As a repeat overpacker, I’ve made an effort to stick to a one-shoe strategy when packing. Call for rain. After lugging around a bunch of bulky all-weather shoes on a recent trip, I found a pair that actually makes me want to lighten my load: the Vessi Weekend Sneaker.
I first noticed Vessi on social media when I was intrigued by videos of wearers walking through puddles and dipping their toes in lakes while their feet were dry. How could a shoe that looks like it’s made of fabric shed so much water that it doesn’t wet the wearer’s socks? Of course I had to try them myself.
I became even more skeptical when the Vessi line’s most sophisticated (and, some would say, least sporty) weekend sneaker arrived. The breathable knit material is so lightweight and compliant that we doubted it would be able to withstand a drizzle, let alone a downpour. seemed too small to
I was quickly proven wrong when I started hitting the pavement in New York City in late winter. Compared to footwear, the Vessi sneakers withstood all conditions like a pro. It kept my feet warm while being breathable, and was soft and comfortable while protecting my feet from moisture.
Immediately, I took them out onto the road. I was walking on the rough surface of Rome’s cobbled streets, especially on rainy days. The construction of the sole is surprisingly sturdy, glides easily over stones, and even when the surface becomes slippery, every step feels solid and safe. It turns out that
A few weeks later, we did a different kind of test when we had heavy rain on our bike tour from Portland to San Francisco. I imagined my feet would be soaking wet as the bikers were already unsteady and nervous, but when I took off my shoes they were completely dry. Vessi has developed his Dyma-Tex layer material that is both breathable and waterproof. It works using polyurethane, a moldable plastic that is safer than those used in most other waterproofing products that contain potentially harmful chemicals.
In addition to being magically waterproof, the Vessi Weekend Sneaker has a versatile silhouette for a variety of occasions. Casual shirts and leggings for his 22,000 steps day in London, dresses and tights for Broadway and West End shows, and shorts and t-shirts for exploring the caves and sands of Bermuda. I wore sneakers on an excursion to Capri for a day that included boat hopping to the Blue Grotto, swimming in the Mediterranean Sea, riding the Anacapri Chairlift, and a light hike. In each case, the shoes were the perfect companion. .
Adding to its versatility, the Asian-Canadian-owned company, founded in 2018, is dedicated to sustainability, using all vegan ingredients and reducing water usage, energy consumption, and materials. We are monitoring the manufacturing process by reducing the trim of
