathable organic cotton and linen canvas upper, an elegant ankle strap and a versatile two-inch wedge that most owners say they can wear from a wedding ceremony through to the dance floor. It is comfortably the most expensive pick here at around $210, and it is the one that most looks and feels like a proper shoe rather than a seasonal throwaway.
What you are paying for is materials and construction. The jute is real rope, not a printed rubber lookalike, and the canvas is soft enough that reviewers in Spain and France single out how natural it feels against bare skin. The closed toe and secure ankle strap make it the most dressable option in the line-up, and the modest wedge height keeps it stable on cobbles, grass and the uneven paths you actually walk on at an outdoor event. For a shoe you want to still own in three summers, this is the safe money.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
Two things to know. First, Viscata runs narrow: an Australian reviewer with wider feet noted they are not built for a broad foot, though the canvas does stretch and soften with wear, so sizing up or wearing them in gently helps. Second, this is a premium price for a shoe made of canvas and rope, and if you only wear espadrilles a handful of times a season you may not need this much shoe. Buy it if you love the category; skip it if you are testing the water.
The UBFEN is the pick we would steer most people toward, because it solves the biggest complaint about espadrilles: that a flat jute sole gives your arch nothing to stand on. This one has a built-in orthopedic arch support and a cushioned insole under a low braided-jute platform, plus dual hook-and-loop straps that adjust for both narrow and wide feet. At around $120 it sits well below the Spanish pick while covering the comfort that matters for a long day on your feet.
Owners describe it the way you want a summer shoe described: comfortable from the first wear, secure enough to walk a lot of a vacation in, and stylish enough to dress up or down. The velcro straps mean you can slip the shoe on without unbuckling but still cinch it for a snug hold, which is a genuinely useful feature if your feet swell in the heat. The slip-resistant outsole also holds up on the polished tiles and smooth city footpaths where a bare jute sole can feel skittish. Five colours cover most wardrobes.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
The strap closure is velcro rather than a real buckle, which a couple of reviewers worried might loosen over time; in practice most found it stronger than expected, but it is worth checking the hold before a big night. The faux-suede upper is also not a natural material, so this is a comfort-first shoe rather than a heritage one. If authenticity is the point for you, look at the Viscata; if all-day wear is the point, this is the smarter buy.
TOMS Alpargata Classic Espadrille: the best budget flat
Not everyone wants a wedge, and not everyone wants to spend three figures. The TOMS Alpargata Classic Espadrille is the answer to both: a simple canvas slip-on flat with the jute-trim espadrille sole TOMS built its name on, and at around $40 it is the cheapest pick in this guide by a wide margin. It is also the highest rated of the six shoes we compared, sitting at 4.7 stars, though it is newer to Amazon Australia so the number of ratings is still small.
This is the espadrille as an everyday shoe rather than an occasion one. Reviewers call it true to size and describe it in the terms people reserve for a well-loved basic: happiness in a shoe, a summer favourite worn for years, easy to machine wash. There is a small feel-good element too, since TOMS directs part of what you spend toward mental-health programs. For a first pair, a knockaround pair, or simply a flat to wear when a wedge is too much, it is hard to argue with the price.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
A flat canvas espadrille gives you no arch support and no height, so if you need cushioning under the foot or a lift under a longer dress this is not the pair. The review count is also modest for now, so you are leaning on the wider TOMS reputation as much as on this exact listing. Neither is a dealbreaker for a shoe at this price, but go in expecting a light, simple flat rather than a supportive one.
The Soda Topic is the espadrille most people picture when they hear the word: a braided jute flatform with an open toe and a buckled ankle strap, in the neutral tans and blacks that go with everything. It is one of the most reviewed shoes of our three mid-price picks, with more than three thousand ratings at a steady 4.6, and at around $80 it lands in the sweet spot between the budget flat and the premium wedge.
The flatform build is the appeal here. You get the height and the woven-sole look of a wedge, but the platform runs level from heel to toe, so there is far less strain on the ball of the foot than a true angled wedge. That makes it an easy shoe to stand around in at a barbecue or a garden party. The ankle strap and buckle keep it secure, and because the style has been in the Soda range for years, the fit is well understood: order your usual size and expect a snug start that eases in.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
An open toe and a flatform are not for everyone. If you want a closed, dressier shoe the Viscata is the better call, and if you have flat feet the level platform gives you no contouring at all. The synthetic materials also feel their price rather than above it. But for a versatile, secure, classic-looking espadrille that thousands of buyers keep rating well, the Topic earns its place.
