Hurricane and monsoon season is in full swing in various parts of the country. Inevitably, you will be soaking wet at some point, which might make you think twice about what to wear when you go out. There is arguably nothing worse than getting your shoes and socks wet while you are out and about, as they are difficult to dry and your feet will feel mushy as you walk around until you get changed.
Luckily, there’s a shoe manufacturer that’s looking to solve the problem of wet shoes: Vessi. The Vancouver-based company prides itself on making 100% waterproof shoes that will keep your feet dry no matter the season. But are they any good? And more importantly, are they comfortable? We’ve put the Weekend Chelsea
(available at Vessi)
to find out.
What is Vessi?
Photo credit: Edgar Ortiz
Vessi was founded by three entrepreneurs from Vancouver, Canada. Fed up of their socks constantly getting wet from the rain and humidity in the area, they set out to create a shoe that was comfortable while preventing moisture from penetrating the overlays.
The brand offers many different shoe styles for men and women, from low-top loafers to high-top boots and sporty sneakers. In addition to shoes, Vessi also offers shirts, jackets, backpacks and other accessories.
Vessi
Waterproof and stylish shoes for every weather and every occasion.
What I like about Vessi shoes
Credit: Reviewed / Edgar Ortiz
After a quarter mile walk on the lake, the shoes looked good and my socks were still dry.
They are actually waterproof
Since I live in Las Vegas, one of the driest cities in America, there was no rain to test the shoes in, so I decided to drive to nearby Lake Mead and put them to the test. Once I reached the water, I swapped my hiking boots for Vessis (these shoes are not made for hiking) and dipped them in. After a few minutes of splashing and walking along the water at ankle height, my socks were still dry. They also dried relatively quickly once they were out in the sun.
However, these are waterproof shoes – not water shoes. As I went deeper into the lake and the water level rose above ankle height, water started to seep into the shoes. They dried fairly easily in the sun; just don’t put them in the washer or dryer as they are not machine washable.
They are comfortable and suitable for all weather conditions
The Weekend Chelsea were also easy to put on. They didn’t take long to break in either, which was surprising considering how tight they felt when I first put the shoes on. Even if you live in a dry climate like me, the shoes are comfortable to wear during any activity. I walked a total of 10 miles while testing these shoes and never felt any pain or discomfort.
Whether you’re planning a night out with friends, going to a concert, playing tourist and exploring a city, or just taking a walk in the park, you can count on these shoes to keep you comfortable during any outdoor activity that requires a lot of walking.
They fit well
I’m unlucky enough to have a half shoe (I normally wear a men’s size 11.5), so I was disappointed that Vessi only offers shoes in whole sizes. Their website recommends ordering a size up if you’re a half size. I ended up ordering a size 12 and the fit was spot on. I was prepared to buy insoles for extra padding in case I had too much room down there, but I didn’t need to. It might be the extra layers of the shoe that provide the waterproof feature that make it feel tight at first.
What I don’t like about Vessi shoes
Credit: Reviewed / Rylee Guinn-Dauphin
The Weekend Chelseas are one of Vessi’s best-selling waterproof shoe models.
They don’t have much style variety
Although Vessi has a range of styles for men, women and children to choose from, many of them look similar to each other. Most styles consist of athletic shoes, low and high casual shoes, loafers and boots, and there are less than a handful of different color combinations and variations for each style.
The soles can be slippery
While a shoe puts so much emphasis on protecting your socks from all kinds of liquids, it certainly won’t protect you if you fall. I did a slip test at home by pouring water on my hardwood floor. As I moved across the wet surface, I started to slip and lost my balance a little. This is due to the flat soles of the shoes.
Are Vessi shoes worth the money?
Credit: Reviewed / Rylee Guinn-Dauphin
They are very comfortable for all occasions and keep your socks dry.
Yes, they are comfortable and really waterproof
Ultimately, Vessi’s waterproof shoes do exactly what they promise: they keep your socks and feet dry on rainy days or during day trips to the lake, beach, amusement park or river. The fact that they are comfortable and cozy is all the more reason to give them a try.
If you live in an area where it rains frequently, these socks are a must-have. Even if you don’t, their comfort alone makes them a great choice for looking stylish on your next outing with friends or family. Plus, you can never go wrong knowing you’ll never have to worry about muddy socks again.
Vessi Men’s Weekend Chelsea
One of Vessi’s bestsellers offers the comfort of a sneaker with the warmth of a boot and is also equipped with waterproof technology.
