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The last time we talked to you about Vessi and their approach to waterproof footwear, it was with our review of their Stormburst hightops (you can see that review here). Now that fall has hit, I’ve been putting the Stormburst to good use. However, sometimes you want something a bit more classic looking, but still need to keep your feet dry. That’s where the Vessi Weekend comes into play.
Vessi Weekend: what they are
The Vessi Weekend is a classic pair of low-top sneakers – clean lines, solid flat sole, and not much in the way of branding or over-the-top designs on the upper. In other words, a take on the classic court sneaker. The upper is really where things get quite interesting. Not only is it waterproof, it’s quite stretchy and flexible.
In other words, you get the fit (and absolute easy time to slip on or off) that many knit sneakers offer, while still maintaining the look and profile of a more robust, say, full leather sneaker. Then you still get the improved breathability that a textile upper gives you. No, it’s not going to be as airy as a knit upper, but that’s a tradeoff I’m happy to give in order to have that waterproof functionality.
Wearing the shoes
We had the Vessi Weekend come in in my regular size, and they fit just right (for the record, I’m a US Men’s 12 medium). The stretchy upper gives you plenty of space to wiggle your toes and move throughout the day, while still being snug enough so you don’t have heel slip as you walk. If you’re encountering that, we think you could use the laces to snug things up a bit; we just left ours as they came from the factory.
Over the summer, the Vessi Weekend quickly became my go-to sneaker choice. They’re easy to slide on, which gets you out the door quickly. The styling means they go with just about anything. Our reviewers were the bright white version, which meant they hit up with jeans or khakis quite nicely. That also meant they showed the dust and grime of life moreso than another colorway would. Which brings us to…
Washing the Vessi Weekend
With any sneakers, giving things a wash can just help them keep looking fresh. What’s great about the Vessi Weekend are the instructions right from the brand on how to wash them: remove the laces and insoles, put them in the washer on a cold water gentle cycle, and then let them air dry. And you know what? That worked, mostly!
I had a few more stubborn bits of grime on the toes of the shoes, so I went at those with a bit of Dawn and a scrub brush, and then quickly got them freshened up and ready to go again. Sure, they’ll get dirty again, but being able to literally toss them in the washer and not worry about them falling apart? That’s an easy thing that I can totally get behind. Sure, you can wash them by hand if you want (and you may need to for some spots), but why not let the machine do the work?
Wrapping things up
Coming in at $125, the Vessi Weekend are a very versatile pair of sneakers, available in seven different colorways. We think that these could be great travel shoes, because they keep your feet cool – and dry – which means you’re ready for whatever weather might be thrown at you. Personally, I might opt for the grey version (goes with anything, and won’t show dirt as easily as the white), but that’s my preference. Whatever the color, it’s hard to argue with a comfortable pair of shoes that don’t mind if the weather turns a bit damp. Check out the range over at vessi.com
Vessi Weekend Details
- Dyma-tex® 100% waterproof technology
- Lightweight, cushioning midsole
- Machine washable
- Temperature-regulating, breathable upper knit
- Removable insoles
- Vegan materials
