Sustainable Knitted Shoes: VIVAIA Review — Jessica Harumi (2024)

Sustainable Knitted Shoes: VIVAIA Review — Jessica Harumi (1)

I’ve recently added a couple pairs of VIVAIA shoes to my wardrobe, given them a thorough wear test in various occasions and weather, and now feel fully prepared to share my review with you all. In my recent video, Minimal Autumn Outfits ft. Vivaia , I shared some ways that I’m styling them for Autumn and Winter. I was happy to see some of you are already fans of the brand! I also received some questions about sizing and ordering which I didn’t touch on in the sponsored video, so today I am sharing a complete, unsponsored review of the two styles from VIVAIA that I’ve tried, which will hopefully answer all of your questions before you buy.

About the Brand

I’ve long been curious about VIVAIA’s signature 3D knitted shoe design. I’m also a big fan of any brand using fully recycled materials. Each pair of shoes consists of fibers created from six recycled plastic bottles collected from ocean and city waste and the insoles are made of 100% biodegradable materials. Each pair of shoes is packaged in a 100% recycled cardboard shoe box. The brand offers free international 30 day returns and exchanges.

Design Details

One of the main benefits of this brand is the comfort of the shoe design, particularly for those with wider feet. The knitted design is soft and moveable, expanding and contrasting with you feet as you walk and stand throughout the day. The insoles have extensive padding and arch support and particular styles are made with a wider foot bed for added comfort (see the Aria 5° review below).

Their most popular designs emphasize versatility in addition to physical comfort. For this reason, VIVAIA is a great brand if you’re looking for shoes that can be worn from day to night, for work and leisure. The designs are minimal, devoid of metal hardware and come in many different color options from various nudes and neutrals to more vibrant colors and patterns.

Fit & Sizing

Sizing is always tricky when ordering from a new brand. As always, I would recommend consulting the sizing guide for your best fit. For the two styles I tried, I found there to be some slight variations in sizing, but for the most part I would say these fit true to size. If you have wider feet, the Aria 5° flats will be a great option, as they’re designed with a wider foot bed and added insole padding.

Sustainable Knitted Shoes: VIVAIA Review — Jessica Harumi (2)

VIVAIA Aria 5° Pointed Toe Mesh Flats

The Aria 5° Pointed Toe Flats are perhaps the most popular style from VIVAIA . I have the black mesh style, which I love for the texture they add to each outfit. The wider foot bed reduces the pinching that’s typical of pointed toe designs. While I have more narrow feet, I still found this design element extremely comfortable, especially on those days when I’m walking for long periods of time. I would highly recommend this particular style for those working retail and events, or anyone who spends like periods of time on their feet. The padded insoles and rubber soles absorb some of the shock of walking in flats and the extra padding around the heel prevents blisters in those sensitive areas that tend to rub. I would be interested to try the regular material, but I think the mesh will be really ideal for the hotter months when breathable shoes are a necessity.

Shop the VIVAIA Aria 5° Pointed Toe Flats

VIVAIA Regina Square Toe Bootie

The Regina Square Toe Bootie is one of a few boot designs from VIVAIA and perhaps my favorite of the two, mostly for the unique design elements. The square toe and low geometric block heel are as comfortable as they are stylish. I love the subtle statement that these boots add to my simple outfits and the knitted material adds a softer touch than say, a stark leather boot. The knitted design hugs nicely around mid calf, which would also make these a great option to pair with skirts and dresses. The water resistant wool knit design helps to keep these dry and insulated, ideal for the Fall season.


Shop the VIVAIA Regina Square Toe Bootie

Sustainable Knitted Shoes: VIVAIA Review — Jessica Harumi (3)

More Great Styles from VIVAIA

Not sure if the two styles featured are for you? I’ve rounded up more of my favorite options from VIVAIA in each shoe style: a ballet flat, loafer, heel and boot.

