Whether it’s bumpy cobblestones or rain puddles, a good travel shoe should be able to withstand any terrain without restricting you (or your toes!). Vessi, an innovative sneaker brand with thousands of loyal customers, promises to solve all your shoe problems. The company offers a variety of waterproof yet trendy silhouettes—from chunky low-top sneakers to classic athletic shoes.
To put these trendy travel shoes through their paces, I ran over 8 miles in the Vessi Soho sneakers, wore them on New York’s notoriously dirty streets, and submerged them in water for several minutes. I also interviewed Emma Seymour, Good Housekeeping Institute’s senior analyst in textiles, paper & apparel, for her expertise in shoes and travel gear, and Elizabeth Berry, updates editor, about her personal experience with Vessi.
Read on for our full review of the Vessi shoes and get answers to frequently asked questions about these travel-friendly sneakers.
Vessi offers shoes for men and women starting at around $105 – from simple tennis shoes to rugged yet stylish hiking boots. Start with the brand’s bestseller, the Weekend. It features a wider fit and a fully knit, machine-washable exterior for easy washing.
You’ll also find slip-ons perfect for the airport, classic sporty silhouettes for days with a lot of walking, Chelsea boots, hiking boots, and much more. Because all the shoes feature a similar construction in different silhouettes, you can choose the right shoe based on your style preferences and lifestyle needs, rather than practicality.
I tested out the Soho sneaker, a sleek faux leather version with a slimmer silhouette that pairs well with both jeans and leggings. As a bonus, the brand offers free shipping on orders over $110 and a 90-day return policy for unworn, undamaged items if you change your mind.
In our experience, they’re completely water-resistant! Vessi shoes are made from the brand’s unique Dyma-Tex fabric. This stretchy, lightweight fabric looks and feels like regular sneaker fabric. It allows for ample air circulation around your feet while keeping out rain and moisture.
We asked another GH writer who wore the shoes in light rain or after a shower and didn’t end up with wet feet. What surprised me most, however, was how quickly the outside of these sneakers dried after getting wet. I let my Soho sneakers dry in the bathroom for a while, and they felt dry within a few hours.
The weather can be unpredictable when traveling, and no one wants to walk around with wet feet all day. Vessi keeps feet dry while providing ample ventilation, making them an excellent travel shoe. But waterproofness isn’t the only factor to consider when packing your shoes for a trip.
Comfort should be your top priority when buying travel shoes, says Seymour. “You’re likely to walk a lot more than usual when traveling, so supportive shoes are a must,” she says. “The shoes should feel comfortable right away. Since space in your suitcase is limited, choose shoes that are versatile and can be worn for both day and night.”
My Vessi sneakers felt perfect right out of the box and were pleasantly flexible. I liked that they didn’t require any break-in time, so I could slip them on and wear them right away. Plus, thanks to the plush faux leather, they looked super chic—with jeans, leggings, or any other travel wardrobe—so I felt instantly comfortable.
After several hours of walking, I noticed a slight blister on one foot, likely due to the wrong size (see below). However, my tester reported that she didn’t experience any blisters with her correct size. Combined with my orthotics—and after sizing down to achieve the right fit—these shoes allowed me to walk comfortably and pain-free for miles.
Vessi shoes are available in women’s sizes 5 to 11 and men’s sizes 6 to 13. Since we haven’t tested all Vessi shoe styles, the fit may vary between individual pairs.
The Soho sneakers, in particular, ran a bit large for me. I normally wear a size 7.5 to 8 for athletic shoes, and I fitted for an 8 because the brand’s website stated that the Soho sneakers run a bit tight. However, the sneakers were a bit too big for me. Berry, who tested the Everyday Classic sneaker and wears a size 8 to 8.5, found that a size 8 fits comfortably with some wiggle room.
While a looser shoe can be made more comfortable by wearing thicker socks and tighter laces, I would recommend going down a size if you’re in between sizes.
While the insoles of the Vessi sneakers are padded for comfort, they lack the built-in arch support found in actual athletic shoes. The footbed and overall silhouette of the Vessi Soho sneakers are quite flat. Since I have mild flat feet and tend to pronate (meaning my ankles and arches roll inward when I walk), the Soho sneakers offered limited cushioning where I needed it most. Berry and I both noticed shin pain after walking on concrete sidewalks for a few hours.
A major advantage of Vessi’s designs is the removable insole. This means you can swap it out for your own podiatrist-recommended insoles if you need more arch support. The Vessi sneaker model I tested is designed for walking, not running or exercising. However, a more athletic model like the Vessi Stormburst or the Everyday Move might offer more cushioning. On days when I wear my Soho sneakers for more than a few hours at a time, I definitely use my own insoles for more customized support.
All Vessi sneakers are made from a soft knit fabric that’s comfortable to wear with or without socks. The padded ankle collar prevents blisters, so you don’t have to worry about uncomfortable chafing. However, we recommend wearing socks with your Vessi sneakers to prevent odor and blisters. And because the exterior of Vessi sneakers is water-resistant, you don’t have to worry about uncomfortable, damp socks when you step in a puddle or walk around in the rain.
In my experience, my Vessi sneakers remained odor-free thanks to their breathable construction. Moisture buildup is one of the main causes of shoe odor. Vessi’s water-repellent properties prevented the growth of odor-causing fungi like mold. The shoes also provided good ventilation, making odor less likely.
Even after walking around the city all weekend, soaking them in water, and letting them dry overnight, I couldn’t detect any unpleasant odors from my sneakers. Both Berry and I wore our Vessi sneakers with socks, which further contributed to odor buildup because foot sweat didn’t come into direct contact with the sneaker’s inner lining.
After wearing my sneakers all weekend and several subway rides in NYC, I noticed a few dirty stains had formed on the outside—but luckily, they’re super easy to clean. Simply wipe the faux leather panels with a damp cloth and gently scrub the Dyma-Tex fabric with a little mild dish soap or laundry detergent. Cleaning was a breeze, and my shoes looked like new in minutes.
With prices ranging from $105 to $180, Vessi sneakers are a bit more expensive, but their uniquely water-resistant yet breathable, lightweight material justifies the price. While they’re not the most supportive shoes on the market, they’re compatible with other insoles, making them easy to adjust to your needs. Most importantly, they’re easy to clean and comfortable enough for long days of travel. If you’re looking for a stylish travel shoe that can withstand any weather, Vessi shoes are a worthwhile investment.
