JUMP TO Section Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.- Sizing and fit
- Materials and sustainability
- Shipping and returns
- Boots
- Flats
- Heels
- Cons to consider
- The bottom line
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Vivaia is a sustainable footwear brand that entered the scene in 2020 with a lot to prove. At this point, most people were well aware of their options for eco-conscious shoes from brands like Allbirds and Rothy's. Nevertheless, Vivaia (pronounced "viv-VAY-yah") carved out their own corner in the environmentally friendly shoe market with colorful flats — because regardless of how "green" a brand is, people will wear shoes that look fashionable and feel comfortable.
In our Vivaia review, we give our honest impressions on the sizing and comfort of every style we've tried, so you can make an informed decision on which pair is worth adding to your cart. Flats are Vivaia's main focus, but we also tested more recent forays into waterproof sock boots, which turned out to be the real winners of the bunch.
Sizing and fit
My issue with Vivaia's sizing is that it widely varies depending on style. When you're selecting a size on their website, you have the option of choosing from UK, US, or European sizes, but they're inscribed with the European size on the sole. For reference, I'm a US size 8, which translates to a European size 39.
Vivaia sent me a pair of size 8 waterproof Tara Pro boots and Mary Janes, which fit me perfectly, but their flats were a different story. I ordered a size 8 in the Melia Pointed-Toe Flat, and they were entirely too big.
If you're looking for the best flats for wide feet, I recommend Vivaia over any of the other best flats we've tried. They have roomy toe boxes and offer generous stretch, and for this reason they're also great if you plan to style them with thick socks. But if your feet are on the narrower side like mine, you'll want to size down — or else may want to consider flats detailed in our Rothy's review, which consistently fit true to size.
Materials and sustainability
The principle material Vivaia uses to create their shoes is recycled PTA, or "polyethylene terephthalate," sourced from water bottles that have been diverted from landfills. Each pair of flats takes six bottles to make. Similar to Birkenstocks, their soles are made with renewable EVA, or "ethylene vinyl acetate," which is a lightweight, waterproof, and flexible material similar to foam and rubber. They also use recyclable thermoplastics to construct their heels, because it can be made from non-toxic plastic and takes less energy to manufacture.
The rubber used on the outsoles is a blend of synthetic rubber from Vietnam and biodegradable natural rubber, so there's a slight compromise on how purely renewable each pair actually is. The insoles also consist of polyurethane foam, and PU production is a notoriously polluting process. But the insoles also consist of an herbal blend of natural Artemisia Argy, which helps control odor and humidity to help your feet stay dry and fresh.
Shipping and returns
Vivaia ships internationally from their warehouses in the UK, US, Germany, and China, and and you can see their list of included countries here. They offer free standard shipping on any order over $99, which typically ships within one to two days, and your shoes should arrive between seven and twelve days. You can add shipping insurance for an extra two dollars. Express shipping costs an extra $25.99, with an expected delivery of three to five days.
If you're unsatisfied with your order, Vivaia accepts free returns of shoes in perfect unworn condition, with a 100% money back guarantee when you send them back within 30 days — though during the holiday season, this has been extended to 45 days. Refunds take up to three days to be processed.
Our reviews of every Vivaia style we've tried:
Tara Pro Boot
Vivaia Square Toe Tara Pro Boot Shop at Vivaia External link Arrow An arrow icon, indicating this redirects the user."Vivaia's Tara Pros have been my go-to rain boots this fall. I've worn them throughout the especially rainy stretch of weekends we've had in New York City, and falling raindrops would bead on the uppers and brush off with a simple swipe. I also tested them by pouring water over them before putting them on, and the knit fabric wicks moisture so effectively that I was honestly impressed. You couldn't wear these as waders, but they're a more stylish alternative to rubber rain boots.
I'm five-foot-nine and the stretchy shaft of the boot reaches just below my knee when pulled all the way up, but you can also fold them over or scrunch them around the ankle a bit. Inside, they're lined with a terry knit that keeps my feet warm, and the diamond-quilted foot bed is layered with arch support and shock absorption around the heel and midsole. The block heels are just over an inch high and click with each step. They took no time to break in, and whenever I receive compliments on them, I'm excited to share that they're waterproof, too.
Regina Pro Boot
VIVAIA Square-Toe Water-Repellent Heeled Boots (Regina Pro) Shop at VIVAIA External link Arrow An arrow icon, indicating this redirects the user."Vivaia's water-repellent boot collection also includes the Regina Pros, which first caught our eye for their luxury brand look. They come in six colorways, including two wool versions, and their heels are just over 2 inches high. Reviews style editor Samantha Crozier listed this pair as her top pick for wide feet in our guide to the best ankle boots, thanks to their flexible material.
