I walked 10,000 steps in these brand new flats
When Vivaia asked us to take their new and improved Aria 5° ballet flats for a test drive, we were ecstatic. We already love their lace-up ballet flats, which are elegant, feminine, and washable! And we enjoy their lace-up wool boots for its vintage look and warmth.
Here’s what changed
Vivaia took customer feedback to a whole new level. Based on reviews, they improved:
Toe box. Added a slightly wider toe box with a 5 degree inward adjustment so that your toes aren’t squished. Thus, the name Aria 5°.
Insole. 2mm foam insole for more breathability and step rebound (like a sneaker).
Outsole. Natural rubber outsole with fantastic traction.
Heel padding. Memory foam heel pad to prevent heel slippage (and gives your ankles extra support).
Arch support. Increased arch support for a steadier step.
How we tested them
We wanted to see exactly how accurate their advertising is. We had one of our writers, a NYC commuter and former teacher, walk 10,000 steps in these shoes straight out of the box. That means no break-in period. So if they gave her blisters, it was going to be painful.
How the shoes performed
Kimberly: I have medium to wide feet with a bunion on each foot. That means most shoes need to be gradually stretched over a few days before I can wear them, Naturally, I own 2 shoe stretchers: one for flats and one for heels.
But since this test requires no breaking in, I wore these straight out of the box. And the verdict? These shoes look like flats but feel like sneakers.
Sizing
Kimberly: I followed the size chart on the website and got my true size: 6.5 US. The length and width are perfect.
Fit
Kimberly: At first, the Aria 5° fit slightly snug. But they conformed to my feet with every step I took. And within a few minutes — yes minutes — they fit like a glove without any painful rubbing.
I was initially a little concerned that the pointed toe would hurt my wide feet, especially my big toe. I speak from experience because my J.Crew Factory pointed leather loafers make my toes sore after a few hours. But not these!
The outer knit is so soft that it feels like you’re wearing socks. My bunions don’t hurt and even though it has a pointed toe, my wide feet don’t feel crowded.
Also, I’m able to slip my feet into these shoes without bending down or using a shoe horn to tuck my ankle in. This isn’t something I usually notice, but since I just had a baby, I can hold my newborn without a problem. And my former pregnant self is wondering why I didn’t get these shoes sooner!
Walking Support
Kimberly: Some knit flats, like the Mia pointed knit flat, don’t offer any heel support, causing your ankles to wobble and heels to slip out of the shoe, which leads to walking fatigue. But not this shoe! The heel pad gives my heels and ankles a gentle hug and stabilizes my step so my toes don’t curl and claw the shoe to stay on.
Arch support
Kimberly: Although this version of the Aria flat has increased arch support, it’s still not impressive. I understand that a lot of brands skimp in this area. But arch support is not just for flat-footed people. In fact, it plays an important role in preventing foot pain and fatigue by distributing your weight evenly. So I always go with supportive shoes when I know I’m going to be on my feet a lot.
The Aria 5° soles are extremely cushioned and bouncy, but they can’t compete with Sécra, which has 2.2 cm of arch support, or Vionic, whose shoes carry the American Podiatric Medical Association seal of acceptance. In other words, it’s good, but not great.
Style
Kimberly: These shoes are minimalist, feminine and a little edgy. Honestly, they look amazing. The pointed toe makes them classy enough for the office, but they can easily be dressed down.
Care
One of the best perks about these shoes is that they’re machine washable. Throw them in a laundry bag and into the wash. Just make sure to air dry.
Environmental impact
Vivaia footwear is an eco-friendly, sustainable and just plain responsible brand. One pair of Aria 5° takes 6 recycled plastic bottles from the ocean. And its 3D knit material has zero-waste.
Packaging
Vivaia uses 100% recyclable cardboard packaging for their shoes. And the Aria 5° came with cardboard inserts to help the shoes keep their shape during transport, which I will keep in them when I’m not wearing them.
Return policy
Since we have never had an issue, we don’t have first-hand experience on returns. But according to their website:
The return window is 30 days.
Returns and exchanges are free in the US.
You must contact them for a return approval, and they will send you a prepaid shipping label.
Bottom line
The Arias walks like a sneaker, fits like a sock, and looks like a chic ballet flat. Overall, they’re a great pair of washable knit flats. And its pointy toe adds a bit of edge and oomph to elevate your outfit. But most importantly, they’re extremely comfortable right out of the box, even for wider feet with bunions.
But we’d love to see a bit more arch support in the next version, but that’s us just being NIT-picky. Did you see what we did there?
Disclosure: This post is NOT sponsored but may contain affiliate links. That means if you see something you like, click the link, and make a purchase, we may receive a commission. While we were gifted this shoe to try, we were not compensated for this article. Everything here is our unbiased opinion.