Lidl Esmara Silver Sandals Review: Are These £9.99 Leather Gems Actually Comfortable?

You know the feeling. You walk into Lidl for a pint of milk and a pack of bakery cookies, and suddenly you’re staring at a diving suit, a trumpet, and a pair of silver sandals that look suspiciously like a high-end designer brand.

This is the “Middle of Lidl” phenomenon. It gets the best of us.

But when it comes to footwear, impulse buys are risky. We have all bought that cheap pair of holiday sliders that rubbed our feet raw by the time we reached the departure lounge. So when the German discounter dropped their latest summer range, I had to investigate.

In this Lidl Esmara silver sandals review, I am putting the £9.99 budget leather slides to the ultimate test. Are they just a shiny bargain for your trolley, or are they a legitimate contender for your summer capsule wardrobe? I wore them for a week, school runs, city commutes, and supermarket dashes included, to find out.

First Impressions: The “Silver Glimmer” Design & Build Quality

Pulling these out of the box (or rather, unhooking them from the plastic hanger), the first thing that strikes you is the weight. They don’t feel like cheap foam flip-flops. There is a reassuring heft to the sole that suggests durability.

The design is classic. You are looking at a two-strap slide silhouette or a crossover design, depending on the specific stock drop at your local store. The silver finish isn’t that dull, matte grey you often see on budget shoes. It has a proper metallic sheen, a glimmer that catches the light without looking tacky.

More Than Just Metallic: The Silver Finish Durability

One of my biggest gripes with metallic budget footwear is the “flake factor.” You wear them twice, scuff the toe on a kerb, and suddenly you have a black patch where the silver used to be.

I ran a quick scratch test, literally running a fingernail firmly across the strap. The foil finish held up. It seems to be bonded deep into the synthetic upper rather than just sprayed on top. While I wouldn’t recommend hiking through brambles in them, for general urban walking, the finish appears robust.

The £9.99 Price Point vs. The High Street

Let’s talk money. At £9.99, these are sitting at a price point that is almost impossible to argue with. But how do they actually stack up against the competition on the UK high street?

I did a quick comparison against M&S and the market leader, Birkenstock.

The data is stark. You are paying a fraction of the price for a product that shares the core specification: a leather insole. This is where the value proposition becomes undeniable.

The Secret Sauce: LWG-Certified Leather & TPR Soles

Most people see “£9.99” and assume the product is 100% plastic. This is where Lidl pulls its ace card. The footbed, the part your skin actually touches, is genuine leather.

Understanding the LWG-Certified Leather Insole

You might notice a small logo on the box that says “LWG Certified.” This isn’t just marketing fluff. It stands for the Leather Working Group, a global environmental stewardship protocol.

According to the Leather Working Group’s official standards, tanneries with this certification are audited for chemical management, energy use, and waste treatment. For a budget supermarket brand to source from LWG-certified tanneries is a massive deal.

Why does this matter for your feet?

• Breathability: Synthetic footbeds trap sweat, leading to that dreaded “squelch” sound when you walk in the heat. Leather absorbs moisture.
• Moulding: Over time, leather warms up and moulds to the shape of your foot. Plastic never does.
• Skin Safety: The certification ensures strict controls on chemicals like Chromium VI, which can cause contact dermatitis in cheaper leather goods.

TPR Soles: Why You Won’t Feel Every Pebble

This is the technical detail that most reviews miss. Cheap flip-flops use EVA foam, the stuff that feels like a yoga mat. It’s soft initially but compresses to nothing within a week.

Esmara uses TPR (Thermoplastic Rubber) for the outsole.

TPR is a synthetic rubber that combines the processability of plastics with the durability of rubber. It offers two distinct advantages over EVA foam:

1. Flexibility & Grip: It bends naturally with your foot but has enough density to grip wet pavement.
2. Shock Absorption: Unlike foam, which flattens out, TPR rebounds. This “bounce” is crucial for preventing heel fatigue if you are walking on concrete pavements all day.

[Leather Working Group – Understanding Our Standards]

The Comfort Test: 10,000 Steps in the “Middle of Lidl”

Specs are great, but do they hurt? I committed to wearing these sandals exclusively for three days to answer that question.

The School Run & Commuter Challenge

My first test was the morning rush. This involves a brisk 20-minute walk on tarmac, dodging scooters and navigating the London Underground.