VIVAIA Tamia Round Toe Ballet Flats ($97): A great everyday style if the pointed toe look isn’t for you. I love how the knitted material hugs around the foot and the barely there heel is slightly rounded as well. These would make a great everyday shoe for any occasion.

VIVAIA Amelia Pointed Toe Loafers ($97): I adore the slightly preppy feel of this pointed toe style loafer and the subtle line detail on the top of the hsoe.

VIVAIA Titli Pointed Toe Bow Heels ($129): The feminine bow detail really dresses up this minimal low block heel and gives them a festive feel, subtle enough to wear to the office, wedding and holiday party.

VIVAIA Ryan Chelsea Boot ($139): A Chelsea boot is a classic A/W staple. This one comes in styles that hit below and above the ankle.

Sustainable Knitted Shoes: VIVAIA Review — Jessica Harumi (4)

Fashion

Jessica Harumi

VIVAIA, Vivaia Regina Boots, Vivaia Review, Vivaia Boots, Vivaia Aria 5°, sustainable shoes, sustainable shoe brands, review, sustainable review, brand review, sustainable brand review

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Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts

About VIVAIA Shoes

VIVAIA is a brand known for its signature 3D knitted shoe design and its commitment to using fully recycled materials. Each pair of VIVAIA shoes is made from fibers created from six recycled plastic bottles collected from ocean and city waste, and the insoles are made of 100% biodegradable materials. Additionally, the brand packages each pair of shoes in a 100% recycled cardboard shoe box. VIVAIA also offers free international 30-day returns and exchanges, making it convenient for customers to try out their products. The brand's designs emphasize versatility, comfort, and sustainability, making them suitable for various occasions and weather conditions.

Design Details

One of the main benefits of VIVAIA shoes is their comfort, particularly for those with wider feet. The knitted design is soft and moveable, expanding and contrasting with the feet as one walks and stands throughout the day. The insoles have extensive padding and arch support, and particular styles are made with a wider foot bed for added comfort. VIVAIA's popular designs emphasize versatility in addition to physical comfort, making them suitable for day-to-night wear, work, and leisure. The designs are minimal, devoid of metal hardware, and come in various color options from neutrals to vibrant colors and patterns .

Fit & Sizing

Sizing can be tricky when ordering from a new brand, but for the two styles tried, there were some slight variations in sizing. However, for the most part, the shoes were found to fit true to size. For those with wider feet, the Aria 5° flats are a great option, as they are designed with a wider foot bed and added insole padding.

VIVAIA Aria 5° Pointed Toe Mesh Flats

The Aria 5° Pointed Toe Flats are one of the most popular styles from VIVAIA. They are designed with a wider foot bed to reduce the pinching typical of pointed toe designs. The mesh style adds texture to outfits and is ideal for the hotter months when breathable shoes are necessary. The padded insoles and rubber soles absorb shock while the extra padding around the heel prevents blisters in sensitive areas. These flats are recommended for those working in retail and events or anyone who spends long periods of time on their feet .

VIVAIA Regina Square Toe Bootie

The Regina Square Toe Bootie is another popular style from VIVAIA. The square toe and low geometric block heel provide both comfort and style. The knitted material adds a softer touch than a stark leather boot, and the water-resistant wool knit design helps to keep the feet dry and insulated, making them ideal for the Fall season. The design hugs nicely around mid-calf, making them a great option to pair with skirts and dresses.

More Great Styles from VIVAIA

VIVAIA offers a variety of styles, including ballet flats, loafers, heels, and boots. Some of the other popular styles include the Tamia Round Toe Ballet Flats, Amelia Pointed Toe Loafers, Titli Pointed Toe Bow Heels, and Ryan Chelsea Boot, each with its own unique design and features.

In conclusion, VIVAIA shoes are known for their comfort, sustainability, and versatile designs, making them a popular choice for those looking for stylish and eco-friendly footwear options.

