Un mocassin beige de la marque VIVAIA est posé sur un tas de bouteilles en plastique vides, en extérieur sous la lumière du jour.

Two Vivaia Shoes to Get Through Winter in Style

Shoes Caroline 5 min
Un mocassin beige de la marque VIVAIA est posé sur un tas de bouteilles en plastique vides, en extérieur sous la lumière du jour.
The key takeaway: here are two pairs from Vivaia designed for winter, but for two very different uses. The Gisella, black block-heel ankle boots, elegant and water-repellent, perfect for the city and busy days. The Terry, warm boots lined with faux fur, light, non-slip, built for the deep cold and long walks. Recycled materials, technical soles, real comfort tested in real conditions. Caroline’s Vivaia code is WILDY10 for 10% on the site.

Well, the long-awaited parcel has arrived, and I must say I am delighted. You know me by now, I always look for the same thing, a pair of shoes you can truly wear all day long, in the rain, in the cold, without ever having to grit your teeth. It is rare, and yet it exists. Vivaia sent me two models that are total opposites, and that is exactly what I like, because they answer two very specific needs of daily winter life. On one side the elegance of an ankle boot in the city, on the other the warmth of a boot to face the frost. Come on, let us unbox it together.

Vivaia, shoes designed for real life

A quick word for those who do not yet know the brand. Vivaia designs comfortable and durable shoes, from a great deal of recycled materials, with real work on the technical soles. And above all, designs made for real life, not just to look pretty in a photo. It is precisely that mix that wins me over, the aesthetics on one side, the ecological conscience on the other. In the way I consume today, that detail matters enormously.

Gros plan sur les jambes de Caroline portant des bottes marron à talons sur un sol pavé, devant un escalier en pierre à Tavira en Algarve, en février 2025.
Caroline pose en extérieur devant une grande structure métallique artistique, tenant une paire de sandales noires et une paire de bottines zébrées. La scène se déroule sous un ciel clair, sur un sol sablonneux avec des arbres en arrière-plan.
The water-repellent material. Both pairs rely on a water-repellent fabric that pushes water away. In practice, a downpour no longer turns your day into a wet-sock ordeal. For winter, it is the kind of detail that makes all the difference.

The Gisella, the elegant ankle boot for the city

Caroline pose devant une bâtisse blanche typique de l'Algarve, vêtue d'une jupe en cuir, d'un débardeur gris et de bottines beiges avec des jambières blanches. La lumière douce évoque une ambiance de fin d'après-midi en Algarve en février.
Caroline assise sur un muret en pierre devant une arche, portant une jupe noire, un débardeur gris et des bottines beiges, à Tavira en Algarve en février.

I will start with the pair I got in black, and it is clearly the one I choose for a slightly dressier look, without ever giving up comfort.

A block heel that reassures

Here we have a block heel, very stable, and a rather square toe that leaves room for the toes, which is no luxury when you walk for a long time. An adjustable strap ensures good support without ever squeezing the foot. First impression as I slipped them on, a surprising lightness, and that softness inside that already promises a lovely day. Honestly, a real joy.

How I wear them

It is the pair I bring out to go into town, to work, for an outing, even on days that drag on, without the slightest worry. It adds a little rock edge, a touch more assertive than a pump, and for winter it has the huge advantage of keeping the ankles warm. With straight jeans or a sweater dress, it works wonders.

The Terry, the warm boot to face the cold

Gros plan sur des chaussures beiges portées dans l'herbe parmi des fleurs jaunes, lumière naturelle en extérieur.
Caroline est assise en extérieur sur un fauteuil en bois, portant des mocassins noirs décorés d'un motif léopard, dans une ambiance ensoleillée typique de l'Algarve en février.

Now for a completely different register. Here we are no longer in delicacy at all, we are in pure warmth and protection.

The faux fur and the non-slip sole

The inside is lined with a kind of faux fur, incredibly soft, and despite that volume, the boot stays surprisingly light. Underneath, a sole designed not to slip, with a pronounced tread that grips well, and an outer material that protects from the rain. It is the perfect pair for walking long distances in winter, for travelling, for getting through cold days while staying dry and warm.

How I wear them

We are more in the hiking, rambling, fresh-air escape spirit, the kind of boot I can easily picture for a snow holiday. But make no mistake, with jeans and a chunky sweater, it works very well in the city too. It is an unapologetic winter boot, and that is all we ask of it.

My honest opinion. I am not paid for this video, so I can tell you plainly, both pairs keep their promise. If they had not convinced me, I would have told you, and I would no longer collaborate with the brand. Honesty is the foundation.

Two pairs, all winter covered

With these two models, I really have what I need to get through the cold season. One for elegant days in the city, the other for biting cold and walking, and both faithful to that idea I love about Vivaia, comfort and style are not enemies. Caroline’s code is WILDY10 for 10% on the site, I leave it for you in case one of the two caught your eye.

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PS. Team elegant ankle boots or team big furry boots, you will have to pick your side… me, I cheat, I keep both by the door and decide based on the morning weather.