Veja Sneakers Review (2024): What To Know About This Popular Footwear Brand

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Key Features of Veja Sneakers:

• Stylish and sleek appearance
• Versatile enough to pair with different outfits
• Quality, ecological materials
• Designed for comfort

Worn by celebrities but affordable enough to become a wardrobe staple, Veja sneakers are a highly popular choice for casual wear and workouts. Available in a range of styles, Vejas feature a distinctive V logo and a sleek, sporty design. They’re crafted with a dedication to sustainability and are created with recycled materials and an innovative, eco-friendly manufacturing processes. Veja is known for its transparency, so wearing the sneakers makes a statement not only about fashion, but about the environment, too.

But are Veja sneakers worth the hype? From first wear to the fashion possibilities, this Veja sneakers review explores the pros and cons of these shoes, what sets the brand apart from other sneaker manufacturers, and how these shoes stack up against the competition. Read on to learn whether you might want to consider making Vejas your next sneaker purchase.

What Are Veja Sneakers

Veja has been creating sneakers since 2005, and the brand has differentiated itself from other manufacturers with its focus on ecological materials, social projects and economic justice. All sneakers are manufactured in high-standard Brazilian factories. The sneakers feature Brazilian and Peruvian organic cotton in the canvas and laces, while Amazonian rubber makes up the soles. They also make use of materials crafted from recycled plastic bottles or polyester.

While Veja may have a strong environmental focus, the sneakers are also highly stylish, and Veja has become a top brand in the fitness and fashion worlds. The brand has built a massively popular Instagram presence, and with celebrities like Meghan Markle, Reese Witherspoon and Emma Watson wearing the sneakers, the brand continues to gain popularity.

What we like:

• Made with ecological materias
• Available in a wide range of styles
• Distinctive, sleek look
• Versatile and can be paired with multiple outfits

What to consider:

• Only available in whole sizes
• Takes time to break in
• Price on some models can be high

Most Popular Veja Sneakers

While Veja offers many different sneaker options, below are some of the most popular styles:

Veja V-12

The Veja V-12 are low-top sneakers with a sporty, retro style. They feature the distinctive V logo and are available in many color options. These sneakers are built as a unisex shoe, so they’re suitable for men and women.

The V-12 is crafted with leather that’s sourced from Rio Grande do Sul farms. The lining features recycled fabric, while the soles are made of Amazonian rubber. The insole is removable, and the lace-up style adds security.

Veja Campo

The Veja Campo is a low-top sneaker with a clean, streamlined sporty look. The soles are made from Amazonian rubber, while the lining is made of recycled polyester and organic cotton. Available for both women and men, the Campo is available in many different colors, from the classy white and back to the attention-grabbing bold and bright green.

The Veja Campo sneakers feature an EVA-cushioned footbed to help maximize your comfort. This shoe has a removable insole and a lace-up design for a secure fit. It’s slightly wider than other models, like the Esplar, and has a slightly wider tongue, too.

Veja Esplar

Similar in appearance to the Campo, the Veja Esplar sneakers have a slightly lower platform and narrower fit. They are available in eight colors, all featuring a white base paired with accents like pink, black and cobalt.

Designed for men and women, this sneaker features a leather upper and leather and suede panels. The bovine leather is sourced from farms in Uruguay and is coated with water-repellent oils for light water protection. Recycled materials like rubber, polyester and even rice waste are used in the shoe’s construction.

Veja Rio Branco

If you’re looking for bold colors and the look of a more traditional athletic shoe, the Veja Rio Branco may be the right choice. Designed for men and women, this sneaker is available in more subtle, neutral tones, but options like bright pinks, yellows and greens mean you can choose to stand out.

This shoe is more suitable for workouts and athletic pursuits than models like the Esplar and the Campo. It features a more aggressive tread to help maximize traction. The Rio Branco features an upper made of Alveomesh, a technical fabric crafted from recycled polyester. That mesh fabric helps to increase the shoe’s breathability and flexibility, while also making it lightweight.

Veja Recife

The Veja Recife revitalizes Velcro as a fashion statement. These sneakers are crafted with ChromeFree leather sourced from farms in the south of Brazil. The leather is then tanned without the use of chrome, heavy metals or acids. The simplified tanning process reduces the use of water and salt.

The rest of the shoe is designed to be eco-friendly, too. The bold logo V on the side is crafted with rubber and rice waste, while the insole consists of Amazonian rubber, sugar cane, recycled E.V.A. and organic cotton. The three Velcro straps make for easy on and off, making this shoe a stylish statement piece.

Veja Transparency And Sustainability

When you buy Veja sneakers, you know not only exactly what materials are in them and where they came from, you also know that you’re supporting sustainable and environmentally friendly material sourcing and manufacturing processes.

For example, the Condor line of running shoes are ecological shoes designed without the reliance on petroleum-based plastics that so many other brands of running shoes use. The B-mesh featured in Veja sneakers is made from recycled plastic bottles that are transformed into fibers. A pair of Veja sneakers feature an average of three recycled bottles.

Veja uses upcycled materials in other ways, too. The flannel in the sneakers is made with recycled cotton and polyester.

