Vivaia shoes review: We put them to the test

From Oprah-loved boots to supermodel-approved sneakers, folks can’t appear to get sufficient of Vivaia’s fashion-forward shoes. Last 12 months, even I used to be satisfied to give the model’s square-toed sandals a attempt after seeing an earlier iteration of the shoes on Scarlett Johansson. And in contrast to a few of the types you see celebrities touting, Vivaia truly lives up to the hype for being each cute and cozy. After all, a number of of its types now carry the APMA (American Podiatric Medical Association) Seal of Acceptance for selling correct foot well being.

To discover out which of Vivaia’s shoes are literally value shopping for, we examined seven of the model’s standard types over the course of two weeks.

These chunky, heeled shoes function cushioned honeycomb insoles, extra arch help, heel padding and anti-slip outsoles. The model additionally is available in the almost similar Julie Pro model, however these notably have much less arch help and do not carry the APMA Seal of Acceptance.

According to NCS Underscored’s editorial director, Chelsea Stone, these heels are extra comfy than comparable heels she’s worn, although she did expertise some pinching in the toe containers. What actually made these shoes a standout for her had been the cushioned block heels, which added a formidable stage of consolation. Stone additionally famous that these heels didn’t trigger any blistering, which is one thing she normally experiences.

Stone appreciated the model versatility of those heels. “I mainly wore these to the office, but I could also see myself wearing them for a night out or event,” she stated. “I especially love the block heels, which I find easy to dress up or down, and I think the almond toe shape is universally flattering.” Value-wise, Stone felt the shoes are value the price ticket for the consolation side, although they’re on the pricier facet. She additionally famous that she anticipated the materials to stretch out greater than it did, so she thinks these shoes will final and be sturdy.

“If not for the tighter toe boxes, these might be the most comfortable heels I’ve worn (or maybe if I tried half a size up!),” she stated. “Overall, I thought they were cute and pretty comfy, and I would recommend them.”

What we preferred: Stone discovered these heels to be very comfy to put on in relation to comparable heels she’s owned, and he or she additionally discovered them comfy sufficient to put on throughout full days at the workplace. Style-wise, she beloved their versatility as nicely.

What we didn’t like: Despite having the ability to put on the shoes with out main discomfort, Stone discovered they ran small and felt tight, particularly in the toe containers. For that purpose, she recommends sizing up, particularly when you’ll be carrying them with tights.

These platform boots function rounded toes and anti-slip outsoles, and their roomy toe containers add to the consolation of the well-cushioned model. They’re APMA accredited and water-repellent, highlighting their practicality for on a regular basis put on.

NCS Underscored social coordinator Gabriella Triolo discovered these shoes provided sneaker-like consolation, and he or she was ready to put on them for lengthy intervals of time for a number of days. She stated they match true to dimension, and he or she didn’t expertise any slipping or gaping. Triolo additionally famous that the boots will be worn for various events, as she wore them to work and for nights out alike, although they’re a extra wise choose than a classy one. If stylish boots are what you’re after, Vivaia affords different boots that may examine that field, however the Everly are all about sensible options. As far as the worth for cash, Triolo felt the boots are value it given their consolation, although she stated she’d “love for them to be a bit more stylish for the price.”

What we preferred: The boots match true to dimension, have roomy toe containers and are comfy sufficient to put on for hours of standing and strolling.

What we didn’t like: The model of those boots isn’t for everybody, and Triolo felt their knit materials made them more durable to model than different choices.

These smooth, square-toed boots had been most notably noticed on Oprah, who paired them with a monochromatic look again in December 2024. Available in a number of colours, the Regina Pro Boots function walkable block heels, cushioned insoles and stretchy knit uppers. They additionally pair completely with the model’s knitted leg warmers, which you’ll combine and match with numerous Vivaia shoes.

Our magnificence and trend editor Sophie Shaw, who normally sizes up to a 7, did so for these boots and located that they ran true to dimension, although they had been tight round the toes. “The toe boxes were a little narrow for me, but the stretchy material meant that they were still comfortable enough to wear all day,” she stated. “Since it’s been so cold out, I wore them with thick socks, which made them feel more snug too.” In phrases of consolation, Shaw felt the boots had an honest quantity of arch help, although she would have preferred for there to be extra cushioning round the balls of her ft. “I also noticed that the stretchy material meant that there wasn’t any uncomfortable rubbing around my ankles that sometimes happens with ankle boots,” she stated.

Shaw felt that these boots are appropriate for the workplace, occasions and weekends however not as sensible for dressier events due to their extra informal materials. She additionally examined the model’s Knit Sleeve Leg Warmers, which remodel the ankle boots right into a knee-high model. Shaw felt the leg heaters had been a tad awkward to put on however labored nicely at reworking the look of the shoes. “At $60 for the leg warmers, it is a bit pricey, but you could technically use them with other Vivaia styles too.”

