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I noticed these unwanted shoes, now filled with seedlings, at Gorgie City Farm.Talking of green shoes, my everyday winter boots, which I've had for many years, resoled them and re-heeled them many times, now are reaching the end of their useful life. I am looking for lace up ankle boots with a medium height sturdy heel. As a vegetarian, I am keen to at least try to find an alternative to leather but I can't find hemp boots in the style I want and am reluctant to replace leather with fake leather derived from petrochemicals so what are my options? Any advice welcome! Preferably that I could source from within Europe, even better within the UK.....
I've been vegetarian or vegan for most of my life. Comfortable vegetarian shoes that look good are very dificult. I've had my feet mangled by imitation leather that doesn't breathe and other such horrors. The only vegan footwear that I would reccomend is vegan dry oots. They are a kind of plastic hiking boot. They look awful when you first get them, right green, but they weather very nicely are extremely comfortable and last forever. Good for aything outdoorsy. Its best to get them in a size smaller than what you would usually wear.
ReplyDeleteThe best reviews I read on-line where for Garmont boots. They have a vegan version as well (in U.S. but the brand is Italian so I suppose they can also be found in Europe). But the top might be just artificial leather from what I know - implying the use of petrochemicals.
ReplyDeleteI am not a vegan, I just got tempted to do some market research.
It might be that for heavy boots the only “green” alternative is natural leather. Not friendly towards animals, I know. But on can assume that only the old , sick and dying ones are sacrificed for that (unlike for their meat where you’d need a healthy animal)
i am not vegetarian, though i have tried it; but i would love, love to ban plastic from the earth. I think it is poison... and felt this way always; though friends deny this, and think it is amazing.
ReplyDeleteI bet there is another way to make something healthier, similiarly endowed to "shape".
I see what you mean re your comment on my blog. Great minds....
ReplyDeleteI am ashamed to say that I haven't progressed enough yet to look into vegan shoes. I don't buy shoes or boots often and I won't be buying any leather. I have such a long green journey ahead of me...Please accept a 'Green Thinker' award from me..You REALLY deserve it... Michelle
ReplyDeleteWe have a great shop in Brighton - Vegetarian Shoes who have a nice website.
ReplyDeletewww.vegetarian-shoes.co.uk/
Bear in mind that the leather industry is a heavy polluter, so possibly vegan footwear from man-made materials isn’t much worse an option. I don’t know how the environmental effects really compare, though, and I wonder if any studies have even been made.
ReplyDeletehaha; loved the shoe planters. perhaps to grow corn in to later turn into a scarecrow. (not a vegetarian but impressed with those who have control of their lives to be able to do so)
ReplyDeleteNow, that is an idea I've never heard of :)
ReplyDeleteNo idea for alternative to Leather though :(
Can't help you with the shoes but I do like the planters. I'm not sure what you do with them after the plant has grown. It looks to me like the shoes have to go into the trash at a later date anyway.
ReplyDeleteJuliet, have a look at http://www.sativabags.com/ - they're based in the UK and seem to receive good reviews. I am also in love with http://www.purefootwear.co.uk/simple-pestoe-boot-prod71080/, http://www.purefootwear.co.uk/po-zu-well-boot-prod71104/ and http://www.purefootwear.co.uk/po-zu-pep-boot-prod71103/, however I don't know if it is your style!
ReplyDeleteSadly, my feet don't do well with the shoes bought from the vegan shoe company in Brighton, such a shame as they have quite stylish ones!