I Walked Eight Miles in These Waterproof Shoes and Now Refuse to Travel Without Them

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Whether you're traversing bumpy cobblestone streets or dodging rain puddles, a good travel shoe must withstand all terrains without cramping your style (or toes!). Vessi, an innovative sneaker brand with thousands of loyal customers, claims to answer all your footwear woes. It boasts a variety of waterproof yet on-trend silhouettes, from chunky low-top sneakers to classic athletic styles.

To put these buzzy travel shoes to the test, I walked more than eight miles in the Vessi Soho sneakers, wearing them on New York City's notoriously dirty streets and submerging them in water for several minutes. I also consulted the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab Senior Analyst Emma Seymour for her footwear and travel gear expertise and Updates Editor Elizabeth Berry for her personal experience with Vessi.

Read on for our complete Vessi shoes review, and get answers to some frequently asked questions about these travel-friendly sneakers.

What Vessi shoes should I buy?

Starting around $105, Vessi makes shoe styles for both men and women, from simple tennis shoes to chunky yet stylish hiking boots. Start with none other than the brand's best-selling sneaker, the Weekend. It features a wider fit and a fully knit, machine-washable exterior for easy laundering.

You can also find slip-on shoes that are perfect for the airport, classic athletic silhouettes for days with lots of walking, Chelsea boots, hiking styles and more. Since all of the shoes feature a similar waterproof construction in different silhouettes, you have the freedom to select the right shoe based on your style preferences and lifestyle needs, rather than practicality.

I tested the Soho sneaker, a sleek faux leather option that features a narrower silhouette and pairs well with jeans and leggings alike. As an added bonus, the brand has free shipping on purchases more than $110 and a 90-day return policy on unworn, undamaged items in case you change your mind.

Soho Sneaker

Everyday Classic Sneaker

Stormburst Low Top Sneaker

Weekend Sneaker

Stormburst High Top

Weekend Chelsea

Are Vessi shoes fully waterproof?

Yes, Vessi sneakers are waterproof. As opposed to traditional waterproof materials like rubber — which repels water but isn't breathable — Vessi shoes are made with a unique waterproof knit called Dyma-tex. This stretchy, lightweight fabric looks and feels like a normal sneaker knit, allowing adequate airflow to your feet while keeping rain and moisture out.

I tested the Soho sneaker, which is made from Dyma-tex and synthetic leather. Since it didn't rain during my trial period, I decided to put my Vessi Soho sneakers to the test by running them under my bathtub faucet and even submerging them in water up to the heel opening. After several seconds, my socks and feet remained completely dry even under running water, and I only detected the slightest hint of moisture after submerging the shoes for several minutes.

What I was most surprised by, however, was how quickly the outside of these sneakers dried after being fully submerged. I left the shoes to air-dry in my bathroom for a while, and they felt dry to the touch within a few hours. I'm confident that these shoes would keep my feet dry after stepping in a puddle or walking in a rainstorm.

Are Vessi shoes good for walking?

Weather can be unpredictable during travel, and no one wants to walk around all day with wet feet. Vessi's ability to keep your feet dry while providing adequate airflow makes them an excellent travel shoe. However, waterproofing isn't the only factor to consider when packing shoes for a trip.

Comfort should be your first priority when shopping for a travel shoe, says Seymour. "When traveling, you'll likely walk way more than you normally would, so a pair of supportive shoes is a must," she says. "The shoes should feel comfortable immediately. Because you have limited suitcase space, opt for shoes that are versatile with different outfits and can be worn both day and night."

Right out of the box, my Vessi sneakers felt molded to my foot and comfortably flexible. I appreciated that there was no break-in period, making them easy to throw on and wear right away. Plus, the elevated faux leather exterior made them look super sleek with jeans, leggings or any travel wardrobe, so I instantly felt put-together.