Sustainable Knitted Shoes: VIVAIA Review — Jessica Harumi (2024)

FAQs

What is special about Vivaia shoes? ›

Despite Vivaia's original claim to fame being flats, they've really hit their stride with their waterproof boots and comfortable pumps. The material is resilient, they're comfortable to walk in, and the silhouettes are easy to style so you're likely to get a lot of use out of them.

Is Vivaia shoes a Chinese company? ›

Vivaia Shoes Country of Origin

The Vivaia company is headquartered in China. Production is based there as well.

Do Vivaia shoes run true to size? ›

How do VIVAIA shoes fit? Regarding VIVAIA sizing, I would say that they are true to size for the most part. I have quite a few of their shoes and only one pair of my VIVAIA heels ran about half a size too small.

What country is Vivaia from? ›

Though this post only shows three pairs of Vivaias, I actually now have SIX pairs! Vivaia started in 2020 (ah, another pandemic brand) and seems to be headquartered in the UK with the shoes being shipped and made in China.

Who is the owner of Vivaia shoes? ›

One of Vivaia's founders is footwear veteran Marina Chen.

What are the benefits of knit shoes? ›

Knit uppers are breathable

Breathable knit shoes keep you cool and dry all day by wicking moisture away from your skin. They also allow air to circulate between your foot and the upper, which helps to reduce heat buildup inside the shoe.

Where are Vivaia shoes shipped from? ›

We currently ship from multiple warehouses located in the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, and China. Your order will be shipped from the warehouse that has the actual stock available at the time of shipment to ensure the fastest and most efficient delivery possible.

Are Hokas made in China? ›

It is important to note that Hoka running shoes are primarily manufactured in China and Vietnam, where the energy mix used to power the manufacturing process can vary. In China, coal is the dominant source of electricity, while in Vietnam, hydroelectricity is more prevalent.

Is it better to buy shoes slightly bigger? ›

The only time that you could wear a shoe in a bigger size is when purchasing a sneaker but you should only go up about half a size. The reason for this is that our feet tend to swell because fluid accumulates due to gravity with prolonged standing and weight baring activities.

How snug should my shoes be? ›

Stand up and make sure there is 3/8" or 1/2" (about the width of your finger) between your longest toe (usually the second toe) and the end of the shoe. Always stand and walk around in the shoes to see if they are comfortable, fit well, and don't chafe or rub anywhere. Your heel should not slip or slide while walking.

What is foot girth? ›

Girth is measured all the away around your foot and can be measured at the instep (instep girth) and/or at the ball of your feet (foot ball girth). You can call us with these measurements and we can help fit you into our therapeutic shoes which are designed to accommodate swelling and edema.

Does Vivaia have narrow shoes? ›

Feel free to explore our collection, as we offer a variety of other pointed-toe flats and heels that cater specifically to the unique needs of individuals with narrow feet. If you have further questions or need personalized assistance, our customer service team is always ready to help.

Are Rothy's shoes made in the USA? ›

Our shoes are designed in our San Francisco design studio, where our product team thoughtfully dreams up a variety of colors, patterns and styles. The shoes are then made in Dongguan, China, where we own and operate our factory.

Are Vionic shoes made in China? ›

A bit stiff, very stylish, made in China

A very pretty shoe, but a bit stiff. I owned a previous Vionic leopard print shoe that was as soft as a slipper.

What is the point of ankle shoes? ›

It offers a wide range of benefits, including reducing the risk of ankle sprains and strains, improving overall foot and leg comfort, improving overall safety on the job, and improving overall posture and balance.

What makes on cloud shoes so special? ›

The system now has a series of horizontal hollowed tubes (or “clouds”) that offer stability each time the foot hits the ground. They absorb the impact and then tighten to help push the foot off the ground.

What is the purpose of spring shoes? ›

It is a simple thing to understand. There are two springs fitted in each shoe – one in the heel and the other in the forefront, just below the sole. When you land your heel on the ground while running, jogging, or walking, the spring in the heel area gets compressed. This helps avoid the sudden impact to the heel.

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