These Comfy Sneakers Require Zero Break-in Period — and I’m Packing Them for All My Summer Trips

As a travel writer, I find myself having the most extreme step count — either I’m sitting at my desk (or by the pool or on a hotel balcony or on an airplane) feverishly typing all day, getting in very few steps, or I’m up and at ‘em bright and early exploring whatever magical destination I’m fortunate enough to be researching for my next story, easily hitting 15,000 steps in a day. Living this lifestyle for close to a decade now, I’ve done my fair share of trial and error when it comes to finding super comfortable shoes that can keep up with me on these various travels. But this season, I’ve hit the cloud-like sneaker jackpot.

The Sneaker Slides from Vivaia have quickly risen to the top of my favorite sneaker list, and I think I might dare to go as far as calling them the ultimate summer adventure sneakers. They’re a must have if you’re planning to be out and about in the coming months.

Vivaia Sneaker Sliders in White

Sliding your feet into these unisex sneakers feels like you’re giving them the most supportive and nurturing hug possible. And yes, I said sliding — because these babies are easy hands-free sneaks that slip on quickly making them perfect for travel. While there’s not always a need to take your shoes off through security these days (here’s looking at you, TSA pre-check!), I do find myself enjoying having the ability to slip these sneakers easily off and on during long haul flights when I need to get up to walk around a little or head to the bathroom. I’ve only tied them once and the laces have stayed in a perfect bow the entire time.

With a sleek, classic sneaker silhouette, the Vivaia Sliders are made using a mesh fabric that keeps them super lightweight and breathable. I’ve yet to feel like my feet were too hot or like they needed a break while wearing these shoes, and I’ve been in the crazy Miami heat where my feet tend to swell. One shopper agreed saying they bought them for a trip to Europe and Asia saying, “I knew my feet would swell a bit so the sizing was perfect.” and shared, “slipping in and out of these in Japan was a breeze. I walked all over, up to 10 miles a day and had no problems at all.”

Initially I tested these shoes out on a couple of “hot girl walks” with friends, and they passed with flying colors. Speaking of colors — the Vivaia Sneaker Sliders come in 11 colorways in the mesh version and 7 colors in a wool version, which I think might be a great transition season shoe. They even come in 8 colors for kids now, too. 

Another great perk about these shoes that I think adds to their perfect adventure vibes is they are machine washable and so easy to spot clean. I have them in white, and let me tell you, it’s a pure white and I’m super serious about keeping my shoes as clean and fresh as possible. So far, Magic Erasers have worked great in keeping them clean between washes. (Actually, one of my most overlooked travel tips is to always keep a Magic Eraser in your luggage to quickly clean shoes and even your Away luggage, like I do!)

Vivaia Sneaker Slides in Black/White

With 718 five-star reviews on the Vivaia website, I think it’s safe to say people are catching on to these being a great sneaker option for summer. One shopper who loves their pair echoed how easy they are to slip in and out of, and said “Love these shoes! They are so comfortable,” while another called them an “excellently versatile travel shoe.”

Vivaia shoes are sized using European size standards, and as a typical size 7US, I opted for the EU 38 which fits my feet like a dream. I love how secure and supported my ankles feel thanks to the shoe’s tongue that hugs you like a sock and requires no break-in period at all. Several shoppers agree, as there are tons of reviews saying things like, “so comfortable from the first wear,” and “they are lightweight and ready to wear immediately — no breaking in period needed.” One described them as “wearing firm marshmallows on your feet.”

While I went for my usual size, a few reviewers have suggested sizing up if you have wide feet or any foot conditions. That said, several shoppers with bunions or hammer toes have shared success with the Vivaia Sneaker Sliders. One said, “I wore these for five weeks straight on a trip to the UK, where we walked from five to 10+ miles every day. I have a very tender foot, with both a regular bunion and a tailor’s bunion, and my foot did not hurt at all in these.” Another who loves to go on long walks remarked that after having sudden foot issues including bunions, calluses, and more that they bought these in a half size bigger than their usual and have “walked several miles with zero problems.” 

Vivaia Sneaker Slides in Tender Peach

If you have (or hope to have) a calendar full of summer adventures — especially those that include quite a bit of walking, then the Vivaia Sneaker Sliders are a no-brainer. With dozens of options to choose from, these comfy sneakers are ideal for exploring new destinations in style without that dreaded feeling of walking fatigue after being on your feet all day. I plan on taking mine with me to Ireland, Hong Kong, and New Orleans this summer. 

And if these particular sneakers aren’t the pair for you, I’ve rounded up a few more cool and comfortably styles available at Amazon. Keep scrolling to check them out.

Shop More Comfy Sneakers at Amazon:

Allbirds Tree Runners

New Balance Fresh Foam Roav V1 Sneaker

Dr. Scholl’s Shoes Time Off Sneaker

Skechers D’Lites Fresh Start Memory Foam Lace-up Sneaker

Akk Walking Shoes

At the time of publishing, the price started at $119. 

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