Fashare Tie-Up Peep-Toe: the best lace-up look
If the espadrille you have in your head has ribbons that wrap up the ankle, the Fashare is that shoe. It is a tie-up peep-toe platform wedge with long laces you can wrap and knot around the lower leg, and it is the single most reviewed shoe in this entire guide, with close to four thousand ratings. At around $80 it is priced to be a fun seasonal buy rather than an investment.
The draw is the look and the adjustability. The lace-up closure lets you tune the fit around the ankle in a way buckles cannot, which helps if you have slim ankles that swim in fixed straps. Buyers repeatedly praise the fabric and the sole quality for the money, and the peep toe keeps it feeling summery. It photographs beautifully, which is not nothing for a shoe you will wear to weddings and races. It is the espadrille here with the most personality.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
It also carries the lowest star average of the six at 4.4, and the higher platform means it is the least casual to walk distances in. Laces take a moment to tie and can loosen across a long day, so re-knot before you dance. None of that is a dealbreaker for an occasion shoe, but if you want something to stride around a city in, one of the lower, strapped picks will serve you better.
Sopends Espadrille Wedge: the best for dancing and wider feet
The Sopends rounds out the guide as the crowd-pleaser wedge: a classic open-toe espadrille on a woven platform, with a strap that owners keep describing as secure enough to dance in. It carries a 4.6 rating across several hundred ratings and sits around $95, so it is a mid-price pick with a specific strength, comfort through a long event, especially if your feet run wide.
The reviews tell the story better than the spec sheet. One buyer wore them to a wedding and danced all night; another with a wider foot ordered reluctantly and found them extremely comfortable and full of compliments. The platform gives height without feeling precarious, the straps feel secure, and the fit reads true to size for most. It is the shoe to reach for when you know you will be on your feet and moving, rather than sitting pretty.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
One reviewer with very flat feet found the wedge shape did not suit them and their toes slid forward, which is a known issue with any angled wedge if you lack an arch. The materials are mid-range rather than luxurious. But as an affordable, comfortable, dance-ready wedge that welcomes a wider foot, it does exactly what it sets out to do.
What to look for in a pair of espadrilles
Espadrilles look simple, but a few details separate a pair you love from a pair that lives in the cupboard. Here is what actually matters before you buy.
Flat or wedge. A flat espadrille, like the TOMS, is the everyday option: light, easy, good with jeans or a sundress, but with no support and no lift. A wedge or flatform adds height and, on the better designs, a bit of cushioning and arch shape. If you want one pair to do most things, a low wedge or a level flatform is the more flexible choice. If you already own sandals and sneakers and just want a canvas slip-on, the flat is plenty.
Sizing. This is the single most important thing with espadrilles. The canvas upper stretches and moulds to your foot over the first few wears, so a new pair often feels tight out of the box and then relaxes into a snug, glove-like fit. That is normal and, per Viscata, expected. The catch is that some styles run small to begin with. If a listing has reviews saying it runs small, size up; if reviews say true to size, order your usual. Wide feet should favour adjustable straps over fixed buckles.
The sole. A true espadrille has a jute rope sole or midsole. Some pairs add a thin rubber layer underneath for grip and to keep the jute off wet ground, which is worth having in a country where a sudden shower is normal. Check for a slip-resistant outsole if you will wear them on polished tiles or smooth footpaths, where bare jute can feel slippery.
Upper material. Organic cotton and linen canvas breathes best and ages nicely; faux suede feels soft and dresses up but is synthetic; raffia and woven straw lean summery and casual. None is wrong, but natural canvas is the most classic and the easiest to spot-clean.
Closure. Ankle straps and laces keep the shoe on your foot when the sole has no back, which matters more than it sounds for walking and dancing. A buckle is the most secure, velcro is the easiest to adjust, and a lace-up is the most flattering but the fiddliest. Slip-on flats trade all of that for convenience.
One thing espadrilles are not is a walking shoe. If you need to cover real distance on hard ground, a cushioned pair of women's walking shoes or sneakers is the honest answer, and a ballet flat is the closer everyday cousin if you want something soft and low. Espadrilles are for looking good on your feet at events and easy summer days, not for hiking the city all afternoon.
How to care for espadrilles so they last
Jute and canvas are forgiving materials if you treat them right, and unforgiving if you do not. A little care doubles the life of a pair.