The Result: Surprisingly solid. The pre-moulded footbed offers decent arch support, not quite the aggressive “orthopaedic” support of a Birkenstock, but significantly more than a flat Primark sandal.

Experience Note: I did notice a tiny bit of rubbing on the top of my big toe where the strap edge sits. This is common with metallic uppers as the material can be slightly stiffer than plain leather. A quick fix? I flexed the strap back and forth with my hands for 30 seconds to soften the fibers. Problem solved.

Versatility: From Supermarket Aisle to Summer BBQ

The silver colourway is essentially a neutral. It works with denim shorts, maxi dresses, or linen trousers.

I wore these to a casual garden gathering, standing on grass for about four hours. The TPR sole was a lifesaver here. With thinner soles, you feel every uneven clump of earth. These provided a stable platform. Plus, the silver elevates a basic outfit enough that you don’t look like you’ve just wandered out of the house in your slippers.

Sizing Reality Check: Do Lidl Sandals Run Large?

Buying shoes in a supermarket is tricky because you often can’t try them on easily without ripping open packaging.

The Half-Size Advantage (UK 4.5 to 7.5)

Here is the headline news: Lidl does half-sizes.

This is rare in the budget sector. Usually, you are forced to choose between a too-tight 5 or a sloppy 6. I am a true UK 6.5. I picked up the 6.5, and the fit was millimetre-perfect.

The heel cup sat exactly where it should, cupping the back of my foot without digging in. If you are between sizes, do not size up. Trust the half-sizing. The width is standard to slightly wide (a “comfortable D” fit), which accommodates the natural swelling your feet experience on a hot summer day.

FAQs

Are Lidl Esmara sandals real leather?

The footbed (insole) is genuine leather, sourced from LWG-certified tanneries. The upper straps are usually a high-quality synthetic material to maintain the metallic finish and keep the price low.

How much are the silver Esmara sandals?

They are priced at £9.99 in UK stores. Prices can vary slightly if they end up on clearance, but a tenner is the standard RRP.

Are they a good Birkenstock alternative?

For the price, yes. They offer a similar aesthetic and the leather footbed gives you that breathable comfort. However, they do not have the cork-latex midsole of a Birkenstock, so the arch support is softer and less rigid.

Do they cause blisters?

In my testing, I experienced zero blisters on the heel or sole. The metallic strap was slightly stiff initially but softened quickly. As with any new shoe, wear them around the house with socks for an hour first if you have sensitive skin.

How do I clean the silver metallic finish?

Do not put them in the washing machine. Wipe the silver straps with a damp cloth. For the leather insole, you can use a standard suede/nubuck cleaner or a mixture of water and bicarbonate of soda to lift sweat marks.

When does the Esmara summer range launch?

Lidl operates on a “WIGIG” (When It’s Gone, It’s Gone) basis. The summer footwear usually lands in the “Middle of Lidl” aisle between May and June. Keep an eye on their weekly leaflet.

Can I buy Lidl sandals online?

No. As of 2026, Lidl generally does not offer home delivery for general merchandise in the UK. You need to use the Lidl Plus app to check stock and head to the store.

Are they wide-fit friendly?

They are not explicitly marked as wide fit, but the open-toe design and adjustable buckles (on certain styles) make them very forgiving for wider feet.

Conclusion

So, are the Lidl Esmara silver sandals worth the hype?

Absolutely. In a market where £10 usually buys you disposable plastic fashion, Lidl has delivered a product with genuine material specs and thoughtful engineering. The LWG leather insole keeps your feet cool, the TPR sole absorbs the shock of city walking, and the half-size availability ensures a proper fit.

They aren’t “forever shoes” that you will hand down to your grandchildren, but as a stylish, comfortable, and absurdly affordable option for the British summer, they are unbeatable.

My Pro-Tip: Don’t wait until Monday. Check the Lidl Plus app stock checker on Sunday evening when the new leaflet deals often go live in the system. These tend to vanish from the shelves by Tuesday.

Have you spotted these in your local aisle? Or did you manage to snag a pair before they sold out? Share your comfort rating and styling tips below!

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Mohammed Saad

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Hello, I'm Mohammed Saad is the founder of UKblogspot.co.uk. I'm a digital marketer and content writer with 2 years of experience, focused on creating helpful, well-researched content on diverse topics for a UK audience.

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