Last Updated on October 20, 2026

As someone who values style and comfort in equal measure, I’m always searching for footwear that’s versatile enough for travel, city walks, workdays, and everything in between. VIVAIA is a brand that kept popping up on my radar, marketed as sustainable, elegant, and genuinely walkable. When I had the chance to try out five of their pairs, I was curious: would they live up to the hype?

I tested them over a few weeks, rotating through different styles, weather, and occasions. Here’s my honest take on each pair. Make sure you keep reading for an exclusive discount!

What Makes Vivaia Different

Before getting into the individual pairs, it’s worth knowing what’s actually behind the “sustainable” label. Vivaia makes its shoes from recycled plastic bottles, spun into a breathable knit yarn, it takes around 6 bottles to make one pair of flats. They also work natural fibres like cotton and hemp into some styles. It’s not just marketing spin, it’s the reason the knit uppers on several of these pairs feel the way they do.

1. Walker Pro Hybrid Ballet Flats (Izabel)

Best for: Anything! This are the comfiest shoes ever.

If comfort is what you’re actually shopping for, the Izabel is the one to go for. It combines the easy slip-on feel of a ballet flat with the support and sole grip of a sneaker, extra heel padding, real arch support, and a soft, roomy toe box that doesn’t dig in anywhere, which is exactly what other reviewers say too, several call them out specifically for having zero break-in period and genuinely supportive soles, not just a soft knit upper doing all the work. I took these out on a drizzly morning, my feet stayed dry, and I didn’t slip once. They’re breathable, cushioned, and machine washable, which makes them a dream for travel, and easily the pair in this lineup I’d reach for on a day where I know I’ll be on my feet for hours.

Fit: True to size
Comfort: 10/10
Worth noting: Great for airports or days when weather is iffy
Style tip: Works best with joggers, jeans, or anything casual-sporty

2. Silvie Square-Toe Icon Loafers

Best for: An easy everyday flat that still looks polished

The Silvie is a square-toe loafer with a barely-there 1cm heel, so it wears more like a smart flat than an actual heel. Same stretchy, sock-like knit upper as the rest of the range, with a wide toe box and a padded heel patch built in to stop any rubbing. Other reviewers consistently flag it as comfortable straight out of the box, no break-in period, even on days with a lot of walking.

Fit: Runs true to size, wide toe box
Comfort: 10/10
Style tip: Works well with tailored trousers or a midi skirt for a polished-but-relaxed look

3. Square-Toe Lace-Up Satin Sneakerina (Cristina)

Best for: Smart casual days and minimalist style

The Cristina lace-ups have a cool, Oxford-meets-sneaker vibe that’s ideal for adding polish without feeling overdressed. They’re lightweight, flexible, and sharp enough to dress up a simple outfit. However, fair warning: I got them in a lighter shade and they attracted dirt faster than I expected. They’re washable, yes, but if you’re not up for that maintenance, go darker as given how flat they are they can get dirty very quickly.

Fit: True to size
Comfort: 8/10
Worth noting: Stylish but not made for messy terrain
Style tip: Pair with tailored pants or monochrome outfits for a clean, modern aesthetic

4. Nelly Mary Jane AdaptAll Flats

Best for: Everyday wear and all-day comfort

These are a standout. The Nelly Mary Janes are made with Vivaia’s AdaptAll technology, which basically means they stretch and adapt to different foot shapes, ideal if you have bunions, wide feet, or just prefer a forgiving fit. The strap gives a cute, vintage feel, but the shoe itself is ultra-modern in comfort. I wore these for a full walking day with no socks, no blisters.

Fit: Extremely forgiving, true to size
Comfort: 9.5/10
Style tip: Looks great with socks and a flowy dress, or cropped denim for a casual French-girl vibe

5. Pointed-Toe Slingback (Maville)

Best for: Dressing up without the pain

The Maville slingbacks are the most “fashion” of the bunch, but still surprisingly wearable. I was expecting them to be stiff or too narrow, but the knit upper stretches just enough, and the slingback actually stays put. I wore them out to dinner and walked a few city blocks comfortably, which I can’t say for most pointed shoes. They’re an easy way to elevate a basic outfit, and despite the knitted style they can look very elegant with a night dress.

Style tip: Pair with straight-leg jeans or a midi skirt for an effortless dressy look
Fit: True to size
Comfort: 8/10

Final Thoughts

VIVAIA really delivered on comfort, especially for a brand that leads with sustainability and style. All five pairs felt thoughtfully designed, nothing pinched or needed breaking in, which is rare. I especially loved how lightweight and breathable they were, making them great for warmer months and travel.

If you’re looking to invest in versatile shoes that blend fashion and function (without sacrificing your feet), these are genuinely worth a try.

Update: I have not machine washed any of these five yet, so the washing notes above come from Vivaia’s product pages and my own wear. The Vivaia I wear most overall, by a long mile, is my Ryan Chelsea boots, which I cover in my Vivaia boots review.

Since writing this, I have also tested Vivaia’s foldable travel loafers on a week in Belfast. Read my Vivaia Avoir travel loafers review to see how they held up.

Get $10 off all VIVAIA orders with code VPAULA
Works site-wide, no minimum spend

VIVAIA BLACK FRIDAY & CYBER MONDAY 2026
Use my exclusive code PAULA2026 for 30% off 4 pairs, 25% off 3 pairs, 20% off 2 pairs and an extra 10% off a single pair
15 to 28 Oct: early access, 2 pairs for $189 until 21 Oct, then $219 until 28 Oct
29 Oct to 10 Nov: flash sale, up to 30% off never-on-sale styles and up to 60% off clearance
11 Nov to 1 Dec: the full Black Friday and Cyber Monday sale, plus a free DuPont paper tote when you buy 3 or more pairs from 19 to 25 Nov
Shop the VIVAIA Black Friday sale

FAQs About Vivaia Shoes

Do Vivaia shoes run true to size?

In my experience, yes. The Izabel, Cristina and Maville were true to size, the Silvie runs true with a wide toe box, and the Nelly is extremely forgiving while still true to size.

Are Vivaia shoes comfortable?

Very. All five pairs felt thoughtfully designed, and nothing pinched or needed breaking in. I gave the Izabel and the Silvie 10/10 for comfort, the Nelly 9.5/10, and the Cristina and Maville 8/10.

Which Vivaia shoes are best for travel?

The Izabel is great for airports or days when the weather is iffy, and it is machine washable. The Nelly was comfortable for a full walking day with no socks and no blisters.

Are Vivaia shoes washable?

Some styles are. The Izabel is machine washable, and the Cristina is washable too, although the lighter shade I chose attracted dirt quickly, so go darker if you do not want to wash them often.

Are Vivaia shoes sustainable?

Vivaia makes its shoes from recycled plastic bottles spun into a breathable knit yarn, and it takes around 6 bottles to make one pair of flats. They also work natural fibres like cotton and hemp into some styles.

Is there a Vivaia discount code?

Yes, use code VPAULA for $10 off all VIVAIA orders. It works site-wide with no minimum spend.

More on Vivaia: My Vivaia Avoir travel loafers review, my Vivaia boots review and my Vivaia summer shoes review

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