When it comes to pain points in the fashion industry, finding comfortable sandals is right up there alongside locating perfect-fitting jeans. The warmer months deliver a rare opportunity to give our toes some fresh air, and I, for one, look forward to switching out my boots for sandals every year. But tracking down stylish sandals that are a dream to wear isn't as easy as it should be, or is it?
I've long been a fan of Vivaia's creative designs; the range is so broad, and each style comes in multiple colourways. Toeing the line between form, function and sustainability, the brand's soft uppers and knitted structures help to create shoes that focus on 'conscious comfort' with a style mantra I am very happy to get on board with.
Slipping my feet into a pair of the AdaptAll Sports Sandal, I was fully prepped for the wearing-in stage, but as I ran down the road for nursery pick-up, I suddenly remembered that I'd been wearing new shoes all day and hadn't felt a thing.
Price: RRP £128
Size range: UK 2.5-8.5 (including half sizes)
Fastening: Buckle
Upper/sole material: Crafted from 6 plastic bottles (yes, really) and antimicrobial and breathable materials
I've long given up on heels, preferring to simply get around faster and in comfort, meaning I'm always on the hunt for the fanciest of flat shoes. With a sports luxe aesthetic, the AdaptAll Sport Sandal features a chunky sole that gives my 5'2 frame a few extra inches, with no comfort compromise needed.
Available in multiple colour combinations, I love some of the brighter pairings this design is available in, which gives them a more athletic appearance, but I opted for a black pair with beige trim, as I wanted something that would go with smart casual outfits, and become central to my summer capsule wardrobe, so sticking to a neutral was a must on this occasion.
Vivaia Sandal Review
Vivaia Sandal Review: Comfort and Support
When I'm asked if Birkenstocks are comfortable, I regularly tell people that I can not fault them, but there is a bit of a process of wearing them in to get them to that stage, but, when it comes to the Vivaia Adapt All Sport Sandal, I found them ridiculously comfortable from the get-go.
I'll admit they aren't my usual style; I often opt for a more slim-lined silhouette. However, I was intrigued by the knitted upper and loved the added height provided by the chunky sole. The sporty aesthetic actually worked well with my best summer dresses, giving a bit more of a cool athleisure feel to my look, and felt more polished than I was expecting.
Ripping open the box as soon as they arrived, I was pleasantly surprised at how extremely lightweight they were. Despite the thicker sole, they were airy, and this carried through to how they felt underfoot, as the cushioned sole honestly made me feel like I was walking on clouds.
The first day, I wore them for hours without noticing, and this is a theme that has continued throughout the summer. The easy slingback strap makes them so good for slipping on quickly, and with skin-friendly straps, there are no marks when I take them off at the end of a day, no matter how much walking I've done, and believe me, I can get those steps in.
With a soft and stretchy upper, the slingback style and buckle fastening initially made me fear I'd have to put extra holes in the strap to get the secure fit I was after, but the clever knitted construction means you really can customise the fit as the fastening options were limitless, and you can simply buckle them at any point.
Featuring foot-contoured construction to relieve the pressure and deliver arch support, I might not fully understand the Vivaia footbed magic, but I can attest that it does work, and with its sports luxe appearance, these directional sandals tap into those chunkier shoe trends for 2025 and have a could-be designer appeal, making them even more of a stylish buy.
Vivaia Adapt All Sandal Review: Style
Chunky-soled sandals are having a moment, and the sporty aesthetic of this design taps into several designer silhouettes that we've spotted of late. The knitted upper, coupled with the contrast trim, deliver a designer look and feel, but a fraction of the price.
Available in 18 different colour combinations, there really is something for every shoe collection, and all of them come with the same great sustainability and comfort credentials.
The contrast trim and neutral colour palette of my chosen pair ensures they team with pretty much any colour and you can certainly style these with dresses, jeans or tailored trousers.
Vivaia AdaptAll Sport Sandals Review: Cleaning and Care
While plenty of the brand's shoes are machine washable, unfortunately, the AdaptAll Sport Sandal is not one of those, and therefore, you should spot wash your shoe when needed with a microfibre cloth and water.
Thankfully, despite the fact you can't wash them in the machine, the shoes themselves are made from breathable and antimicrobial materials that you should be able to keep your shoes pretty odour-free. Just make sure you never put them away damp, and try to keep them in a shoe box or dust cover when they're out of season.
Vivaia AdaptAll Sandal Review: Verdict
As someone who has wide feet, I have always struggled with finding sandals, but finding shoes that adapt to my foot shape and that look great too, well, that felt practically unheard of. Until now. I've been so impressed with the Vivaia sandals that they have become my summer go-to; they've barely left my feet all season.
The soft and stretchy upper is delightful to wear, and despite temperatures hitting in the mid-thirties, the sandals were ideal for what to wear in the heat, remaining comfortable and breathable throughout.
Super light and airy, I've been recommending them to all my friends, and honestly, it's made me seriously consider investing in a selection of shoe styles from the brand, because I feel like they just understand comfort.
Neutrals are naturally the easiest colourways to style, and this pair of black and beige sandals will go with pretty much anything in your wardrobe. While all black would be elegant and timeless, the contrasting colour choice adds a bit more of a sporty feel and a more relaxed element.
While butter yellow has been all the rage this summer, sunshine hues are still very much on our 'yes' list. The additional white trim and soles adds a freshness to this bold look. Slightly less versatile, you can still pair these with neutral outfits in cream, white, navy and black.
The sporty aesthetic of the shoe is only enhanced by this lime green hue. A subtle contrast, as the majority of the colour will be covered when you wear them, the bold green adds a zingy finish to this otherwise neutral pair. Perfect for amping up a holiday outfit.
Crafted from six recycled bottles, I can't fault the sustainable credentials of this pair of sandals and that just makes me feel a little better with every step. I will always look for comfort when it comes to my shoe capsule wardrobe, but I am understandably unwilling to compromise on style.
Vivaia's AdaptAll Sports Sandal has answered all my prayers. Riffing on current trends for chunky-soled sandals, these cool, sports luxe shoes will make a style statement, whilst ensuring I can continue feeling light and airy.
With so many colours to choose from, it's tempting to snap up a few extra pairs, to bolster for summers to come, because the idea of not dragging these back out next summer is inconceivable.
