Vessi StormBurst Sneakers Honest Review [2024]

Having reviewed Vessi previously, we've made several good and bad claims about the waterproof sneakers that originated in Vancouver, Canada.

I previously owned a Vessi sneaker 2-3 years ago, so I felt what was written in the original review accurately represented what I felt the Vessi sneaker's quality was.

With fierce competition like AllBirds making equally ambitious claims about their shoes being completely waterproof, adventure-ready, and comfortable, Vessi's early products had a tough time matching up with the competition.

With Vessi's new adventure-ready StormBurst sneakers coming out, they might have just what it takes to outmatch its opponents and take the throne as the go-to waterproof activewear sneaker for all travelers.

Is Vessi StormBurst the new waterproof sneaker to dominate the scene, or does it fall short of its usual ambitious promises? Should you cop them for your next travels? Keep reading to find out my personal and honest experience with the Stormburst!

Recap: What’s Vessi?

Vessi is primarily a Direct-To-Consumer (DTC) Canadian-based shoe company that started as a Kickstarter campaign in 2018. Created by Andy, Tony, and Mikaella, the Kickstarter campaign was based on creating the "world's first 100% waterproof knitted shoes" that stay breathable, stylish, and lightweight, no matter the weather.

The campaign quickly grew in popularity, especially in the headquartered city of Vancouver. Vancouver, colloquially known as Raincouver, receives an estimate of up to 146 cm of rain annually.

Here are some quick facts about Vessi:

• With a lightweight and breathable design, Vessi's sneakers are made for everyday wear, whether commuting to and from work or going on a weekend hike or excursion.
• In addition to waterproof sneakers, Vessis have other products, such as socks, hats, gloves, and other accessories. 
• Vessi shoes do not contain animal products and are known to be vegan-friendly.
• Vessi sources recycled plastics to produce its shoes with sustainable manufacturers.
• Vessi offers standard free shipping and a 90-day return and exchanges on all orders within North America on orders over $80.
• You've probably seen or heard of Vessi on your social media before. Vessi has a solid social media presence and partners with influencers and brands to promote and feature its products.

What’s the catch with Vessi’s products?

With most of Vessi's products garnering close to a perfect 5-star rating, it seems too good to be true. As a hopeful optimist, I purchased the Vessi Cityscape almost 2.5 years ago as expected, and there were some pros and cons.

Highlights of my Vessi CityScape experience

As expected, Vessi held up its claims to be fully waterproof (yes, I did the classic tap water over sink test). But even when I took it out in Vancouver's rainy weather, it held up to its claims of being waterproof. 

While this is my fault, wearing Vessi sneakers in pouring rain still got my socks partially wet. This was primarily due to my lack of preparation from excess water dripping from my pants down into the socks.

Nowadays, if I have my Vessis out, I actually go puddle hunting to stress test the full extent of its waterproofing capabilities. Even after two and a half years, it still stands the test of time.

Downsides of my Vessi CityScape experience

My initial observation of wearing Vessis was that while it was highly breathable and lightweight, it wasn't the most comfortable shoe. I often have to adjust the insoles of my Cityscapes as it tends to move around. The shoe itself was less comfortable to wear than my other sports sneakers while hiking or on prolonged walks around the city.

While I've witnessed my friend wear his Cityscapes on a 30km hike in Mount Garibaldi, I certainly wouldn't recommend wearing them for anything other than your everyday outings.

Vessi StormBurst: The Adventure-ready Waterproof Sneaker

When I heard that Vessi was launching its new adventure-ready outdoor boots, I was ecstatic to be able to review them again. As someone with numerous hikes and traveling booked for the year, I was looking for new travel shoes to bring with me on my adventures.

StormBurst is Vessi's newest product that features an adventure-ready design for travelers looking for their new activewear sneakers that are both comfortable and waterproof. 

The StormBurst comes in 4 styles: Peak Black, Frost White, Dusk Purple, and Boreal Green.