Veja’s ChromeFree leather addresses and avoids many of the environmentally-damaging elements of the leather tanning process. This leather is tanned without the use of chrome, heavy metals, or acids, which limits the use of chemicals and energy. According to Veja, the leather tanning process uses 40 percent less water and 80 percent less salt than traditional leather tanning processes. After the tanning process is complete, the water used can be recycled.

The brand has even found a way to reproduce the texture, smoothness and impermeability of leather without using animal hides at all. The C.W.L. material is 54 percent bio-based and is made with organic cotton canvas that’s coated with PU, castor oil and corn starch.

Veja’s transparency extends to the brand’s manufacturing processes, too. All sneakers are manufactured in Northeast and Southern Brazil. Factory employees work 44 hours per week and have four weeks of paid vacation each year. Cardboard shoe boxes are made with natural kraft cardboard and are produced in 12 different sizes to avoid product waste from oversized boxes. The brand’s transparency about manufacturing practices and its dedication to environmentally friendly materials likely contribute to its loyal customer following.

Styling Veja Sneakers

Veja sneakers are a versatile addition to your wardrobe. Fashion expert Alison Lumbatis, founder of Get Your Pretty On, demonstrates how a single pair of Veja sneakers can pair well with five different outfits, including a neutral sweater and high-waisted jeans, a black moto jacket and gray jeans, and a denim jacket and black dress.

These sneakers can complete most casual outfits and dress up any athleisure look, but they can also fit in at the office when paired with a blazer if you need a dressier look. Since Veja sneakers are available in many neutral colors, there are plenty of styling opportunities so you can get maximum use out of these shoes.

Veja Sneakers Cost

Most new Veja sneakers range in price from $105 to $200, and price can range a bit among retailers. In comparison, other sustainable sneaker brands like Allbirds range from $95 to $145, and On sneakers cost $130 to $270. Similar shoes, like the adidas Superstar, start around $70 but can cost $200 or more.

Veja sneakers may not be the cheapest on the market, but these high-quality sneakers offer many perks that help to justify their higher price point. From many styling options to the fact that you know you’re making an environmentally-friendly choice with your purchase, there are plenty of reasons to choose Veja.

Who Veja Sneakers Are Best For

Veja sneakers are available for men and women, but they’re built on a unisex foot size, and they are often only available in whole sizes. As a result, those who wear a half shoe size might need to try some different Veja styles to find the right fit.

These sneakers are an excellent choice for the fashion-forward buyer who wants a pair of sneakers that they can pair with many different outfits. The sneakers aren’t designed for intense workout wear, but they are comfortable and durable enough for activewear, such as a day spent in the park or an afternoon walking your dog. Pick them if you’re looking for a great pair of great pair of walking shoes, and some models are even suitable for use as running shoes.

Veja sneakers are also ideal for anyone who wants to emulate celebrity style and fashion trends but who is on a budget. It’s unusual to be able to buy the specific product that top celebrities are wearing for less than $200, but Veja makes that possible.

Finally, Veja sneakers are a great choice for anyone who wants to support ethical, environmentally-friendly practices and manufacturing. The Veja brand stands out in its commitment to transparency and sustainability, so it’s highly appealing to consumers with similar values.

Who Veja Sneakers Are Not Best For

Veja sneakers are designed for comfort and active use, but they aren’t a top athletic shoe. You wouldn’t want to choose them for an intense trip to the gym or when you’re training for a 10K.

Related Post: Support Your Training With the Most Comfortable Running Shoes

Think of Veja sneakers as suitable for less intense use, and break out your running sneakers with more aggressive tread and arch support for your more rigorous training and workouts.

Veja Sneakers FAQ

How do I clean Veja sneakers?

Veja offers detailed cleaning instructions on its website. The brand suggests you don’t clean the sneakers in the washing machine. You can brush canvas models with cold water and Marseille soap. Leather sneakers can be cleaned with a damp cloth, and velvet leather inserts can be dry scrubbed. You can also contact Veja customer service to get specific cleaning instructions for your sneaker model.

Are Veja sneakers comfortable?

Yes, Veja sneakers are comfortable, but keep in mind that they require some break-in time. Plan to initially wear your new sneakers for short periods of time until they’re fully broken in and comfortable.

Do Veja sneakers run big or small?

Veja sneakers run true to size, but they’re only available in full sizes. If you wear a half size, you should size up, so it’s possible that you might find the shoe a little large. Veja offers a detailed size guide to help you determine which size will be the right fit.

Why are Veja sneakers so popular?

Veja sneakers are popular because they combine sleek and versatile style with a company known for its ethics, sustainability and dedication to transparency. The sneaker brand’s popularity has been boosted by the fact that celebrities like Meghan Markle and Emma Watson have worn the shoes.

Final Thoughts

As you shop for sneakers, you have a wide range of choices, from top athletic shoes to shoes designed for flat feet. Veja sneakers offer unique and distinctive characteristics, from their callback to retro styling to the transparency and sustainability of the brand. A popular choice of celebrities, Veja sneakers deliver when it comes to comfort and durability, too. Whether you’re looking for a sneaker to wear out and about or want to support a company whose ethics mirror yours, it might be time to try on your first pair of Vejas.

Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.