These Incredibly Comfy Ballet Flats Are My New Go-To Shoes

Ballet flats are having a moment, but the truth is that they never really go out of style. I'd been on the hunt for the perfect pair when I came across Vivaia on Instagram. The footwear brand is incredibly popular on the platform—it has 1.2 million followers and has been tagged by over 27,000 users. I was immediately intrigued, and bought a pair of shoes to see if they live up to the hype.

Spoiler alert: They've been my go-to shoe all spring and summer, and I wear them nearly every day. Read on for my review of the brand's Aria 5° Pointed-Toe Ballet Flats.

An honest Vivaia shoes review

Style

The Aria 5° Pointed-Toe Ballet Flats come in 46 colours and patterns ranging from basic beige to bold animal prints. I opted for Cream Ivory, a perfect neutral that works with pretty much everything in my closet. The pointed toe gives them a trendy look and I love that I can dress them up or down. I've worn my flats with jeans, summer frocks and dressier outfits and I get compliments on them all the time.

I found that they fit true to size. If you're not a fan of the pointed-toe style, Vivaia flats also come in round, square and almond-toe shapes.

Sustainability

One of the most compelling factors about these flats is their eco-cred. Vivaia footwear is made from sustainable natural rubber, sugar cane and recycled materials—each pair of flats is made from six plastic water bottles. Vivaia also uses a 3-D knitting process that eliminates leftover scraps in the production process.

It's worth noting that Good on You, a sustainability rating program, gives Vivaia a 3 out of 5, so there's room for improvement when it comes to the brand's sustainable practices.

Comfort

I've worn pointed-toe shoes in the past that squeezed my feet, especially my pinky toes. Vivaia flats are designed with a wider toe box for greater comfort. The knit fabric has some stretch to it, so the shoe conforms to the shape of your foot. Many reviews note that the design is not only great for wide feet, but also for bunions.

These ballet flats also have more padding in the insole than others I've worn. The arch support is solid and the soft heel padding makes a big difference when it comes to long walks. Earlier this summer, I went on a three-hour-long walk along the Ottawa River in my Vivaias. They started chafing a bit toward the end, but not nearly as much as I've experienced with other flats.

Wearing shoes in the summer sans socks is usually a recipe for stinky feet. The Vivaia flats are made from a breathable and antimicrobial knit, so my feet don't get sweaty.

Cleanability

Another element that drew me to the Vivaia flats is that they're machine-washable. I live in Toronto and shoes get dirty easily. These flats are easy to spot clean with a bit of laundry detergent mixed with water.

If they're really dirty, I toss them in the washing machine by themselves with regular laundry detergent (minus the insoles). They air dry fully in less than a day.

Travel-friendliness

On a recent cruise through the Mediterranean, I wore my Vivaia ballet flats nearly every day. They were super easy to travel with. I typically only pack a carry-on and a personal item, and there's often weight limits on bags depending on what airline you're flying. Vivaia flats conveniently weigh only 150 grams.

Are Vivaia ballet flats worth buying?

This Vivaia review ultimately comes down to one question: would I recommend these ballet flats? Absolutely. They're the most stylish and practical pair I've ever owned.

The Aria 5° Pointed-Toe Ballet Flats cost $158, including $22 of shipping fees. I find the price point fair, especially considering the quality and how much use I've gotten out of them. They're also more affordable than comparable brands like Rothy's.

I'm keen to try some of the brand's other footwear—I've got my eye on the Margot Square-Toe Mary Jane flats, the water repellant Regina Pro heeled boots and the Melody chunky heels.

Pros

• Made from recycled plastic bottles
• Breathable and antimicrobial
• Machine-washable
• Lightweight and easy to travel with
• Incredibly comfortable extra-wide toe box, arch support and padded insole and heel
• Available in four toe shapes and 46 colours and patterns
• Reasonably priced

Cons

• $22 in shipping fees to Canada

Where to buy Vivaia shoes

You can buy Vivaia flats, boots, loafers, heels, sneakers, sandals and mules directly from the brand's website, Vivaia.com. Limited styles are also available on Amazon.