If you‘re anything like me, you‘re always on the hunt for that perfect pair of everyday sneakers – the ones that magically combine style, comfort, and versatility to carry you through your day with happy feet. Bonus points if they‘re sustainably made! Well I‘ve recently come across a shoe brand that claims to check all those boxes. Meet Suavs – the modern footwear company on a mission to create "the comfiest, most versatile shoes on the planet."
As someone who values both fashion and function in my footwear, I was intrigued by Suavs‘ promise of lightweight, uber-comfy, and eco-friendly shoes that go with everything from jeans to dresses. But of course, I had to put them to the test before recommending them to you! I decided to try several of Suavs‘ most popular styles for both men and women. Here‘s my honest, in-depth Suavs shoes review to help you decide if they‘re the right fit for you (pun intended).
First Impressions of Suavs Footwear
Suavs was founded in 2015 by a footwear-obsessed Texan named Monxi Garza, who wanted to create the perfect travel shoe that was comfy enough for all-day wear yet stylish enough to sport anywhere. The brand has a refreshingly simple approach – they offer a curated collection of sneakers and slides in core colors, focusing on quality over quantity.
I love Suavs‘ minimalist, goes-with-anything aesthetic. From the classic lace-up Legacy sneakers to the slip-on Barton shoes, every Suavs style has a clean, modern vibe that looks great dressed up or down. They definitely pass the versatility test!
Key Features of Suavs Shoes
So what exactly makes Suavs shoes so special? Here are some of the key features that set them apart:
Sustainable Materials: Suavs uses primarily recycled and eco-friendly materials in their shoes, like 100% post-consumer recycled plastic in the digital knit uppers and vegan microfiber insoles. Suavs also donates lightly used shoes to organizations like Soles4Souls. Love a brand that cares about its impact!
Lightweight, Breathable Knit: The stretchy digital knit upper on Suavs shoes feels like a comfy pair of socks, molding to your feet and allowing airflow to prevent sweat. It‘s like walking on clouds.
Super Flexible Outsoles: Suavs‘ lightweight rubber outsoles are bendy and durable, flexing with your feet for a natural feel. Some styles have an extra grippy "gum sole" too.
Washable: Yep, you can toss your Suavs right in the washing machine for easy cleaning. Perfect for those of us who practically live in our sneakers.
Travel-Friendly: Suavs shoes are ultra packable, smooshing down flat in your luggage or backpack. A must for frequent travelers!
Unisex Sizing: Suavs offers their shoes in sizes 3-14 for a gender-neutral fit. They recommend going down a size if between sizes.
The combination of sustainable materials, lightweight breathability, flexible soles, and easy packability makes Suavs uniquely equipped for active, on-the-go lifestyles. But how do they actually feel and perform? On to the full review!
Suavs Shoes Review: Putting 5 Popular Styles to the Test
I personally tested out 5 of Suavs‘ bestselling shoe styles, worn for various activities over several weeks. Here‘s the lowdown on each one, including fit, comfort, style, and overall performance:
The Zilker Knit Sneakers Review
The Zilker is Suavs‘ signature style, a sleek lace-up sneaker in breathable knit. I tried the Zilker Gum, which has a contrasting gum sole for a cool, casual look. The fit was spot on (I‘m typically an 8.5 and went with size 8 as suggested.) The knit upper felt sock-like and not at all constrictive, while still supportive.
I wore my Zilkers for miles of city exploring and they kept my feet happy all day – no break-in period, pinching, or blisters. The cushiony insole and bendy outsole offered great comfort, though I wouldn‘t choose them for intense workouts due to the lighter support. The gum sole provided fantastic traction too.
Styling the Zilkers was a breeze – they looked cute with everything from joggers to jeans to casual dresses. The only slight downside is the knit material does attract fuzz, but it‘s easily removed.
Overall, I‘d give the Suavs Zilker sneakers a solid 9/10 for delivering on comfort, style, and versatility for everyday wear. They‘re an excellent choice for travel, errands, and light activity.
The Legacy Sneakers Review
Next up, I tried Suavs‘ Legacy sneakers, a fresh take on the classic lace-up tennis shoe with a just-right touch of retro cool. I loved the slightly chunkier silhouette and old school details, like the rubber toe cap. Again, Suavs‘ knit upper fit like a glove, with a bit more structure than the Zilker.
The Legacy definitely earned its "all day, every day" nickname. This is the pair I reached for most for daily dog walks, trips to the farmer‘s market, and meetups with friends. They‘re a step up in cushioning from the Zilker, with a plush, molded footbed that supported my high arches and prevented fatigue during long days on my feet.
Style-wise, the Legacy is a perfect balance of sporty and chic. I got tons of compliments on the unique colorways (I went with the Limestone knit and white sole combo.) They look great with both loungewear and casual sundresses, making them ideal for travel and spring/summer wear.
My only minor gripe is that pet hair tends to stick to the knit material, but it brushes off quickly. The Suavs Legacy sneakers score a strong 9.5/10 on the comfy-cool scale and are well worth the price for their quality and wearability. They‘re a great option if you want Allbirds-level comfort with a bit more style.