"What sets the Vivaia Regina Pro apart is not just the anti-slip outsole and pressure-relief herbal insole, but also the water-repellant upper that stretches to accommodate even the widest feet.
These boots are incredibly comfortable. The cloth material makes them super easy to slip on in the morning — plus, they're kind of reminiscent of Balenciaga's famous sock boots. But unlike Balenciaga boots, these are incredibly practical and sold at a great price point." —Samantha Crozier, style & beauty editor
Square-Toe Margot Mary Jane
Vivaia Square Toe Mary Jane (Margot) Shop at Vivaia External link Arrow An arrow icon, indicating this redirects the user."When putting on my Vivaia Mary Janes, I directly compared them to the Mary Janes I tested for our Rothy's review. Both are machine washable and breathable, but I immediately preferred the look of Vivaia's more — the adjustable buckle on the strap shows more of an intention with the design than the straps on Rothy's, which don't have buckles and are more like strips of fabric.
Not only are Vivaia's Mary Janes less expensive than Rothy's, but they also beat them in terms of comfort. The insoles are padded around the heel and forefoot with a yoga-mat like material, while Rothy's are flat on the inside. The arch support and slightly more structured heel feel notably different when walking on pavement. The square toe box is roomier than Rothy's Mary Janes, so they're better suited for people with wide feet in this aspect, too.
Melia Pointed-Toe Flat
Vivaia Pointed Toe Flats (Melia) Shop at Vivaia External link Arrow An arrow icon, indicating this redirects the user."I was drawn to the d'Orsay on the Melia Pointed-Toe flat, and chose the Nutmeg colorway because it pairs easily with practically everything I wear. However, I was disappointed to find the sizing was way off. They were entirely too big to wear, and fit more like a size 9 than an 8. They do have heel cushions meant to prevent blisters, but otherwise the footbed lacks extra padding, like the kind I came to love from Rothy's signature In Love Insole.
Melody Pro Pump
Vivaia Square-Toe Chunky Heels (Melody Pro) Shop at Vivaia External link Arrow An arrow icon, indicating this redirects the user."The Melody Pro Square-Toe Chunky Heels are pumps you can wear without the aches and pains usually associated with the style. Reviews editor Samantha Crozier took walks in her neighborhood wearing different heels, and consequently named the Melody Pros the best cloth pumps in our guide to the most comfortable heels. She advises that the Pros are worth the extra $20 because they come with more padding than the basic version.
"Vivaia's pressure relief insoles have padding exactly where you want it. Incredibly, there's extra cushioning on the area between your heel and ankle where blisters usually appear so there's no uncomfortable rubbing. The sole also has arch support, padding under the balls of your feet, and a shock-absorbent heel rebound.
All of these bells and whistles combine to create a pump that you'll want to wear all day. In fact, these actually feel like wearing sneakers! I'm never afraid of wearing these out of the house, no matter how far I'm going to be walking." —Samantha Crozier, style & beauty editor
Cons to consider
Evidently, Vivaia's sizing system is not true-to-size in every style, and in one case ran much larger than what we expected. If you're especially interested in the Melia Pointed Toe Flats or you have narrow feet, I recommend sizing down by half a size. It's also worth noting that not every style is machine washable, so be sure to check your pair's care guide beforehand.
The bottom line
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. Although their sizing system still needs some perfecting, Vivaia's designs are definitely a solid option for people who want sustainably-made shoes with a modern feminine flair.
Gabrielle Chase Associate Style & Beauty Editor Gabrielle Chase is an Associate Style & Beauty Editor at Business Insider. She helps maintains explainer articles about her team's favorite brands and products. Her review of Allbirds sneakers goes beyond the surface level of aesthetics and takes a closer look at the company's sustainability practices. While the style trend cycle grows increasingly shorter, Gabi applies a healthy dose of skepticism to whatever's currently being hyped up on her For You Page. She started her career climb as a fashion intern at Interview Magazine. Before Business Insider, she wrote for ELLE Magazine's online series "The Launch."She graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a double major in journalism and Spanish. Gabi lives in Brooklyn, models, loves K-pop, and frequents her local movie theaters.If you'd like to ask a question— or just want a girl's girl to talk about fashion with— connect with Gabi via email at gabriellechase@businessinsider.com.Learn how the Insider Reviews team tests style and beauty products here. Read more Read lessYou can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story here.
Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at reviews@businessinsider.com.
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