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Vessi Shoes Review: Are These the Best Travel Shoes?

A waterproof, stylish, comfortable travel shoe? Yup, Vessi actually lives up to the hype. This Vessi footwear review will tell you why.

Vessi Shoes Review: Are These the Best Travel Shoes?

Vessi makes a lot of promises when it comes to their unique shoes. They’re marketed as your one-stop-shop for the ultimate waterproof, lightweight, packable travel shoe. But are they?

I was pretty skeptical about these Vessi shoes. Because if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.

Right?

Are these travel shoes the all-in-one solution that every one-bag traveler needs? Well, that’s what I wanted to find out in this Vessi shoes review!

Vessi Shoes: Quick Answers

  • Vessi footwear makes three lines of ultralight, waterproof sneakers designed for all seasons and all terrains. These aren’t water shoes, they’re truly the “all-rounder” shoe.
  • Vessi is a Vancouver-based company founded by Mikaella Go, Tony Yu, and Andy Wang.
  • These shoes are made from water-based synthetic materials, modified polyurethane, and synthetic suede and leather. They’re 100% vegan.
  • They’re perfect for one-bag travelers who want a multipurpose sneaker that can see them through everything from snow to sand to epic rainstorms.
  • Vessi shoes are best for urban travelers who might do some light hiking. If you’re going on a full-on trek, you definitely still need proper hiking boots with ankle support. (Personally, I prefer hiking in trail running shoes.)

Pros

  • Actually waterproof, so you can ditch the rain boots (the technology is patented)
  • You don’t need to wear socks with these shoes
  • They’re perfect for all kinds of travel, especially if you’re sticking to urban centers
  • Pleasant, muted colors
  • Super comfortable

Cons

  • No half shoe size available
  • Not suitable if you have a latex allergy
  • Narrow-footed people may find them too wide
  • They don’t come with any care instructions
  • Not all of them are machine washable

Who is Vessi Shoes?

Is your closet overflowing with shoes for every season? That might be fine when you’re at home, but finding appropriate shoes for all seasons and all weather types is one of the biggest hassles of life on the road.

Vessi founders Mikaella Go, Tony Yu, and Andy Wang recognized this problem, so they created the ultimate all-weather sneaker through a wildly successful Kickstarter campaign.

By September of 2019, the product team had raised a cool $1.2 million with an initial goal of only $25,000. It looks like a lot of people out there want a one-pair-fits-all travel and streetwear sneaker.

Vessi Cityscape
The Vessi Cityscape

Vessi Shoes Reviews

Vessi shoes come in three different styles. In this part of the Vessi shoes review, we’ll put all three of them under the microscope.

All of these Vessi shoes are waterproof and super comfortable. They’re all fantastic options, so it really comes down to personal taste and travel style when you’re deciding which pair is right for you.

Let’s review the ins and outs of each style so you can get a better idea of what they’re all about.

  • Vessi Everyday Sneakers

    As the name suggests, the Vessi Everyday Sneaker is the perfect lace-up sneaker for everyday wear. They’re the ideal sneaker for urban travel or a light hike. These sneakers have the basic features of a regular knit sneaker but they’re also 100% waterproof and non-slip.

    I love the lightweight feel of a knit sneaker, but they’re a bit useless once water has started accumulating on the ground. That’s not an issue with these shoes.

    The Everyday Sneakers come with extra arch support and sporty soles. These shoes will keep you comfy all day long, no matter how much time you spend on your feet. Whether you’re an avid walker or a healthcare worker, you’ll wish you bought these months ago! They have a fashionable but athletic aesthetic that’s also waterproof. For colors, these shoes come in four stylish but subdued colors.

    The Everyday Sneaker is waterproof and should hold up to most conditions, including light snow and mud, making them a perfect choice for one-bag travelers. If you’re mostly sticking around cities and easy terrain, these are seriously one of the best travel everyday sneakers I’ve come across.

  • Vessi Cityscape

    Like the Everyday series, the Cityscape shoes are simultaneously minimalistic and stand-out stylish. Once again, these super lightweight lace-ups are a great choice for either work or travel. They’re comfortable Vessi everyday shoes, whether you’re bumming around the city or even just slogging the long walk to your airport gate.

    These knit Vessis come in three minimalistic colors; grey, black, and white. Predictable? Maybe. Timeless? Yes. Just like the Everydays, the Cityscapes are 100% waterproof to keep you dry without that ugly water repellent look.

    These shoes don’t have the same arch support and traction that the Everydays have. While they’re just as waterproof as the Everyday line, they’re just not cut out to support your foot on ice or rough terrain.

    Going to a city with predictable pavement or planning on being mostly indoors? You’ll love the Cityscape.

  • Vessi Weekend Sneaker

    Vessi’s Weekend sneakers are the newest in the Vessi line. They have a bulkier shape compared to the Cityscape and Everyday, but the hints of blue on black make them just as stylish.

