100% Waterproof Merino Wool Shoes V-Tex tested and reviewed
Hi friends! I’m so excited to have had the opportunity to test and review an all-new pair of V-Tex 100% waterproof shoes with merino wool interior lining. These may be the very first (and only) completely waterproof shoes that feature a soft and comfy merino wool interior lining. ( Allbirds merino wool Mizzles are water-resistant. Vessi footwear shoes are 100% vegan and waterproof.) Merino wool has moisture-wicking and odor-resistant properties, making it a desirable material to make shoes with. With the addition of merino wool, these V-Tex waterproof shoes may be the perfect shoes to wear on a wet wintry day, or on any wet day! (Please note that only the lining is made with merino wool. The exterior is made with a vegan material and the membrane is waterproof.)
My biggest qualm about 100% waterproof and vegan shoes is how hot and snug they feel. Imagine wearing a scuba diving suit, but over your feet. Or a very tight sock that has a suction effect. Very quickly, my feet feel hot and moist inside most vegan waterproof shoes, like the runners from Vessi footwear. My feet get sweaty after only half an hour of continuous wear. To me, when I’m wearing vegan waterproof shoes, I feel like I’m wearing tight plastic bags over my feet, or swimming shoes. The suction effect makes the shoes feel somewhat uncomfortable.
Line the interior of a waterproof shoe with merino wool and you’re in a whole new shoe world! Your feet will feel the glorious difference almost immediately. For about an hour, I wore a V-Tex merino wool waterproof shoe on my left foot and a vegan Vessi shoe on my right foot. My right foot felt hot and sweater quicker than my left foot. The Vessi also felt much snugger than the V-Tex merino wool shoe. My left foot had a much more pleasant experience than my right foot.
The ridged outer-soles provide adequate traction and slip-resistant properties.
V-Tex shoes do not have any latex components, so even people with latex-allergies can wear these V-Tex waterproof shoes.
With the addition of the merino wool lining, these waterproof V-Tex shoes are less snug, and the opening of the shoe is looser, making them easier to slip on. There’s a catch 22 however. Sizing of these shoes becomes a bit tricky, and very important. Since the shoes are looser, there’s a possibility for water to leak into gaps by the opening of the shoe.
See the gap by the opening (“tongue area”) of the dark gray V-Tex waterproof shoe with merino wool lining? Vessi and V-Tex are similar in so many ways— from the stitches, to the membrane knit pattern, to the outer sole and inner lining. this begs the question, which waterproof shoe came first?
My one wish is that V-Tex made a merino wool insole as well, one that can be tossed into the washing machine. Merino wool insoles, like the ones that Allbirds make, are supremely comfy.
If you’re a fan of Vessi shoes, you’ll be a fan of V-Tex. If you’ve always wanted a pair of waterproof shoes and are looking for warmer options, check out V-Tex waterproof shoes with the merino wool lined interior! (Pretty sure Vessi will follow suit soon, since V-Tex and Vessi shoes are so similar.)
WHAT I LIKE ABOUT V-TEX SHOES with merino wool lining:
The minimalistic design. Aside from the insole, the brand logo V-Tex is no where to be seen on the shoe
How comfy the merino wool interior lining is. How less sweaty my feet feel in them/
How light, flexible, and soft the shoes feel
How they’re 100% waterproof and easy to slip on. Water slips right off the shoe’s membrane!
How they’ll be great for the winter time
How easy they are to care for
And how they’re made without latex
Removable insoles!
WHAT I DON’T LIKE ABOUT V-TEX SHOES with Merino wool lining:
The dark gray color. I’d prefer a different color and hope V-Tex will offer many colors. This is just a style preference. (There are so many colors and styles to choose from on the V-Tex website.) My feet look kinda frumpy in these shoes.
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.)
They are not machine-washable and you can’t dry them in a dryer. Granted most shoes should not be dried in a dryer.
The non-merino-wool insole.
The stretchiness of the shoe. I worry they merino wool interior will allow the shoe to stretch out over time, leading to gaps and allowing water to flow into the shoe.
V-Tex FAQs
Cleaning V-tex shoes
“Please clean your V-TEX with following steps:
(1) Soak in water. You can use water based soap or non-solvent type detergent.
(2) Wipe knit surface gently with damp cloth or soft sponge.
(3) Let soap bubbles stay on the surface few seconds.
(4) Rinse them with water.
*DO NOT use a brush to wash V-TEX knit upper as it might damage the membrane inside. Shoe brushes can only be used to clean the outsole.
*Prevent anything sharp from the knit top
*Store your V-TEX in a dry, well ventilated place.”- https://www.vtex.com.tw/en/page/3935
Do not machine-wash or machine dry your V-Tex shoes!
How durable is the waterproofness of V-TEX shoes?
“In terms of waterproof durability, unless the shoes are damaged by the sharp object and effect the inside membrane, the waterproofness of the shoes could last as long as the lifespan of the regular sneaker. Also, proper care for the shoes could make the shoes duration longer. If there is any leaking issue happened (non-human factor damage), please contact us. We would try our best to help with further arrangements.” -https://www.vtex.com.tw/en/page/3935
Disclosure: I received a free sample pair of V-Tex waterproof merino wool shoes in exchange for an honest review. I received no compensation for this review. All opinions are my own. 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.
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