V-Tex 100% Waterproof Vegan Nanotech Knit Shoes Honest Review: Are they worth it? Are they really waterproof?
Hi friends! My journey towards a sock-free life continues!
Recently in exchange for an honest review, V-Tex sent me two sample pairs of waterproof V-Tex Nanotech Knit shoes. Beginning in 2015, after 15 years of producing “high functional V-Tex waterproof and breathable membranes used for apparel and medical applications,” Cliff Chang and company developed V-Tex shoes in Taiwan. In 2016 V-Tex began selling vegan V-Tex Nanotech Knit waterproof shoes across Asian. Flash forward to 2019 and currently, V-Tex features their new shoes in a successful and popular Indiegogo campaign.
V-Tex Nanotech Knit Shoes
I received a pair of V-Tex V-Shark in Milky Pink (they’re super cute) and a pair of V-Dolphin in Abundant Orange. As of 1/29/2020, you can purchase a pair of V-Tex shoes for $99 (USD) with the early bird offer on Indiegogo. (Full price should be around $130 USD.) If you’re ordering from the US, or outside of Asia, I recommend you go through the Indiegogo site versus V-Tex’s official website at https://www.vtex.com.tw/. One reason is if you go through the official Taiwanese website, there are shipping fees you would incur if you decide to return or exchange your shoes. Secondly you may or may have to pay an import tax. Overall it might just be easier for you to go through Indiegogo (at least for now) to purchase a pair of V-Tex shoes.
A reason why you might want to consider going through the official website is because the official website offers more varieties (V-Dolphin, V-Shark, V-Whale, V-Stingray) and colors such as the super kawaii Milky Pink, Pink Warrior, Marble Purple, and Pink Warrior (squee!). There’s also a slight discount now if you buy from the official website.
V-Tex High Top (V-Dolphin) Review
V-Tex shoes in Abundant Orange
The V-Dolphin is a lightweight, vegan and waterproof high-top nanotech knit shoe. (That’s a mouthful!) Abundant Orange is a flashy choice and will certainly capture attention. This is a “slip-on” shoe with no laces. The outer sole and bottom of the sole of this shoe is identical to the shoe with laces (V-Shark). The bottoms of the shoe have adequate grip and traction, so that you won’t slip easily even when the shoes are wet. And they are meant to get wet (on the outside only, since they are waterproof). One more thing about the outer soles is that they’re over an inch thick at the heel, and quite cushiony.
The “cloud” insoles in the V-Tex Dolphin are identical to the insoles in the V-Tex Shark. I like how the insoles have a raised medial arch support (good for over-pronators). This does not mean the shoe is structurally built to provide your feet with a lot of arch support. Over-pronators, like me, will still over-pronate while wearing this shoe.
My biggest qualm about the shoe is how difficult it was for me to put the shoe on. (Granted, I do have wide, unattractive and often odiferous feet.) The opening of the shoe is tight albeit stretchable. With each wear, the opening will become looser and it will be easier to slip in my big feet, hopefully.
Although the membrane of the shoe is breathable and waterproof, I can’t help but feel a bit of feet suffocation. (Think scuba-diving gear, but over your feet.) My feet also tend to get hot and sweaty fast.
The shoe is relatively well made. I don’t see any visible glue. They are bendable and seem pretty durable. Unfortunately, like similar waterproof shoes out there, V-Tex shoes are not machine-washable. You should also never toss them into a dryer. (See FAQs below.)
If you are looking for a waterproof boot-like sneaker, and you hate laces, give this shoe a try.
Personally I like the V-Tex Shark, a low-top sneaker, more than the V-Dolphin.
V-Tex High Top (V-Dolphin) Review
V-Tex V-Shark in Milky Pink
Kawaii! (Cute!) These shoes are so adorable. Structurally, they are so similar to the V-Dolphins, so a lot of what is written above applies to these shoes. They are basically low-top V-Dolphins with laces. I’m not sure what function these laces serve other than adding to the aesthetic appeal. These waterproof shoes are tight, tighter than N-95 masks, so I’m not sure anyone ever needs to tighten the laces over the non-existent tongue. These shoes are easier to put on, but neither the V-Tex Dolphin nor the V-Tex Sharks are truly slip-on shoes straight out of the box.
What I like about V-Tex shoes:
The minimalistic design with minimal branding (except for the logo on the V-Shark that says V-Tex Waterproof in gold print)
How flexible and lightweight the shoes are
How comfortable the shoes are on the heels
How they are waterproof and vegan!
How cute the Milky Pink color is, and how nice my feet look in them
And how they are priced competitively currently with the Indigogo campaign.
Can people wear them if they have a latex allergy? Yes! Cliff, the founder of the shoes, confirmed that V-Tex shoes do not have latex components, so these shoes are safe to wear for people with latex allergies.
What I don’t know about V-Tex shoes:
Can salt water and/or chlorine destroy the membrane?
What I don’t like about V-Tex shoes:
There are too many styles unavailable through the Indiegogo campaign.
The packaging (shoe boxes) had no care instructions (Companies can easily use soy-based ink and print care instructions right on the shoeboxes. Allbirds does that.)
My feet felt hot in them.
They aren’t easy to “slip-on”.
They are not machine-washable and you can’t dry them in a dryer. Granted most shoes should not be dried in a dryer. Someone please tell my husband that because he tossed my Allbirds Runner-up Mizzles into the dryer! :(
Would I return them if I had bought them myself?
I would have returned the V-Tex V-Dolphin. I would have kept the V-Tex V-Shark (Milky Pink!); however, I’m still not sure if I’m a huge stan of waterproof shoes at this time.
What do you think, my friends? Will you give V-Tex shoes a go? Comment below! Most helpful comments will be published into this review! <3
Happy walking and shoe hunting, all!
V-Tex Shoes FAQs
Can you wear V-Tex shoes without socks? You most certainly can! V-Tex does warn you to clip your toenails: “Please note that your toenails might damage the membrane. If you tend to grow your toenails long, we suggest you to wear the shoes with socks to protect the membrane.” PSA: Please clip your long toenails. Having long toenails equates to having more surface area for toe cheese and fungi to grow on…
How can you clean or wash V-Tex shoes? Do not throw your V-Tex into a washing machine or dryer. To clean them, soak in water. Water-based soap or non-solvent type detergent is fine. Wipe the surface gently with a damp cloth or soft sponge. Not a toothbrush! Allow soap bubbles to kiss the surface of the shoes for a few seconds. Rinse off with water. Air dry. Avoid sharp objects on the knit top. That would puncture the membrane. A hole in a V-Tex shoe would destroy it’s super awesome waterproof properties.
Are V-Tex shoes vegan? Yes they are made with vegan materials.
Are V-Tex shoes really waterproof? Yes V-Tex shoes are really waterproof.
Are V-Tex shoes good for wide and flat feet? Yes, they are fine for wide and flat feet. Just note that the arch support is minimal to moderate at best. I’m not sure if they’re the best for people with bunions.
Should you size up or size down with V-Tex shoes? I would say, size up if you’re between sizes. If you’re at a whole size, go with your whole size. If you like to wear your toe nails long or wear (thick) socks with your shoes, size up please.
DISCLOSURE: This post contains affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something. Please check out our disclosure policy for more details.
We tried Platterful Charcuterie Kits so you don’t have to before you decide to buy or not!