In 2023, I flew from my hometown of Los Angeles to New York City to visit some friends. From there, I flew to Morocco for a four-day work trip before flying back to New York, and eventually, Los Angeles. After I landed at LAX I hopped in the car with my sister and drove to Las Vegas. This isn’t a one-off occurrence, either. I travel a lot, and—truthfully—my biggest struggle isn’t switching time zones or practically living on a plane—it’s fitting all the shoes I want to take with me in my tiny carry-on. So when I learned the podiatrist-approved footwear brand Vionic makes packable loafers, I knew I had to put them to the test.
The aforementioned 2023 trip might be the most hectic vacation I’ve had, but it’s far from the only one. It’s crucial for me to plan (and pack!) ahead so that I can travel back to back with little stress. And saving space, by using packable loafers, is definitely something I could use in my bag of tricks. Below, my review of the Vionic Uptown Loafers ($130) and how they stack up as a travel companion.
Vionic Uptown Loafer — $130.00
Available sizes: 5-13, in half sizes and two widths
Materials: Leather or suede upper, synthetic rubber outsole, microfiber insole
Colors: 15
- Versatile
- Comfortable
- Doesn’t take up a whole lot of space
- Wide range of sizes, widths, and colors
- Approved by the APMA
- The sole doesn’t compress, which can still take up some room in luggage
- Pricey
First impressions
If I’m being honest, I was worried that the loafers were kind of… ugly. On the website, they looked chunky, hard to style, uncomfortable, and not very packable. Transparently, I was worried I wouldn’t like the product and thus be unable to write a neutral review. That said, once received the loafers, I was stunned—in the best way possible.
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When I finally received my Vionic Uptown Loafers, a friend of mine was at my house and I was scared to open the package with him watching. “Oh, these are the ugly loafers,” I thought to myself. To my surprise, these pink, suede shoes with a white sole looked so different in person than on the website and were… kind of chic! They reminded me of the coastal grandmother aesthetic that made its way around TikTok a few years back, and I was excited to pair them with all my comfiest garments. My friend—with no context of my prejudice—complimented them immediately and said, “I think you should wear these instead of those,” pointing at the Alo Sneakers I was wearing.
My review
Confident that these loafers were decidedly not ugly, I walked around Los Angeles in them for about a week. Without socks, the loafers fit a bit big. But once I put on a pair of no-shows, they were fine and even a bit snug. I got my regular size 6, so I suggest sizing down if you know you won’t be wearing socks with your loafers and sizing up if you know you will be.
That said, they’re not the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever worn. I walked about half a mile in them and could tell that my feet would blister if I wore them longer than that. My tip? Spend some time breaking them in before you take them out for a long jaunt (and bring Band-Aids!). It’s a con I can forgive, though, because these loafers are convenient and perfect for any daytime outfit.
They’re also incredibly packable. The top of the shoe completely flattens, which makes it possible for me to shove them in between clothes or underneath toiletries, whether that’s in my personal item or carry-on luggage. It’s a convenient way for me to save space on any trip, but especially helpful when I’m going on back-to-back jaunts. Between their versatility and packability, they’re a practical piece I’m looking forward to bringing on all my adventures.
As for the specs, they come in a range of color options—15 choices, to be exact. These include neutrals like black, silver, and cream, pretty pastels like pink and baby blue, and even a snakeskin print. You can also pick between a high-quality suede or a sustainably sourced leather upper. The outsole is made of synthetic rubber and the platform is about an inch high. And, like all Vionic shoes, they’ve received the Seal of Acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Association.
Vionic Uptown Loafers: My honest take
These are comfortable, stylish loafers that don’t take up a ton of space in most bags you pack—whether that’s a tote, a weekender, a carry-on, or a checked bag. That said, they don’t roll up into a tiny little ball that barely takes up space. You couldn’t, for instance, fit these in a small purse or belt bag. But the flat-top is very convenient for shoving into overpacked suitcases when you want to just pack one more thing, or squeezing into larger small-space items, like backpacks or totes.
I also appreciate that the Vionic Uptown Loafers are a casual footwear option that goes with almost anything. They may not be mind-blowingly packable, but they sure are versatile. And that saves space, too.
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