In 2023, I flew from my hometown of Los Angeles to New York Metropolis to go to some pals. From there, I flew to Morocco for a four-day work journey earlier than flying again to New York, and finally, Los Angeles. After I landed at LAX I hopped within the automotive with my sister and drove to Las Vegas. This isn’t a one-off prevalence, both. I journey rather a lot, and—honestly—my largest wrestle isn’t switching time zones or virtually dwelling on a aircraft—it’s becoming all of the footwear I need to take with me in my tiny carry-on. So after I realized the podiatrist-approved footwear model Vionic makes packable loafers, I knew I needed to put them to the check.
The aforementioned 2023 journey could be essentially the most hectic trip I’ve had, but it surely’s removed from the one one. It’s essential for me to plan (and pack!) forward in order that I can journey again to again with little stress. And saving area, by utilizing packable loafers, is certainly one thing I may use in my bag of tips. Beneath, my overview of the Vionic Uptown Loafers ($130) and the way they stack up as a journey companion.
Vionic Uptown Idler — $130.00
Accessible sizes: 5-13, in half sizes and two widths
Supplies: Leather-based or suede higher, artificial rubber outsole, microfiber insole
Colours: 15
- Versatile
- Comfy
- Doesn’t take up a complete lot of area
- Big selection of sizes, widths, and colours
- Permitted by the APMA
- The only real doesn’t compress, which may nonetheless take up some room in baggage
- Dear
First impressions
If I am being trustworthy, I used to be nervous that the loafers have been sort of… ugly. On the web site, they seemed chunky, exhausting to fashion, uncomfortable, and never very packable. Transparently, I used to be nervous I wouldn’t just like the product and thus be unable to put in writing a impartial overview. That mentioned, as soon as obtained the loafers, I used to be surprised—in the easiest way doable.
Associated Tales
After I lastly obtained my Vionic Uptown Loafers, a good friend of mine was at my home and I used to be scared to open the bundle with him watching. “Oh, these are the ugly loafers,” I assumed to myself. To my shock, these pink, suede footwear with a white sole seemed so completely different in particular person than on the web site and have been… sort of stylish! They jogged my memory of the coastal grandmother aesthetic that made its method round TikTok a number of years again, and I used to be excited to pair them with all my comfiest clothes. My good friend—with no context of my prejudice—complimented them instantly and mentioned, “I feel it’s best to put on these as a substitute of these,” pointing on the Alo Sneakers I used to be carrying.
My overview
Assured that these loafers have been decidedly not ugly, I walked round Los Angeles in them for a few week. With out socks, the loafers match a bit huge. However as soon as I placed on a pair of no-shows, they have been tremendous and even a bit comfortable. I received my common dimension 6, so I counsel sizing down if you realize you received’t be carrying socks together with your loafers and sizing up if you realize you can be.
That mentioned, they don’t seem to be the most comfy footwear I’ve ever worn. I walked about half a mile in them and will inform that my toes would blister if I wore them longer than that. My tip? Spend a while breaking them in earlier than you are taking them out for an extended jaunt (and convey Band-Aids!). It’s a con I can forgive, although, as a result of these loafers are handy and excellent for any daytime outfit.
They’re additionally extremely packable. The highest of the shoe utterly flattens, which makes it doable for me to shove them in between garments or beneath toiletries, whether or not that’s in my private merchandise or carry-on baggage. It is a handy method for me to save lots of area on any journey, however particularly useful after I’m occurring back-to-back jaunts. Between their versatility and packability, they seem to be a sensible piece I am trying ahead to bringing on all my adventures.
As for the specs, they arrive in a variety of shade choices—15 decisions, to be actual. These embrace neutrals like black, silver, and cream, fairly pastels like pink and child blue, and even a snakeskin print. You may also choose between a high-quality suede or a sustainably sourced leather-based higher. The outsole is product of artificial rubber and the platform is about an inch excessive. And, like all Vionic footwear, they’ve obtained the Seal of Acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Affiliation.
Vionic Uptown Loafers: My trustworthy take
These are comfy, trendy loafers that don’t take up a ton of area in most baggage you pack—whether or not that’s a tote, a weekender, a carry-on, or a checked bag. That mentioned, they don’t roll up right into a tiny little ball that hardly takes up area. You couldn’t, for example, match these in a small purse or belt bag. However the flat-top may be very handy for shoving into overpacked suitcases while you need to simply pack another factor, or squeezing into bigger small-space objects, like backpacks or totes.
I additionally respect that the Vionic Uptown Loafers are an informal footwear possibility that goes with nearly something. They might not be mind-blowingly packable, however they positive are versatile. And that saves area, too.
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