Shoe question

[OwnedByFerrets]

What is the most environmentally friendly, humanistic shoe company. I need new walking shoes (what we old-timers called tennie shoes ;-) ) and want to buy them from the right company. Looking at K-Swiss, Reebok, and Adidas but will consider other companies if they are of the right ilk.

[Lars39]

1. I've read that New Balance treats their employees very well.

[TallahasseeGrannie]

2. Will you wear leather?

[AndyTiedye]

3. Humanistic Would Have to be Birkenstock

They actually make shoes that are shaped like feet.

[yewberry]

4. There's 'No Sweat'

http://www.nosweatapparel.com/index.html

[The empressof all]

5. Have you looked at "No Sweat"

I'm waiting for some hemp sneakers I just ordered.


http://www.nosweatapparel.com/miva/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=NSS

[BrklynLiberal]

7. I have the NOSWEAT Code Pink Special Editions. Love 'em

[TreasonousBastard]

12. Kewl! I think I'll get me some too, and...

see if I get stopped at the airport.

I was thinking of getting some retro "Keds" type sneaks, and these guys look like they have the stuff.

[DoYouEverWonder]

6. I love my Crocs

I don't know how PC they are, but they are the most comfortable shoes you'll ever find. They're made out of latex, so they don't absorb sweat and dirt. Get them wet, no big deal. They'll dry in no time.

[snacker]

8. I'm seeing more and more people wearing them.

They must be very comfortable because I noticed almost every nurse in the hospital wearing them recently.

[politicat]

10. Crocs are based in my hometown.

I don't know where they manufacture, though I wouldn't be surprised if it was here in Boulder. The employees are really well treated, and Crocs voluntarily subscribes to the city's Living Wage Act (which requires City employees and contractors to the city to pay a minimum of the current living wage for the city; currently about $14 an hour.)

One of the founders is not with the company any more, and while he's a little loony, he's not making business decisions.

They are GREAT shoes if you like a sandal-type walking shoe. Every nurse, teacher and retail worker I know loves them.

If those aren't up your alley, then the next best walking shoe are Danskos.

Sneakers aren't great for walking because the foam padding condenses in the first couple of hours of wear, and never really un-deforms. A hard sole is in fact better than a soft one, and one that rolls with your stride is best of all.

My personal preferences for ethically responsible shoes (not vegan, though; the demand for meat far-outstrips the demand for leather, so if we give up leather, then there will just be skins that no one uses and I'm a big believer in the concept of Use Everything) are Doc Martens (made in England with union labor), Propet (made in France with Union Labor), Sofft (made in New Hampshire; union labor) Softspots (made in North Carolina) Birkenstocks (Germany and US) and Crocs.

[acmejack]

9. Here is the best organic shoe site I know of!

Alternative Outfitters, these are just the men's shoes!

http://www.alternativeoutfitters.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=51

Organic Consumers Association

[TreasonousBastard]

11. Well, a bit off the beaten track...

would be mukluks and moccassins, made here in the US of A, but who knows how the workers are treated. And they are made of dead animal skin, if that's an objection.

Made in Minnesota:
http://www.mukluks.com/

Made in Alaska:
http://www.alaskaguide.com/akstore/akfoot.htm

Made in Canuckistan:
http://www.muklukstore.com/usa/

Note-- none of these should be confused with Uggs.

[Eric J in MN]

13. Check out Pangea Veg.

http://www.pangeaveg.com/

[LeftyMom]

14. Yeah, thier stuff and service are great

and they only sell stuff that meets thier rather high labor standards. They rock. :D

[OwnedByFerrets]

15. Thank you everyone for all your great information.....

I will check out many of these suggestions!

[Digit]

16. Organic, etc are all fine and dandy

If you are looking for a WALKING shoe, pick something that supports your particular foot structure.

Many years ago, I sold shoes and I can't tell you the bunions and hammertoes I would see!

As for myself, I have a tendency to pronate one foot (walk on the inside of my foot), so I have found that New Balance 991's counteract that problem. I did quite alot of research on which shoes to buy before I purchased them, and am on my third pair! I have always taken good care of my feet and don't have any corns, bunions or hammertoes....thank God!

Sorry to act like a mother here, but since I am one....lol.