Three Things To Know:
- Sustainably made – Crafted with natural rubber, and leather which is a by-product of the food industry
- Distinctive design – With a sleek, minimalist style and slip-on comfort, they stand out from more technical-looking walking sandals
- Best for light use – They're ideal for casual walks and travel, but less suited to rugged terrain or long-distance hikes
Our Rating:
First Impressions and Fit
Comfort and Support
Grip and Traction
Build Quality and Materials
Check availability at VIBAe.
While the VIBAe Saint Tropez sandals aren’t your typical walking sandal, they possess impressive technology to rival the more outdoorsy brands.
Known for combining comfort tech with natural materials, VIBAe puts a lot of focus on foot health without sacrificing style. These are more of a minimalist slip-on than rugged trail sandal, but I was curious to see how it would hold up for everyday wear and light exploring.
VIBAe was started in 2020 by a group of friends from Finland and Malibu, inspired by a campervan trip across Finland. The group wanted to create stylish yet durable shoes that can be worn hiking hills and sipping cocktails, made from durable sustainable materials.
Here’s how I’ve found the Saint Tropez sandals over the summer.
- RRP: £134.00
- Weight: 150g (1/2 pair size 5)
- Upper: Portuguese vegetable-tanned leather from food industry by-products
- Sole: Carbon Step™ antimicrobial contoured footbed
First Impressions and Fit
The Saint Tropez sandals obviously look more like a fashion sandal than a technical shoe – and I think they look great – however, as soon as you step into them you can tell they’ve been designed with serious thought.
They fit true to size on my size five feet, but if you have narrow feet or are between sizes I would recommend a size down as the leather will inevitably soften and stretch a bit.
Comfort and Support
The sole of the sandals is a removable Carbon Step insole, with a contoured 11/14/7 formula – 11 mm of heel cushion, 14 mm of arch support, and 7 mm in the forefoot – and it naturally compresses to mold to your foot position and shape.
I personally needed to wear these shoes regularly for about a week to break them in, with a bit of rubbing around the cuticles and the sides, but once they had, they were one of the most comfortable shoes I’ve worn in a while, and are my go to shoe now.
The footbed is made from a soft but responsive PU (polyurethane) midsole wrapped in suede, which gives a nice bit of cushioning underfoot, enough to wear them all day without any soreness. They’re flat, but they follow the natural contours of your foot, so there’s some subtle arch support built in.
That said, they’re definitely more suited to urban walking, light wandering, or travel days rather than rugged trails. The open design and leather straps mean you don’t get loads of lateral support, and if you’re on very uneven ground for long stretches, your feet might start to feel it.
Still, for city walks, beach days or even flights and train journeys, these are ridiculously comfortable. Just don’t expect hiking-boot-level structure, these sandals are more about relaxed support than high-performance stability.
Grip and Traction
Given how sleek and simple these sandals look, I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of grip they offer. The outsole is made from natural rubber, and although it’s fairly thin, it’s grippy enough for everyday surfaces like pavements, wooden decking, or cobbled streets. I wore them during a city break with a mix of light rain and dry heat, and they handled smooth tiles and wet pavement without slipping.
That said, these definitely aren’t sandals for rugged trails or anything too technical, but the grip held up well on gravel surfaces, woodland floors and other rural environments. There’s no deep tread pattern but for light all day walks, urban exploring, travel days, and general warm-weather use, the grip is absolutely sufficient.
Build Quality and Materials
One thing I really appreciated was how the insole felt underfoot – that bounce comes from the open-cell polyurethane, which not only keeps things feeling springy but also helps stop bacteria building up (great for avoiding that dreaded sandal smell). The cork shank underneath adds a bit of structure and acts as a thermal barrier too, which is a nice touch for keeping your feet comfy and the sandals lasting longer.
The shoes are made with Leather Working Group (LWG) certified vegetable tanned leather which is locally sourced in Portugal from food industry by products, and made by regional crafts people.
Value for money
At around £134, the Vibae Saint Tropez sandals definitely sit at the premium end of the walking sandal spectrum. But considering the craftsmanship, sustainable materials, and the unique balance of comfort and style, I’d say they offer good value if you’re after something a bit different.
Sustainability
The leather used in VIBAe shoes is LWG certified and sourced from food industry by products, and they are made by local artisans in Portugal. There are also vegan options.
Should you buy it
If you’re looking for a walking sandal that’s as stylish as it is functional, the VIBAe Saint Tropez could be a great choice. They're not built for intense hikes, but for city breaks, campsite wandering, or casual summer outings, they strike a good balance of comfort, support, and unique design.
Find more in our guide to the best walking sandals.
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