As for worth? “Boots are usually on the higher end of the price range for shoes, but I think $199 is quite fair for these, considering Vivaia’s other shoes are in the mid-$100s,” she stated. “The shoes are comfortable, stylish and versatile, so you can get a lot of wear out of them.” Like our editorial coordinator Stephanie Luna, Shaw additionally discovered the boots simple to clear, which was one thing she appreciated as a result of she received them in the gentle Almond Black colour. She was additionally impressed by their water repellency. “I wore the boots out, and despite all of the gross snow and ice on the ground, my feet stayed dry,” Shaw stated. “I’d probably still avoid wearing these shoes in the rain, though.”

What we preferred: Shaw beloved that the shoes are comfy sufficient to put on all day and that their stretchy uppers prevented any uncomfortable rubbing round the ankles. They had been extra weatherproof than anticipated too, making them an amazing possibility all through all seasons, not to point out they gained factors in Shaw’s e-book for being trendy sufficient to put on for various events.

What we didn’t like: The shoes don’t have as a lot help as different Vivaia types, and the toe containers are on the narrower facet.

The Yancy sneakers are a classy pair of trainers which were noticed on celebrities together with Bella Hadid. Ballet sneakers (a hybrid between ballet flats and sneakers) had been a giant pattern final spring, and these low-profile sneakers embrace the look. They’re made with the model’s re-nylon materials, which supplies them an especially gentle and versatile really feel.

“Sometimes with flats or low shoes, you can feel the gravel underneath, but these were supportive and soft, so even when I was walking on rough snow/ice, I felt the cushion of the shoes and not the ground underneath,” Luna stated. While she examined them throughout New York City’s present chilly entrance, she famous they’d be finest for hotter climate.

“They’re thin and fit more comfortably with thin socks, so I felt cold wearing them during the winter,” she stated. Because the toe containers of those sneakers are slim, she most popular carrying them with no-show liner socks as opposed to common socks. “I would recommend sizing up half a size if you plan on wearing them with regular socks to give a little more room around the toes, but if you prefer no-show liners, which work especially nice since the style of the shoes are low, then they fit true to size,” Luna stated. She wanted a while to break them in and received a scrape on the again of her proper heel the first time she examined them, but it surely didn’t flip right into a full-fledged blister.

The shoes got here with two completely different laces so you’ll be able to customise your look. Luna preferred the ribbon laces, which highlighted the ballet-inspired model. “They look nice with jeans, and the black color combined with the ribbon laces looks elegant, so I would wear them to the office but also for casual daily use,” she added. “I think it’ll look great with skirts or dresses in warmer weather as well, and it’ll show off the laces more when styled that way.”

Overall, Luna felt the shoes had been value the value given how distinctive the model is. As a facet observe, she additionally appreciated how simple they’re to clear. “Whenever I got salt stains from the snow on them, it was easy to just get a damp paper towel and wipe the area — no scrubbing needed — and they were good as new!” she stated. For extra severe cleansing, the model is machine-washable too.

What we preferred: Luna beloved how trendy the sneakers are and that they’re simple to clear. They’re out there in a recycled nylon materials or a knit mesh, each of which really feel finest for the spring and summer season seasons.

What we didn’t like: The shoes require a little bit of breaking in, and their skinny building and tighter match make them higher fitted to hotter climate.

These Mary Jane shoes have earned stamps of approval from celebrities similar to Selena Gomez. Featuring sq. toes and “barely there” heels, the Margot shoes are made out of Vivaia’s machine-washable knit that’s upcycled from plastic bottles and APMA accepted, not to point out they arrive in additional than 15 colours and patterns to swimsuit completely different types.

NCS Underscored managing editor Rachel Quigley discovered these shoes to be true to dimension, however she felt they had been tight in the toe containers for the first few wears, although they stretched out with time. Once damaged in, Quigley felt they had been tremendous comfy. She stated that she normally will get blisters or experiences some discomfort in the again of her heels when carrying comparable shoes, however that didn’t occur with these.

Though Quigley considers these shoes to be versatile, she discovered them to be higher fitted to informal put on (assume the weekends or for errand working) as opposed to the workplace, as she sometimes wears heels. “If you’re fine with flat shoes, you could definitely wear these to dinner,” Quigley stated. “The subtle sparkle [in the Rose Gold color] makes them look a little fancier than they are.”

Value-wise, the verdict continues to be out on these shoes for Quigley, who stated that the value is excessive for these ballet flats, but when they’re sturdy, they might be value it.

What we preferred: These Mary Janes are certainly one of Vivaia’s hottest types, and we are able to see why. They’re comfy and versatile sufficient to put on to the workplace, to dinner or casually throughout the weekend.

What we didn’t like: Narrow toe containers appear to be a working theme with Vivaia’s shoes, although the uppers for these shoes had been extra accommodating.

These V-cut flats are an replace to the model’s Margot 2.0 flats. Designed with extensive ft in thoughts, they’re made out of stretchy knit uppers that may accommodate wider forefeet. The flats are additionally made with extra cushioning than their predecessors for next-level consolation.

Shaw discovered the wider match of those flats to be far more forgiving than the Regina Pro Boots she examined, however in addition they had a bigger match total. “While I could get away with a 7 in the boots, the 7 in the flats were just a bit too big,” Shaw stated, including that she ought to have sized down to a 6.5. As somebody with wider-than-average ft, she appreciated the further room, however she additionally seen that the flats tended to gape round the entrance of her ft as she walked. If you don’t formally take wide-fit shoes, you could be higher off with the Margo 2.0 flats, which are available two width choices.

