These flexible $95 sneakers are knit from a stretchy material that requires no break-in period - and they can pack completely flat
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- Suavs are stylish, packable shoes made from 3D-printed knit material.
- They're lightweight, breathable, and can be bent into compact, travel-friendly shapes.
- Prices range from $50 - $110, putting them on par with other slip-ons like Allbirds and Vivobarefoot.
- We tested out the company's $95 Zilker and $110 Legacy and were impressed. Find our full thoughts below.
In the dreamscape of breathable, comfortable, (actually) good-looking sneakers, there are some noteworthy new players.
The cult-favorite startup Allbirds makes comfortable sneakers and loungers from proprietary merino wool and tree leaves respectively, Vivobarefoot makes barefoot-like shoes that roll up to the size of a pair of socks, and Suavs - a name you likely recognize from targeted ads on Facebook or Instagram - is the latest addition to the scene. And it's a rather great one at that.
Suavs are essentially flexible sneakers made from a soft, breathable 3D-printed knit. They have lightweight, non-slip rubber soles and removable, washable insoles so you don't have to wear socks. The ventilated uppers and sweat-wicking technology keep feet dry, and the flexible materials like rubber and knit make the shoes feel responsive and seamless to move in. They've been designed specifically to prevent blisters, and are sustainably manufactured to reduce material waste. For traveling, they can be bent into virtually any shape (ie. balled up to fit into a carry-on).
All in all, Suavs are shoes primed for either traveling or everyday life: compact, lightweight, and low-maintenance. In terms of cost, they're pretty much on par with other breathable slip-ons, ranging from $50 - $110.
Like many popular online startups, Suavs launched on Kickstarter. Its founders proposed creating one go-to pair of shoes for the office, happy hour, and your next trip. They raised over $150,000 altogether.
Suavs shoes are unisex, but the site categorizes them by gender. For men, the shoe options are the classic $95 Zilker (shown above), the $50 Zilker in Air Mesh, and the $110 Legacy (a high-top). For women, it's the same with the addition of the $95 Barton (a loafer). Colors range from fiery red and salmon pink to neutrals, with emphasis on the latter.
The Suavs site and option range is limited, but don't be fooled: the product is surprisingly good. The company sent us pairs to test, and we were impressed by how much we liked them. You can find our full thoughts below, but the consensus is that Suavs are one of the better options out there for travel-friendly and style-friendly shoes. The sizing can be off (read below for our tips), but they're generally comfortable, versatile, and worth the $90+ if their claims appeal to you.
Find our personal experiences with the Suavs shoes below:
Mara Leighton, Insider Picks reporter: Suavs Zilker, Charcoal, $95
Connie Chen, Insider Picks reporter: Suavs Zilker, Heathered Grey, $95
Sally Kaplan, Insider Picks editor: Suavs Zilker, Heathered Grey, $95
David Slotnick, Insider Picks senior reporter: Suavs Zilker, Heathered Grey, $95
Owen Burke, Insider Picks guides reporter: Suavs Legacy, Jet Black, $110