Fab Find of the Week: VIVAIA shoes
We think we’ve found the comfiest shoes in the world. Independently of each other, Sarah and Jo have both discovered (thanks to Instagram) the brand VIVAIA – a worthy alternative to the FitFlops we’ve long been devoted to.
And yes, shoes can most definitely be a beauty product. In a comfortable pair of shoes, you’ll want to walk – good for that ‘second heart’, as the legs are known. And you won’t wince or frown – neither of which is a pretty look.
Between us, we’ve tried three styles so far. For Jo, the absolute winners are the black satin trainers, right – definitely dressed-up trainers, but so comfortable that she walked 14,000 steps in them with no tights on the first day – and not a hint of a whisper of a blister, either. They go by the name of Unisex Satin Luxe Sneakers (Allegro), and you can find them here. ‘The cushioning in the sole is off the scale,’ says Jo. ‘I can barely take them off.’ The price is £137 – not a snip, by any means, but the quality’s great.
Sarah’s new boot love is the Square-Toe Water-Repellent Block Heeled Boots (Regina Pro), with the sexy red heel, pictured above centre – water-repellent being VERY useful in her corner of the West Country, but these boots are most definitely for walking the pavements, too. Slightly more expensive, as you’d expect, at £171.
Last but not least, we have the Sneakerinas, above left – a hybrid between a sneaker and a ballet shoe. Now, Jo would make one comment here: as someone with a high arch, they don’t offer much support. On the other hand, she did manage 7,000 steps in them first time (but slightly felt it in the Achilles tendon, more of which anon). They’re also light and squishy enough to cram into an evening bag – the perfect party getaway shoes, if not for yomping through every day (at least for Jo). What you see in the photo, meanwhile, is Jogger Re-Nylon Sneakerina (Yancy).
But back to the subject of Achilles tendons… For some months, Jo’s been troubled by tendonitis in her left ankle – pain, and swelling. Writing this, she’s had an epiphany: in two weeks of wearing the Allegro style, she isn’t feeling any pain at all, and having reached down to touch her right ankle, has discovered: absolutely no swelling.
Thereby almost paying for themselves, in terms of dodging a couple of sessions of physio. And if that isn’t a beautiful realisation, we’d like to know what is.
VIVAIA Unisex Satin Luxe Sneakers (Allegro)/£137
VIVAIA Square-Toe Water-Repellent Block Heeled Boots (Regina Pro)/£171
PRIZE DRAWS
