Vivaia review: We love the brand's boots, flats, and heels, but the sizing scheme is complicated. Here's what you need to know.

In our Vivaia shoes review, we tested their water repellent boots, comfortable heels, and Mary Janes. Here's what to know about their sizing system.

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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 the best flats from brands like Rothy's, Everlane, and Allbirds. Nevertheless, Vivaia (pronounced "v/i/-VAY-yah") carved out their own corner in the sustainable shoe market with colorful, comfortable dress shoes — because regardless of how "green" a brand is, people will wear stylish shoes that are painless to stand in all day.

In our Vivaia review, we give our honest impressions on the sizing and comfort of every style we've tried. Flats are Vivaia's main focus, but we also tested the brand's more recent forays into sandals and waterproof sock boots.

Our top 3 favorite Vivaia shoes:

Sizing and fit

My issue with Vivaia's sizing is that it widely varies depending on style. In my experience, they tend to run large. When 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. 

Vivaia sent me a pair of size 8 waterproof Tara Pro boots ($189) and Margot Mary Janes ($97), 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. 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. 

Square-Toe Margot Mary Jane

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 ($159), so they're better suited for people with wide feet in this aspect, too.

Melia Pointed-Toe Flat

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.

Tara Pro Boot

Vivaia's Tara Pros have been my go-to rain boots this past winter. I've worn these knee-high boots 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. Whenever I receive compliments on them, I'm excited to share that they're waterproof, too.

Regina Pro Boot

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

Stacey Pro

These have been my most worn sandal this summer. I choose these over my flat slides every time because they have more support beneath the ball of my foot. Even when walking across miles of hot concrete, the ventilated cushions are so plush that it keeps my metatarsal pain at bay. I also wore them around the pool, and the padding dries quickly after you slide into them with wet feet.

Plus, their non-slip soles make it safer to step through puddles. The stretchy knit strap caused some friction around my pinky toes when I was first breaking these in, but it subsided more and more with each wear. And while the toe area is flexible and soft, the rear is rigid for better stability.

I have narrow feet and wear a size US 8, and these fit me without sliding off. They have wide, stretchy straps to fit comfortably around feet of different widths and arches. If you feel your toe shape fits better in a square-toed sandal, Vivaia makes a similar wedge called the Laura. 

Melody Pro Pump

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

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. 

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.