Vessi Shoes Review: One Shoe to Solve It All

Although I’ve been writing my travel blog for several years now, there’s one dirty little secret I haven’t shared yet: I’m a dreadful overpacker. The problem is I want to pack for every occasion and contingency. What if it’s hot? What if it rains? What if I want to go to a nice restaurant? What if I want to hike? I like to feel comfortable no matter the activity or the weather. So when Vessi Footwear offered me the chance to try its breathable waterproof shoes, I jumped at the chance. Could Vessi shoes reduce my overpacking by pulling double- or triple-duty on a trip? The answer is an unequivocal yes.

I received Vessis in exchange for this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

First Impressions

Vessi Footwear is a Canadian company founded by three Vancouver residents who wanted to create a waterproof shoe for their rainy climate. Started in 2018 as an online retailer, the company opened its first retail store location in 2022.

I received two styles of Vessis for this review: the Everyday Move and the Weekend. The Everyday Move is an athletic-style sneaker that offers added arch support, extra midsole cushioning, and a raised rubber tread. The Weekend is a casual court sneaker with a flat bottom and a relaxed fit.

I was immediately impressed with the solid construction of both the Everyday Move and the Weekend sneakers. Made of Dyma-tex knit, the stretchy material of the sneaker’s upper is both flexible and supportive. When I tried on the Everyday Move, the glove-like fabric molded to my foot, providing the stability and movability of a good athletic shoe. The Weekend fits more loosely, making it easy to slip on with or without socks depending on your preference.

Testing Vessi Shoes Around Town

The Everyday Move

Since receiving my Vessis, I’ve had the chance to try them on various outings around town. I regularly walk or run a river trail near my home, and the Everyday Move not only looks like a high-quality athletic shoe, it performs like one too. It provides enough support and cushioning for my standard 5K route and enough grip that I don’t slip on wet days. It’s also surprisingly lightweight for a cross-trainer.

The Weekend

Cute and comfy, the Weekend is ideal for running errands and getting together with friends. The on-trend, low-profile court style pairs nicely with different outfits, from dresses to casual pants to shorts. I’ve been wearing my Vessi Weekends with ankle-length jeans for shopping trips and salon appointments and with pretty print dresses for brunches and happy hours.

Are Vessi Shoes Good for Travel?

I recently took my Vessis on a spring break trip to the beach to find out. Our activities included walking around charming beach villages, sightseeing at a state park, and biking. The two styles of Vessis, a cute pair of sandals, and some flip flops easily got me through the trip. They were comfortable to wear all day long, and because of their lightweight and flexible material, they were a breeze to pack.

Are Vessi Shoes Really Waterproof?

Based on my experience, the Vessis lived up to the waterproofing hype. The patented Dyma-tex fabric is made with thousands of tiny pores that keep the water from getting in while letting the heat and sweat out. On my beach trip and on a recent walk on my local boardwalk, I got caught in the rain. As advertised, the Vessis kept my socks dry, and afterwards, the shoes dried quickly.

How to Wash Vessi Shoes

I ordered the black Everyday Moves so I wouldn’t have to worry about getting them dirty while hiking. But for the Weekends, I wanted a light color to go with a range of outfits. My marble white Weekends ultimately got dirty during our beach trip but thankfully were easy to clean.

While Vessi recommends handwashing most of its shoes, the Weekend collection is machine washable. Per the instructions on the Vessi website, I removed the shoe liners and laces and washed them in cold water. They came out looking as good as new and ready to wear on my next adventure.

Best Shoes for Travel

Vessis are among the best shoes for travel that I’ve found so far, and I already have future Vessi purchases in mind, including the adorable new Boardwalk collection, a casual and stylish slip-on perfect for a summer getaway.

Overall, the lightweight construction makes them easy to pack, and the waterproof technology and comfort makes them versatile to use. I’ll be bringing my Vessis with me on my next trip, and I’m looking forward to putting my days of overpacking behind me.

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