This review of the Vessi shoes is based on a gifted experience. All ideas and opinions expressed within this article are those of the author, Antonia Grant. This post may also contain affiliate links. Please read my Disclaimer & Disclosure Policy.
As a mom, I am committed to showing my daughter the world in all seasons…and (almost) all weather. A childhood outside filled with curiosity and adventure is my greatest gift to her as a parent. Of course, adventuring with my family also happens to be one of my favorite things to do! And, we certainly don’t let a little rain or snow stop us from getting outside and making memories together. But that doesn’t mean we haven’t ever experienced cold or wet toes. Enter Vessi.
When Vessi reached out and asked if we would test their waterproof shoes, I was curious and hopeful. In fact, I had them rush-ship them in advance of a month-long trip to Scotland. In my mind, Scotland was the perfect playground to try out our new waterproof shoes!
After really putting them to the test, Vessi has revolutionized the way we explore, ensuring our feet stay dry and our spirits stay high. Keep reading for my full review of Vessi shoes for kids and adults, and to learn why they are a game-changer for travel families.
What is Vessi?
Vessi is a shoe company out of Vancouver (leave it to one of the rainiest cities in the world to develop stylish waterproof shoes!). They offer shoes for men, women, and children in varying styles, colors, and sizes.
Each style promises to work every day in every type of weather, while keeping you comfortable and stylish (without the clunky boots or need for a change of shoes). Every style is waterproof and works to repel sand, wind, snow, and slush.
The waterproof nature of the shoes comes from a proprietary knit material called Dyma-tex. This features a membrane with tiny holes that allow vapor and heat to pass through the shoe, but are too small for water molecules.
Vessi is also committed to making everything vegan (and thus, free of animal products). With a commitment to creating an eco-friendly shoe, Vessi also constructs each style in a way that claims to cut down on water and material waste (compared to other brands).
Ready to snag your own pair of waterproof shoes? BUY HERE!
Styles We Tested + Sizing
We tested three styles of Vessis: two adult styles and one child style. My daughter tested the Kids Weekend Chelsea. Meanwhile, I tried the Women’s Weekend Chelsea and the Boardwalk Slip-On.
Vessi offers tons of styles and colors, though! Everything from high-tops to sneakers to slip-ons. They come in mostly neutral colors, but they usually have some fun additional colors to choose from. For kids, however, only two styles are available in limited colors.
Because we both got Weekend Chelseas, one of our favorite features is the ability to get matching sets for adults and kids. We love twinning in our Weekend Chelseas, adding an extra layer of fun to our travels.
Sizing
If you’re looking for reviews of Vessi shoes for kids and adults, you may be wondering about sizing. We found the sizes to be pretty true to size. I am usually a 7.5 (in US standard sizing). Unfortunately, Vessi doesn’t offer half sizes, so I sized up to an 8 for the Weekend Chelseas since I knew I would wear socks. And sized down to a 7 for the Boardwalk Slip-Ons since I knew I would skip the socks for this style. Both worked perfectly for what I needed.
My daughter is 9 years old and usually wears a size 2 (in US standard youth sizing). But upon the “size up” recommendation from Vessi, I ordered J3, and it worked well for her.
Either way, they should be snug, but not pinching or painful. Like TOMS or All Birds, they are very tight to begin with and stretch after a use or two.
They also offer men’s styles and accessories, like waterproof hats and gloves.
Review of Vessi Shoes for Kids + Adults
Now, let’s get into the nitty gritty of our review of Vessi shoes for kids and adults. Here, I’ll cover just how waterproof they are, as well as their comfort, durability, cons to consider, and more. Keep reading to decide if Vessi is the right fit for you and your kids.
100% Waterproof
Vessi claims to be 100% waterproof. We’ve found this to be accurate!
While we’ve only had our Vessis for 6 months, we’ve never seen or felt a leak in any of the shoes. We have routinely worn them in rainy weather, light snow, dry weather, and puddly weather – no issues! My kiddo has even walked into oceans and streams with hers.
In the past, I have been worried about wet feet on our adventures, and what it means to go into a restaurant or shop with big, clunky, wet shoes. But with Vessi, I know her feet will stay dry, AND she won’t track wet mud into wherever we go afterward. They have allowed us to go from light hikes or rainy walks to lunch or school in a breeze. In fact, every morning, she asks, “Is it going to rain today? I want to wear my Vessis so I can jump in puddles!”.
Based on our experience, I would trust them in rain or slush any day.
Comfortable + Lightweight
Each of the styles we have tried is comfortable and lightweight. In the past, I’ve forgone waterproof shoes or rain boots because they feel heavy. I hate that feeling. But with Vessi, I definitely don’t have that issue.
For me, I have also found them very breathable in all weather – even when it’s dry out. If I’m unsure about the weather and think it might rain, I wear them. I know some people have included in their review of Vessi that they feel extra sweaty or don’t feel like the shoes breathe well, but I haven’t had this issue.
