I have yet another pair of American-made, vegan, 15% recycled

[Critters2]

plastic sandals. I bought these to wear at a convention and other places where I'll be doing a lot of walking. And I guessed right--they have more support and a better footbed for walking than the other pair I bought (which are my "good shoes" for the summer).

I am obsessed, it's true. But buying two pair of (pretty much)ethically made vegan shoes is better than buying cheap, leather shoes made in China. Isn't it?

Here, judge for yourself....http://store.okabashi.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=6

[Shell Beau]

1. Definitely cheap, but those aren't really my style. I am glad, though,

that you found some you love.

[Critters2]

2. Wicked comfortable!!! Yeah, not much to look at,

but good in a lot of other ways.

[Shell Beau]

3. comfort is key!

[Critters2]

8. Absolutely! nt

[Deja Q]

4. Vegan? Are they edible? I mean, I *have* heard of 'toe-jam'...

:9

[Critters2]

5. No, not edible, but

no animals were harmed in the making of these shoes.

[GirlinContempt]

6. I can NOT wear plastic shoes

So for me, it wouldn't be better.

[Critters2]

7. I can't wear leather shoes.

My conscience is really insistent about this. Don't know what I'd do if I couldn't wear plastic.

Btw, why can't you wear plastic? An allergy? Just curious. Thanks!

[GirlinContempt]

10. It's not exactly something most would want to know

but....
lets just say, my feet tend to crack. The soles of them.
Plastic shoes exacerbate this problem.
I also hate those stupid nubby things on the insoles.
They don't massage, they're painful.
But, yeah. Plastic doesn't breathe.

[Critters2]

13. Oh, yeah, My sister has that problem--cracking skin

and not just on her feet. Her hands do that all winter long. Sometimes I'm grateful for my icky, oily skin.

[ghostsofgiants]

12. There are vegan alternatives to leather that aren't plastic.

My Blackspot sneakers have a vegan faux-leather toe cap.

[Critters2]

15. Faux-leather is a kind of plastic

More malleable and breathable than pvc, but plastic nonetheless. I have two pair of New Balance that are synthetic leather, that I just live in during the winter. The pvc-type shoes create too much static electricity, and I hate that. So, in the winter I wear synthetic walking shoes with rubber soles. But in the summer, I NEED sandals. So, I break out the Okabashis.

[Gormy Cuss]

9. Me either.

Nasty things happen to my feet when I wear synthetics. I can wear flip flops and other rigid foam sandals but only for hanging around the house.
If I wanted vegan footwear it would have to be hemp or other plant material.

[GirlinContempt]

11. Yeah

Canvas is mostly ok I find

[Critters2]

14. I wish I could find an ethically-made canvas shoe

God knows I've tried. The few I've found are even uglier than these sandals. Not practical for places I'd need to wear them.

Curse you, Keds, for moving your manufacturing to China!! I do have two pair of New Balance that are good, though.

[GirlinContempt]

16. hmmm

http://adbusters.org/metas/corpo/blackspotshoes/
http://www.getethical.com/getprod.php?prodid=901
http://www.alternativeoutfitters.com/browseproducts/BC-Footwear-Don't-Panic-Black-Vegan-Slip-Ons.HTML
http://www.shoesdirect.co.uk/acatalog/Shoesdirect_Simple_O_S__Canvas__2028_Chocolate__2041.html

[Critters2]

23. Oh, yeah, I'd like 'em to be attractive, too. nt

[coffeenap]

17. Look at Veganessentials and No Sweat--links here:

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

https://secure11.nexternal.com/shared/StoreFront/default.asp?CS=vegane&BusType=BtoC&Count1=236889064&Count2=154029488&CategoryID=3&Target=products.asp

[ET Awful]

18. Have you looked at Simple shoes and Earth Vegan?

Nice stuff (especially Earth). I'm not sure of where they're manufactured though, I know Simple used to make stuff domestically, but I haven't looked in a while.

The Earth stuff is very comfy, but pricey (I've been setting aside some cash for a pair of their dressier mens shoes for work):

http://www.earthvegan.us/catalog.asp?Gender=women&cat=4

[Critters2]

22. I don't know about Simple Shoes, but Earth are not ethically-made

They're made in China, so not an option.

[LynneSin]

19. Not only can I not wear plastic but I don't think I could wear any of those shoes

I want to do my best to save the world but not at the cost of wearing shoes that I find not very attractive

[Little Star]

20. Do they make your feet sweat?

I like the look of them and also the look of comfort. Do they make your feet sweat?

[Critters2]

24. Not the sandals. The clogs prolly would, though. nt

[wildhorses]

21. i wish they came in other colors besides the black and off white

still the price is excellent and they are not ugly

[Critters2]

25. I know. Some other styles come in brown.

These are my "everyday around the house shoes".