Vessi - water resistance is lost after a month or two

[Joshua K.]

Name of Brand:

Vessi

 

 

Did this issue happen to you or someone else?

Me.

 

Description of your issue:

I've had 2 pairs of shoes from them now (1 that I bought, 1 that was a warranty that also broke) that only held their water resistance for a couple of months. After wearing them daily for months, and then stepping in puddles, rivers, etc, the water-tight seal gradually broke down. A quick puddle usually isn't enough time to soak through, but if the shoe is in water for more than 4 or 5 seconds (e.g., crossing a river, which is something I do) then I can feel my socks getting wet. It really only takes a few seconds.

 

Both shoes that I've had have had this issue within a matter of months.

 

Have you tried solving your issue through the brand's customer support channel? If so, what was the result?

 

Yes. The first pair got warrantied and I got a second pair. But when the second pair stopped working I just gave up. I'm out of warranty for the first pair, so I can't really be bothered to go through the RMA again. I should note that the RMA process was smooth, though a little slow.

 

 

What would an ideal resolution of your issue look like?

 

A refund would be nice, but I wouldn't be deeply offended if that got refused. I did wait over a year to post this, after all. I also wouldn't mind a third set (1st time is a fluke, 2nd time is a coincidence, 3rd time is a pattern, right?) but again, I'd understand if that was refused as well. 

 

My main intent behind this is to raise awareness, both for LMG, the community, and Vessi. I also want to know if other people have had this issue. If this is unexpected, then I'm happy to help Vessi figure out what's happening (maybe my feet are particularly destructive - more on that below). From my experience, these shoes could barely be considered water-resistant (not even IP68), let alone "water proof".

 

 

The leaks have always began in the right shoe, so its probably unrelated. but I have recently noticed that my left foot sits sideways in these shoes, with the side of my foot hanging off the sole (picture included below). I don't know if these shoes are causing my feet to sit weird due to the lack of side support, or if my feet have always done this and has caused damage to the shoes. I figure it might be useful to note it. Again, probably unrelated, but I'm including it in case its helpful for Vessi. 

[kitnoman]

My gf's shoe have this issue, where it's not as water proof anymore and could only be counted as water resistant. But the problem I saw in it was that she like to wash and brush per shoe regularly and even somethings dry them in the sun. So I think it loosen the tightness of the fabric. But for others, there could be other factors too, like our weight and size and shape of our feet. Just looking at the screenshot of your feet, it seems you have a wide feet and may or may not be flat footed as well, like me. It might add to the list of weird on your search history, but try googling shoes or just vessi and look at the feet  of other people. You would see that most of them won't deform the shape of the shoes when they wore and stand on them. I'm flat footed too, so I'm always looking for wide or extra wide shoes size. Or get a flatfoot insole that has an arch support and if you want the best support, have your feet check so you can find the right shape for you.

 

These pictures are not mine by the way.

[Levent]

It’s a double edged sword when it comes to water repellent coatings. Non-PFAS coatings don’t last and PFAS coatings are bad for environment.

[DeerDK]

Sounds like Linus was right in being very pedantic about that "water proof" wording

[Needfuldoer]

That toe box is way too narrow for you. I wouldn't be surprised if that's why the seam failed.

 

Are all of Vessi's shoes cut like that? Try Merrell, Vivo, or Xero.

[tkitch]

15 hours ago, Joshua K. said:

 

Yeah, that shoe doesn't fit you.  At all.  

 

It's not surprising that this is happening as a result. 

[Joshua K.]

Forgot that I don't get notifications

 

The dummy thicc foot makes sense. Thanks for pointing that out y'all 

[IkeaGnome]

21 hours ago, Joshua K. said:

Forgot that I don't get notifications

 

The dummy thicc foot makes sense. Thanks for pointing that out y'all 

Just saw this came out, but you weren't tagged properly in it.

 

[Other James]

1 minute ago, IkeaGnome said:

Just saw this came out, but you weren't tagged properly in it.

 

Thanks @IkeaGnome.

[imnotdavid]

On 6/6/2024 at 1:31 AM, DeerDK said:

Sounds like Linus was right in being very pedantic about that "water proof" wording

Saying that Linus was right, I think implies that he wasn't sure about the truth of the claim, so he worded the claim to be more careful and even ethical. 

 

But I'll go further than that.  As an intelligent and eclectic guy running a fairly seasoned tech-based media company, more likely he knows the claim is simply false. Otherwise, he'd have contributed to a video, testing and showcasing the waterproof claim by now, and showing that it holds up over time.  He won't, because he knows such a video would end terribly.  Not sure why he thought it was ethical to simply attribute the claim to Vessi instead of himself.  But maybe it's more about what his attorneys told him was best legally for the company, rather than what's ethical toward the audience.  

 

Anyone who's been around the block and has purchased various waterproof clothing over the years knows that the effect generally wears over time, and generally over not very much time.  Same thing if you were to buy those pants we've all seen in Facebook adds where someone spills a bottle of juice or something and it all just bounces off.  See how that goes after a dozen+ washes.  Not a chance.

