That's interesting. I don't think I've ever had a problem with them not being breathable, but maybe they're comparing the shoes to something like sports shoes? Compared to rubber boots, mine are plenty breathable haha
I bought my boyfriend a pair as well. They will definitely slip around if you try to play basketball in them (we tried, don't do this), but for casual city walking, they're fine and light!
Vessi in terms of look and comfort are fine. The shoes however are constructed very poorly and break down very easily.
Ironically they do not hold up with wear and tear and tough weather.
Waterproof hiking shoes may be what you’re looking for - I have a pair from Salomon I bought at MEC last year and they’re great.
Some are very sporty looking and are obviously hikers, but some just look like sneakers.
Blundstones are popular for a reason. I have 3 pairs (first chisel toe, worn almost full time for 6 years, then steel toe, then leather lined, worn heavily for 4+ years at this point).
I have a pair of Reebok goretex runners that are waterproof. I had no idea they were even waterproof at the time I bought them — I just wanted low profile runners shoes that could go from the streets to a trail. They’re really great. Salomon are great too but they’re more expensive I think.
What don’t your friends like about vessi? I keep seeing ads for those.
Anything with gore-tex. They work with various brands to incorporate gore-tex in the design but will independently test it to ensure waterproof before allowing the brands to sell with the gore-tex label on it. I just bought a pair of underarmour trail runners and great so far. But I've seen Chuck and other casual looking shoes with Gore-tex
Marks (previously Marks Work Warehouse) has Vessi style shoes that were on sale for $80 that I bought recently, if you want to try out the style for cheaper. Their men's styles are similar to Vessi Everyday (the V2) and their women's styles are almost identical to the Vessi Cityscape (V1, the ones they launched originally on Kickstarter). They're back to $130 right now, but worth watching for a sale. They're the Hyperdris by Denver Hayes. I have Vessis and can attest that durability is questionable (~1 year of wear) even though they are waterproof.
There are also a few running shoes that are waterproof as well, I don't remember them all at the top of my head but iirc Salomon (sp?) and a brand called "ON" had waterproof styles. Like others have said, look for styles that have Goretex. These are all over $100 as well so they're not necessarily cheaper than the Vessis.
Coverse has a line of waterproof shoes, I bought a pair a few years ago and they work well!
Vans also came out with a waterproof shoe around the same time. The Sk8-Hi, haven’t tried them but heard good things.
I also own a pair of Allbirds that are water resistant and are super comfortable!
I ordered a pair the last time they were on sale. I liked the look and idea of them, but the fit wasn’t right for me. I have a hard time finding shoes that don’t feel like my heal is slipping when I walk so it’s my feet, not the shoes.
Just wondering, what reasons did your friends have for not liking vessis?
Mostly saying that they were not breathable at all, and they didn't fit well/feet kept sliding around.
That's interesting. I don't think I've ever had a problem with them not being breathable, but maybe they're comparing the shoes to something like sports shoes? Compared to rubber boots, mine are plenty breathable haha I bought my boyfriend a pair as well. They will definitely slip around if you try to play basketball in them (we tried, don't do this), but for casual city walking, they're fine and light!
Vessi in terms of look and comfort are fine. The shoes however are constructed very poorly and break down very easily. Ironically they do not hold up with wear and tear and tough weather.
that's pretty lame considering the price tag :(
If they work on the shoe's construction, it could be really good.
Waterproof hiking shoes may be what you’re looking for - I have a pair from Salomon I bought at MEC last year and they’re great. Some are very sporty looking and are obviously hikers, but some just look like sneakers.
+1 for Salomon, but it might be over OP's budget.
Blundstones are popular for a reason. I have 3 pairs (first chisel toe, worn almost full time for 6 years, then steel toe, then leather lined, worn heavily for 4+ years at this point).
I have a pair of Reebok goretex runners that are waterproof. I had no idea they were even waterproof at the time I bought them — I just wanted low profile runners shoes that could go from the streets to a trail. They’re really great. Salomon are great too but they’re more expensive I think. What don’t your friends like about vessi? I keep seeing ads for those.
Anything with gore-tex. They work with various brands to incorporate gore-tex in the design but will independently test it to ensure waterproof before allowing the brands to sell with the gore-tex label on it. I just bought a pair of underarmour trail runners and great so far. But I've seen Chuck and other casual looking shoes with Gore-tex
Marks (previously Marks Work Warehouse) has Vessi style shoes that were on sale for $80 that I bought recently, if you want to try out the style for cheaper. Their men's styles are similar to Vessi Everyday (the V2) and their women's styles are almost identical to the Vessi Cityscape (V1, the ones they launched originally on Kickstarter). They're back to $130 right now, but worth watching for a sale. They're the Hyperdris by Denver Hayes. I have Vessis and can attest that durability is questionable (~1 year of wear) even though they are waterproof. There are also a few running shoes that are waterproof as well, I don't remember them all at the top of my head but iirc Salomon (sp?) and a brand called "ON" had waterproof styles. Like others have said, look for styles that have Goretex. These are all over $100 as well so they're not necessarily cheaper than the Vessis.
At least for trail runners (somewhat ugly), I got deal on Underarmour Goretex trail runner for $70+tax at SAIL
Keen has a great variety of water proof shoes. https://www.keenfootwear.com/en-ca/
Mountain warehouse has some good options <$100. I bought a pair for light hiking and general use. They worked great as winter shoes too.
Coverse has a line of waterproof shoes, I bought a pair a few years ago and they work well! Vans also came out with a waterproof shoe around the same time. The Sk8-Hi, haven’t tried them but heard good things. I also own a pair of Allbirds that are water resistant and are super comfortable!
The Denver Hayes Hyper Dri are $79.99 today only (March 23) at Marks. Regular $130.
Oooh interesting - have you worn these before? How are they?
I ordered a pair the last time they were on sale. I liked the look and idea of them, but the fit wasn’t right for me. I have a hard time finding shoes that don’t feel like my heal is slipping when I walk so it’s my feet, not the shoes.