    These shoes are meant for bumming around on the weekend, whether you’re out for a walk, running errands, or grabbing lunch with some friends.

    The Vessi Weekend has a nice wide toe box for wider feet as well. It also has a few new features, including molded insoles for extra support, a pull tab at the heel to better slide the shoes on, and all rubber thread.

    The best part about the Vessi Weekend? They’re machine washable! That’s a first for Vessi, and unique to this line.

    The silhouette of these shoes has a bit of a 90s feel to them, and they rise up higher over the ankle than the other shoes. In my opinion, they’re more suitable for dressing up to wear out and about because they look less casual than the others. And the breathability? Outstanding.

Which Vessi Sneaker is Right for You?

Feeling overwhelmed by all the information and choices in this review? Let’s break it down in simple terms. How do you know which waterproof Vessi sneaker is right for you?

  • If you’re spending a lot of time indoors or going on a relaxed trip: Cityscape Sneakers.
  • If you’re spending more time outdoors in an unpredictable climate (think rain and snow): Everyday Sneakers.
  • If your busy day takes you from walking to dining out with friends (or anything in between): Weekend Sneakers.

Also, keep in mind that Vessi often offers Limited Edition Sneakers. For example, I have a pair of Everyday Slip On Sneakers that are no longer available, although they were a few months ago (bummer). At the time of writing this, there’s a limited edition Everyday Sneaker with some unique color blocking, so get them before they disappear—just like the Everyday Slip On!

Vessi Weekend in Concrete Grey and Oak Brown
Vessi Weekend in Concrete Grey and Oak Brown

What You Need To Know About Vessi Shoes

Materials

From the waterproof fabric down to the antibacterial insoles and the Herringbone grip soles that channel water out for better traction, Vessi has literally thought of everything.

Each Vessi shoe is made with water-based synthetic materials, a modified polyurethane four-way knit material, and engineered suede and leather. To be honest, the exact details of the materials used are a little vague, but they are 100% vegan, including the glues that stick everything together.

These materials are also ultra-lightweight. Each pair weighs only 6.7 ounces!

Not only that, but the shoes are collapsible, making them the ideal shoe for travel. You can stuff into your bag when you’re not wearing them and they take up hardly any space.

Vessi shoes are actually, definitely, 100% waterproof shoes. Like I said before, I was skeptical. But their waterproofness (is that a word?) is completely impressive. No more chunky rain boots! I’ve literally plunged my feet into water with these babies on and they’ve stayed dry. Not one drop of water made it through any pair.

What’s more, the shoe is not too warm. They’re made with Dyma-tex, a waterproof material that is also extremely breathable. Dyma-tex material has millions of tiny holes that allow heat and moisture to escape while stopping water from getting in. No sweaty feet!

Sizing & Fit

When I got my Vessi shoes, they were comfortable right away. Zero blisters for me! This is always a big win in my books.

These pairs run wide, so they’re best if your feet are on the wider side. I don’t have narrow feet, so I can’t really say for sure, but I suspect they might feel a bit big if you do.

Getting the right fit is hard at the best of times. As Vessi doesn’t have a physical store (although they occasionally do host a pop up store in Vancouver), it can be a bit of a gamble when you make your purchase online. Luckily, there is a sizing chart page on the website. Don’t have time? That’s okay—I’ve listed some handy tips for the right pair here.

  • They don’t come in wider sizes, but the men’s range a little wider than the women’s
  • These shoes fit close to the feet, so they should feel like socks
  • Men ‘s sizes range from 6-13
  • Women’s sizes range from 6-11

There are no half sizes. If you wear a half-sized shoe, try going up to the next full size.

Wear & Feel

When it comes to wearability, I think the Vessi shoes are one of the most comfortable out there. They’re nothing like your standard water shoes. These shoes bring breathability and comfort to such a high level that you don’t even need to wear socks.

They’re incredibly lightweight to wear. They honestly feel like I’m wearing socks. It’s nice to have a sneaker that doesn’t feel clunky while keeping my feet dry, especially compared to other waterproof shoes. While they’re not ideal for trekking, I often like to bring a pair along to wear around the campsite if sandals aren’t an option.

Three pairs of Vessi Everyday Shoes in front of the water
You can wear your Vessi waterproof sneakers everywhere!

The most important factors to think about when you’re looking at travel shoes are breathability and comfort. Who wants aching swamp feet? Gross. After days of testing, I can say that Vessi nails both of these factors. They’re comfortable, breathable, and dry in all conditions.

So which pair is the most comfortable? That’s a good question. They’re all pretty close. That said, the Cityscape style doesn’t come with that additional arch support. My feet are pretty flat and I like to walk long distances, so any support I can get is really important. At least for my feet, the Everyday style is the best option.

