VIVAIA Shoes Review (2026): After 9 pairs Are they worth it?

I’ve been wearing VIVAIA shoes for four years now and have tested nine different styles, including ballet flats, Mary Janes, boots, sneakers, and sandals. After all that testing, here is where I’ve landed for this VIVAIA shoes review.

VIVAIA makes comfortable, stylish shoes at a mid-range price point with a decent sustainability angle. Their best styles are flats and sneakers. Their boots are fine, but not my first choice with how they’re designed, and their sandals need work.

The brand has grown a lot since I first tried them in 2022, and the newer styles (especially the Mary Janes and their mesh materials) are more trendy and better than earlier designs.

Disclosure: VIVAIA gifted me shoes for this review, but this review isn’t sponsored (aka I wasn’t paid for it), and all opinions are my own.

My top VIVAIA picks right now

• Best everyday sneakers: Urban Sneakers for the slip-on convenience (so nice as a toddler mom!) and comfort
• Best everyday flats: Nelly Almond-Toe Mary Janes in Cream Mesh for cushioning, comfort, and a style that goes with everything
• Best flats for style: Margot Square-Toe Mary Janes in the French Floral Mesh for a unique, feminine look that gets compliments every time I wear them

Use code THEATLASHEART to get 10% off your order.

Pros & Cons Of VIVAIA Shoes After 4 Years

What is VIVAIA?

VIVAIA is a footwear brand founded by Jeff Chan in 2020. The shoes are designed in the US and manufactured in China, using recycled plastic bottles knit into the shoe’s upper. They sell through their own website and Amazon, and have 75+ stores in cities like New York, London, and Paris.

VIVAIA Shoes Review: The VIVAIA Shoes I’ve Tested

Over the past four years, I’ve tested nine different VIVAIA shoes across four styles in a mix of everyday life, travel days, and long walks. Some quickly became shoes I reach for all the time, while others didn’t live up to the marketing.

Below is my honest experience with each pair so you can decide which styles are worth trying and which ones to skip.

VIVAIA Ballet Flats & Mary Janes (5 Styles Tested)

Flats are where VIVAIA started, and they’re still the brand’s strength. I’ve tested five styles in total (three current and two that have since been discontinued), and this is the category where I’ve seen the most improvement from the brand.

VIVAIA offers flats in several toe shapes (pointed, square, almond, and round), including their popular Mary Jane styles, so there’s a lot of variety depending on what you’re drawn to.

The Aria 5 Pointed-Toe Flats have been a reliable option since I started wearing them in March 2024. They’re lightweight, roomy in the toe box, and comfortable around my bunion. They’re a bit bulkier than my Rothy’s, but they’re easy to throw on and come in a good range of colors (sadly, my favorite Pitaya color is no longer available).

I recently ordered two Mary Jane styles, the Nelly Almond-Toe in Cream Mesh and the Margot Square-Toe in French Floral Mesh, and they’ve quickly become my favorites from the brand.

Both are comfortable with good cushioning out of the box, and the mesh materials are perfect for warmer weather. I honestly cannot pick a favorite between the two. Both look great with jeans and dresses, and the floral Margot gets compliments every time I wear them because it’s such a unique Mary Jane design.

The other upside to these is that they’re not as bulky looking as my Aria 5 flats, although they do run big, so I’d recommend sizing down by a full size for the Margot and a half size for the Nelly.

VIVAIA Sneakers (1 Style Tested)

The Urban Sneakers have easily become one of my favorite VIVAIA shoes, which honestly surprised me. When VIVAIA first launched sneakers, I wasn’t sure what to expect. They weren’t known for athletic shoes, and I figured these might just feel like Allbirds knockoffs. Instead, they’ve become a pair I’ve used a lot (even more than my Allbirds now).

My favorite thing about these is how incredibly easy they are to slip on. The stretchy mesh upper makes them true slip-ons; no tugging, no heel collapse, no hands required. As a new mom who’s often holding my son while trying to get out the door, this feature alone is great.

They’re more cushioned and supportive than my Allbirds, although the arch support is just medium. It’s better than most casual sneakers but not as good as a dedicated walking sneaker. The good thing is that they have removable inserts, so you can add your own if you need more support.

VIVAIA Boots (2 Styles Tested)

I’ve tested two VIVAIA boot styles: the Ryan Pro Boots, which are still available, and an over-the-knee style that has since been discontinued. Both are water-repellent and comfortable for short walks, but neither has become a shoe I wear regularly.

The Ryan Pro boots are cozy and versatile, but the shaft height hits at an awkward spot right above my ankle bone. The over-the-knee pair had a slouching problem where the knit upper kept sliding down while walking.

If you’re specifically shopping for boots, I think there are better options from other brands, like Thursday Boots, Born, or Sam Edelman.

VIVAIA Sandals (1 Style Tested)

I was excited to try the Pamela Arch Pro AdaptAll Sandals since they promised good cushioning and arch support, and I was looking for a good pair to bring on my 9-day trip to Guatemala. Unfortunately, these were my biggest disappointment from VIVAIA.

