Vessi
Rated: Good
Price: $$
Location: Canada
Quick verdict
Vessi is best for urban dwellers in rainy climates who want a stylish, lightweight waterproof sneaker that's vegan and PFAS-free. The patented Dyma-tex waterproof membrane, structural rather than a spray coating, is genuinely innovative and the brand's real differentiator. The critical caveat: sustainability claims are marketing-forward but substance-light under scrutiny. The core material is petroleum-based polyurethane, there's no circularity programme, no carbon offset programme, no published sustainability report, and manufacturing occurs in high-risk labour countries (China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Taiwan) with limited transparency. Vessi is best understood as a waterproof technology brand with some sustainability practices, not a sustainability brand that happens to make waterproof shoes.
Key info
- Headquarters
- Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Founded
- 2018
- Product categories
- Shoes, Sneakers
- Price range
- $$
- Key certifications
- Works with Bluesign, GRS, Higg Index, OEKO-TEX, BSCI (frameworks, not necessarily certified on every product)
Vessi sustainability rating
Our ratings are based on a scale from 1 (We Avoid) to 5 (Excellent). How we rate
Rating breakdown
The Dyma-tex membrane is genuinely innovative and avoids PFAS chemicals, but the core material is petroleum-derived polyurethane with polyester/nylon knit uppers, EVA midsoles, and rubber outsoles, all conventional synthetics. Vessi claims to use "some" recycled materials and some Bluesign-certified fabrics, but specific percentages are never disclosed.
Manufactured in Taiwan, China, Cambodia, and Vietnam, countries with elevated risk of labour abuse. Vessi states it audits all final-stage production and works with BSCI, but there is no SA8000 certification, no published factory list, and no evidence of living wage assurance.
Self-reported claims of 30% less water, 600% less energy, and 97% less material waste are not independently verified. No carbon neutral or offset programme. No take-back, recycling, or repair programme. There is no evidence the brand reduces its carbon and other greenhouse gas emissions.
Manufacturing countries are disclosed, and the vegan/PFAS-free claims are consistent. But there is no published sustainability report, no factory list, no carbon footprint data, no specific recycled content percentages, no supply chain tier mapping, and no living wage data. The sustainability page is image-heavy and data-light.
Priced at $100–190 USD, mid-range to premium. The waterproof technology adds genuine functional value (one shoe replacing multiple), and the 365-day warranty is strong. However, for sustainability value specifically, the price is harder to justify versus B Corp-certified Allbirds ($98–160) or transparency leaders like Veja ($100–200).
What they do well
- Genuinely innovative waterproof technology. Dyma-tex is patented, proven, and uses a structural polyurethane membrane with nano-sized pores, not a spray coating that wears off, making it permanently waterproof without PFAS or harsh chemicals.
- 100% vegan and PFAS-free across all products, including water-based adhesives and engineered leather/suede. This is verified and consistent across all sources.
- Meaningful charitable giving. Partnership with charity: water since 2021 has funded 220+ million litres of clean water across 16 countries, plus partnerships with Water First for Indigenous communities in Canada.
- Reduced manufacturing waste from knit construction. The knit manufacturing process inherently produces less waste than traditional cut-and-sew, and the self-reported 97% trim waste reduction is plausible for the method.
- Practical sustainability through versatility. One waterproof shoe replacing rain boots, casual sneakers, and walking shoes has inherent consumption-reduction logic, even if the individual shoe's material story is weak.
Room for improvement
- No circularity programme exists. No take-back, recycling, or repair programme. Competing brands like Allbirds and Vivobarefoot offer trade-in and recycling. For a brand marketing sustainability, this is a significant omission.
- Petroleum-based core materials with undisclosed recycled content. Polyurethane, polyester, nylon, EVA, and rubber are all conventional synthetics. While Vessi uses "some" recycled materials and some Bluesign-certified fabrics, the percentages are never specified.
- Lack of transparency and third-party verification. No B Corp, no published sustainability report, no factory list, no carbon footprint data, no living wage verification. The self-reported efficiency claims (30% less water, 600% less energy) have no independent audit.
About Vessi
Vessi was founded by Tony Yu, Andy Wang, and Mikaella Go in Vancouver, BC, one of the rainiest cities in North America. The name derives from the Finnish word for water ("vesi"). After a Kickstarter campaign in 2017 that raised $1.26 million from 9,365 backers (against a $25,000 goal), the brand officially launched in September 2018 with the Cityscape sneaker. Two crowdfunding campaigns raised over $2 million total. The brand has since grown into one of the fastest Canadian e-commerce startups, driven heavily by social media and influencer marketing.
The core technology is Dyma-tex, a patented polyurethane membrane with millions of nano-sized pores small enough to block water molecules but large enough to let heat and vapour escape. Unlike Gore-Tex (a separate membrane layer) or DWR coatings (which wear off), Dyma-tex is integrated directly into the knit, making waterproofing permanent and chemical-free. They've also developed Dyma-Wool for some styles. All products are 100% vegan with water-based adhesives.
Manufacturing occurs in Taiwan, China, Cambodia, and Vietnam, designed in Vancouver. Vessi states it partners with BSCI-compliant factories and works with Bluesign, GRS, Higg Index, and OEKO-TEX frameworks, though these are described as standards they "work with" rather than certifications on every product. The brand is not B Corp certified and holds no Fair Trade or SA8000 certification.
Pricing ranges from $100–190 USD (Tidal Sneaker ~$102 at entry level, Stormburst High Top ~$180 at the premium end). Shipping is free over $120 USD within North America, with international shipping to select countries. Returns are free within 30 days with a 365-day manufacturer warranty.
Product highlights
Weekend Classic
Best-selling everyday lace-up sneaker with Dyma-tex waterproof knit, EVA midsole, rubber outsole
~$140–150 USD
Most versatile and highest-reviewed style; the go-to "one shoe for everything" pick; available in 15+ colourways
Stormburst High Top
Premium athletic high-top with dual-density midsole, reflective hits, protective toe cap, enhanced traction
~$180 USD
Best for wet/winter conditions; maximum ankle protection means better defence against deep puddles and slush
Classic Chelsea Boot
Pull-on Chelsea with 4-way stretchy knit, vegan leather pull-tabs, and high-traction rubber sole
~$160 USD
Bridges fashion and function — looks like a classic Chelsea but is fully waterproof and significantly lighter than traditional boots
Tidal Sneaker
Most athletic style with maximum cushioning midsole, gusseted tongue; available in half sizes
~$102 USD
Most affordable core sneaker and the entry point into the Vessi ecosystem; best cushioning for all-day walking
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