Washing

The Vessi Weekend shoes are the only shoes that are machine washable, which is a pretty important selling point. I’ve been able to throw pretty much every sneaker I’ve ever owned into the washing machine, so not being able to do that with the Everyday or Cityscape kinda sucks.

If you’re going with the Everyday or Cityscape, I’d advise you to avoid the lighter colors. Go for a dark color like black and you won’t have too many issues with your shoes looking dirty and they won’t change colors as they dry after rinsing or washing them.

It’s recommended that you handwash your Vessis with a water-based soap and warm water, then scrub with a soft sponge. For your Weekend Vessis, remove the insoles and laces and put everything (including the shoes) into a delicate wash bag. Use cold water and water-based detergent without bleach.

Returns

While the return policy changes depending on conditions and locations, here’s a quick breakdown of the return policy:

  • Free 60-day returns within North America – make sure you haven’t worn your shoes outside in this time
  • You have to pay for shipping if you’re making international returns
  • Sale items are non-refundable but you can get store credit if you return them in 60 days
  • Change of mind or wrong size returns are eligible for refunds or store credits if returned in 60 days
  • Exchanges can take between 7-10 business days within North America
  • There is a 6-month warranty on defects

Shipping

Vessi offers free standard shipping to:

  • Canada (2-8 day delivery)
  • US (2-8 day delivery)
  • Australia (7-14 day delivery)
  • New Zealand (7-14 day delivery)
  • Japan (7-14 day delivery)
  • South Korea (7-14 day delivery)
  • Singapore (7-14 day delivery)
  • Taiwan (7-14 day delivery)

A little limited, so let’s hope they share the love with more destinations soon.

Pricing

You can expect to pay about the same price for a pair of Vessi shoes as you would for a major brand like Nike or Adidas. But there is one major economic advantage: you don’t have to buy multiple different styles of shoe for different seasons – these sneakers should get you right through the year.

Quick tip: If money’s tight, check to see if the brand is running a sale.

CHECK PRICE ON VESSI

Final Thoughts on Vessi Shoes

In this Vessi shoes review, we took a look at what makes these sneakers so good.

Vessi has received so many rave reviews that they’ve basically hit cult status. The thing is, each pair definitely lives up to the hype. They are the best street shoes I’ve ever traveled with. It’s no wonder that these stylish but super functional sneakers are selling out and getting mile-long waitlists.

The three types of Vessi shoes all share the same design pillars; comfortable for long days of travel and dry yet breathable in all conditions. Vessi shoes are also produced with sustainability in mind, which is perfect for an environmentally conscience traveler.

A person dancing through the water in their Vessi shoes
Okay, so maybe your ankles will get wet if you do this in your waterproof shoes

Each pair of Vessi shoes look great and come at a comparable price to other major brands. While the three different styles all have the same basic features, they also have individual strengths.

If you walk long distances or you’re worried about slipping on wet pavers or ice, then the Everyday lines are going to be the best for you. The Cityscapes are also an excellent choice, but they just don’t offer the same amount of arch support or traction. The Weekend shoes are great for anyone on the run who doesn’t have time for handwashing.

Don’t forget to keep an eye out for the Limited Edition shoes, like the Everyday Slip On sneakers. I managed to snatch a pair of the Everyday Slip Ons before they disappeared, and I’m so glad I did.

So are these the best travel shoe? I’m gonna say a big YES! I’m sold, and I’m not alone in that review. According to the brand, 80% of customers said they were buying these shoes for their primary travel sneaker. A pair of these shoes is one of the best travel gifts for literally anybody. It also helps that their customer service is top notch.

That said, if you’re going on a big trek, please make sure you bring some proper hiking boots, hiking sandals or trail running shoes. Vessi shoes are best suited for urban adventures, long walks along the coast, and maybe some light day hikes through the forest or desert.

Now, it’s time to go puddle hunting.

Vessi Footwear FAQs

  • Does Vessi make good shoes?

    Yes, Vessi makes some of the best shoes for travel.

  • Do Vessi shoes get smelly?

    Vessi shoes are breathable and have an antimicrobial treatment that helps prevent bad smells.

  • Do Vessi shoes have arch support?

    Yes, Vessi shoes have great arch support.

  • Are Vessi shoes 100% waterproof?

    Yes, Vessi shoes are 100% waterproof.

  • Are you supposed to wear socks with Vessi shoes?

    Yes, Vessi shoes are designed to be worn with socks.

About the Author

Jeremy Scott Foster

Jeremy Scott Foster is an adventure-junkie, gear expert and travel photographer based in Southern California. Previously nomadic, he’s been to ~50 countries and loves spending time outdoors. You can usually find him on the trail, on the road, jumping from bridges or hustling on his laptop working to produce the best travel and outdoors content today.
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