The golden rule is keep them out of the rain. A soaked jute sole loses its shape, can start to smell, and takes a long time to dry. If you are caught out, blot the shoe, stuff it loosely with paper to hold its form, and let it air-dry in the shade rather than in direct sun or near a heater, which makes canvas stiff and can warp the sole. Never put espadrilles in the washing machine unless the maker, like TOMS, specifically says the pair is washable.
For everyday cleaning, brush the canvas with a little water and mild soap and let it dry naturally, which is exactly the routine Viscata recommends for its own shoes. Spot-clean marks early before they set. If the jute rope frays a little at the edge over a season, you can trim the loose fibres with scissors rather than binning the pair. A protector spray applied to a clean, dry upper before the first wear helps canvas and suede shrug off light rain and stains, and is cheap insurance for a shoe you want to keep looking new.
Store them somewhere dry and airy over winter, not squashed at the bottom of a wardrobe, and they will be ready to go again when the weather turns.
You will also want a few things
Espadrilles reward a small support kit, mostly aimed at the two things that catch people out: rubbing during the break-in period, and keeping the canvas clean. These are the extras we would add to the cart, all real products on Amazon Australia.
The competition: what did not make the cut
A few near-misses are worth naming. The Soda Bryce is a close sibling of our Soda Topic pick, a very similar flatform wedge at a slightly lower price with thousands of ratings; if the Topic sells out in your size it is a fine substitute, but two near-identical Soda wedges did not both earn a spot. Viscata also makes the Sagaro, a lace-up version of our Pubol pick, which is excellent but overlaps too much with a shoe already in the guide.
Beyond Amazon, Australian retailers like Country Road, Frankie4 and the boutiques that fill the top of the search results sell lovely espadrilles, often with podiatrist-designed footbeds, but usually from around $130 up to well past $250. They are worth a look if budget is no object and you want to try shoes on in person. For most first-home buyers watching the spend, the picks above cover the same styles for less. And if you decide espadrilles are not quite your everyday shoe after all, a midi or maxi dress paired with flat sandals, ballet flats or sneakers is the more practical daily uniform.
Common questions about buying espadrilles
Are espadrilles true to size or do they run small?
It depends on the pair, so always read the sizing reviews first. Many espadrilles run small out of the box because the canvas upper is snug before it stretches, and most pairs will loosen and mould to your foot over the first few wears. If reviewers say a style runs small, size up; if they say it is true to size, order your usual. Buyers with wide feet should choose an adjustable strap or lace closure rather than a fixed buckle.
Can you wear espadrilles in the rain?
It is best not to. The jute rope sole soaks up water, loses its shape and takes a long time to dry, and repeated wettings will shorten the life of the shoe. A protector spray and a thin rubber outsole layer help with light drizzle, but espadrilles are a dry-weather shoe at heart. If you are caught in a downpour, blot them, stuff them with paper to hold their form, and let them air-dry in the shade rather than near direct heat.
Are espadrilles comfortable enough for walking all day?
Wedge and flatform styles with a cushioned insole and some arch support are comfortable for a full day of standing and short walks, which is why our value pick focuses on exactly those features. Flat jute espadrilles with no support are better for shorter outings and easy days. For covering long distances on hard ground, a dedicated pair of walking shoes or sneakers will always be the more comfortable choice.
Should I choose flat espadrilles or a wedge?
Choose a flat if you want a light, easy everyday shoe to wear with jeans or a sundress and you do not need height or support. Choose a wedge or a level flatform if you want a lift under a dress, a bit more cushioning, and a dressier look for weddings, races and events. A low wedge or a flatform is the most versatile single pair because it balances height with stability.
How long do espadrilles last and when should you replace them?
A well-cared-for pair worn through the warmer months will usually last several seasons. Replace them when the jute sole is worn flat, badly frayed all the way around, or has lost its shape from getting wet, since a broken-down sole gives you no grip or support. Keeping them dry, air-drying them in the shade and trimming stray fibres will get you the most summers out of a pair.
Keep building your summer wardrobe
Espadrilles are one piece of the warm-weather kit. If you are putting the rest together, these NestPath guides pair naturally with a good pair of rope soles.
About the author
Anish Puri founded NestPath in 2026 after going through the Australian first-home-buyer process himself. NestPath focuses on Australian first-home buyers because the existing review sites are American, generic, or both. Anish handles editorial selection across the homeowner hub. Reach out: hello@nestpath.com.au