The sole is too stiff, the arch placement feels slightly off, and there isn’t enough cushioning. I still ended up taking them to Guatemala with me, and they were cute, but the cobblestones in Antigua were brutal to walk on while wearing them.

For sandals with real arch support, I’d still recommend Teva, Chacos, or Birkenstocks over what I’ve tried from VIVAIA’s sandal line so far.

VIVAIA Shoes Sizing & Fit

The VIVAIA shoes I’ve tried have either been true to size or run large, depending on the style. Here is what I’ve found after testing nine pairs (my usual size is a women’s US 10.5).

• Pointed-toe flats: True to size to slightly big. The roomy toe box makes them comfortable for wide feet. Size down if you have narrow feet or want a snugger fit.
• Almond-toe flats: Size down a half size. This is especially important for mesh styles where a gap between your toes and the end of the shoe is more visible.
• Square-toe flats: Size down a full size. Sizing down helps keep it from looking too big in mesh or see-through styles.
• Sneakers: True to size. Roomy and comfortable.
• Boots: True to size for standard feet, but size up if you have wide feet, bunions, or want to wear thicker socks. The toe box is narrower than their other styles.
• Sandals: True to size, but the straps may rub on your pinky toes depending on your foot shape. Not recommended for wide feet or high arches.

If you’re between sizes or unsure, VIVAIA offers free returns and exchanges within 30 days as long as the shoes are unworn and in original packaging.

Are VIVAIA Shoes Actually Sustainable?

VIVAIA’s knit uppers are made from recycled plastic bottles, and many components are recycled or bio-based. Compared to most traditional footwear brands, that’s a meaningful step in the right direction.

But they’re not a fully sustainable brand. The shoes are still made mostly from synthetic materials that can’t be recycled at end of life, and VIVAIA doesn’t offer a take-back program. I’ve also noticed high style turnover; three of the nine pairs I’ve tested have already been discontinued. Frequent new releases and short-lived designs feel closer to fast fashion than slow, sustainable footwear.

I’d consider VIVAIA more eco-friendly than average, but not a top-tier sustainable brand.

How VIVAIA Compares to Other Brands

I own shoes from all four of these brands and have tested them over multiple years. Here is how they compare at a glance.

	VIVAIA	Rothy’s	Allbirds	Birdies
Price range	$89-$219	$99-$279	$75-$160	$130-$295
Best for	Wide feet, variety, value	Narrow to standard feet, sleek look	Casual comfort, sustainability	Premium feel, cushioning
Toe box	Roomy	Narrow	Medium	Narrow
Cushioning	Moderate	None	Low	High (7-layer insole)
Arch support	Moderate	None	Moderate	Good
Material feel	Good, not premium	Polished, structured	Soft, cozy	Luxe, quilted
Breathability	Moderate	Good	Good	Low
Sustainability	Recycled bottles, decent	Recycled bottles, strong	Natural materials, strong	Minimal focus
Washable	Some styles	Yes	Yes	No

FAQs About VIVAIA Shoes

Where are VIVAIA shoes made?

VIVAIA shoes are manufactured in China using recycled materials. The company states its factories adhere to ethical production standards.

Are VIVAIA shoes washable?

Many flats and sneakers are machine-washable on a gentle cycle. Boots should be spot-cleaned only. Always check the care instructions for your specific pair.

Are VIVAIA shoes waterproof or water-resistant?

Most styles are not waterproof, although VIVAIA offers some water-repellent flats and boots now. The knit material dries fairly quickly.

Do VIVAIA shoes get smelly?

The removable insoles are designed to resist odor, and I haven’t had issues with odor in any of the pairs I’ve worn long-term.

How long do VIVAIA shoes last?

Based on four years of testing the brand, the knit uppers hold up very well with no holes or major wear. The removable insoles may compress slightly over time, but can be replaced. I haven’t had to replace any of mine yet, though. 

Are VIVAIA shoes good for bunions and wide feet?

Yes, especially the flats and sneakers, which have a roomy toe box and a flexible knit outer. I have a bunion and wear my usual size without issues. Boots may require sizing up.

Are VIVAIA shoes good for plantar fasciitis or high arches?

They’re not orthopedic shoes, so you may want to add your own supportive insoles if you have plantar fasciitis or high arches. The Walker and Arch Pro lines offer more support than standard styles, but I wasn’t too impressed by the support offered by the Arch Pro sandals. 

Conclusion: So, Are VIVAIA Shoes Worth it?

After testing nine styles over four years, I’d say VIVAIA offers good value as long as you choose the right shoes for your needs. Their flats and sneakers have been the most consistent wins for me, while the sandals and boots have room for improvement.

One thing I’ve been most impressed by is how stain-resistant VIVAIA shoes are, even though they’re made of a knit material. After dealing with staining on the knit of my Rothy’s and Vessi shoes, this is a nice feature. All of my pairs still look clean and intact years later, and most styles feel just as comfortable as when I first got them.

The materials don’t always feel quite as premium as Rothy’s, Birdies, or Allbirds, but the price point reflects that, and you’re still getting shoes that last.

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