“Since it’s too cold to wear these outside, I wore them while working from home, so I didn’t log a ton of steps in them, but I did a decent amount of standing since I have a standing desk,” Shaw stated. While they saved her on her ft for hourlong increments with out aches or pains, she famous she wouldn’t think about them strolling shoes. “Similar to knit flats I’ve tried from Rothy’s, the material isn’t that breathable and not my favorite for active days running around the city.”

They’re out there in 5 colours, however Shaw beloved the crimson pair she examined and stated they’d be nice styled with denims, trousers and spring attire. She additionally beloved the sq. toes and V-cut on these flats, which she described as flattering.

What we preferred: The silhouette of those flats has an elongating impact that flatters the extensive ft they’re made for. They’ll maintain your ft from getting fatigued, though they gained’t substitute your walking shoes. They’re additionally trendy and look nice paired with every little thing from attire to denims.

What we didn’t like: Even although the Margo 3.0 are designed with extensive ft in thoughts, it’s unclear simply how extensive would have been the optimum match. The Margo 2.0 flats already are available two choices to accommodate A via C and D via EE widths, and the Margo 3.0 product web page says the match is 5% wider than the 2.0 with out designating particular measurements.

The Ivana Loafers strike the excellent stability between sneakers and business-casual shoes. They function machine-washable and water-repellent uppers and light-weight soles, and so they’re additionally certainly one of the model’s APMA-accepted shoes.

After carrying the model’s Ivana Loafers for a number of days in a row, I can say they’re a snug pair of shoes to have round, particularly for lengthy days standing and strolling round the metropolis, however they require breaking in. Unfortunately, I discovered that the laborious method and, like Luna, ended up with a scrape on the again of my proper heel after carrying them sockless (regardless of their heel padding). For that purpose, I extremely advocate throwing on a pair of thick socks to get via the breaking-in interval.

I additionally discovered that the loafers had been extra comfy to put on with socks anyway, partially due to the chilly climate and in addition as a result of the match was barely off for me (I seen gaping round the facet), although not sufficient to warrant sizing down. I made certain to get my steps in with these shoes as a result of something I put on wants to be comfy sufficient for me to stroll round in all day. Despite the inconvenience of getting a scraped ankle, I used to be tremendous impressed with how comfy these shoes saved me, particularly on the days I wore them for greater than 10 hours.

One purpose I used to be keen to test these APMA-approved shoes is that they’re designed with further arch help, which, as a flat-footed particular person, is necessary to me. I additionally love that these shoes bridge the gap between traditional loafers and sneakers, with their sportier but nonetheless refined model. Though I primarily wore these shoes with slacks to the workplace, I additionally paired them with a denim maxi skirt and with denims, and so they labored simply as nicely. Once it’s hotter outdoors, I plan to put on them with spring attire and rompers.

Given how comfy and versatile they’re, I believe they’re positively value the value, and since discovering shoes with ample arch support will be difficult I’m all the time prepared to spend extra on footwear. I believe it’s additionally value noting that, although these loafers have anti-slip outsoles, I discovered they didn’t have a lot traction when it got here to strolling on tiled flooring, so I had to train a bit extra warning going up and down tiled subway ramps.

What we preferred: These loafers provide sneaker-like consolation and are excellent for carrying to the workplace and after-work occasions. Like Shaw and Luna, I additionally discovered these shoes very simple to clear, which is a serious plus for anybody considering snagging these shoes in the lighter colours.

What we didn’t like: These loafers aren’t the kind of shoes you’ll be able to put on proper out of the field, as they want to be damaged in first. Though I didn’t expertise any blistering, I did find yourself with a scrape on the again of certainly one of my heels from carrying them with out socks early on in the testing course of. The match of those loafers might have been higher, as I skilled some gaping round the sides too.

Vivaia’s celebrity-loved shoes are value testing, particularly when you’re on the hunt for footwear that’s not simply trendy however comfy. As somebody who examined and wrote about certainly one of the model’s fashion-forward sandals final 12 months, I really feel that Vivaia actually has choices for everybody, whether or not you favor informal shoes otherwise you’re on the lookout for one thing a bit dressier. And though the sizing wasn’t all the time spot-on for each pair we examined, the model affords free exchanges and returns to make the course of simpler.

The following FAQs have been answered by NCS Underscored staffers Sophie Shaw and Rachel Dennis.

To discover out which types are literally value shopping for, we assembled a testing panel of six NCS Underscored staffers with completely different shoe sizes and widths.

NCS Underscored has a group of expert writers and editors who’ve a few years of expertise testing, researching and recommending merchandise, and so they guarantee every article is rigorously edited and merchandise are correctly vetted. We speak to prime specialists when relevant to make sure we’re testing every product precisely, recommending solely the finest merchandise and contemplating the professionals and cons of every merchandise. For this story, NCS Underscored affiliate editor Rachel Dennis, as well as to 5 different NCS Underscored staffers, examined standard types from celebrity-loved shoe model Vivaia.