The Barton Slip-On Sneakers Review
If you‘re all about convenience, you‘ll love Suavs‘ Barton laceless sneakers. These babies are my new airport go-to – they slip right on and off at security and keep my feet comfy while hotfooting it to my gate. The knit upper is stretchy yet secure, and the padded back collar prevents rubbing.
I was pleasantly surprised by how much arch support the removable microfiber insole provided – it rivals some of my pricier kicks. The durable outsole offers great flexbility and traction too. I wore my Bartons for a weekend of light hiking and they held up beautifully.
Looks-wise, the Barton has the same minimalist vibe as Suavs‘ other styles, with a slightly more sporty feel. They come in a range of easy neutrals, from all black to olive green, to go with all your athleisure. I like wearing them with joggers and a denim jacket for a casual, cool ensemble.
One thing to note – the Barton does fit a bit more snugly than Suavs‘ lace-up styles, so you may want to size up if you‘re between sizes. I went with my usual 8 and they fit well, but were a bit hard to get on initially. After a few wears though, they loosened up.
Overall, I‘d give the Suavs Barton slip-ons a 8.5/10. While not as versatile looks-wise as the Legacy or Zilker, they‘re insanely comfy, practical, and great for slipping on and off. The Barton is a solid choice for travel, errand running, and light workouts.
Suavs Customer Reviews & Feedback
Of course, you don‘t have to just take my word for it when it comes to Suavs. I scoured reviews from real Suavs customers to get their take, and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Suavs get high marks for their lightweight comfort, soft knit feel, versatile style, and eco-friendly practices.
Reviewers rave about how Suavs "feel like wearing slippers all day" and love that they "go with pretty much every casual outfit." Several people with foot issues noted that Suavs provided great support and comfort without looking "orthopedic." Travelers also appreciated how easily Suavs pack down in a suitcase and hold up to lots of walking.
The few complaints I found were around Suavs‘ pricing (they‘re an investment at $95-$110 a pair) and some inconsistencies in sizing between styles. A handful of reviewers felt the knit attracted lint easily. But overall, the vast majority of Suavs customers said they‘d buy another pair or recommend to a friend. Suavs earned an average of 4.5/5 stars across hundreds of reviews.
How Do Suavs Compare to Other Sneaker Brands?
If you‘re considering Suavs, you may be wondering how they stack up against other popular comfort sneaker brands like Allbirds, Veja, and Keds. Here‘s a quick comparison:
Suavs vs Allbirds: Both brands focus on simple, comfy shoes in sustainable materials. Suavs sneakers are a bit more structured and "sneaker-like" than Allbirds‘ super soft wool runners. Suavs also have a thicker sole. Allbirds are better for lounging, Suavs are better for walking/light activity.
Suavs vs Veja: Veja is known for their eco-friendly leather sneakers with a classic, retro look. Suavs are a lot lighter and more breathable than Vejas, and better for all-day wear. Vejas are more of a fashion sneaker.
Suavs vs Keds: Keds makes the quintessential canvas lace-up sneaker. They have a similar lightweight feel to Suavs but more structure and less flex. Suavs‘ knit material is stretchier and more breathable than canvas.
Overall, I‘d choose Suavs over these other brands for travel, mild activity, and everyday wear due to their unique combination of lightweight flexibility, modern style, and sustainable comfort. But if you‘re looking for a pure fashion sneaker or super cushy loungewear, one of the other brands may suit you better.
Suavs Discounts, Shipping, & Returns
Now that you‘ve got the full scoop on Suavs shoes, you‘re probably wondering about the deets on discounts and delivery. Here‘s what you need to know:
Promos & Discounts: Suavs occasionally offers seasonal sales and promos – I‘d recommend signing up for their email list to stay in the loop. You can also get $20 off your first $95+ order when you create an account.
Shipping: Suavs offers free shipping on 2+ pairs to the USA and Canada. They also ship to 200+ international destinations for a fee. Shipping takes about 5-10 business days.
Returns: Suavs allows free returns within 30 days if shoes are unworn and in original packaging. Just use their online returns portal to print a label. Easy!
The Verdict: Are Suavs Worth It?
After putting Suavs shoes through their paces, I can confidently say that yes, these versatile, sustainable sneakers are absolutely worth the hype. They strike the perfect balance of lightweight comfort, sustainable construction, and modern, minimal style.
Suavs are hands down the most comfortable and packable sneakers I‘ve tried, and I love not having to sacrifice looks for practicality. The fact that they‘re made with eco-friendly materials like recycled bottles is a huge bonus in my book. While $95+ isn‘t cheap, I believe the quality, versatility, and durability of Suavs is well worth the price.
I hope my suavs shoes review has given you all the details you need to decide if Suavs are right for you! I truly think Suavs has nailed the perfect everyday shoe, and I‘ll be living in my Legacys and Zilkers all spring and summer. Treat your feet and give Suavs a go – I don‘t think you‘ll be disappointed.
