RAYVE RIO Review: Stylish, comfortable trainers for everyday wear

We tested the RAYVE RIO barefoot trainers, which combine a stylish city look with all-day comfort – thanks to the memory-foam insole and a wide toe box, they’re a great choice for barefoot beginners too.

Tested model	RAYVE RIO
Best for	leisure, city wear, unisex
Upper material	suede and smooth leather
Lining	microfibre for maximum comfort
Sole	rubber, thickness 3.5 mm + 2 mm tread
Insole	softened 2 mm memory-foam insole
Fit	roomy in the toe area, suitable for average to wider feet
Shoe height	low-top
Colour options	black, dark blue, pink, red, white, sky blue, taupe, dark brown, cheetah
Available sizes	36–46
Price	2 999 Kč (some colour options currently 35% off)
Testing conditions	in the city, on an all-day trip
Manufacturer	RAYVE

The reason I chose the RAYVE brand is simple – I’ve had a great experience with it. My youngest son wore their wellies in autumn, insulated boots in winter and trainers in spring – all from RAYVE. I’ve been wearing their all-season shoes myself for over a year and a half and I’m genuinely delighted. So as soon as I saw these trainers in beautiful designer colours, I didn’t hesitate. The only problem was choosing a colour – in the end I went for pink, which feels versatile and wonderfully subtle.

I’ve worn them several times around town and also on an all-day trip to craft markets. For me, they’re really smart shoes for work and the city, and easily good for everyday wear too.

Main плюсы:

a great choice of 10 colours – it’s such an interesting range that it’s hard to pick just one
available in a wide size range, so there’s something for everyone
made from very supple suede – you can walk in them all day and nothing hurts
suitable even for wider feet
they have an integrated 2 mm memory-foam insole for the softest step, making them suitable for barefoot beginners too

Main минусы:

with lighter colours, it’ll be interesting to see how long they stay clean – but so far, there’s been no issue

Key features and overall rating

The RAYVE RIO trainers are really beautiful and catch your eye straight away. They’re leather, with a textile lining, in a clean city style, and they work just as well with trousers as they do with a dress or skirt.

They fit a medium instep and hold the ankle securely, they’re suitable for medium-wide to wide feet, and I really appreciate the toe space, which feels genuinely comfortable – they have an anatomically shaped toe box, so your toes have room to move naturally. The shoes are also lightweight and very comfortable. Thanks to the integrated memory-foam insole, I find them pleasant to walk in even on hard surfaces.

They’re great for longer walks in the city and all-day wear. Overall, I’d describe them as sporty-smart – so they fit into your wardrobe both for everyday wear and for work. I waterproofed them and, as needed, clean them with water and products suitable for suede. On very hot days I’d probably reach for sandals, even though my feet didn’t sweat in these – they’re simply more comfortable on cooler days. In terms of durability and quality, I’m still curious to see how well I manage to keep the light colour looking fresh, but so far I’m very happy.

Real-world testing

In the city, on shorter trips

I tested the RAYVE RIO trainers on shorter trips into town – shopping and everyday errands. Thanks to the roomy toe box and the memory-foam insole, they felt comfortable from the start; nothing pinched or restricted me, even when walking on hard city pavements.

On an all-day family trip

I really put them to the test on an all-day family trip to craft markets. Even after many hours of walking, nothing hurt and my feet still felt great – they’re some of my most comfortable barefoot shoes for the city.

Final verdict

I absolutely loved the colour and the soft feel underfoot. I’m considering buying another shade because they’re genuinely brilliant and suit different occasions – from a day in town to work. I’d definitely recommend them to anyone starting out with barefoot footwear, because you’ll fall in love with them.

The RAYVE RIO trainers were tested by Lenka Dolenská, a mum of three young children, who is also the author of the Instagram profile monte_sorry_aktivity, where she shares various tips for parents and their children. You’ll find advice on quality games, toys and helpful tools, as well as ideas for activities that support children’s meaningful development.