After several hours of walking, I noticed a slight blister on one foot, likely due to incorrect sizing (see below), but my fellow tester reported no blisters with her correct size. Paired with my orthotic inserts — and after sizing down for a proper fit — these shoes could comfortably sustain miles of walking without pain.

Should I size up or down for Vessi shoes?

Vessi shoes come in women's whole sizes 5 to 11 and men's whole sizes 6 to 13. Reviewers reported that Vessi sneakers fit true to size, but I found that the Soho sneakers run slightly large. Though I normally wear a size 7.5 to 8 in athletic shoes, I sized up to an 8 because the brand's site noted that the Soho sneakers are a little narrow. However, the sneakers were slightly too large for me. Berry, who tested the Everyday Classic sneaker and wears a size 8 to 8.5, found that the size 8 fit comfortably with a little wiggle room.

While wearing thicker socks and tightening the laces will make a looser shoe fit more comfortably, I would recommend sizing down if you're in between sizes.

Do Vessi shoes have arch support?

While the insoles of Vessi sneakers are padded for comfort, they do not feature built-in arch support like you might find in a true athletic shoe. The overall footbed and silhouette of the Vessi Soho sneaker are quite flat. As someone with slightly flat feet and a tendency to pronate (meaning my ankles and arches tend to roll inward as I walk), the Soho sneakers offered limited cushioning where I needed it most. Berry and I both noticed pain in our shins after walking around on concrete sidewalks for a few hours.

A major plus in Vessi's designs is that the insoles are removable, meaning you can swap them out for your own podiatrist-recommended insoles if you need more arch support. The model of Vessi sneakers I tested was designed for walking, not running or training, but a more athletic style like the Vessi Stormburst or Everyday Move might offer more cushioning. On days when I'll be wearing my Soho sneakers for more than a few hours at a time, I'll definitely use my own insoles for more customized support.

Do you wear socks with Vessi shoes?

All of Vessi's sneakers are made with a soft, waterproof knit fabric called Dyma-tex, designed to feel comfortable to wear with or without socks. The padded ankle collar also helps to prevent blisters, so you don't have to worry about uncomfortable rubbing. That said, we recommend wearing socks with your Vessi sneakers to wick moisture away from your feet, prevent any odor from building up and protect against blisters. And since the exterior of Vessi sneakers is waterproof, you won't have to worry about uncomfortable, damp socks if you step in a puddle or walk around in the rain.

Do Vessi shoes get smelly?

In my experience, my Vessi sneakers seemed to stay odor-free thanks to their breathable construction. Retained moisture is one of the main causes of shoe odor, and Vessi's ability to keep water out prevented odor-causing fungus, like mildew, from forming. The shoes also allowed for proper ventilation, making odor buildup less likely.

Even after walking around the city all weekend, soaking them in water and leaving them to dry overnight, I did not detect any unpleasant smells coming from my sneakers. Both Berry and I wore our Vessi sneakers with socks, which also helped to prevent odor by not allowing foot sweat to come into direct contact with the sneaker's inner layer.

How do I clean Vessi shoes?

After wearing my sneakers all weekend and on several subway trips in NYC, I noticed that the exterior developed some dirty spots — but thankfully, they're super easy to clean. Simply wipe the faux leather panels with a damp cloth, and gently scrub the Dyma-tex fabric with some mild dish soap or detergent. This made cleanup a breeze, and my shoes looked brand-new in a matter of minutes.

The final verdict: Yes, Vessi sneakers are worth it!

Ranging from $105 to $180, Vessi sneakers are on the pricier side for a pair of sneakers, but their uniquely waterproof yet breathable, lightweight fabric makes them worth the splurge. While they're not the most supportive shoes on the market, they're compatible with other insoles, making them easy to customize to your exact needs. Most importantly, they're easy to clean and comfortable enough to wear during long travel days. If you need a stylish travel shoe built to withstand all kinds of weather, Vessi shoes are a worthwhile investment.

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