 

Notice that Vessi never makes claims on their page about how long the effect lasts.  Even their FAQ section talking about the tech behind it, mentions nothing about the longevity.

 

Unless you see a company making specific claims about longevity and incorporating that into their warranty, it's safe to assume that any clothing sold as waterproof isn't, and what water resistance it holds will not last long.

[Quackers101]

kind of annoyed that ads dont talk about the coatings and some products dont. haven't seen what they say, and why they dont want to talk about adding the coating for extra profit? or nah? then again social media ads be shady as hell

[UrielX]

On 6/7/2024 at 8:57 PM, imnotdavid said:

Saying that Linus was right, I think implies that he wasn't sure about the truth of the claim, so he worded the claim to be more careful and even ethical. 

 

But I'll go further than that.  As an intelligent and eclectic guy running a fairly seasoned tech-based media company, more likely he knows the claim is simply false. Otherwise, he'd have contributed to a video, testing and showcasing the waterproof claim by now, and showing that it holds up over time.  He won't, because he knows such a video would end terribly.  Not sure why he thought it was ethical to simply attribute the claim to Vessi instead of himself.  But maybe it's more about what his attorneys told him was best legally for the company, rather than what's ethical toward the audience.  

 

Anyone who's been around the block and has purchased various waterproof clothing over the years knows that the effect generally wears over time, and generally over not very much time.  Same thing if you were to buy those pants we've all seen in Facebook adds where someone spills a bottle of juice or something and it all just bounces off.  See how that goes after a dozen+ washes.  Not a chance.

 

Notice that Vessi never makes claims on their page about how long the effect lasts.  Even their FAQ section talking about the tech behind it, mentions nothing about the longevity.

 

Unless you see a company making specific claims about longevity and incorporating that into their warranty, it's safe to assume that any clothing sold as waterproof isn't, and what water resistance it holds will not last long.

The only truly-long-lasting waterproofing is GoreTex, or a comparable breathable membrane technology. Waterproof coatings, 'waterproof-impregnated leather' and any similarly-worded phrases/materials should be considered ablative waterproofing that will slowly (hopefully) but surely lose effectiveness over time. The more liquid exposure, the faster it gives up the ghost. I have Goretex-lined Ecco boots that are ten years old and still waterproof, because Goretex wont fail unless you puncture it, and Ecco uses top-shelf materials (they also make the 'Linus Sandal', aka the Offroad/Yucatan).

[Jeppes]

1 hour ago, UrielX said:

The only truly-long-lasting waterproofing is GoreTex, or a comparable breathable membrane technology. Waterproof coatings, 'waterproof-impregnated leather' and any similarly-worded phrases/materials should be considered ablative waterproofing that will slowly (hopefully) but surely lose effectiveness over time. The more liquid exposure, the faster it gives up the ghost. I have Goretex-lined Ecco boots that are ten years old and still waterproof, because Goretex wont fail unless you puncture it, and Ecco uses top-shelf materials (they also make the 'Linus Sandal', aka the Offroad/Yucatan).

Goretex is pure garbage if you compare to leather that is treated. You will break the plastic if you walk in puddles that contain particles but you can just wax the leather after washing your shoes. And with no lining, you get a pair of dry leather shoes with a change of socks.

[Haredeenee]

6 hours ago, Jeppes said:

Goretex is pure garbage if you compare to leather that is treated. You will break the plastic if you walk in puddles that contain particles but you can just wax the leather after washing your shoes. And with no lining, you get a pair of dry leather shoes with a change of socks.

at that point just wear rubber boots 

[SansVarnic]

I wear Leather boots, they are waterproof if maintained correctly, and will last longer. Buying any shoe or boot that claims waterproof with no maintenance is just... well... fool hardy.

 

My 2cents.

[TempestCatto]

7 hours ago, SansVarnic said:

I wear Leather boots, they are waterproof if maintained correctly, and will last longer. Buying any shoe or boot that claims waterproof with no maintenance is just... well... fool hardy.

 

My 2cents.

Right you are on maintenance. I didn't maintain my Red Wing boots and they failed after about 5 years or so. They stopped being waterproof way before that. I really need to keep treating them (my new ones) with a leather treatment. It only takes a few mins anyway. But I don't know what kind of maintenance you can do on a Vessi shoe.

 

OP you have may have wider than normal feet. Like a 2E for example. If you go to a nicer shoe store they can measure that for certain (even if you don't buy anything).

[imnotdavid]

On 6/10/2024 at 2:16 PM, Jeppes said:

Goretex is pure garbage if you compare to leather that is treated. You will break the plastic if you walk in puddles that contain particles but you can just wax the leather after washing your shoes. And with no lining, you get a pair of dry leather shoes with a change of socks.

What a weird comment.  All puddles "contain particles."   So literally any puddle breaks the seal by your own account.  And if you have to then apply a wax every time, then we're right back at the initial point that all of these "waterproof" claims are crap, and the effectiveness wears off quickly with any exposure to actual moisture.