Image: www.simpleshoes.com
We've come a long way since the first earth-friendly shoes, when the styles back were either bland or just downright ugly. What kid is going to wear ugly shoes even if they are good for the earth? Designers have finally developed fashionable options in colors other than brown, using materials that don't resemble something dug up from a landfill.
Fashionable Sustainability
Simple Shoes has developed a saavy and chic line of sustainable footwear that resembles your trendy designer sneakers. But the similarity ends there. Their ecoSNEAKS, with witty names like Satire and Retire, use PET (recycled plastic bottles) for laces and pedbeds, organic cotton for liners and recycled car and bike tires for soles.
The company only uses ISO 14001 certified suede and BLC leathers – the greenest materials out there. Their Green Toe Shoes are equally as eco-friendly, using bamboo lining and water-based cements.
This fall Simple Shoes is launching the cold weather Green Toe footwear made with certified organic cotton fleece, bamboo wedge heels, natural latex and cork blended topsoles and weather-proof Rubbahyde™ (natural latex on textile backing). And to top it off, their prices are reasonable. Simply the best.
For the keen kids
Keen is a shoe manufacturer supports environmental, conservation and social organizations interested in connecting people with the outdoors. Its shoes reflect it philosophy of sustainability and durability.
The kiddie version of the Ventura sneaker has all the features that made the adult shoe a best seller. With a natural canvas upper, removable jute, cork and natural latex footbed and a natural rubber outsole, this sturdy and attractive shoe breathes and provides traction on almost any surface. Perfect for running around the schoolyard.
For Sk8er boys
Teenage boys probably won’t care but their favourite brand of skaters shoes just got a bit greener. Etnies has started selling vegan shoes that are totally animal-free and enviro-friendly. You'll be able to spot the vegan shoes with their special label (cow with a red line through it).
No label
Using 100 percent organic hemp and water-based glues, Blackspot has produced an edgy shoe perfect for college-aged student that also takes a cut into Nike’s stranglehold on shoemaking. Worker- and eco-friendly, their classic Blackspot Sneaker resembles the old Converse line (swallowed up by Nike). The Unswoosher boots, made all-vegetarian materials really do look like something cool rockers would wear.
Turning a green leaf
Though you wouldn’t immediately think of NIKE as helping to pave the way for eco-friendly shoes, their CONSIDERED line has proven there is an earth friendly market that can hit a mainstream audience.
Jordan XX3 -- the relaunch of the classic Air Jordon sneaker has been without any toxic adhesives, (its stitched instead) and all materials used are obtained locally within a few hundred miles of their factories. CONSIDERED shoes can be easily disassembled for recycling.
Nike has also launched the first all green performance basketball shoe. The Trash Talk sneaker is made entirely from materials leftover in the factory that would otherwise end up in a landfill. Not entirely green but certainly an improvement over their other lines.
The classics
Patagonia has a diverse selection of rugged casual shoes with familiar earthy colors. With options for men, women and children, picky shoppers are likely to find what they're looking for. Even better, their footwear use vegetable-based laces, recycled rubber and hemp fibers.
The Sprats line is perfect for tweens and wee ones. It has breathable pigskin and mesh linings, brawny rubber soles and bumper toes perfect for play. Adjustable elastic laces make them easy to put on or take off.
“Green” Up Your Old Shoes
Of course, you don’t have to buy brand new shoes in order to lessen your footprint on the planet. If you’re in need of new shoelaces, look for laces made from jute or hemp, both these natural fiber are very green. You can pick up some sturdy hemp laces from Rawganique. Pick up some sparkly jute laces from Penny Elegance.
Not done?
Haven’t found what you’re looking for? Check out Planet Shoes. This online ecological shop has put all the enviro-friendly shoes stores under one room. You can browse through and find something suitable. The company also offers free shipping that comes has been carbon offsetted.
Shelagh McNally is the editor of Green Living Online. She updated this article first written by Jason Antebi, a Seattle based writer who wears Simple Shoes all the time. .
Green Living Network