Overall, Vessi’s shoes are pretty comfortable and supportive. I think they will work well for anyone on their feet. Thus, I would recommend Vessi shoes for nurses, servers, and, of course, travelers of all ages. In fact, they offer a healthcare discount.
Kid Tested + Approved
When I say my kiddo put her shoes TO THE TEST in Scotland, I mean she stomped all over puddles, walked through streams, ran along beaches, and more. In fact, at one point, they were fully submerged while exploring the fairy pools on the Isle of Skye. She also ran in them, climbed along playground equipment, and walked for miles. She never once complained that her feet hurt.
Kids can be destructive when it comes to their shoes. And for the price of Vessis, you want to know they will last. So far, they have no real sign of wear and tear. There are a few scuffs along the rubber toes, but no tears or issues. As an adventure parent with an energetic explorer, I assure you they will stand up to the test!
With that said, keep in mind that the soles of the shoes aren’t super grippy or designed for intense hiking. As such, they aren’t great hiking shoes for mountainous or rocky terrain. If you’re a Midwest parent like me, they work on most trails!
Easy to Pack + Travel Ready
Vessi shoes are truly adventure-ready, adapting seamlessly to whatever the day brings. When we were in Scotland, whether we would see rain during the day was often unpredictable. So, we wore our Vessis and didn’t worry about encountering a little rain while out for the day.
As lightweight shoes, they are also super easy to pack. They will even withstand a little folding if you need to cram them into your suitcase (ask me how I know). If you’re planning a city or European vacation with kids, I think they are a great find. They will work in any weather, and, depending on the style, any outfit.
Just make sure you break them in first! I didn’t have any issues breaking in my Boardwalk Slip-Ons. However, the Weekend Chelseas gave me horrible blisters on my heels when I wore them with ankle socks. Mind you, the socks weren’t tall enough for the shoes, and I knew there was a gap between the socks and the height of the shoes. However, I hate wearing socks, so ankle-less socks are usually my go-to. Learn from my mistake, and wear proper socks! My daughter never complained about blisters or sore feet, so I think she was able to break in her pair pretty quickly.
Accessories Add-Ons to Consider
Vessi also offers a variety of accessories. We received a waterproof beanie with our gifted set. It’s a little noisy for my liking due to the need for a waterproofing layer, but it fits well and keeps your head dry. The hat has been perfect for rainy days when I walk my daughter to the bus or walk to the grocery store.
They also offer waterproof gloves (which I would LOVE to try) and socks. Additionally, they have a newly released apparel line that currently only features a jacket (waterproof and fleece-lined).
Cons to Consider
No review of Vessi is complete without knowing the cons to consider before buying their shoes! As someone who usually wears a half-size, I am bummed that there are no half-sizes. However, as I shared before, sizing up or down depending on the need for socks worked well for me.
Vessis are not water shoes and, thus, are not meant to be fully submerged. So, I wouldn’t take them kayaking or something like that. However, with a tiny trekker who loves the water comes submerged shoes. When my daughter fully submerged her shoes, they took a while to dry thoroughly. About 24-30 hours. She has other shoes that dry faster, but I would still prefer these if we go out in the rain or slush.
They are not machine washable. Only the Vessi Weekend sneaker is machine washable. Traveling with kids, it would be nice if all styles were. With that said, they do offer great instructions online for how to wash your Vessi shoes.
They can be expensive. While I personally think they are a little spendier for adults, and a lot spendier for kids, I still think they are worth it. I wholeheartedly recommend them if you are searching for waterproof travel shoes to keep everyone exploring (and mitigate any weather complaints).
Finally, I wouldn’t trust them on ice. As I said earlier, the soles aren’t very grippy and don’t offer a lot of traction. For super slick surfaces or icy situations, I would wear something different. Rain or a bit of slush, and you’re good to go!
Final Thoughts + Why I Think Travel Families Will Love Vessi
My honest review of our shoes from Vessi? We love them!
We have regularly worn our Vessis – rain or shine – since we got them. We’ve put them to the test in all kinds of weather, from Minnesota to Scotland. While there are some cons to consider, overall, I really like them and would highly recommend them for kids or adults. The freedom to explore in any weather means no bad days when traveling. Vessi shoes have become an essential part of our travel gear.
Ready to snag your own pair of waterproof shoes? BUY HERE!
Keep Exploring!
I hope you found this review on Vessi for kids and adults helpful in knowing if they are the right purchase for you and your family. While they can be spendy, they are still worth it to keep feet dry and families exploring. I hope they help you and your kids adventure longer and make even more fun memories together. Welcome to the dry sock club!
Unless otherwise noted, all images within this article were taken by and belong to the blog’s author, Antonia Grant. A reminder that this post may contain affiliate links. Please read my Disclaimer & Disclosure Policy for more information.