Here’s a rundown of what the StormBurst offers:

• 100% Waterproof (Obviously)
• Higher side panels for extended warmth and water protection
• Ready-to-Wear, no break-in period
• Easy slip-in and go with an elastic ankle collar
• Reflective pull tabs to stay seen in the dark

Whether you're trekking through the mountains or simply strolling through the city, the StormBurst can bring an added level of waterproof comfort to your everyday activewear. With its sleek, minimalist design and durable construction, this shoe is a versatile and stylish addition to any traveler's wardrobe. 

But just like its previous products, will StormBurst live up to the expectations and hype? Let's dive into my experiences wearing them for the past few days.

My experiences with Vessi StormBursts

Here's the rundown of my experiences with the StormBursts and how they stack up to my previous Vessi CityScapes. I'll keep this updated with new experiences so that you are in the know before you buy!

Highlights of my Vessi StormBurst

Just from my experience putting the StormBurst sneakers on, I can tell that they've spent time and effort making their newer products much more comfortable than the previous CityScapes I owned.

I also immediately noticed and came to appreciate over time how easy it was to put on the StormBurst compared to traditional boots. Super easy and convenient to slip on and off, and gone are the days when you have to awkwardly take off your boots at the door while your friends wait for you.

An added benefit I found Vessi StormBurst winning over traditional clunky (rain) boots was its flexibility and ease compared to traditional boots to stuff into a suitcase.

While I haven't taken the StormBurst out on an extended hike, walking around the city during sunny and rainy days felt natural and comfortable. No break-in period was necessary for the pair of StormBursts, which aligned with Vessi's claims.

Similar qualities in Vessis still stand, such as 100% Dyma-tex© waterproofing, lightweight, breathable, and vegan-friendly.

Downsides of my Vessi StormBurst

With StormBurst being positioned as a hybrid product of a sneaker and a boot, there are minor features with both that are lacking in the StormBursts.

For example, traditional clunky boots or even hiking sneakers are built to tackle tough terrains and are perfect for those who need them for work. 

While I have yet to stress-test my StormBurst, I don't believe that the knitted fabric with Vessi sneakers replaces EVA-plated heavy-duty materials that come with work or extreme activewear boots.

The StormBurst also comes at a premium price of $180 ($195 CAD), which is certainly not a budget travel shoe but a worthy consideration for a longer-term investment.

Is Vessi StormBurst Worth It?

My expectations before receiving my StormBurst sneakers were that it definitely had to be an upgrade in comfortability and fit, a complaint I had with my previous CityScapes. I was also searching for a waterproof shoe built for outdoor activities, so I had to give StormBurst a try.

I've gotta say, the Vessi StormBurst Sneakers are definitely worth it for me!

The increased snugged fit for warmth and protection for tough terrains was perfect for all occasions, from urban strolls to extended outdoor hikes. The product is also delivered with its classic Vessi sneaker's strength of being 100% waterproof, flexible, breathable, and with sleek varieties to choose from.

While they are the sneakers for me, StormBurst is not for everyone. Coming from a premium price point, if you're looking for a boot comparable to those that can withstand extreme conditions, Vessi StormBursts may come up short (to be tested!).

StormBursts, an adventure-ready outdoor sneaker, stacks up to its competitors, like Allbird's Trail Runners SWT. However, it falls short as a sneaker when they're inappropriately compared to Arc'teryx and The North Face's more extreme-wear boots.

I'd be really excited if Vessi, in the future, makes an extreme-wear boot that stacks up to those branded products!

While I'd be hesitant to bring my StormBurst for extreme outdoor adventures, I'd bring them to any easy-to-moderate hikes or outdoor activities, and even as my go-to travel shoes to pack on a trip!

My Rating: 4.6/5

Pros:

• Sleek Design
• Easy Slip-on
• No Break-in Period
• Increased Comfort & Warmth
• 100% Waterproof
• Lightweight & Travel-Friendly

Cons:

• Premium Price Point
• Not Made for Extreme-Wear

Travel and plan with style using Pilot!

I've only owned the shoes for a couple of days, so I'll bring my Vessi StormBurst sneakers out more often to give you a more detailed review.

With only a couple of days of wear, I'm already confident that the StormBurst waterproof sneakers will be added to my Pilot's standard go-to packing list of essentials to bring for traveling.